AP World Unit 1
1.1 Developments in East Asia
CTX- Song Dynasty was a leading example of diversity and innovation. China had great wealth and political stability. Neo-Confucianism supported the gov’t and shaped social classes and the family systems. China developed the greatest manufacturing capacity of any state
Gov’t Developments in the Song Dynasty
CTX- Song Dynasty replaced the Tang Dynasty, even though the Song Dynasty was smaller, they were much more prosperous.
China's strength was due to a couple of reasons
Imperial Bureaucracy; an organization which had gov’t officials carry out the empire's policies. It was a continuity from the Qin Dynasty and strengthened the Song Dynasty.
The Civil Service Exam was an exam that would give a job in the bureaucracy (if passed)
Poor men were able to get well paying jobs if they passed, thought this was rare, it was still a good opportunity
Exams were based on knowledge of Confucianism, making China’s bureaucratic system a meritocracy. (Meritocracy is a system where people are rewarded based on ability, talent, and effort rather than wealth or status.)
Poor people were underrepresented in the bureaucracy
Buecreacy would be a reason of the fall of the Song Dynasty
By creating so many jobs any paying well for them, the cost dried up Chinese Wealth
Economic Developments in Post Classical China
CTX- Tang Dynasty had created alot of innovations like roads, canals, etc. which helped the Song Dynasty in population growth and economic growth
The Grand Canal (made previously by another Dynasty) increased trade in the Song Dynasty and is also a good transportation system
Gunpowder (made previously by another Dynasty) was utilized to make guns by the Song Dynasty and spread from China to Europe with the help of the Silk Roads
Champa Rice introduced by Vietnam was crucial for the Song Dynasty as the rice grew quicker, was drought resistant and yielded more harvests.
This increased population (25% of the world population to 40%)
New agricultural innovations were introduced like irrigation systems, buffalo/oxen cart pulling systems etc.
Manufacturing of goods and trading also helped increase the economy
Coal/Iron/Steel were used to make bridges, religious items and strengthen machines
Coal wasn't as used (factories hadn't been invented)
Proto Industrialization was where people would make more goods than they could sell in their homes which helped increase the economy
Arsians manufactured porcelain and silk because it was wanted in other states and in Europe
Compasses helped trade and navigation
China became much more industrialized allowing them to gain control of trade in the seas
(Taxes) The government paid people to build projects like roads and parks, which boosted the economy since the money they earned was spent back into businesses, keeping the cycle going.
The tribute system was a key part of China’s economy. Tributary states had to pay goods/money to China, cementing China’s political and economic power over foreign countries.
Social Structures in China
CTX- China used to be more rural, but at the height of the Song Dynasty China became the most urbanized land from 1200-1450.
China's class structure: Due to the new bureaucracy, a new class was created. They were known as the Social Gentry who were well educated
Merchants were not respected because in Confucian belief, they just sold and bought items without an any physical labor needed
The Song Dynasty gov’t established many public facilities like hospitals
Role of women: Confucian belief respected both men and women- but they would defer to men (Patriarchal Society)
Foot binding became a common process as women would wrap their toes and break their feed bones to have smaller feed which in return would increase their social status
Emperor -> Aristocracy/Scholar Gentry -> Farmers -> Artisans -> Merchants
Intellectual and Cultural Developments
CTX- China was a very technological, literate and artistic country
Chinese people invented paper (a long time ago) and developed a system of printing with woodblocks. They could efficiently produce books on how to farm and make religious documents more widely accessible etc.
With this new technology, books could be mass produced. Even though most peasants were illiterate, confucian scholars were able to read and would be able to write lots of texts.
Religious Diversity in China
CTX- Buddhism traveled through Silk Roads from Indian to all across Asia leading to new forms, beliefs and religious ideals.
TANG DYNASTY-
Most forms of Buddhism had all shared common beliefs
Buddhism fused with many other religions forming syncretic religions. These syncretic religions would be found in a specific geographical location.
Monks introduced Buddhism by relating its beliefs to Daoist Principles and fused them together creating Chan Buddhism
Because of this fusion Chan Buddhism became increasingly popular throughout China in the daily lives of people
Leader were concerned that a foreign religion had such prominence and that it drew chinese people away from China’s native religion
SONG DYNASTY
Song Dynasty was friendlier to Buddhism but didn't go out of its way to promote it. They preferred Confucianism
The Song Dynasty also believed in Filial Piety
Filial piety emphasizes respect/ obedience for one's parents and elders. It has strong ties to loyalty toward an emperor, family and elder
Ex: Father to Son, Eldest to youngest, Emperor to People
Neo-Confucianism was the mix of Confucianism and Buddhism (ethics > god)
Became very popular outside and inside China
Comparing Japan, Korea and Vietnam
CTX- China was unified and incredibly powerful, so smaller neighboring countries benefited from being so close to China but also faced a challenge of keeping its own distinct culture.
JAPAN (HEIAN PERIOD)
Japan was separated by sea and was able to control its interactions due to this distance with China (unlike Korea and Vietnam)
Learned woodblock printing
Emulated Chinese traditions, politics, arts etc.
Japan was a feudalistic society and was very uncentralized. Unlike China, Japan's emperor was weak and Japan was normally ruled by families and shoguns.
KOREA
Korea's location gave it a very direct relationship with China.
They had a tributary relationship
Korea emulated Chinese gov’t styles and centralized their gov’t similar to China
Koreans adopted Confucian and Buddhist beliefs
They even had a similar writing style (with different structures*)
A key difference was how the aristocracy was much more powerful in Korea
Korean elite prevented several Chinese reforms
Even though there was a Korean Civil Service Exam, the poor wasn’t given the opportunity to take them (no meritocracy)
VIETNAM
Vietnam had an mixed relationship with China
Sometimes they would offer tributes (as a Tributary State) or would even have rebellions against Chinese influence
Vietnamese women had more rights than Chinese women
Rejected food binding and polygyny
Nuclear family
Villages operated independently of a national gov’t
Political centralization was nonexistent
They would have revlots if the gov’t was too oppressive
1.2 Developments in East Asia
CTX- Islam spread rapidly outward from Arabia with the help of military actions and merchants/missionaries.
Invasions and Shifts in the Trade Routes
CTX- AbbaTsid Empire faced many challenges and had conflicts with many other states which eventually led to their fall
Egyptian Mamluks were enslaved people who Arabs bought
Ethnically Turk
Seized control of the gov’t establishing Mamluk Sultanate
Prospered by facilitating trade w/ Europe
Declined when new sea routes for trade were established
Seljuk Turks were Muslims who began conquering parts of the Middle East and establishing rule in Western China (Leader was a Sultan)
Abbasids allowed Christians to travel throughout their land
Seljuk Turks limited this
European Chrisitans became mad due to their land being protected from themselves
Groups of soldiers known as Crusaders fought to reopen access
The Mongols also attacked the Abbasid Empire
They conquered the remaining Abbasid due to their control/force over the world
Ended Seljuk Rule
Abbasids had been important to connecting Asia to Europe
As trade patterns shifted north, Baghdad (a trading city) became less important as the center of trade
Cultural and Social Life
CTX- Over time, the Islamic world fragmented politically. New states adopted Abbasid practices but were distinct ethically ranging from the Delhi Sultanate to the Safavids. Islamic states formed a cultural region
Islamic Scholars translated Greek literary into Arabic, they studied math and adopted paper making techniques from China (Continuities)
Many scholars began to make achievements in philosophy, mathematics, medicine, space and logic as well as writing (historical/fictional), poetry etc.
Sufism was a mystical form of Islam.
Started by the Ummayyad Caliphate
Sufi missionaries spread a type of Islam that would adapt to cultures and believed in mythical gods.
Islamic society viewed merchants as more prestigious than did other societies in Europe
Muhamad had been a merchant
Muslims prohibited slavery of Muslim, Christians, Jews etc.
Permitted enslaving other
Enslaved women would serve as concubines (sex workers) to men who already married up to four women
Free Women in Islam
CTX: Some practices now associated with Islam are common cultural customs like how women would wear hijabs/ men would wear turbans. This practice solidified under Islam rule.
Muhammad raised the status of women
Treated his wives with love and even allowed them to be educated
The overall status of women in Islamic regions seemed to be higher compared to other places
Islamic women enjoyed more rights; they were allowed to inherit property, start a divorce and practice birth control
The rise of towns and cities in Islamic-ruled areas resulted in new limitations on women’s rights, just as it did in other cultures.
Islamic Rule in Spain
CTX- While the Umayyads ruled only briefly in the Middle East, they gained power in Spain after defeating Byzantine armies; they invaded Spain from the south and established the capital Cordoba
Islamic military lost the Battle of Tours against Frankish forces
Marked the limit of rapid Islamic expansion into Europe
Umayyad rule operated many other religions/beliefs and had Chritstians, Muslims and Jews coexisting peacefully
They not only tolerated each other but influenced each other especially in writing
Umayyad rule also promoted trade- many foods began traveling abroad ships called Dhows
Dhows had long, thin hulls making them excellent for carrying goods.
CTX: Islamic scholarship and scientific innovations led the groundwork for the Renaissance and Scientific Revolution in Europe
1.3 Developments in South and Southeast Asia
CTX- The interaction of Hundus and Muslims, though sometimes violent, created dynamic developments in religious thought, politics, economics, art and architecture.
Political Systems in South Asia
Northern and Southern India developed different political structures, however, Hinduism provided some cultural unity throughout the region.
South India was more stable
The Vijayanagara Empire was a Hinduism focused empire which fell when Muslim Kingdoms overthrew it
Northern indian experienced more conflict
The Rajput kingdoms were formed by Hindu leaders of clans who were often at war with each other
This led to a very decentralized govt
While the Himalays did protect india, mountain passes allowed invasions by Muslim armies
Each attack disrupt a Hundu/ Buddhist religion and Islamic Presence began to grow
Islamic armies invaded what is today Pakistan and also plundered northern india's hindu temples and shrines for riches
Islamic forces conquered Delhi brining Islam into India under the Delhi Sultanate
Some hindus converted to Islam while others pretend these foreigners
The Sultanate imposed a tax on all non-Muslim subjects causing more treatment
The Delhi Sultanate was very unorganized
Despite the strong Islamic presence, local kingdoms play a key role in India's decentralized landscape.
The Delhi Sultanate prevented Mongols themselves from conquering South Asia, but lost to the Mughals.
Religion in South Asia
Religions was always dominant in South Asian History
Hindu’s believed in many gods
Relationship between Hindus and Muslims shaped the history of South Asia
Islam entered India forcefully, but eventually took on a more peaceful approach
Tried to forcefully convert Hindu’s into Islam but it didn't work.
Many convicts came to Islam voluntarily
Many Muslim merchants married over the Indian ocean and would bring back Muslim wifes
Islam also attracted low caste Hindus who hoped they could climb the social ladder
Largest number of converts were Buddhists
This was due to the high level of corruption amongst monks making Buddhism very disorganized
social Structures in South Asia
Arrival of Islam did not change the structure of Society in South Asia
Caste System was flexible and accommodated new Muslim merchants/migrants
Lower-caste Hindus tried to escape the system and failed
Those who tried to convert to Islam to improve their social status normally failed
Needed a better education/job, not a new religion .
Southeast Asian women enjoyed more independence before the arrival of Islam
Cultural Interactions in South Asia
South Asia/Middle East people shared intellectual and cultural achievements
Indian developments in math were shared throughout Dar-Al-Islam
Sultans would erect buildings with both Islamic and Hindu patterns, art and details throughout
Urdu was a language developed due to this cultural fission; a combination of Hindi and Arabic/Farsi
The Bhakti movement was a movement in which Hindus would focus on traditional thinkings over texts
Focused on one deity
Especially appealing to many people because it did not discriminate against women or people of lower social classes
Though Bhaktis were Hindus they were similar to Sufi Muslims was they were both mystical movements
Southeast Asia
South Asia influenced its neighbors like Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand etc.
Merchants had sold goods (like raw minerals) and in return brought back spices
They also introduced many indian religions like Buddhism which is still their to this day
The region of Indonesia was strategically significant because it controlled the waterway between South Asia and East Asia
Sea Based Kingdoms:
Srivijaya Empire was a buddhist kingdom who had a powerful navy and used charging fees for ships traveling between Indian and China
Majapahit Kingdom also controlled sea routes but was Hindu
Land Based Kingdoms
Sinhala Dynasties became a center of buddhist study and the gov’t was based on highly involved Buddhist like monks.
Khmer Empire did not depend on maritime control and used irrigation and drainage systems to create an agricultural kingdom
Islam's movement into the Indian ocean region parallels its expansion elsewhere. Local merchants spread the religion and Islam was most popular in urban areas at that time
1.4 Development in the Americas
CTX- After the decline of the Olmecs, new civilizations, such as the Mayans, the Aztecs, and the Incas rose in similar regions. The first large scale civilization in North America developed
The Mississippian Culture
First large scale civilization in North America
Had a rigid class structure with a chief, nobles, farmers/merchants and enslaved people at the bottom
Women farmed and men hunted
Matrilineal Society (Social Standing determined by Woman’s side of the family)
The decline of the empire is debated; it could be either due to a flood or famine or diseases introduced by Europeans
Chaco and Mesa Verde
Many cultures emerged in what is now Southwestern United States
Two cultures became well known for their innovations:
The Chaco built large housing structures using stones and clay
The Mesa Verde built multi story homes into the sides of cliffs
Both groups declined due to the arid climate
The Maya City-States
Mayan civilization stretched over the southern part of Mexico
Main form of gov’t was based off a city state, meaning they had NO central government
The Maya empire was broken down into many smaller sections each rule by a king and consisting of a city and surrounding territory
Wars between city states were common as a way to gain tribute
Common people were forced to pay taxes in the form of crops
City states had no armies so they required citizens to provide military service
Maya religion focused especially on Human Sacrifice (it was a big part of their culture)
They would pray to many gods and made offerings so their prayers would be answered
People died as an honor to be a sacrifice
Maya people were very innovative thinkers
They would link science and religion through astronomy
They made an accurate calendar to track the sun which was more accurate than what the Europeans used at that time.
The Aztecs
Aztecs (Mexicas) were located in Central Mexico
They located in the middle of a lake to protect itself from attacks
It because one of the largest cities in the world
Used Aqueducts (a sewage system)
Aztecs built floating gardens called chinampas to increase the amount of space for food production (long irrigation system)
The Aztecs developed a tributary system that insured their dominance
Conquered people were forced to pay tribute*
Tribute included practical goods like food and military service
Aztecs allowed local rulers to stay in their positions to serve as tribute collectors giving them control without directly needing to be there
Their government was a Theocracy (rule by a religious leader)
Had a very similar class system to the Maya City States but had a special merchant class (pochteca) who traded luxury goods
They believed in many gods and worshipped human sacrifice.
Religion was a key part of their politics
Women plays an important role because they would weave important cloth
The Aztecs began to decline due to their low level of technology and due to their citizens feeling a sense of resentment after all the sacrifices
The Inca
The Incan Empire was located near Peru and ran through Chile
They still had a powerful king
Due to its large size, the empire was split into four states with its own governor and bureaucracy
Inca people did not have to pay tribute, they were instead forced to join the mit’a system
It was a system of mandatory public service in forms of physical labor
Religion was a key part of their beliefs
They believed that there was a Sun God
Priests were consulted before many actions and they believed priests could determine fate
They also believed that God controlled all things
Believed in some form of animism- the belief that elements of the physical world could have supernatural powers
Inca developed a system of knotted strings to count numbers in both trade/engineering
They developed many terraces to grow food due to their mountainous environment
They were especially good builders of bridges and roads
Declined due to diseases brought in by the Spanish conquistadors.
Continuities and Diversity
All three main civilizations shared common
Religious beliefs (polytheistic and human sacrifice)
Similar reasons for decline (trade, diseases, weather)
All three main civilizations had a unique system of gov’t and trade
Maya- Organized in city states with a king
Aztec- Powerful king with captives and a system of tribute
Inca- Powerful King and mit’a system
Maya- Moderate trade
Aztec- Extensive trade
Inca- Limited trade
1.5 Developments in Africa
Political Structures in Inland Africa
Development of Sub-Saharan Africa was heavily shaped by the migrations of the Bantu-Speaking people from outward to central Africa
Sub-Sahran Africa did not centralize power
There was no central government or one leader
They formed kin-based networks with families/groups and a chief
With increasing populations, it became hard to govern a community with so many people
This increased fighting and survival of these communities became more challenging
The Hausa Kingdom were formed by the Hausa ethnic group
Based of kinship ties with no central authority
Benefited of the trans-Sahran trade
Because the states lacked a centralized government, they were prone to attacks from outsiders
Missionaries introduced Islam to the region
Political Structures of West and East Africa
CTX- Kingdoms on both the western and eastern sides of Africa benefited from trade. Trade brought wealth, political power and cultural diversity as well as religious diversity through the spread of Islam
Ghana (located on the West African Coast) was a trade focused state
Ghana sold gold and ivory to muslim traders for tools.
Ghana had a centralized gov’t with a king and nobles as well as a full army
After Ghana began to weaken, new trading societies formed, with the most powerful being Mali
Mali was one of the wealthiest countries due to its steady leadership and thriving gold trade
Under Mansa Musa, Timbuktu became the center of the gold trade (located in Mali)
Zimbabwe (located in east africa) built its prosperity on agriculture, grazing and gold
Zimbabwe had rich gold fields and unlike other states, traded with coastal cities tying them into the Indian Ocean Trade
Traders blended Bantu and Arabic to develop a new language, Swahili
Zimbabwe fell due to overgrazing
Overgrazing damaged the surrounding environment by so much, that the state couldnt sustain itself
Overgrazing as in for animals and crops for humans
Ethiopia was a Christian led kingdom
Ethiopia prospered by trading goods to India, Arabia and the Roman Empire
The spread of Islam made the region more diverse religiously
Like other countries, Ethiopia expressed its power through architecture
Ethiopia was one of the only Christian states in Africa
Christianity in Ethiopia would mix with traditional faith and traditions
Social Structures of Sub-Saharan Africa
CTX- In Sub-Saharan Africa, strong central governments ruling over large territories were uncommon. Small communities were organized around kinship, age and gender
Men dominated most activities with a specialized labor skill
Women generally focused on agricultural gatherings and domestic chores
Slavery was important in Africa
Most slaves were criminals, prisoners of war and debtors
Owning many slaves increased your social status
There were three forms of Slavery
Chattel- People were legal property
Domestic- Maids, Cleaners etc.
Debt bondage- enslaved because of debt and a mutual agreement
There was a strong demand for enslaved works in the Middle East which lead to the Indian Ocean Slave trade
The enslaved East Africans (zanj) worked on sugar plantations
15,000 enslaved people captured the city of Basra under the Zanj Rebellion
Cultural Life in Sub-Saharan Africa
Music, Visual arts and stories were all part of key African culture
African music usually had a distinctive rhythmic pattern
Griots and Griottes were storytellers who had knowledge about family lineages and lives of great leaders and who retell the story passing down and preserving history from generation to generation
Women served as griotters who provided other women with a sense of empowerment in a patriarchal society
1.6 Developments in Europe
CTX - The Roman Empire declined leading to Europe to enter the Medieval Period in which Europe struggled due to less trade and how most kingdoms were smaller and frequently fought. Learning and trade began to revive Europe.
Feudalism: Political and Social systems
Very decentralized organization that was based of feudalism
Feudalism was a social and political system in medieval Europe where land was exchanged for loyalty and service. Kings gave land to nobles, who let knights and peasants live on it in return for military support or labor.
Based off mutual obligation (above)
Provided security for peasants
Women were protected by the code of chivalry by knights but also didn't have many rights
Rules that focused on honor, courtesy and bravery
Manorial System
Provided economic self sufficiency
Manor basically made everything that the people living their needed
Serfs would spend their whole lives there not knowing about the rest of Europe
Serfs were not enslaved, they were instead tied to the land
Paid tribute in form of labor
Agriculture improved with windmills, new plows etc. which increased population growth
Political Trends in the Later Middle Ages
Monarchies grew powerful due to bureaucracy and military
Monarchs began to gain a lot more control
Ex: France developed a bureaucracy, the Estates General which included all classes, yet the Estates General had little power leading up to the French Revolution as people felt they didn't have a say in their politics
Ex: Normal England was located in modern day France which was conquered by William the Conqueror. English nobles didn’t like the amount of power he head leading to the Magna Carta
The Magna Carta give people certain rights that couldn't be taken away
The Hundred Years war lead to distance between England and France also leading to sense of nationalism in their countries
Showed the spread of gunpowder weapons due to the Mongols (meaning they had an impact on Europe without directly colonizing anything there)
Roman Catholic Church during the Middle Ages
Christian Church in Europe divided into two branches due to the Great Schism
A combination of theological, political, and cultural differences, including disputes over authority led to the Schism
Roman Catholic Church had control in most of Europe
Most powerful institution in Europe
Due to Europe being very uncentralized, Christianity provided a shared identity throughout
Church established universities leading to most philosopher/writeisters to be religious leaders
Had a lot of power in the Feudal System
Women were able to become nones and had influence on the Catholic Church
Wealth and political power led to corruption
This corruption led to reformers like Martin Luther and would shatter the Roman Catholic Church
Orthodox Church was more powerful from Greece to Russia
Chrsitian Crusades
Europeans fought to drive muslims out of the Holy Lands in the Middle East
Religious, Social and Economic pressures resulted in the Crusades
The Crusades were a series of religious wars initiated by Christian powers, primarily to reclaim the Holy Land from Muslim control
Chursitans used to be able to enter at their will but the Seljuk Turks made that difficult after they gained power
Economic and Social Change
CTX - Economics Self Succifencey in Europe gave way to an interest in goods from other European countries and ports from across the world
Marco Polo visited the court of Kublai Khan in China and described the customs of the people and what he saw intriguing Europeans
Curiosity about Asia skyrocketed simulating an interest in traveling, cartography etc.
Growth in long distance commerce changed the social pyramid
Merchants become more important, cities grew leading to urbanization, serfs left their manors to find better work, and wealth began to matter more than family leading to the middle class
The bubonic plague destroyed europe economically and populationally
The Little Ice age reduced agricultural productivity and increased disease and unemployment
Crime rate increases and many religious and groups of people began to be discriminated such as Jews because of this
Jewish population began to grow
Christians thought of Jews as outsiders and untrustworthy and were expelled from England
Very similar to Muslims
Muslims moved to other countries
Jews and Muslims still helped shape society with trade
Women found their rights eroding
Women in Islamic Societies tended to enjoy higher levels of freedom
Renaissance
The Renaissance was the increase in trade, growth of agriculture and the rise of the middle class sparking a lot of creativity in Europe
The Revival of Interest in Classical literature
Gutenberg's Printing Press fostered the growth of literacy
Humanism was a key belief of the Renaissance
It was the belief that you should focus on yourself rather than god
Humanists sought education and Reform
The Origins Of Russia
Due to modern day Russia being near Europe, they gained a sense of Christianity (except it was Orthodox)
Mongols overtook this region, so it developed separately from the rest of Europe
In the late 15th Century, Ivan the Great took over the land and made it independent