Ap world unit 1-2 (1200-1450)

key takeaways

china

government: bureaucracy, civil service exams, neo-confucianism

contributions: champa rice, civil service exam, paper money, textiles, gunpowder

social: women facing oppression , filial piety

religion: buddhism , hinduism

maintaining rule: bureaucracy, civil service exams, neo-confucianism

China developed a complex government system characterized by a bureaucracy supported by civil service exams and neo-Confucianist philosophy. It made significant contributions in agriculture, economy, and culture, while women's roles were often constrained by societal norms.

africa - mail,ghana,ethiopia

major states: mali, ghana, ethiopia

government: monarchies, theocratic (islam or muslim)

maintaining rule: religious legitimacy control of trade route

state building: wealth from trade and neighboring trade cities

contributions: textiles, gold, slaves

environment : caravan trade- savanna zones

Africa saw the rise of major states such as Mali, Ghana, and Ethiopia, characterized by monarchies and theocratic governance often legitimated through religion. The control of trade routes contributed to state wealth, while significant contributions included textiles, gold, and slaves, facilitated by caravan trade in savanna zones.

the americas - Maya, Mexica (aztec, Inca)

Government : city states (maya) theocratic (aztec) bureaucratic (inca)

Contributions: agriculture, architecture, calendars, and writing systems

Social: class divisions, human sacrifice, matrilineal and patrilineal societies
Religion: polytheistic beliefs, rituals, and priesthood

maintaining rule: centralized governments, tribute systems, and religious authority.

economy: agriculture, trade, tribute systems including precious metals and goods.

The Americas, particularly the Maya, Mexica (Aztec), and Inca civilizations, were marked by distinct government structures such as city-states (Maya), theocratic rule (Aztec), and bureaucratic systems (Inca). They made notable contributions in agriculture, architecture, and writing, while their societies were characterized by rigid class divisions, human sacrifice practices, and a mix of matrilineal and patrilineal kinship. Religion played a crucial role, as polytheistic beliefs and rituals were integral to governance, reinforced by centralized authorities and tribute systems that facilitated economic trade and wealth.

Japan - Heian and Kamakura

major states: heian and Kamakura

Government: decentralized feudalism

statebuilding: tributes, mandate of heaven

economy: pro industrialization, grand canal

contribution: printing , porcelain, The Heian period (794-1185) is characterized by courtly culture, poetry, and refined aesthetics, while the Kamakura period (1185-1333) introduced samurai rule and the establishment of a feudal system.

environment : terraced farming

social: bushido, feudalism

religion: shinto Buddhism, Shintoism

were significant periods in Japanese history, marked by cultural and political developments. The Heian period is noted for its advances in art and literature, while the Kamakura period saw the rise of the samurai and military governance.

Muslim Word

major states: Abbasid Caliphate , Delhi Sultanate , Mamluk Sultanate

government: caliphates and sultanates unified under Islam

state-building : spread through trade and conquest

maintaining rule: military, islamic law, islamic scholars

economy: agriculture, trade, and taxes.

contributions: mathematics, medicine, architecture, and philosophy.

environment: agricultural advancements helping growth

The Muslim world during this period saw major states such as the Abbasid Caliphate, Delhi Sultanate, and Mamluk Sultanate, which were unified under Islam through caliphates and sultanates. This era was characterized by significant contributions to mathematics, medicine, architecture, and philosophy, driven by advancements in agriculture and a robust trade economy.

Europe - holy roman empire, france, england

major states : France, England, Roman Empire

Government: Feudal monarchies, decentralized

State-building: christianity, crusades , centralized monarchy

maintaining rule: divine right , church authority

economy: largely agricultural society dependent on free and coerced labor including serfdom

contribution : architecture

environment: deforestation

transportation: viking boats

Mongols - nomadic empires

major state : mongol empire

government: Khanates

state building : conquest, religious tolerance

maintaining rule: military prowess, tribute system

economy: trade networks, taxation

contribution: cultural exchange, technology diffusion

environment: adaptation to diverse climates

social: steppe culture, hierarchy

religion: varied beliefs, including shamanism and Buddhism

south and southeast Asia - Sirvjaya , vijayanagara, Khmer

major states: Sirvjaya , vijayanagara,Khmer

Government: hindu and buddhist monarchies

State-building: maritime trade and agriculture

maintaining rule: religious legitimacy

economy: spices, gold, textiles, highly commercial

contributions: cultural diffusion from trade

environment : monsoon winds

The major states in South and Southeast Asia include Srivijaya, Vijayanagara, and the Khmer Empire, characterized by Hindu and Buddhist monarchies. Their state-building processes relied on maritime trade and agriculture, while they maintained rule through religious legitimacy, with economies based on spices, gold, textiles, and vibrant commercial activity. Cultural diffusion was fostered through trade, and the region's environment was significantly influenced by monsoon winds.

Themes (1200-1450)

Major themes during this period include state-building and expansion, cultural interactions, and the rise of trade networks across regions like Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Common strategies to build and maintain power: religion as legitimacy (divine right, christianity, mandate of heaven)

Bureaucracy and legal codes (confucian exams, islamic law, civil service)

Military force and conquest

Tribute systems (China and Aztecs)

Economies based on trade, agriculture, and tribute systems. (Indian ocean, Silk roads, Trans-Saharan)

agricultural innovations ( champa rice)

states taxed trade or control

summary: This period is characterized by the development of complex governmental structures, the use of religion to justify authority, and the expansion of trade routes, all of which facilitated cultural exchange and economic growth.

Vocab / Definitions

neo-confucianism (used by china/ Song Dynasty) - rid of confucian of the prior thought of buddhism which had influenced prior centuries

Mitá system- a labor system established by the Incas that required communities to provide a certain number of workers for public projects.

centralization- the process of consolidating power and authority within a central government, leading to increased control over political, economic, and social matters.

bureaucracies- administrative systems governing large organizations, ensuring efficient management and implementation of policies.

sultanates- political entities ruled by a sultan, characterized by Muslim governance and often influencing trade and culture in their regions.

feudalism- a social and economic system in medieval Europe where land was exchanged for military service and loyalty, creating a hierarchy of lords, vassals, and serfs.

bhakti movement - a devotional trend in Hinduism emphasizing individual connection to God through personal devotion and love, promoting equality and rejecting caste distinctions.

tribute system-an economic and political framework in which tribute is paid by subordinate states to a dominant power, often involving the exchange of goods for political protection or recognition.

bushido: code of honor in Japanese samurai culture emphasizing loyalty, bravery, and moral principles.

crusades -military campaigns initiated by European Christians in the Middle Ages to reclaim Jerusalem and other holy lands from Muslim rule, leading to significant cultural and political impacts.

religion

buddhism:

hinduism:

christianity: