post-classical era

Major Developments during 1200-1450

- Rise and growth of civilizations
- Religious developments and spread
- Technological advancements
- The decline of small states, local religions, and old technology
- State Building
- Chinese golden age
- Islamic Empire golden age
- Feudalism
- Trading and Crusading
- Black Death/Plague
- Pax Mongolica/The Mongols

Major Religions in 1200

Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Confucianism, Judaism

Abbasid Dynasty (750 to 1258 C.E.)

Islamic empire was defeated by the Mongols. Golden age in 9th century CE where arts and science flourished. Built capital at Baghdad: center of cultural centers of world. Created ideas of credit and receipts and bills to reduce danger in carrying coins

Fall of Abbasids

Civil wars between Sunni and Shia Muslims. Destabilization of authority at Baghdad. Turkish warrior slaves revolted and established a new capital in Samaria. Groups carved out pieces of the empire. Threats from Seljuk Turks, Byzantines, etc. Fell officially when Mongols took over during Crusades.

Ottoman Turks

Later would reunite Egypt, Syria, and Arabia in a new Islamic states which would last until 1918

Middle Ages

Period of time after the fall of Rome and before the Renaissance. Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantines) was centered in Constantinople. The Western Roman Empire collapsed entirely, but Roman Catholic Catholicism untied the region

Feudalism

the European social, economic, and political system of the Middle Ages with a strict hierarchy. Was how Europe built itself up

Structure of Feudalism in Europe

King, nobles, vassals, peasants

King

had power over entire territory, called his kingdom

Nobles

were granted power over sections of the kingdom in exchange for military service and loyalty to the king

Vassals

Lesser lords that controlled smaller portions of the lord's land

Peasants/Serfs

worked on the land on behalf of the lords in exchange for protection and a place to live. Had very few rights and overtime, became tied to the land quite literally; this allowed them to become highly skilled workers and lead to the creation of a middle class

Fiefs/manors

estates granted to the vassals

three-field system

rotation of 3 fields for farming. One for fall harvest, one for spring harvest, one for non-seeded to replenish nutrients in the soil. Accumulated greater surpluses of food and kept soil rich and fertile

Code of Chivalry

An honor system followed in feudalism. Followed by most lords and knights. Condemned betrayal and promoted mutual respect

Primogeniture

right of inheritance belongs exclusively to the eldest son. Only males inherited land.

Women in Middle Ages of Europe

Few rights and only did domestic tasks. Women were admired and valued primarily for their "feminine" traits. Duty of men to protect his women.

Burghers

Middle-class merchants who became politically powerful during the Middle Ages

Hanseatic League

alliance of towns similar to a city-state that was established in 1358. Controlled most Northern European trade. Led to the creation of nations later on

Crusades

Military campaigns undertaken by Christians to take over the Holy Land (Jerusalem) and convert muslims and other non-Christians to Christianity

Heresies

religious practices/beliefs that did not conform to the traditions of the church. People began to question organized religions, especially Christianity

Pope Innocent III

issued strict church doctrines. issued 4th crusade which resulted in the sack of Christian Constantinople. Many heretics and Jews were persecuted

Inquisition

formalized interrogation and persecution process for heretics. Punishment included: Exile, torture, execution, excommunication, etc.

Universal Church/Church Militant

Name given to the Church due to its pervasiveness and ultimate power during this time

Scholasticism

relied on reason rather than faith; often conflicted with the church

Thomas Aquinas

wrote Summa Theologica, concluded that faith and reason exist in harmony and are both gifts from God

Bubonic Plague

Arrived in Italian port cities in 1347 from China and the Silk Road under Mongol Rule. Spread due to crowded conditions in European cities. ⅓ of European population died. Serfs demanded more power from decrease in population. Lead to the emergence of the middle class even more. People started to lose faith in the church. Decline of manorialism and feudalism and people starting leaving the manor for towns and specialized work for a commercial economy

What did people use to organize into nations after the Middle Ages?

Language

Germany and Italy

Became decentralized and formed small kingdoms and city-states. Merchants\=powerful

interregnum

time between rulers

William the Conqueror of England

Duke of Normandy who invaded England in 1066 and claimed the English crown

Magna Carta

King John signed the Magna Carta in 1215. Stated feudal rights of nobles, extended the rule of law to others, laid the foundation for Parliament. Took power away from monarchy

Parliament

an assembly of noble representatives that focused on lawmaking and taxation. divided into 2 houses

The House of Lords (Parliament)

members of the nobility and clergy that focused on legal issues and advised the king

The House of Commons (Parliament)

knights and wealthy burghers who were concerned with trade and taxation

King Hugh Capet of France

Ruled only small area around Paris. Subsequent kings expanded rule.

Hundred Years War (1337-1453)

Series of campaigns over control of the throne of France, involving English and French royal families and French noble families.

Joan of Arc

Farm girl who heard voices telling her to liberate France from England. Divinely inspired to lead men into battle. Burned at stake after being captured by Burgundians.

Spain

United by Queen Isabella of Castile. Single monarchy. Enlisted Catholic Church as strong ally. Spanish speaking region of Europe was divided into 3 independent Spanish kingdoms. Peasants of these kingdoms were divided into Christians and Muslims.

Queen Isabella

Ruler of Castile. Married King Ferdinand in 1469

King Ferdinand

Ruler of kingdom of Aragon. Married Queen Isabella in 1469

Spanish Inquisition

Non-Christians (called heretics) were forced to convert or leave the country. Specifically targeted Jews and Muslims. Those who didn't leave or convert were tortured or killed

Russia

Eastern Orthodox Christian. Fell to Tatars in 1242 CE. After Mongol rule, Russian princes of Muscovy gained power. Moscow became the center of the Eastern Orthodox Church: Declared the Third Rome after Rome and Constantinople

Tatars

a group of Mongols from the east led by Genghis Khan. Took over Russia for 2 centuries. Cultural rift between Eastern and Western Europe

Czar

From Latin caesar, this Russian title for a monarch was first used in reference to a Russian ruler by Ivan III (r. 1462-1505).

Song Dynasty (960-1279)

China was reunified after the Era of the Warring States by Emperor Taizu. Chinese Golden Age. Bureaucratic system based on merit from civil service exam. Exam focused on Confucian values which made those who were educated very loyal. Built extensive transportation and communication. Created paper money and letters of credit for easier trade. New technologies applied to military : Gunpowder, Magnetic compass, Watertight bulkheads, Champa Rice, Junk Ships. Iron and steel production increased tenfold

moveable type

Increased literacy and bureaucrats among the lower classes. Spread knowledge of agriculture and technology

Foot Binding

widespread practice where a woman's feet were bound shortly after birth to keep them small. ex of how women were subordinate. Made women seem beautiful and small.

Religion in China

Spread of Buddhism. Confucians and Daoists protested spread of Buddhism. Later, these three were joined to form Neo-Confucianism

Yuan Dynasty

A group of Mongol invaders who took over the Song Dynasty. Lead by Kublai Khan. Encouraged technological advancements and arts. Prevented the Chinese from learning Mongol language or marrying Mongol people to keep two cultures separate. Power lasted less than a century

Ming Dynasty

Created centralized government. Used traditional Confucian principles. Civil service exams. Removed Mongol influence by reinvigorating Chinese culture. Fell due to internal problems of peasant revolts and famine which resulted in Qing takeover.

Feudal Japan Hierarchy

Shogun, Daimyo, Vassals, Peasants

Shogun

chief general. Held all the power while the emperor was just a figurehead

Daimyo

Powerful samurai and nobles who were the owners of large amounts of land

Vassals

Lesser or lower samurai

Peasants/ Artisans

worked on the fields and in shops to support the samurai class

Code of Bushido

strict code of conduct followed by samurai. Stressed loyalty, courage, and honor. Expected to commit suicide if failed to uphold values. Similar to the Code of Chivalry

Women in Japan

had no freedom and were forced to live harsh, demeaning lives

Delhi Sultanate

1026 CE. Spread Islam throughout most of northern India. Southern Indian people were usually Hindu and tried to retain their traditions. Delhi rule was characterized by: imposing jizya, trying to convert Hindus to Islam, destroying Hindu temples, occasional violence, colleges were founded, irrigation systems were vastly improved, mosques built, and some Hindus converted for better opportunities.

Rajput Kingdoms

Several different Hindu principalities that were independent of one another. Unity against Delhi forces. Defeated by Muslim Mughal forces in 1527

Mongol

Empire spanned from the Pacific ocean to Eastern Europe. Nomadic culture. Most of population were superb horsemen and archers. Ruthless warrier and armies were highly organized and mobile. Great diffusers of culture. Many Mongols assimilated into the cultures that they conquered. Lead to greater use of trade routes due to the protection they provided. Because of Mongol rule, Russia never unified or culturally develop like their Western neighbors. Also caused the spread of Bubonic Plaque

Genghis Khan

unified the Mongol tribes and set them on a path of expansion in the early 1200s. Led the Mongol invasion of China in 1234. Education reforms helped Mongols to assimilate into Chinese culture. First pony express and postal system. Superior infrastructure helped the exchange of ideas. Gave tax breaks to teachers and clerics. Was very ruthless

Golden Horde

conquered modern-day Russia

Kublai Khan

Ruled China during Yuan Dynasty. Destroyed Chinese cities. Ruthless warriors. Exchange of goods, ideas, and culture between regions

Pax Mongolica

The period of approximately 150 years of relative peace and stability created by the Mongol Empire. Mongol Golden Age. Trade flourished like never before

Tamerlane (Timur Lang)

Mongol temporarily destroyed Delhi sultanate. After destroying everything in the sultanate, he left and the Mongols left with him.

Khmer Empire

Established in the 9th century. Predominantly Hindu, from trade in Indian Ocean trade. Skilled at architecture. Flourishing economy led by women. Tolerant of other religions. Destroyed when Thai people from China migrated and caused war with them

Angor Wat

Impressive temple built by Khmer. Represented the entire Hindu universe in one stone structure

Developments in Africa

African kingdoms began trading with the larger Mediterranean economy. Islamic traders wanted to get gold from Sub-Saharan African kingdoms. Started Trans-Saharan trade and spread of Islam to African traders.

Mali

The kingdom in West Africa that followed the Kingdom of Ghana; its wealth is also based on trans-Saharan trade especially in gold; this kingdom encouraged the spread of Islam.

Mansa Musa

Greatest and most famous Malian ruler. Built capital in Timbuktu. Expanded the kingdom beyond the bounds of Ghana using a centralized government. Made a pilgrimage to Mecca with hundreds of gold-carrying servants and camels

Songhai Kingdom

Sunni Ali: consolidated the valley of the Niger River into an empire with use of imperial navy. Centralized government. Timbuktu as major Islamic center. Participated in tran-Saharan trade of salt and gold. Fell to Moroccans with muskets

Oral literature

African communites history and stories were passed on from generation to generation through storytelling

Benin Africa

well-known for sculptures made of pottery and bronze

Developments in Americas

3 main civilizations: Aztec, Inca, Maya. Aztec and Inca were conquered by Europeans after 1450

Aztecs

Arrived in Central Mexico in the mid-1200s. Expansionist and professional army. Tribute system demanded conquered people to pay taxes and captives. Warriors=elite. Everyone else=peasant. 12 million people in empire. No bureaucracy; allowed self government in conquered territories. Roads built. Women subordinate to men, ran households, involved in skilled crafts. Most notably was their human sacrifices.

Tenochtitlan

Capital of the Aztec Empire, Modern day Mexico City

Inca

Covered 2000 miles of Andes Mountains. Used expansionist policy, professional army, bureaucracy, unified language, and complex system of roads to connect empire. Human labor cause no animals. Mita system made peasants work the land or construction projects of government. Peasants gave part of harvest to government for famine relief. Women were very free in Incan society: worked in the fields, weaved cloth, cared for the household, played role in religion, and could inherit land. No private property because they believed the ruler descended from the Sun god so he owned everything. Excellent builders, stone cutters, and miners. Kept data using quipu, knotted strings

Temple of the Sun

Inca religious center located at Cuzco; center of state religion; held mummies of past Incas

Machu Picchu

Abandoned city high in the Andes mountains that showcases the architectural genius of the Inca

Examples of Trade Networks 1200-1450

1) The Hanseatic League
2) Silk Road
3) Trans-Saharan trade
4) Indian Ocean Trade
5) Trade between China and Japan
6) Trade between India and Persia
7) Land routes of Mongols

Why were trade routes important?

Spread business, cultural diffusion, religion, language, literature, art, disease, etc

Indian Ocean Trade

Dominated by Persians and Arabs
Connected western India to Persian Gulf to eastern Africa. Boats in Indian Ocean were more resilient to wind and large waves. Indian Ocean trade was a lot safer than Silk Road. Sailors often married local women of trading posts.

Goods on Indian Ocean

Gold, Ivory, Textiles, Fruit, Pepper, Rice *mostly common goods*

Indian Ocean Tech

Astrolabe, Compass, Sternpost, rudder, Lateen sail

Religion Spread on Indian Ocean

Christianity, Buddhism, Confucianism, islam

Great Zimbabwe

Thriving city on the interior of Africa. Served as a trading empire with river access to southeastern Africa. Mediator between Africa's gold mines and the Indian Ocean ports

Silk Road

Connected CHina to the Mediterranean cultures. Used heavily during 1200-1600, and time of the Mongols.

Goods on Silk Road

Silk, Porcelain, Gunpowder, Horses, Textiles *luxury items*

Tech on Silk Road

Saddles, Caravanserai- kinda like truck stops but for merchants

Religion Spread on Silk Road

Buddhism, Confucianism, Islam

Goods on the Trans-Saharan Trade

Horses, Salt, gold, slaves

Tech on Trans-Saharan

saddles, camel

Religion Spread Trans-Saharan Trade

Islam

Changes because of Trade

1) Chinese and other east Asia embrace Buddhism
2) Bantu in Africa became Muslim
3) Birth of Swahili language - Bantu and Arabic mixed
4) Disease travelled- black death/bubonic plague
5) Black death - change Europe - fall of feudalism/manorialism rise of middle class and specialized workers

What the Hanseatic League cause?

1) The growth of the middle class in northern Europe
2) It set up the beginnings of the formation of joint-stock companies during the period 1450-1750

Why were people moving?

1) Populations grew, so people moved to larger cities to spread out.
2) More opportunities in cities drew people in
3) Centers of civilization such as Timbuktu drew people in
4) Pilgrimages

Xuanzang

Chinese-Buddhist monk who traveled to India and throughout the Tang Dynasty to learn how Buddhism was practiced in different areas

Marco Polo

Merchant from Venice, made his way to China and back to Europe

Ibn Battuta

Islamic traveler who recorded his adventure through the Islamic world into India and China before returning to Africa