U1 AP World History: Modern

Song Dynasty – Economy, Agriculture, Technology

The Song Dynasty (960-1279 CE) experienced major economic growth with innovations in drought-resistant rice, irrigation tech, movable type printing, gunpowder use, and paper money.

Chinese influence on Korea

Korea adopted Confucian bureaucracy, Chinese writing, Buddhism, and Chinese-style art and governance while blending with native traditions.

Chinese influence on Japan

Japan imported Chinese writing, Buddhism, Confucian ethics, Tang-style central government, and Chinese art, later adapting these uniquely.

Chinese influence on Vietnam

Vietnam embraced Chinese bureaucracy, Confucian education, gender roles, writing system, and Buddhism while maintaining local culture.

Confucianism

Philosophy promoting social hierarchy, filial piety, ethical government, and education; formed state ideology in Song through Neo-Confucianism.

Daoism

Chinese belief emphasizing harmony with the Dao (Way), nature, simplicity, and balance; influenced art, medicine, and philosophy.

Chinese Art/Culture

Song art highlights landscape painting, calligraphy, poetry, ceramics; footbinding as a beauty ideal reinforced Confucian gender roles.

Buddhism in South Asia

Spread from India to Southeast and East Asia via trade and missionaries; introduced monasticism, karma, and meditation.

Indian Ocean Trade

Network connecting East Africa, Middle East, South and Southeast Asia, exchanging spices, textiles, metals; enabled by compass and monsoon knowledge.

Islamic Empires innovations and knowledge

Dar al-Islam preserved and advanced Greek sciences, math, medicine; Delhi Sultanate spread Islam and culture into Northern India.

Spread of Islam

Expanded via trade, conquest, and Sufi missionaries into Africa, South and Southeast Asia; integrated local customs with Islamic practices.

Trade in East and West Africa

West African empires gained wealth from gold and salt trade; East African Swahili coast thrived on Indian Ocean trade and cultural blending.

European Labor Systems, State Building

Medieval Europe structured by feudalism; kings, nobles, serfs with evolving monarchies strengthening centralized states.

Feudalism

Decentralized medieval system granting land for military service; social hierarchy including lords, vassals, knights, peasants, and serfs.

Serfdom

Agricultural labor system where peasants were bound to land working for lords in exchange for protection and land use rights.

Monotheism

Belief in one all-powerful God, central to Abrahamic religions.

Fragmented world of Christianity

Split into Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic after Great Schism (1054), later diversified with Protestant Reformation.

Christianity

Monotheistic religion based on Jesus Christ's teachings, Bible, salvation, and resurrection.

Judaism

Earliest Abrahamic faith based on Torah and covenant between God and Jewish people.

Islam

Founded by Muhammad, emphasizing submission to Allah, Quran, and Five Pillars of Islam.

Inca Traditions, Government, Power

Centralized Andean empire with strong bureaucracy, mit’a labor system, sun god worship, and extensive road network.

Aztec Traditions, Government, Power

Atributary empire centered at Tenochtitlan, known for military conquest, religious human sacrifice, and divine rulership.