unit 0 ap world

Traits of a Civilization

Traits of a Civilization

Government

Cities

Job specializations

Culture 

Writing

Social classes

Religion

What is bureaucracy? 

A bureaucracy is an administrative organization that relies on non elective officials and regular procedures to handle day to day affairs of government

Paleolithic Era:

Used stone tools (stone, pointed tools, axes, spears) and bow and arrows, harpoons and fish hooks

Followed animal migration and vegetation cycles

Hunting and gathering

Nomadic

Men and women were responsible for finding food (social equality)

Discovered fire

Painted art of large animals for decorative/religious purposes, might’ve been done as a religious ritual for success in hunting 

Neolithic era:

Refinements in tool making techniques, polished stone tools

Agricultural development Earliest - after 9000 BCE

Domesticating animals

Women started taking care of plants while men captured animals

Population exponentially grew

Emergence of villages and towns

Specialization of labor

Religious values

Rise in disease due to closely settled communities

Causes of the Neolithic Revolution

Global climate change caused the earth to generally warm, increased rainfall, and stable climate conditions. Neolithic peoples took advantage of this by encouraging the growth of edible plants and domesticating wild animals.

Effects of the Neolithic Revolution

Fixed gender roles (Gender inequality), social inequality and distinctions

Population explosion

Emergence of villages and towns then cities

Specialization of Labor

Pottery, metalworking, textile production

Religious values

Causes of the Decline of the Han Dynasty

Large scale outbreaks of epidemic disease (demographic decrease)

Development of factions within the ranks of the ruling elites. Marriage alliances between the imperial and aristocratic families led to the formation of many factions whose members sought to advance their prospects in the imperial government and exclude others from important positions. Led to infighting and backstabbing among the ruling elites.

• Issues of land and its equitable distribution

• Peasant rebellion (Yellow Turban rebellion)

• Han generals usurped political authority

Buddhism and Daoism in Post-Han China 

Buddhism was mostly the faith of foreign merchants in China and had little interest from native Chinese until about the 4th century. Then between the 4th and 6th centuries, Buddhism became well established in China. Late 6th century - Buddhism was important for restoration of unified political order. In Warring states period, Daoism once again offered a way to find peace in the midst of chaos in the world. It became more religious rather than philosophical doctrine and attracted those affected by war and disease. Earlier Confucian followers turned to Daoism and Buddhism too.

Causes of the Decline of the Roman Empire (Internal)

• 235-284 CE Barracks emperors were a series of emperors that were military generals that were killed  by rivals/mutinous troops or overthrown which led to political instability and lack of a strong central government.

The Roman empire faced problems because of its sheer size even with abundant revenues and armed forces especially after epidemics and various regions became self sufficient economies which made the empire become increasingly unmanageable.

Population declined and economy contracted so it was hard for emperors to marshal the resources to govern and protect the empire.

Causes of the Decline of the Roman Empire (External)

During the 5th century CE, Germanic invasions brought an end to Roman authority in Western half of the empire. 

The Huns also invaded Hungary, menaced Gaul and Northern Italy and attacked Germanic peoples near the borders of the Roman empire. 

Huns also placed pressure on Visigoths, Ostrogoths, Vandals, Franks, etc. (Germanic peoples) so they all streamed into the empire.

Visigoths sacked Rome in 410 and the general Western part of the empire was just in shambles because of the foreign invaders.

Causes of the spread of religion along the Silk Road

Missionaries/merchants/travelers, trade routes, cultural exchange, support from emperors, SYNCRETISM

Causes of the spread of Buddhism in Asia 

Sponsorship of Ashoka=Spread to Bactria and Ceylon

Buddhist merchants practiced their religion and explained it to others

Silk Roads

Syncretism = Adapted to local beliefs of regions it spread to

Effects of the spread of Buddhism in Asia 

Architecture (Monasteries, temples)

Cultural influence

New monastic communities

Rulers promoted Buddhist beliefs to enhance authority

Rulers governed with Buddhist beliefs

Manichaeism

• Religion founded by prophet Mani (216-272 CE). Viewed world as a site of a cosmic struggle between the forces of light and darkness (Dualism). Light was associated with spiritual awareness and dark with the material world. Drew deep influence from Christianity and Buddhism.

Doctrine had appeal because of its rational explanation for the presence of good and evil and how to achieve personal salvation.

Causes of the spread of Christianity

Missionaries

Emperor Constantine issued Edict of Milan which allowed Christians to practice their faith and converted to Christianity

Roads of the Roman empire

Appealed to various social classes because of its message of salvation

Trade routes

Importance of the roads in the Roman Empire

Communication, travel, military forces, management of government (connected the empire), spread religions and facilitated cultural exchange

Hinduism (Polytheistic)

• Main Beliefs- Ultimate goal of existence is to achieve Moksha (end of cycle of reincarnation and union with Brahman), reincarnation (samsara), allows atman (soul)  continue working toward Moksha in many lifetimes, multiple deities/gods

Includes a caste system (All living things are organized in an hierarchical order)

A living being could move up and down up or down that order in a series of lifetimes

Impact on culture/society - Hinduism

Architecture (temples), literature (ex. Rig veda), social structure (Caste system), government and law

Judaism (Monotheistic)

Main Beliefs- Covenant (relationship between God and its followers), Torah (sacred text), believe in one God

Impact on culture/society - Judaism

Influenced Christianity and Islam, the diaspora of Jewish people led to communities being formed in Roman empire and attracted converts

Buddhism (Polytheistic)

Main Beliefs- Suffering is caused by the desire for things that are not real and the cure for suffering is to overcome desire by following the Eightfold path.

Impact on culture/society- Buddhism

Sponsorship by rulers (ex. emperor Ashoka) and converted rulers that used the religion for governing, monasteries and missionaries attracted converts, syncretized with Shintoism, literature (Tripitaka), formation of monastic communities

Christianity

Main Beliefs- Salvation and forgiveness of sins, Holy Trinity, The Bible. monotheistic

Impact on culture/society-Christianity

Became official religion of Roman empire, influenced politics as political authorities during the time were Christian (The Institutional Church), took over when Roman authority crumbled, replaced traditional Roman polytheistic religion, architecture, art

Confucianism

Main Beliefs- Filial piety (Respect to parents and honoring elders), hierarchical (Five Basic Relationships), if everyone in society plays their particular role then and plays it rightly then the society will be at peace

Confucianism Impact on culture/society

Structured government (especially for Han Dynasty), social hierarchy (ruler-subject, father-son, elder brother-younger brother, husband-wife, and friend-friend), focus on education, spread to other East Asian regions, literature

Islam (Monotheistic)

Main Beliefs- One god (Allah), The Quran, Prophets

Impact on culture/society-Islam

Golden Age of Islam: Innovations in science, mathematics, and medicine, mosques, House of Wisdom in Baghdad

Patriarchy

 A social system in which positions of authority are primarily held by men.

Urban

In, relating to, or characteristic of town or city.

Agriculture

The practice of farming, including cultivation of the soil for the growing of crops and the rearing of animals to provide food, wool, and other products. 

Interregional trade

Exchange of goods, services and resources between different regions

Pastoralist

Person who engages in the agriculture of raising and herding livestock, live a semi nomadic lifestyle

Systematic

Describes something done or acting according to a fixed plan or system; methodical

Hinterland

Land or region that is often uncharted beyond a coastal district or a river’s bank

Cultural Homogeneity

The widespread reduction in cultural diversity, also refers to a culture that has adopted the same customs, traditions and behaviors.. etc.

Religious syncretism

The blending of religious beliefs into a new system or incorporation of beliefs into an existing religious tradition

Classical Period (in history) - 500 BCE-500 BC

This period in history refers to the expansion of empires such as Han and Roman, developments in economics such as long distance trade, as well as art, literature, science and politics. There were also significant formations of philosophies and religions that spread globally.

Maritime

Related to the sea, navigation or commerce on the sea

Pantheon

Collective term for gods/deities within a religion or culture

Hearth

Centers of origin of ancient civilizations which continue to inspire and influence modern societies of the world today

Inter-class

Refers to interactions, relationships or exchanges between individuals or groups of people from different social classes.