Civilizations Overview: Southeast Asia, Americas, Africa, and Europe

The Majapahit Kingdom was located in Java and existed from December until 1520.
It was a Buddhist kingdom and among the most powerful states in Southeast Asia.
Influence Through Trade: Instead of using naval power, the Majapahit controlled key sea trade routes.
The kingdom began to decline when China began supporting its rival, the Sultanate of Malacca.

Founded as a Hindu kingdom, the Khmer Empire later saw its leadership convert to Buddhism.
Angkor Wat: This grand temple, initially a Hindu structure, was expanded to include Buddhist elements, showcasing religious continuity and change.

Aztec Empire: Founded in 1345 by the Mexica people and reached its peak through an alliance in 1428 with other states.
- Tenochtitlan: Capital city, the largest in the Americas pre-European contact.
- Administered through an elaborate tribute system where conquered people provided goods and labor.
- Human sacrifice, integral to religion, played a significant role; individuals like Kevin were chosen for such sacrifices.

Inca Empire: Originated in the early 1400s, it extended across the Andes mountains.
- The Incas incorporated land and languages from previous Andean societies.
- Utilized a highly centralized bureaucracy, contrasting the Aztec decentralized tribute system.
- Adopted a labor system similar to the Midas system, requiring subjects to work on state projects.

Established around the Mississippi River Valley, predominantly agricultural due to fertile land.
Large towns overshadowed smaller settlements, and they constructed monumental mounds for burial.
Cahokia: The largest burial mound, nearly 100 feet tall, built by the Cahokia people.

Located in East Africa, comprised independent cities centered on commerce and trade.
Increased influence through involvement in Indian Ocean trade around the 1400s.
Each city shared a common social hierarchy with a merchant elite.
- Cultural Intermingling: Emergence of the Swahili language, a blend of Bantu and Arabic languages, indicating cooperation among diverse cultures.
Islam had a significant impact, with many Swahili states adopting Islamic practices.

Empires: Included the Ghana, Mali, and Songhai, centralized governments driven by trade influenced by Islam.
Conversion to Islam was more common among elites; general populations retained indigenous beliefs.
Hausa Kingdoms: Unlike centralized empires, the Hausa consisted of city-states connected through shared language and culture, engaged in trade, particularly in the Trans-Saharan trade.

Capital city established between December and 1450; covered 200 acres with a population of approximately 18,000.
Thrived through agriculture and trade, particularly benefiting from gold exports.
Maintained traditional shamanistic beliefs, contrasting with the Islamic influences observed in other African states.

Flourished from trade connections to the Mediterranean and Arabian Peninsula.
Distinct as the only Christian state amidst many Islamic influences in Africa.
Hierarchical power structure with a monarch and classes akin to other African civilizations.

Predominantly Christian society divided between Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholicism.
Byzantine Empire: Represented Eastern Christianity, declined but influenced new states like Kievan Rus, which adopted Orthodox Christianity and engaged in Afro-Eurasian trade.
Roman Catholicism in Western Europe: Unified various decentralized states, providing cultural cohesion through a hierarchical church structure.
- Influence of Muslims in the Iberian Peninsula and smaller Jewish communities also existed, although anti-Semitic sentiments often marginalized them.

Lack of large empires; characterized by decentralization post-Roman Empire collapse.
Feudalism: Dominant political structure where powerful lords provided land in exchange for military service from vassals.
Manorialism: Economic system centered around large estates managed by lords, where peasants worked in return for protection and land to cultivate, creating a self-sufficient social structure.