UNIT 0 AP WORLD

Hinduism

• world's oldest religions,

• Began in India

• dharma (duty/ethics)

• karma (action and consequence)

• moksha (liberation from the cycle of rebirth)

• Influenced South Asian societal norms, political structures

• Groundwork for Buddhism and Jainism

Judaism

• monotheistic religion

• Hebrew Bible (Tanakh)

• covenant between God and the Jewish people

• following God's laws (Torah)

• chosen people

• ethical and legal traditions influenced Western civilization

• Influenced Christianity and Islam

• Introduced monotheism

Buddhism

• founded by Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha)

• 6th century BCE

• Four Noble Truths

• Eightfold Path

• achieve enlightenment (nirvana)

• Spread in Asia and influenced cultures, philosophies, and political systems

• development of meditation practices

• transmission of ideas along the Silk Road

Confucius

• Kong Fuzi

• 551-479 BCE

• Chinese philosopher

• Taught morality, social relationships, and justice

• Analect

• Confucianism foundation of Chinese social and political life

• hierarchical relationships

• importance of education and family

• influenced East Asian cultures for centuries.

Daoism

• founded by Laozi

• living in harmony with the Dao (the Way)

• Dao is the source of all existence

• medicine, art, and politics.

• alternative to Confucianism

• natural order and simplicity

Christianity

• monotheistic

• life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth

• Jesus as the Son of God and savior of humanity

• dominant religion in the Roman Empire

• later Europe

• Shaped Western civilization's philosophy, art, law, and politics

• Crucial in spread of Western culture globally

Islam

• monotheistic religion

• founded by Prophet Muhammad

• 7th century CE

• Five Pillars of Islam

• Quran: holy book

• expanded across the Middle East, North Africa, and beyond

• influenced societies legal systems, sciences, arts, and trade networks.

• role in preserving and transmitting knowledge.

Patriarchy

• men hold primary power

• men dominate political leadership, moral authority, social privilege, and control of property

• affect family dynamics, legal systems, and gender roles

Agricultural Revolution

• “Neolithic Revolution”

• 10,000 BCE

• Transition from hunting and gathering to farming and settled life

• population growth

• development of cities

• rise of civilizations

• social and technological changes

Teotihuacan

• large Mesoamerican city

• Valley of Mexico

• 100 BCE and 650 CE

• massive pyramids

• complex urban planning

• influenced the region's culture, trade, and politics

• model for later Mesoamerican civilizations like the Aztecs.

Mayans

• Mesoamerican culture

• advanced writing system

• mathematics

• astronomy

• monumental architecture

• 2000 BCE to 1500 CE

• contributions to knowledge

• calendar systems

• hieroglyphic writing

Silk Road

• network of trade routes

• Connected China with the Mediterranean

• facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and culture

• 130 BCE to 1450s CE

• enabled cross-cultural interactions and economic ties between East and West

• spread technologies, religions, and commodities

Indian Ocean Trade

• Connected Southeast Asia, India, Arabia, and East Africa,

• enabled the exchange of goods, cultures, and ideas

• Lasted until 1500s

• facilitated the spread of religions (Islam and Buddhism)

• facilitated the exchange of goods (spices and textiles)

• cultural and technological exchanges

(Trans) Saharan Trade

• exchange of goods across the Sahara Desert

• linked West Africa with North Africa and the Mediterranean

• facilitated spread of Islam into West Africa

• Facilitated the exchange of gold, salt, and other goods

• rise of powerful West African empires (Mali and Ghana)

City-state

• independent, self-governing city

• governs the surrounding territory

• Ex. ancient Greek city-states (Athens and Sparta)

• crucial in the political development of regions (ancient Greece and Mesopotamia)

• influenced democratic practices and urban planning

Mandate of Heaven

• ancient Chinese philosophical concept

• granted emperors the right to rule based on their virtue and ability to govern well

• justified the legitimacy of rulers and dynasties

• framework for political stability

• justified rebellion against corrupt or ineffective rulers

• influenced the dynastic cycle in Chinese history

Qin

• 221-206 BCE

• first imperial dynasty of China

• Founded by Qin Shi Huang

• unified China

• initiated significant legal, economic, and infrastructural reforms

• laid the foundation for future Chinese governance

• achievements: Great Wall, Terracotta Army

Han

• 206 BCE - 220 CE

• succeeded the Qin

• golden age

• expanded the empire

• developed a strong bureaucracy

• promoted Confucianism

• contributions to governance, culture, and technology had a lasting impact on Chinese civilization

• facilitated trade along the Silk Road, enhancing cultural exchanges

Persian Empire

• Achaemenid Empire

• 550-330 BCE

• Southwest Asia

• founded by Cyrus the Great

• administrative efficiency

• road systems

• tolerance of diverse cultures

• administrative practices and infrastructure influenced subsequent empires

Greece

• comprised of city-states

• contributions to philosophy, politics, arts, and sciences

• Key periods: Archaic, Classical, and Hellenistic eras

• philosophy, democracy, art, and science influenced Western civilization

• culture and ideas were spread by Alexander the Great's conquests

Roman Empire

• 27 BCE - 476 CE

• succeeded Roman Republic

• encompassed much of Europe, the Mediterranean, parts of the Middle East and Africa.

• legal system, engineering, and military prowess

• political and legal systems, cultural achievements, and infrastructure impacted Western civilization

• Known for modern law, government, and architecture.

Byzantine Empire

• 330-1453 CE

• eastern continuation of Roman Empire, with

• capital at Constantinople

• preserved Roman law and Christian traditions

• Still developed its distinct culture

• bridge between ancient and medieval Europe

• preserved classical knowledge and Christian traditions

• art, architecture, and legal codes influenced eastern Europe and the Orthodox Christian world