AP World History: Modern: The Global Tapestry

Confucianism

Key Teachings: Filial piety (respect for elders and ancestors) and the five key relationships (ruler-subject, father-son, husband-wife, older brother-younger brother, friend-friend). Focuses on social harmony, order, and morality through education and virtuous leadership.

Hinduism

Key Teachings: Belief in a cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara). The ultimate goal is to achieve moksha (liberation from this cycle). Key concepts include dharma (one's duty) and karma (the sum of one's actions).

Buddhism

Key Teachings: The Four Noble Truths (life is suffering, suffering is caused by desire, suffering can end, and the way to end suffering is the Eightfold Path). The goal is to achieve nirvana, a state of enlightenment.

Islam

Key Teachings: Monotheistic religion based on the teachings of the prophet Muhammad. The Five Pillars of Islam are the core beliefs: faith, prayer, charity, fasting, and pilgrimage to Mecca. The holy book is the Quran.

Islamic Caliphates

The early Islamic caliphates were theocracies, where religious and political authority were combined in the caliph.

Sharia

Islamic law that served as the basis for governance in Islamic caliphates.

Economic Impact of Islam

Islamic scholars made significant contributions to mathematics and banking, and merchants were highly respected.

Social Organization in Islam

Emphasized the equality of all believers before God, though social and political hierarchies existed in practice.

Patriarchal Society

Islamic society was patriarchal, but women had more rights than in many contemporary societies.

Spread of Islam

Spread rapidly through military conquest, trade, and missionary work.

Islamic Golden Age

Period of expansion across the Middle East, North Africa, and into Spain.

The Hijra

Muhammad's migration to Medina in 622 CE, marking the beginning of the Islamic calendar.

Umayyad Caliphate

One of the early caliphates established after Muhammad's death.

Abbasid Caliphate

Another significant caliphate that followed the Umayyad Caliphate.

Christianity

Monotheistic religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth.

Holy Trinity

The Christian belief in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The Bible

The holy book of Christianity.

Hierarchical Structure of the Early Christian Church

The early Christian church had bishops and popes, influencing political structures in Europe.

Pope's Power

The Pope held significant power in medieval Europe.

Byzantine Empire

A theocracy where the emperor was both political and religious head.

Economic Role of the Church

The Church became a major landowner in Europe, owning vast estates and collecting taxes.

Social Organization in Christianity

Initially appealed to the poor and marginalized, teaching spiritual equality.

Spread of Christianity

Spread widely across the Roman Empire despite early persecution.

Edict of Milan

The 313 CE decree by Emperor Constantine that legalized Christianity in the Roman Empire.

Great Schism of 1054

The split of the Church into Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox branches.

Daoism (Taoism)

A philosophy centered on the Dao ('the Way'), a cosmic force that governs the universe.

Wu wei

The Daoist practice of effortless action.

Minimal Government in Daoism

Daoism advocated for minimal government intervention, allowing natural order.

Economic Impact of Daoism

Promoted a simple, self-sufficient lifestyle and rejected excessive wealth and technology.

Social Organization in Daoism

Did not create a formal social hierarchy and focused on personal harmony with nature.

Spread of Daoism

Primarily practiced in China, coexisting with Confucianism and Buddhism.

Daodejing

The foundational text of Daoism, attributed to Laozi.

Key Regions in East Asia

China (Song Dynasty), Japan, Korea, Vietnam.

Song Dynasty

Period from 960-1279 known as the Golden Age of Chinese innovation.

Decentralized Feudal System in Japan

Japan developed a warrior class (samurai) and a powerful shogun.

Cultural Influence in Korea

Korea was heavily influenced by Chinese culture and Confucianism.

Political Structure

Generally had strong centralized empires (China) or feudal systems (Japan).

Economic Focus

Agriculture (rice farming), manufacturing (iron and steel), and extensive trade via the Grand Canal and maritime routes.

Major Religion(s)

Buddhism (spread from India) and Confucianism (originating in China) were highly influential.

Key Regions (Islamic World)

The Islamic World, spanning from Spain in the west to Persia and India in the east. Includes the Abbasid and Umayyad Caliphates.

Spain (al-Andalus)

A major center of learning and cultural exchange between Muslims, Christians, and Jews.

Political Structure (Caliphate)

The caliphate was the primary political structure, which was both a religious and a political institution.

Economic Focus (Islamic World)

Flourishing trade networks that connected the Mediterranean, Middle East, and Asia. Major cities like Baghdad became hubs of commerce and learning.

Major Religion(s) (Islamic World)

Islam.

Key Regions (South and Southeast Asia)

India (Chola Empire, Rajput Kingdoms), Khmer Empire (Cambodia), Srivijaya Empire (Indonesia).

Key Characteristics (India)

Characterized by political fragmentation with many different kingdoms and states (like the Delhi Sultanate).

Key Characteristics (Southeast Asia)

Influenced by both India and China, creating a fusion of cultures. Maritime empires like Srivijaya controlled key trade routes.

Political Structure (South and Southeast Asia)

A mix of large empires and smaller regional states.

Economic Focus (South and Southeast Asia)

Dominated by trade, particularly in spices, textiles, and other luxury goods. The region was a key link in the Indian Ocean trade network.

Major Religion(s) (South and Southeast Asia)

Hinduism and Buddhism were dominant, and Islam began to spread through trade.

Key Regions (The Americas)

Mesoamerica (Maya, Aztecs), Andes (Incas).

Key Characteristics (Aztec Empire)

Located in modern-day Mexico, with a powerful military and a capital city (Tenochtitlan) built on a lake.

Key Characteristics (Inca Empire)

Located in the Andes Mountains of South America, known for its extensive road system and centralized administration.

Political Structure (The Americas)

The Aztecs were a militaristic tribute empire, while the Incas had a highly centralized government that controlled the economy.

Economic Focus (The Americas)

Dominated by agriculture. The Aztecs used chinampas (floating gardens) and the Incas used terrace farming.

Major Religion(s) (The Americas)

Polytheistic religions with ritual sacrifice.

Key Regions (Africa)

Mali Empire, Ghana, Songhai, Great Zimbabwe.

Key Characteristics (West Africa)

Grew wealthy through the trans-Saharan gold-salt trade. The city of Timbuktu became a center of Islamic learning.

Key Characteristics (East Africa)

Coastal city-states thrived on the Indian Ocean trade network.

Political Structure (Africa)

Large empires and smaller city-states.

Economic Focus (Africa)

Centered on trade, with commodities like gold, salt, ivory, and slaves.

Major Religion(s) (Africa)

Indigenous religions, with Islam spreading through trade and conquest in the northern and western parts of the continent.

Key Regions (Europe)

Western Europe (Holy Roman Empire, France, England), Byzantine Empire, Kievan Rus'.

Key Characteristics (Western Europe)

Characterized by political fragmentation and feudalism. The Catholic Church held immense power.

Key Characteristics (Byzantine Empire)

A continuation of the Roman Empire in the East, with its capital at Constantinople. It was a center of trade and a bastion of Eastern Orthodox Christianity.

Political Structure (Europe)

The feudal system dominated Western Europe, with a hierarchy of lords and vassals. The Byzantine Empire was a centralized empire with an emperor who was also the head of the Church.

Economic Focus (Europe)

Predominantly agricultural (manorialism). Trade was limited but grew with the rise of cities and trade routes like the Hanseatic League.

Major Religion(s) (Europe)

Christianity, with a split between Roman Catholicism in the west and Eastern Orthodoxy in the east.