1st Half of Time Period 1

1200-1450

What were the traditional features of government in East Asia (China) in the 13th Century?

- This most significant dynasty was the Song Dynasty of China, which used traditional methods of Confucianism, an imperial bureaucracy, 'Mandate of Heaven' and the Civil Service Exam to maintain and justify its rule.

What was Confucianism and Filial Piety? -

Confucianism was a philosophy that provided a structure to society based upon the 'Five Relationships' where people used a superior/subordinate relationship. One of the features of it is Filial Piety where older generations are highly respected and venerated by the younger generations.

Describe the political organization of Japan in the 13th Century.

- In 13th century Japan, political organization was dominated by the feudal system under a Shogun, where the shogun held military power while the emperor remained a symbolic figurehead. Samurai warriors served as the military class, maintaining loyalty to their daimyo lords, who governed local regions.

What was the cultural relationship between China and the rest of East Asia in the 13th Century?*

- In the 13th century, China exerted significant cultural influence over East Asia through the spread of Confucianism, Buddhism, and administrative practices, particularly impacting Korea and Japan. These regions adopted Chinese writing systems, art, architecture, and governance models, integrating them into their own cultural and political frameworks. (eg. Filial Piety, Confucianism, Heian architecture)

What were the different branches of Buddhism, where did it originate, and where did they spread?*

- Buddhism originated in India and evolved into several branches: Theravada, which spread to Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia; Mahayana, which spread to China, Korea, Japan, and Vietnam; and Vajrayana, which spread to Tibet and Mongolia. Each branch adapted to local cultures and traditions, influencing religious practices and societal values in these regions. (eg. Theravada - SE ASIA, , Mahayana- E. Asia, Tibetan - Tibet & Mongolia)

Describe the economy of Song China. -

The economy of Song China was highly advanced, characterized by a booming trade network, agricultural innovations like the use of Champa Rice, and the widespread use of paper money. Urbanization and commercial activity flourished, with major cities becoming bustling centers of commerce and industry.

How did innovations change East Asia in the 13th Century?*

- The economy of Song China grew drastically as a result of increased production, long distance trade, and innovations in agriculture and manufacturing. (eg - Champa rice, Grand Canal expansion, Steel and iron production, Porcelains production, Gunpowder, block printing)

Describe Dar al-Islam in the time c. 1200-1450. -

Dar al-Islam "house of peace" refers to all territory under the rule of Islam. Islam originated on the Arabian peninsula, but Dar al-Islam grew as a realm spanning from Spain to the Indian subcontinent. Islam spread widely, bringing about an Islamic 'Golden Age' (8th-13th centuries). Though dominated by Islam, Dar al-Islam was largely tolerant religiously, especially towards Judaism and Christianity.

What was the political (government) organization of Dar al-Islam in the late 13th Century?

* - The Abbasid Caliphate (kingdom) once dominated Dar al-Islam, but fragmented in this time and a new Islamic states emerged (eg. New Islamic states: Seljuk Empire, Mamluk sultanate of Egypt, Delhi Sultanate).

How and why did Islam's influence spread so widely and rapidly?

- Islam's influence continued to expand to many parts of Afro-Eurasia due in small part to military expansion, but primarily spread due to the activities of merchants and missionaries along long-distance trade routes.

How did the Muslim world facilitate the spread of knowledge and culture during its Golden Age (8th-13th centuries)?*

- Through long distance trade, missionary work and its central location within Afro-Eurasia, Muslim states became the 'collectors' and 'distributors' of past and current learning. (eg. House of Wisdom, translated works of Greek and Roman philosophy, symbol for zero, algebra, geometry)

What were the effects of the Muslim world being the main center of knowledge during its golden age (8th-13th centuries)?

- In Europe, the cultural reawakening of the Renaissance, focused on 'rediscovery' of Greek and Roman scholarship; in North Africa, the spread of Islam and development of new centers of learning; in South Asia, the development of a new versions of Islam like Sufism; in the Indian Ocean, the spread of maritime navigational technology.

Describe the dominant features of culture in South Asia (present day India) from 1200-1450.* -

With Hinduism and the Caste system still dominant, as Islam expanded in South Asia syncretic belief systems emerged that combined elements of both Islam and Hinduism. (eg. Sufism, Bhakti Movement).

Describe the features of culture in Southeast Asia from 1200-1450. -

Increased cross-cultural interactions, largely due to the trade across the Indian Ocean, contributed to the spread of belief systems such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and later Islam into Southeast Asia.

Describe the governments in South Asia from c. 1200-1450.* -

Governments used the religions of Islam or Hinduism to maintain and justify their authority. When a religious minority government controlled a majority population, in some instances religious tolerance was prominent. (e.g. Vijayanagara Empire used Hinduism, Delhi Sultanate was run by Muslims)

Describe the features of government in Southeast Asia from c. 1200-1450.* -

Government maintained and justified their rule based upon adherence to religion. Early in this timeframe, most states used Hinduism as their justification. Later, Hinduism will be replaced by either Buddhism or Islam. (eg. Srivijaya Empire, Khmer Empire, Majapahit, Sukhothal kingdom, Sinhala dynasties)

Describe the growth of new states in the Americas c. 1200-1450* -

In the Americas, new states expanded their size using military conquest, state-sponsored religion and centralized economic systems to dominate and incorporate smaller states (eg. New States in the Americas: Mexica (Aztec), Inca, Chaco, Mesa Verde, Cahokia).

Describe the growth of new states in Africa c. 1200-1450* -

In Africa, the spread of Islam combined with long distance trade amongst Afro-Eurasia brought about the rise of new states and highly developed urban centers (eg. Great Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Hausa kingdoms, Mali, Ghana).

Describe some of the cultural characteristics of East Africa c. 1200-1450.

- Muslim merchants, traveling along the Indian Ocean brought their religion, language, and other ideas. Over time, a new syncretic language emerged called Swahili. It blends traditional (African) Bantu languages with Arabic words.

Describe the religious breakdown of Europe c. 1200-1450. -

Western and northern Europe was dominated by a version of Christianity called Roman Catholicism which was led by a 'Pope' and headquartered in Rome. In eastern Europe and present day Russia, a different version of Christianity called 'Eastern Orthodox' dominated and it was headed by a person with the title of 'Patriarch'. Present day Spain and the Balkans (Southeastern Europe) had a large population of Muslims. Judaism is spread throughout Europe, but mostly located in small pockets in urban centers within central and eastern Europe.

Describe the dominant political system in Europe c. 1200-1450.

- Europe was dominated by the decentralized political system of feudalism which is a result of weak monarchs and a strong local nobility. Land, the traditional source of power and legitimacy, was exchanged for loyalty from a higher lord to a lower lord. Local lords collected taxes, mobilized armed forces and settled legal disputes.

Describe the dominant economic system of Europe c. 1200-1450.

- The manorial system described the division of land within European states. In medieval Europe, manors were self-sufficient communities. Under a lord's direction, serfs (a type of forced labor) provided agricultural labor and produced most of the necessary goods.