AP World Midterm Topics

Mongols (1206-1368)

1. Founder: Genghis Khan united Mongol tribes

2. Conquests: Vast empire stretching from China to Eastern Europe

3. Pax Mongolica: Facilitated trade, cultural exchange, and stability

4. Military tactics: Mobility, archery, and merit-based leadership

5. Decline: Division into khanates, internal conflicts, and external pressures

Black Death (1346-1353)

1. Cause: Bubonic plague spread via trade routes

2. Impact: Massive population decline (30-60% in Europe)

3. Social and economic changes: Labor shortages, increased social mobility, and changes in feudalism

4. Cultural and religious responses: Increased pessimism, mysticism, and persecution of minority groups

West African Trade (13th-16th centuries)

1. Key empires: Ghana, Mali, and Songhai

2. Trade networks: Trans-Saharan trade, gold, salt, and ivory

3. Impact: Economic growth, cultural exchange, and Islamic influence

4. Decline: External pressures (e.g., Portuguese colonization) and internal conflicts

Ibn Battuta (1304-1377)

1. Traveler and scholar: Moroccan explorer who traveled extensively throughout the Islamic world

2. Rihla: Wrote a travelogue documenting his experiences and observations

3. Cultural exchange: Facilitated cultural and intellectual exchange between different regions

4. Insights: Provided valuable insights into the social, economic, and cultural practices of the regions he visited

Mughals (1526-1756)

1. Founder: Babur, a Central Asian ruler, established the Mughal Empire in India

2. Key rulers: Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan, and Aurangzeb

3. Achievements: Architectural innovations (e.g., Taj Mahal), cultural syncretism, and administrative reforms

4. Decline: Internal conflicts, external pressures (e.g., British colonization), and economic stagnation

Protestant Reformation (1517-1648)

1. Key figures: Martin Luther, John Calvin, and Henry VIII

2. Causes: Critique of Catholic Church practices (e.g., indulgences), theological disputes, and nationalistic sentiments

3. Consequences: Division of Western Christianity, emergence of new Protestant denominations, and impact on art, literature, and politics

Industrial Revolution (18th-19th centuries)

1. Key innovations: Steam engine, textile machines, and iron production

2. Impact: Transformation of economies, societies, and environments; emergence of new social classes and urban centers

3. Regional variations: Different patterns of industrialization in Britain, Europe, and North America

4. Consequences: Improved standards of living, increased global interconnectedness, and new social and environmental challenges