AP World History Notes

Layout

  • The AP World History exam includes:

    • Multiple Choice Section (MCQ)

    • Short Answer Question (SAQ)

    • Document-Based Question (DBQ)

    • Long Essay Question (LEQ)

  • MCQ: 55 questions, 55 minutes, 40% of the exam grade.

    • Each question is tied to a stimulus with 3-4 questions per stimulus

  • SAQ: 3 questions, 40 minutes, 20% of the exam grade.

    • Q1 includes a secondary source stimulus

    • Q2 includes a primary source stimulus

    • You choose to answer either Q3 or Q4; both have no stimulus.

      • Q3 is between 1200-1750

      • Q4 is between 1750-2001

  • DBQ: 1 essay with 7 documents, 25% of the exam grade.

    • Essay documents are only from Period 2 (1450-1750) onwards

  • LEQ: 1 essay with no stimulus, 15% of the exam grade.

    • Choose either Q1, Q2, OR Q3

      • Q1 is between 1200-1750

      • Q2 is between 1450-1900

      • Q3 is between 1750-2001

  • Recommendations for review:

    • Take a full-length MCQ practice exam.

    • Reread all notes.

    • Identify weak points and focus on those areas.

Early Asia

China

  • Three key dynasties:

    • Sui

      • Unified China

      • Grand Canal

    • Tang

      • Military conquests

      • Increased technology and economy

      • Strong central government

      • Bureaucracy

        • Large, complex system of government organization

        • Clear hierarchy

        • Emphasized efficiency

        • Division of labor

        • Formalized communication

        • Standardized procedures

        • Meritocracy: Most qualified people run the government.

          • Civil Service Exam: Confucian-based exam used to test merit.

          • People who passed entered new social class: Scholar gentry.

    • Sang

  • Developments

    • Gunpowder: Revolutionized combat

    • Champa Rice: Tribute from Vietnam with two growing seasons

    • Public Works: Great Wall, Dujiangyan Irrigation

    • Paper: Led to printing and revolutionized currency

  • Social Structure

    • Based on Confucian principles

    • Emperor

      • Divine right for emperor to rule

      • Everyone must remain in their role for social harmony

    • Scholar Gentry

    • Nobility

    • Peasants

    • Merchants

    • Footbinding: Mutilation of women's feet to make them smaller

      • Women were much lower than men due to Confucian principles (Filial Piety - respect for elders).

  • Tributary System

    • China provided protection and trade rights to surrounding states.

    • Surrounding states gave China's emperor goods.

      • Vietnam

      • Japan

      • Korea

  • Sinification

    • Adoption of Chinese culture

    • Korea

      • Adopted Confucianism

      • Nuclear families

      • Increased women's rights

    • Japan

      • Decentralized

      • Resisted sinification

      • Adapted Buddhism

      • Rejected Confucianism

      • Tight aristocracy

      • Kanji (writing) from China

      • No social mobility

Japan

  • Feudal and decentralized nation

  • Emperor + Shogun (military leader)

  • Daimyo (landowners)

  • Samurai warriors practiced Bushido code (chivalry).

Dar al-Islam

  • Monotheistic religion founded by Prophet Muhammad.

    • Muhammad is last in line of prophets.

    • Quran: Holy book of Islam

    • Sharia Law: Muslim code of conduct

  • Islamic expansion through Middle East facilitated trade.

  • Jizya: Non-Muslim tax.

  • Battle of Tours halted Islam's advance into Europe and consolidated Christianity within Europe.

  • Al-Andalus (8th-15th century)

    • Muslim-ruled dynasties in Iberia

    • Center of culture and learning

    • Diverse and tolerant society with Arab, Berber, and Jewish populations

  • Women's Position

    • Islamic teachings suggested men = women

    • Women generally enjoyed more rights comparatively, but interpretations varied.

  • Caliphates

    • Umayyad (661-750)

      • Centered in Damascus, Syria

      • Too militaristic

      • Increased persecutions

    • Abbasids (750-1258)

      • Centered in Baghdad

      • Trade thrived

      • House of Wisdom (center of scholarship)

  • Commonalities

    • Influential across Afro-Eurasia

    • Many cultural achievements

    • Many eventual internal conflicts

  • New Islamic Powers after the Mongols took over the Abbasids:

    • Egyptian Mamluks

      • Originally slave soldiers brought from Caucasus

      • Eventually overthrew government and established centralized state

      • Cultural and architectural achievements

      • Fell to Ottomans

    • Seljuk Turks

      • Turkish people from Central Asia

      • Established huge, influential Islamic empire

      • Instability and foreign conquests

      • Fell and divided into smaller states

    • Delhi Sultanate

      • Muslim sultanate in India

      • Fell to Mughals

South Asia

  • Hinduism

    • Polytheistic

    • Caste system consolidates power

      • People won't rebel in hopes of better caste in next life

      • Stagnant social dynamics

    • Reincarnation: Rebirth cycle

  • South India

    • Chola Dynasty

    • Vijayanagar Empire

    • Muslim Kingdoms

  • North India

    • 8th-16th century Rajput Kingdoms

      • Vulnerable Hindu Kingdoms in N. India

      • Various Kingdoms - decentralized with warring clans.

      • Rajputs - warrior caste

    • Delhi Sultanate

      • Ruled parts of N. & cen. India alongside Rajput Kingdoms

      • Lack of efficient bureaucracy = Difficulty imposing policies

      • Held against Mongols

      • But fell to the Mughals.

Southeast Asia

  • Cultural diffusion from Indian Ocean Trade Network

    • Played a key factor in the econ. & culture of this region

  • Irrigation: Khmer Empire (Angkor Wat - Hindu Buddhist temple).

  • Srivijaya Empire: Key trade center.

  • Majapahit Kingdom: Smaller Indonesian Buddhist empire.

  • Sufism: Mythical sect of Sunni Islam.

    • Islamic merchants & Sufi missionaries spread to SE Asia.

  • Geography

    • Tropical climate has influenced its development.

    • Monsoon seasons & typhoons has impacted trace patterns.

Early Africa

  • Mostly tribal/clan-based with kin-based networks.

    • No centralization of power.

    • Kin-based networks became difficult to govern as population grew.

  • Islam's Influence

    • Exchange of goods, economic & cultural development, spread of Islam.

    • Some parts of Africa resisted Islam.

    • South Africa regions didn't even have contact until later.

  • Significant changes post-Classical Africa

West Africa

  • Ghana & Mali - Powerful army & $! Controlled gold & salt in Saharan Trade!

    • Founded by Sundiata - No state religion! Mansa Musa made lavish hajj

  • Songhai - Founded by Sunni Ali - Conquered by Moroccan invaders

Swahili Coast

  • Located in E. Africa, crossroad for trade

  • Bantu city-states blended African, Arab, and Persian culture — Largest was Great Zimbabwe

Ethiopia

  • Kingdom of Axum - Christian Kingdom which engaged in trade.

Griots

  • Venerated storytellers who acted as oral historians.

Early Europe

  • Dominated by feudalism after the fall of Rome

  • Feudalism: Based on holding of land in exchange for service/labor

    • King -> Lords -> Knights -> Serfs

  • Large Fiefs were known as manors

    • Manorial system provided econ. self-sufficiency and defense

    • Europe remained decentralized and unengaged w/ global trade

  • Agriculture

    • 3-Field System: increased food and population

    • Windmills & plows: Increased argicultural efficiency

  • Political Developments

    • Regional kingdoms grew to become solidified

      • France - King Phillip II made legislative body (Estates-General)

      • Englarid

    • Gradually, regional kingclums grew to become solidified

  • Holy Roman Empire federation of territories - Founded by King Otto I, crowned emperor by Pope

  • Concordat of Worms - Separated church from state (secular authority)

  • King John of England was forced to sign Magna Carta (milestone for constitution & checks and balances)

  • Hundred Year's war: Another push to ending feudalisin - brought on nationalism

  • Demonstrated growing use of gunpowder spread west

  • Religious Developments

    • Reconquista: Catholic church expelled Muslims from Spain

    • The Great Schism marked 1st divison of +

      • Roman Catholic West Europe

      • Orthodox East Europe: Greece - Russic)

  • Catholic Church: Was the MOST powerful institution in Europe, dominated literacy, Established 1st Universities, persecuted those who spoke out

  • Crusades: Failed take back Holy Land in Palestine from Muslims and attack orth. Christians in constantinople

    • Effects: Weakened power of Catholic church, increased power of regional monarchs, sparked off Renaissance

  • Renaissance

    • A reemergence of literature, art, global connection, and development

    • Gutenberg Printing Press: Mass printed books which Played key role in spreading of knowledge

    • The Crusades "opened up" Europe from their isolation:

      • Individuals (Humanism)

      • Science

      • Philosophy -People put more emphasis on…

Networks of Exchange

The Mongol Empire

  • Continuity: Nomadic Central Asian people were a constant threat to states throughout Period 1.

  • The Mongols were no exception, establishing the largest land empire in history.

Military

  • Skilled horse and bow skills, pastoral people

  • Utilised seige weapons

  • Genghis Khan, leader of Mongols, consolidated Mongols into fighting force.

  • Division

    • Following Genghis Khan's death, the empire was divided into 4 Khanates: Golden Horde, Great Khanate (Yuan Dynasty), Ilkhanate, and Chagatai Khanate.

  • Golden Horde

    • Modern Russia and Ukraine, key stop on Silk Road

    • New forms of governance like tribute system

  • Great Khanate (Yuan Dynasty)

    • China

    • Adhered to Chinese trad

    • Zhu Yuanzhang overthrew Yuan Dyn.

  • Ilkhanate

    • Middle East

    • Cut off Abbasid Caliphate, ended Islamic Golden Age

    • Mongols supported massave persecution of Jews & Christians after conversion to Islam

  • Chagatai Khanate

    • Central Asia, nothing really changed.

Impacts

  • Pax Mongolia: Mongolian peace

  • Acceptance: Practiced religious tolerance, women had much more comparative rights.

  • Greco-Roman & Islamic Knowledge of med. spread west to Europe.

  • Renaissance

  • Mongol conquests transmitted Black Death.

Trade Routes

  • Technological innovations and demand for luxury goods fueled the growth of trade routes.

Silk Road

  • Network of trade routes which exchanged luxury goods and regional cultures.

  • Causes

    • Growing empires in Asia had growing need for (luxury) goods

    • Increased safety & trade infrastructure from Mongols increased ease of trace

    • Transportation & commercial innovations facilitated diffusion.

  • Innovations

    • Transport

      • Magnetic compass: Aided navigation & ship control

      • Rudder

      • Junk: Large multi-sail ship resistant to sinking

    • Commercial

      • Caravanserai: Rest inns where travelers & animals could reside

      • Bills of Exchange: Order to pay sum to person by a certain time

      • Banking Houses: Centers of trace where merchants could exchange currencies, transfer funds, or obtain credit

  • Effects

    • Trading cities emerged - Kashgir (W. China) & Samarkind (Uzbekistan)

    • Spread of crops (Champa vice) and diseases

    • Diffusion of religions

    • Developed globall econ, as well as power of states who controlled parts of it

Indian Ocean Trade

  • The network of trade routes connecting regions across the Indian Ocean.

  • Key difference: Merchants had to account for monsoon winds.

  • Causes

    • Demand for Specialized Goods

      • India: Cotton & textiles

      • Malaysia/Indonesia: Spices

      • Swahili: Slaves, ivory, and gold

      • China: Sitka porcelain

    • Interactions from Islamic cities

    • Knowledge of monsoon winds helped sailors plan expeditions

  • Maritime Innovations

    • Lateen Sails Arabian sails that could carton omnidirectional winds

    • Astrolabe Determined distance North/South from equator

    • Stern Ruckler Gave ships more stability & ease of maneuvering

  • =Effects

  • * Promoted huge econ. growth & prosperity

    • Diaspora - Settlements of ppl. away from their homeland.

    • Diasporic communities emerged throughout Indian Ocean, marriages came as result merchants and interaction due to winds

    • Growth of cities from taxxing ships - Malacca. & Swahili.

    • Muslim admiral Zheng He reflected transfer of culture through his voyages.

Trans-Saharan Trade

  • The network of trade routes that connected regions of Africa together as far as the Mediterranean.

  • Causes

    • Commerce expanded as empires (Mali) took over

    • Tech. facilitated trade. Innovations: Camel saddles and Caravans

  • Effects

    • Formation of diasporic communities

    • Islam appealed to many, diffusing as a result

    • Empire expansion - Mali profited from gold. & taxxing trade & Timbuktu became center of Muslim scholarship.

    • Sundiata & Manga Muga were Highly respected Mali emperors who led it into tremendous wealth.

Consequences of Connectivity

  • Changes in a society CIS as a result of its interaction w/ other societiesBoth pos. but all aceply complex

Cultural Diffusion

Buddhism

  • Buddhism E./SE Asia

  • Hinduism -> SE Asic

  • Islam Africa / Islam

  • Zen Buddhism - Japan adopted Buddhism that blended Shintoism.

  • Xuanzang Was Buddhist monk who studied in India & diffused it more to China.

  • Neu- confucian rose in response to Buddhism in chinch.

  • Confucianists concerned over Buddhism's influence, so they adapted >k to have more Buddhist characteristics. This put 7X back into power.

Hinduism

  • Recall Unit 1- SE Asia exposed to Islam & Hindu

  • In Cambodia (then Khmer Emp.) Angkor Watt was a Hindu temple for god Vishu turned Buddhist.

  • Art & Sculptors evident that Hindvism was major influence.

Islam

  • Saw huge # of Hindu & Buddhist converts Lower caste Hindus wished to move up & Buddhists were disillusioned by corruption w/ priests

  • African states deepened Islamic ties through education and pilgrimages from leaders

Travelers

  • Ibn Buttata Moroccoan scholar explorer who went to much of the Iskimic world & Marco Polo who Shocked Europeans w/ china's journey across Asic

  • Margery Kempe English mystic who wrote abt, her pilgrimage to Jerusalem. and daily life

Technological

*Paper, Convenient as paper is cheaper & lighter. Ag ,Paper money made trade easier and Print, literacy rates esp. in Europe.

Environmental

  • Bubonic Plague Bacterium Fleas Rodents → Humans Spread buth by trace and Mungol Empire. They used biological warfare (catapulting infected corpses).

  • Crops

    • Throughout history, crops have been biggest developer of trace routes.

    • Bananas Pacific → Africa V/ Champa Rice 9/9/

    • India vietnam china drought resistant crops led to increase pop + Citrus D

Land-Based Empires

Gunpowder Empires

  • Land Empire - Based on control of land, and often expanded through milltary force.

  • Centralized system of gov. with strong ruler and strong military to defend & expand borders.

  • Use of gunpowder weaponry - Gunpowder Empires.

Russia

  • Ivan IV - Expanded eastward into Stroganovs. Major landowners and East Asia/3China Golden Horde Khanates.

  • Cosacks -Fierce peasant warriors - Access to warm port!

    • Powerful Manchu overthrew Ming and formed Qing.- Kangxi All - 1) Stability + Expansion Tibet/Mongolia and Oianlong 1) Unsuccessful campaigns & Drained $!

Japan (Edo period)
* Stability & centralization under Tokugawa Shoguncite ( Sakoku Policy - 1) Isolcited Japan from rest of the world!).
* Signifigant ~ in econ., and culture - tea ceremony, plays; etc. - Encled w/ Meiji Restoration which returned power to emperor.
Middle East
*   Shared multiple distinct traits Turkic nomads who spoke Turkic lang. Used gunpowder & took advantage of power vacuums from Mongol Khanates.
*   Tamerlane's invasion of Cen. Asia + Middle East was testament to gunpowder even though his empire fell apart. These wars set stage for gunpowder empires to - - -
*   Ottomans Largest, most enduring empire of this time - Suleiman depth of attacks
*   Safavids Unique: It was Shi'a Muslim, which meant ottoman rivalries Trade routes also fueled hostility
*   Mughals United India during time of disarry.
Land Empires Government Systems

  • Military -Ottomans: DevshirmeSelection system to staff their military & gov -Japan Hostage System where family must reside in Tokyo and Samurai were given admin roles in gov.

  • Religion -Divine Right of Kings, Aztecs Human Sacrifice, Golden Sun Temple

  • Architecutre -Palace of Verailles -Taj Majal

  • Taxation - Tax Farming in Ottomans & Mughals, Switch to Silver.

Land Empires Belief Systems

  • Protestant Reformation -95 Theses (Martin Luther & The Inquisition)

  • wars -Religious divsions in Europe led to frequent religious wars

    • (1555 Peace of Augsburg - German state = catholic/ Luther) / (1593 Edict of Nantes - Catholics - Huguenots War * (1618 30 year's warCulminated conflict leading to disater)/ (1648 Peace of Westphalia - area Religion determined)

  • All peandor empires Mostly -Sunni Relative tolleranc, Shia, Sikhkism/Bakhti More persal rela) , Scientific Rev

Transoceanic Interconnections

Exploration

  • Unit 4 shifts focus from land empires onto maritime empires to facilitate exploration for growth of trade and commerce, rivalry Power wealth and religion.

Scientific & Navigational Advancements - Newton's gravitation allwoed knowledge on tides and the Compass + Carrack, Caravel ship

*Prince Henry sponsored expedition, vasco landined i, Magellan Circumnaviaget

  • portugal trade post monopo, spain connexed phillinpines, British Searoute, France trading post and Holland Took islands

The Columbian Exchange

  • Rapid transfer of biology between the eastern & western Hemispheres, many exchanged items revolutionized the new workd.

  • Horse - Food surplus, Maize/Poratoes => europe Pop., sugar Wealth slave - Transatlantic Slave Trade and Africans Diaspora

  • Deforestation & Water Strain of - Enviorment & Disease.

Maritime Empires

*Maritime -Europe influence -Africa Trade support, Japan welcomed but bannes/ China- entered isloation

State Power Hierarchies

Portugal: alliance with Portugal to counter exploits
*Russia: Serfdom despite its end all round

  • Spain: Pueblo Revolt
    *Britain: King James II Anti Protestant
    *Social Royales Noble Commen Threathened Noble powers from advances
    **Anti-semetism
    *Americas Casta System devide society (white Society)

Revolutions

The Enlightenment

**Shift Ideals From Tradiitons and Reliigion to individuals and reasons. Philosophers
**Social Contract: People give up rights for protection of GOV. Locke+ Hobbs
*Economics Freedom