World History 1000–1600s: Trade, Empires, and Cultural Changes

Difference between history and world history

History = study of change over time using primary and secondary sources.

Indo-Pacific global trade hub (1000-1300)

Silk Road key artery until 1453, but sea lanes grew dominant. Navigation advances.

West Africa's role in global trade (1000-1300)

Mali Empire rose, controlling trans-Saharan and coastal trade. Mansa Musa (r. 1312).

East Africa & Southern Africa in global trade

Swahili Coast dominated by merchant city-states like Kilwa. Traded gold, ivory, and.

Nature of Islam's expansion by 1300

Spread across N. Africa, Iberian Peninsula, Sub-Saharan Africa, India, Malaysia.

Characterization of India (1000-1300)

Cultural mosaic with Hinduism, Islam, diversity. Delhi Sultanate (1236-1526) promoted.

Innovations of Song China (960-1279)

Agricultural revolution → population growth. World's manufacturing center: iron, porcelain.

Europe's growth in confidence (1000-1300)

Agricultural revolution boosted population. Rise of universities and literacy. Feudalism.

Crusades and their effects

First Crusade (1097/8) launched by Pope Urban II. Crusader States (1098-1281) were.

Reconquista (722-1492)

Christian kingdoms (Castile, Aragon, Portugal) recaptured Iberia. 1469: Isabella & Ferdinand.

Crises in Europe during the 1300s

Great Famine (1315-1322), Black Death (1347-1400) killed 30-50%. Peasant revolts.

Definition of the Renaissance (1430-1550)

Rebirth of classical learning, arts, humanism. Focus on human achievement and secularism.

Motivation for the Age of Exploration

Fall of Constantinople (1453) blocked eastern routes. New ships enabled Atlantic trade.

Key Portuguese achievements in exploration

Dias (1497) rounded Cape of Good Hope. Vasco da Gama (1498) reached India.

Spain's conquests in the New World

Columbus (1492) reached Caribbean. Encomienda system forced indigenous labor.

Columbian Exchange

Exchange of plants, animals, and diseases between Old and New Worlds. 90% of indigenous.

Impact of silver on the Spanish Empire

Mines at Potosí (Bolivia), Zacatecas (Mexico) produced 25-35K tons annually.

Atlantic Slave Trade

Treaty of Tordesillas (1494) split globe between Spain and Portugal. Brazil became.

Transformations in Europe (1500s-1600s)

Reformation (1517) with Luther's 95 Theses fractured Christianity. Peace of Augsburg.