APWH - Unit 1

The Global Tapestry (1200–1450): State Formation, Religion, and Cultural Interaction

In what way did the Song Dynasty’s economy demonstrate continuity?

Despite technological advances, Chinese dynasties retained core traditions like agrarian revenue systems and Confucian governance to stabilize society.
Agriculture: The Song maintained a strong agrarian base, relying on taxes from farmers and promoting rice cultivation—especially Champa rice, introduced from Vietnam.
Bureaucracy: They continued the Confucian civil service exam system, allowing scholar-officials to rise in government

How did Islamic states govern religiously and ethnically diverse populations?

Islamic states used a flexible mix of tolerance, taxation, and integration to manage diversity and maintain control.

Abbasid Caliphate: Allowed Christians and Jews dhimmi status, protecting them with a tax (jizya).

Delhi Sultanate: Ruled over a Hindu majority using a mix of Islamic law and local traditions, sometimes harshly, sometimes pragmatically (e.g., employing Hindus in bureaucracy).

What led to the formation of advanced state systems in the Americas?

American states developed independently, adapting to geography with sophisticated infrastructure and tribute-based politics.

Inca Empire: Used the mit’a labor system and a vast road network through the Andes to consolidate control.

Mexica (Aztec): Formed the Triple Alliance and demanded tribute from conquered peoples in goods and captives.

How did Sub-Saharan African states develop politically and economically?

African kingdoms gained wealth and power through trade, Islamic integration, and state-building rooted in kinship and control over key resources.

Mali Empire: Mansa Musa centralized control over trade cities like Timbuktu, which became Islamic and prosperous.

Great Zimbabwe: Thrived through gold trade with Swahili city-states and built monumental stone structures as symbols of wealth.