AP World Semester 1 Midterm

Confucianism

Philosophy emphasizing moral order

Neo-Confucianism

Song-era revival combining Confucian ethics with Buddhist & Daoist metaphysics; emphasized morality

Song Dynasty

Economic & technological innovations: paper money

Tang Dynasty

Military expansion

Wu Zhao

Only female emperor of China; Tang dynasty; expanded bureaucracy and promoted Buddhism

Foot Binding

Song-era practice for elite women; restricted mobility

Abbasid Caliphate

Center in Baghdad; intellectual & cultural golden age; House of Wisdom; spread Islam

Umayyad Caliphate

Arab-dominated ruling elite; expanded Islam to North Africa & Spain; centralized governance; spread Islam and Arabic language

Islam

Monotheistic religion; Muhammad as prophet; submission to Allah; spread through trade

Quran

Sacred Islamic text; revealed to Muhammad; foundation for law

Five Pillars of Islam

Core practices: Shahada (faith)

House of Wisdom

Baghdad center for translation

Shia vs Sunni

Shia: leadership through Muhammad’s descendants; Sunni: leadership chosen by community consensus

Seljuks and Mamluks

Seljuks: Turkish empire controlling Middle East; Mamluks: slave-soldier rulers in Egypt; defended Islam & trade networks

Caste System

Social hierarchy in Hindu society; Brahmin

Hinduism

Indian religion; dharma

Buddhism

Founded by Siddhartha Gautama; Four Noble Truths

Zoroastrianism

Persian monotheistic religion; dualism of good vs evil

Judaism

Monotheistic religion of Hebrews; Torah; influenced Christianity & Islam

Christianity

Monotheistic religion; Jesus as Messiah; spread across Roman Empire and beyond; influenced law and ethics

Legacy of Greeks

Romans

Chola Kingdom

Southern India; controlled Indian Ocean trade; spread Hinduism

Sultanate of Delhi

Muslim kingdom in India; spread Islam; centralized administration; influenced culture

Ghana

West African kingdom; gold-salt trade; centralized government; Islam spread via trade

Mali

West African kingdom; wealth from gold; Islam spread; Timbuktu became learning center

Mansa Musa

Mali emperor; pilgrimage to Mecca displayed wealth; promoted education & Islamic culture

Swahili

East African coastal culture; Bantu + Islamic influence; controlled Indian Ocean trade

Trans-Saharan Trade Route

Camel caravans; West Africa ↔ North Africa; gold

Indian Ocean Trade

Maritime trade; monsoon winds; East Africa

Yuan Dynasty

Mongol-ruled China; Kublai Khan; integrated Chinese bureaucracy; promoted trade & cultural exchange

Khanates

Mongol divisions after Chinggis Khan’s death; Golden Horde

Yam

Mongol postal relay system; fast communication & trade across empire

Pax Mongolica

Mongol peace; stabilized Silk Roads; facilitated trade

Silk Roads

Land-based Eurasian trade network; spread goods (silk

Chinggis Khan / Temujin

United Mongols; military strategy & horsemanship; established Mongol Empire; elected via Kurultai

Shamans

Religious leaders in Mongol society; guided decisions and spiritual practices

Yurts

Portable Mongol homes; enabled nomadic lifestyle and military mobility

Tanistry

System for selecting Mongol leaders based on merit & lineage

Horsemanship

Mongol military skill; archery on horseback; key to conquests

Kurultai

Tribal council to elect Mongol leaders; ensured consensus and legitimacy

Postal Relay System

Mongol communication system (Yam); supported merchants

Golden Horde

Mongol khanate in Russia; extracted tribute; Orthodox Christianity tolerated

Kiev

Major city influenced by Mongols; tribute to Golden Horde; center of trade in Eastern Europe

Marco Polo

Venetian traveler to Yuan China; documented Mongols; promoted knowledge & trade

Ilkhan Khanates

Mongol khanate in Persia; adopted Islam; promoted trade & administration

Tang & Song Dynasties – Development

Tang: military expansion

China’s Influence on East Asia

Korea

Hinduism – Development

Evolved from Vedic religion; beliefs in karma

India’s Influence in SE Asia

Spread Hinduism & Buddhism

Trade Networks & Dar al-Islam

Connected Africa

Spread & Influence of Islam

Unified Arabia; Umayyad conquest to North Africa & Spain; merchants spread Islam to SE Asia; rulers like Mansa Musa adopted Islam; influenced culture

Trade & Development of Societies

Trade created wealth

Abbasid vs Umayyad Caliphates

Umayyads: conquest

Mansa Musa’s Hajj

Displayed Mali’s wealth (gold in Cairo)

Spread and Adaptation of Buddhism

Spread via Silk Roads; Mahayana Buddhism adapted to local cultures; merged with Daoism in China (Neo-Confucianism); SE Asia: Buddhist kingdoms (Srivijaya)

Zoroastrianism’s Influence

Concepts: good vs evil

Pax Mongolica & Silk Roads

Stabilized trade routes; spread goods (paper

Compare Trans-Saharan vs Indian Ocean Trade

Trans-Saharan: camels

Expansion of Khanates in Central Asia

Pax Mongolica stabilized Eurasia; Yam system enabled communication; Ilkhanate adopted Islam; Central Asia became trade & cultural hub

Distinctive Features of Khanates & Leaders

Golden Horde: tribute

Mongol Yam System

Postal relay system for communication & trade; supported envoys & merchants; strengthened Pax Mongolica

Significance of Marco Polo

Venetian traveler to Yuan China; documented Mongol empire; promoted East-West knowledge & trade

Shamans & Yurts

Shamans: religious leaders; Yurts: portable homes; essential for Mongol mobility & culture

Temujin / Chinggis Khan

United Mongol tribes; military strategy & horsemanship; established Mongol Empire; Kurultai elected him as Great Khan

Tanistry

Method of selecting tribal leaders; leadership based on merit & lineage

Horsemanship & Military Organization

Mongol cavalry dominance; archery on horseback; key to conquests and empire expansion

Kurultai

Tribal council to elect leaders; ensured consensus and legitimacy

Silk Roads vs Indian Ocean Trade

Silk Roads: land-based

Silk Roads vs Trans-Saharan Trade

Silk Roads: China → Middle East → Europe; Trans-Saharan: West Africa → N. Africa; Silk Roads: silk