Information from Heimler's History

• Bhakti Movement and Sufism: Mystical experiences for all, rejected religious doctrines of the elite

• Maya and Aztec: Decentralized, tributary system, human sacrifice

• Aztec and Song China: Commercialized Government

• Muslim traders had a profound impact on the spread of Islam. The Swahili, situated on Africa's east coast, had great access to Indian Ocean trade, thus were heavily impacted by Islam.

• Swahili and Song China: Expanded wealth by participating in trade beyond their borders. Had a hierarchical structure that organized their societies. However, Song China was centralized, while the Swahili wasn't

• Swahili and Great Zimbabwe: Achieved great prosperity as a result of their prime access to Indian Ocean Trade

• Hausa Kingdoms and Swahili: Urbanized and commercialized, acted as "middle men" for goods grown in the interior, which they traded with other states in West and North Africa. Had social hierarchies. Rulers converted to Islam, which impacted trade with Muslim merchants.

• Europe and Japan: During Europe's High Middle Ages, power began to shift from feudal lords to monarchs. This can be compared to the Meiji Restoration in Japan, in which power shifted from the shogun to the emperor. Both prospered after this

• The motivations for both imperialism and freedom from imperialism sprung out of increased nationalism