WHAP unit 1

Describe the big picture from 1200-1450 CE in the Global Tapestry.

-major civilizations growing larger
-world religions continue to influence life and culture
-technological innovations continue
-smaller states, local religions beliefs, old technology continue to decline

State-Building and maintenance of state are a major theme of unit 1; What is a state?

an organized political community under one government (like a country, empire, nation, etc)

What innovations continued to the Golden Age for China, kept it an economic powerhouse and helped to unify China in this time period?

-gunpowder and expansion of the Grand Canal which was started in the Sui Dynasty
-the Grand Canal boosted trade between regions and kept culture more consistent

Why was the introduction of Champa Rice so important for the Song Dynasty?

It was a drought resistant crop that matured early, increasing the amount of food available in the empire, therefore increasing the population

What continuities existed in Chinese culture and government during the Song dynasty?

The revival of Confucianism and the expansion of the Civil Service Exam helped to bring order and stability to society while continuing the meritocracy w/in the imperial bureaucracy

Describe the condition of the Abbasid caliphate as the Song dynasty thrived

from the 9th-12th century, the Abbasids were fractured by invaders and falling apart

Which other Muslim States were growing in power as the Abbasids declined?

Delhi Sultanate in India (1206-1526)
Mamluk Sultanate in North Africa (1250-1517)

Who were the Mamluks?

Non-Muslims who were enslaved, forcibly converted to Islam and became soldiers. They eventually overthrew an Egyptian sultanate to form their own sultanate

Compare the Song Dynasty and the Abbasid Dynasty in this era

The Song Dynasty was flourishing while the Abbasid caliphate was declining

In South Asia (India) what new states emerged that used trade to expand their influence in this period?

The Vijayanagara Empire (1336 CE-1646 CE)
The Chola Kingdom (300s BCE-1279 CE)

How did the rulers of the Mali Empire increase their power?

Greater centralization than the Ghana empire that preceded it. This was exemplified by their leader Mansa Musa

How did the Aztecs maintain control of their empire?

Conquered people were forced to pay tribute in goods or labor. This was enforced by a strong military

How did the Inca improve and maintain their state?

The Mit'a system (mandatory public service/ labor tax)

What was feudalism?

A rigid hierarchy with Kings, Nobles, Knights, Peasants and Serfs.

How did Europe change through this time period and create more powerful states?

The feudal system began to break down and powerful kings were able to increase their power.

What was the significance of Islam to state building in Afro-Eurasia?

Islam united people w shared beliefs and language (arabic)

What the significance of Confucianism to state building in China?

It justified the rule of the emperor over his subjects, and was the doctrine that the imperial bureaucracy had to be well versed in due to the Civil Service Exam

How were Hinduism and Buddhism significant in state building in South and Southeast Asia?

Both were used to consolidate power. Hinduism's caste system was particulary useful for this.

How was Catholicism significant to state building in Europe?

The Roman Catholic Church helped to provide structure in weak European states, but as states grew in power- they began to struggle to break away from the power of the Church in order to increase the power of secular authorites.

What did all major world religions have in common in this era and what effect did they have?

They all spread. Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism were conversionist relgions, they all sent missionaries to diff parts of the globe. This weakened local more indigenous religions

How did the creation of the Delhi Sultanate and the expansion of trade help to spread Islam?

In the Delhi Sultanate social conversions for opportunity and the avoidance of the jizya eventually led to the 25% of the population of India converting to Islam. Merchants, who traveled everywhere, brought more than goods w them. Those they interacted w learned about Islam, and the religion spread

What innovation from China helped to improve education as it spread west?

As paper making technology spread, it led to increased literacy in Europe, SW Asia, and N Africa

What was the Abbasid Dynasty's House of Wisdom, in Baghdad?

It was a place where scholars gathered to study and translate important texts from Europe and Asia.

What was the importance of the Mongols during this time period

They controlled a vast territory across Afro-Eurasia increasing political stability and providing a safe environment that encouraged trade along the Silk Road, Their vast empire also led to increased cross-cultural interactions.

How did the role of nomadic pastoralists change in this time period?

They were no longer the transmitters of culture and technology btwn people and empires. Instead, organized groups of merchants took on this role