AP World Unit 1 Illustrative Examples

1200-1450

Filial piety

The virtue of respect for one's parents, elders, and ancestors, originating from Confucian philosophy, emphasizing the importance of maintaining family loyalty and honoring familial relationships.

Neo-Confusianism

A philosophical movement that emerged in China during the Song dynasty, integrating Confucian, Buddhist, and Daoist principles to address moral issues and promote social harmony.

Theravada Buddhism

A branch of Buddhism that adheres to the earliest teachings and scriptures, focusing on individual enlightenment and the monastic community as the path to Nirvana.

Mahayana Buddhism

A branch of Buddhism that emphasizes the role of the Bodhisattva and the possibility of universal salvation, integrating various cultural practices and beliefs.

Champa Rice

A fast-maturing, drought-resistant rice variety introduced to China from the Champa Kingdom, significantly improving agricultural productivity and supporting population growth.

Grand Canal Expansion

The Grand Canal Expansion refers to the major engineering project in China that expanded and improved the network of waterways, enhancing trade, transport, and agricultural distribution across the region.

Textiles & Porcelains exports in China

The export of textiles and porcelains from China was a significant economic activity during various dynasties, particularly valued for their quality and craftsmanship, leading to increased trade and cultural exchange along the Silk Roads.

Selijuk Empire

A medieval Turkish state that dominated much of the Middle East, particularly during the 11th and 12th centuries, known for its advancements in culture, science, and architecture.

Delhi Sultanates

A series of Muslim dynasties that ruled over parts of India from the 13th to the 16th centuries, known for their contributions to Indian culture, architecture, and the spread of Islam.

Abbasid Caliphates

A major Islamic dynasty that succeeded the Umayyads, ruling from the 8th to the 13th centuries. The Abbasids are known for their cultural, scientific, and intellectual achievements, particularly during the Islamic Golden Age.

House of Wisdom (Bagdad)

An academic institution and library established in Baghdad during the Abbasid Caliphate, renowned for translating and preserving ancient texts, as well as fostering intellectual advancement in various fields such as mathematics, astronomy, and medicine.

Bhakti movement

A mystical Islamic belief system that emphasizes personal experience of God through meditation, spiritual guidance, and rituals. Sufism seeks to foster a direct, personal relationship with the divine, often expressed through poetry, music, and dance.

Khmer Empire

A powerful Southeast Asian civilization that flourished from the 9th to the 15th centuries, known for its grand temples, notably Angkor Wat, and advancements in architecture, agriculture, and urban planning.

Angkor Wat

example of religious syncretism

It exemplifies the blending of Hindu and Buddhist beliefs, showcasing the cultural and religious transitions in Southeast Asia.

A massive temple complex in Cambodia, built during the Khmer Empire, serving as a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu, later transformed into a Buddhist site.

Aztecs

A Mesoamerican civilization known for its advanced society, large urban centers, and significant achievements in agriculture, architecture, and astronomy, flourishing from the 14th to the 16th centuries.

Maya city-states

Independent, self-governing cities within the Maya civilization, known for their unique architecture, political systems, and cultural practices. They thrived from 250 to 900 CE in present-day Mexico and Central America.

Inca

A major South American civilization that developed in the Andes mountains, recognized for its advanced engineering, extensive road networks, and agricultural innovations.

Cahokia

A pre-Columbian Native American city located near present-day St. Louis, Missouri, known for its large earthen mounds, complex urban layout, and as a major center for trade and culture during the Mississippian period.

Sun pyramids

Large pyramid structures built by Mesoamerican civilizations, particularly the Aztecs, often used for religious ceremonies and as burial sites.

Great Zimbabwe

A medieval African city known for its impressive stone ruins, wealth from trade in gold and ivory, and as a center for cultural exchange in southeastern Africa.

Ethiopia

An ancient kingdom located in the Horn of Africa, known for its unique Christian culture, the Axumite Empire, and its role in trade routes across the Red Sea and Indian Ocean.

Hausa kingdoms

A collection of West African states known for their rich trade networks, Islamic culture, and political organization, which flourished from the 11th century until the 19th century.