AP World First Semester Final Exam Notes

Important terms to understand:

Buddhism-

• asserted that mental discipline alone could win salvation.

• Meditation was a key Chan practice 

• Not very popular in south and southeast Asia

Confucianism-

• Got revived through the Tang dynasty and was carried over into the Song dynasty

• There is a natural hierarchy

Neo-Confucianism-

• More modern version of Confucianism

• Sought to rid Confucian thought of the influence of Buddhism 

Theravada

• Was a branch of Buddhism 

• Focused on the old version of Buddhism

• Focused on reaching Nirvana by themselves

Mahayana

• Branch of Buddhism

• Allowed change to happen in Buddhism

• Helping others reach Nirvana

Mamluks

• Slaves who served for the Islamic world

Delhi Sultanate

• Helped make Islam the second most common religion

• Muslim ruled

Song Dynasty

• Was a very powerful dynasty in China

• Made advancements in navigation 

Abbasid Caliphate

• Last caliphate that fell before the rise of Turkic Empires 

Sufis

• Brotherhoods 

• Muslim who believed in magic to help them bring themselves closer to God 

Hinduism

• Most popular religion in south and southeast Asia

• Allowed to practice their faith in the Delhi Sultanate 

Inka

• Empire in South America(Andean civilizations) 

• Relied on a bureaucracy 

• Used the Mit’a system- everyone had to provide labor on a state project for a period of time

Aztecs

• Big empire in Mesoamerica

• Capital was Tenochtitlan and was built on a lake

• Used tribute states to help run the economy 

• Held human sacrifices

Great Zimbabwe

• Grew due to trade 

• Known for farming and cattle herding

• Became wealthy and focused on trading gold

• Never converted to Islam

Ethiopia

• grew and flourished due to trade 

• Main religion was Christianity 

Feudalism

• System of allegiances between powerful lords, monarchs, and knights

• Vassals received land from lords in exchange for military service

Serfdom

• System where serfs were bound to a land to work on in exchange for military and political protection

Main themes that could appear on an essay or short answer:

Political

• Song dynasty government development

• Decline of Abbasid Caliphate and rise of Turkic states

• Rise of Delhi Sultanate and Srivijayan Empire

• Rise of the Aztec and Inka

• Rise of Mali and Great Zimbabwe

• European decentralization

Cultural

• Spread and influence of Buddhism

• Islam, Judaism and Christianity shaping societies in Africa, Asia, and Europe

• Hinduism, Islam, and Buddhism shaping societies in South and Southeast Asia

Economic

• Commercialization of Song China

• Expanding trade, new agricultural and manufacturing innovations under the Song

Technology

• Technological advances within Muslim states and empires

Social

• Division of European society based on agriculture using free and coerced labor

AP World History Study Guide

Unit 2

The exam will consist of 3 parts:

Part 1:  35 total multiple choice questions (15 stimulus, 20 standard)

Part 2:  1 short answer question (3 part question)

Part 3:  1 long essay question (you will choose 1 of 2 essay prompts)

Time Period:  1200-1450 CE

Important terms to understand:

Bills of Exchange document that legally stated exactly when someone was going to be paid

Flying money: Flying Money was like vouchers you could give to prove that you had already paid

Mongols:  The people who ruled the Mongolian Empire and conquered most of Asia during the Yuan Empire. Were led by the Khan, most famously, Genghis Khan

Khanates 4 Mongol kingdoms that arose after the death of Genghis Khan. the Golden Hordes in the Northeast, the Yuan Dynasty or Great Khanate in China, the Ilkhanate in the Southeast and Persia, and the Chagatai Khanate in Central Asia.

Caravanserai They were places you would stop at along trade routes to rest, refuel and feed your animals

Credit financial instruments and practices that made long-distance trade easy and prevented merchants from having to carry loads of currency around 

Porcelain thin pottery invented in China was a highly desired luxury and commonly traded along the Silk Road

Swahili Coast: Hub of trade culture and interactionTextiles, Metals, spices, and glassware Mainly dominated by the Kilwa Sultanate

Gujarat region in western India that played a key role in Indian Ocean trade. It became a hub for commerce and trading due to its location

Sultanate of Malacca Muslim city-state that grew from revenue from the Indian Ocean trade

Camel Saddle:The camel saddle was an important invention when it comes to trade. Camel Saddles were used to export more goods over long distances in a much easier way than before. It helped people carry goods for trade.

Ibn Battuta Moroccan Muslim scholar who wrote an account of his visit to Islamic lands. Most widely traveled individual of his time

Marco Polo- italian traveler/historian who sat in the Yuan court and documented it

Juvaini Persian historian and administrator who lived during the Mongol empire (13th century). His writings provide key insight into the conquest and expansion of the Mongols

Main themes that could appear on an essay or short answer:

Political 

• Collapse of Eurasian Empires and the rise of Mongol states 

• Expansion of empires in Mali and West Africa

Cultural

• Interregional contacts and conflicts and how they encouraged technological and cultural transfers (Mongols, and Zheng He)

• Diasporic merchant communities that encouraged cultural diffusion

• Cross-cultural interactions resulting in the spread of literary, artistic, cultural traditions, scientific and technological innovations

• Writings of travelers like Marco Polo

Economic

• How the expansion of empires facilitated Afro-Eurasian trade

• New transportation and commercial practices leading to increased trade and more long distance trade- especially the Indian Ocean- traveling using monsoons, junks, compass, astrolabes, quadrants.

• How the Indian Ocean trading network fostered the growth of stats 

Humans and the Environment

• How the expansion and intensification of long-distance trade routes depended on environmental knowledge (monsoon winds)

• The continued diffusion of crops and pathogens, with epidemic diseases, including the bubonic plague, along trade routes. 

P

AP World UNIT 2 REVIEW (Everything you NEED to KNOW!) Heimler’s History Unit 2 Review Vid

Time Period:  1450-1750 CE

Important terms to understand:

Ottomans-most significant Islamic Empire; grew in the 14th century due to the dardanelles straight, which was a checkpoint to launch many invasions, and the use of gunpowder weapons. Mehmed II blasted Constantinople’s walls to pieces and the warrior were able to pour into the city. 

Safavids-started in the beginning of the 1500s from minor Muslim states. Leader said that they were a Shi’ite empire. Neighbors were Sunni though

Ming-established the first ethnically Han since the Mongols. Established peace and order throughout east Asia. Expanded due to gunpowder. Internal Divisions and wars led to the fall of the Ming.

Qing-started by the Manchu people and spread massively. They were not ethnically Han.

Manchu-the people who started the Qing dynasty.  

Mughal-replaced the Delhi Sultanate. Expanded massively under Akbar. Akbar tolerated having different religions in the country. Most prosperous empire of the 16th century. 

Russia-expanded east due to the Stroganoff Family. Tsar was their ruler. They were ethnically diverse. 

Mexica

Aztecs-used human sacrifice to legitimize their power. 

Inca

Janissaries-used by the Ottomans. Warriors that we enslaved Christian boys who were trained to fight. Military was significantly increasing in size.

Devshirme-used by the Ottomans. Staffed their bureaucracy with highly trained officials, most of whom were enslaved. Kidnapped Christians boys. These boys were taught the language and converted them. After they would either become warriors or officials.

Protestant Reformation- started by Martin Luther when he challenged the Church by writing his 95 theses. After being excommunicated, he started his own Church called Lutherans. Inspired other people such John Calvin to break away from the Church. 

Indulgences-slips of paper given to people who bought them to have their or other sins forgiven. Used to pay for buildings such as St. Peter’s Basilica. 

Counter-reformation-aka catholic Reformation. Catholic Church met at the Council or Trent. There they got rid of indulgences and other corrupt practices. However, they kept the belief that salvation needs works and mercy, the power of the pope, and belief in other celestial beings. This completed the split between the Catholic Church and the Protestants.  

Ottoman-Safavid War-fought because of religious and political difference. Ottomans were Sunni while Safavids were Shi’ite. Intensified the conflict between Sunnis and Shi’ites.

Anglican Church

Sikhism-new belief system that combined Islam’s belief in one God and Hindu’s belief in cycle of death and reincarnation. Care systems and gender hierarchies were discarded.

Sunni-branch of Islam that believes that the successor could be elected

Shi’ite-branch of islam that believed that the successor had to be a blood relative to Muhammad. 

Main themes that could appear on an essay or short answer:

Political

• Increased use of gunpowder, cannons, and armed trade to establish large empires in both hemispheres

• Land empires (Qing, Mughal, Ottomans, Safavids)

• Political and religious disputes led to rivalries and contacts between states

• Recruitment and use of bureaucratic elites

• Rulers using tribute collection, tax farming, and innovative tax collection systems to gain revenue and forward state expansion

Cultural

• Protestant Reformation as a break with existing Christian traditions and contributing to the growth of Christianity

• Political rivalries between the Ottomans and Safavids intensified the Sunni/Shi’ite split

• Development of Sikhism in a context of interactions between Hinduism and Islam

AP World History Study Guide

Unit 4

The exam will consist of 3 parts:

Part 1:  35 total multiple choice questions (15 stimulus, 20 standard)

Part 2:  1 short answer question (3 part question)

Part 3:  1 long essay question (you will choose 1 of 2 essay prompts)

Time Period:  1450-1750 CE

Important terms to understand:

Caravel:

•  ships that the Portuguese used to control the Indian ocean; they were sleek, their hulls were not deep which means it prevented sinking, and they had many weapons, they were very good for maneuverability 

Lateen sail

• The triangle sails that were utilized by the Portuguese in their caravel ships, It helped them take wind on  either side of side of the ship for enhanced maneuverability

Compass

• Portuguese used to colonize the Indian Ocean,

• YES BIG PART OF TOOLs taken by Europeans and developed but originally from the Arabs and Asians 

• ALL OF these innovations were ADOPTED by the Europeans, meaning this is a good example of how technology spread along trade.

Columbian Exchange

• The transfer of people’s animals plants and diseases between the New and Old Worlds 

• Remember what Mr. Mihara, said about how it was like they had a barrier in between them that was being lifted as they were just starting to learn what each other brought to the table in terms of items to trade 

Domesticated animals

• Domesticated animals became common in North America after the Europeans brought horses, cattle, pigs, sheep etc. 

• Native Americans became very used to horses and were very good at riding them, they used them in a military capacity, as they were able to attack and they were also very good at hunting on horses 

• The destructive livestock, basically sheep would graze the grasses too close to the ground which was and environmental threat, and was harmful for the Natives 

Tokugawa Japan

•  The Tokugawa Shogunate was the last shogunate in Japan

• During this time they moved the capital to Edo(Tokyo)

• They wanted more domestic trade, and because Japan is a bunch of islands they needed to improve maritime trade

• They also increasing steel making, lacquer making, and sake making 

Kongo

• Kongo becomes of the Christian faith, and they believe that they're going to have an alliance with Portugal 

• Kongo asked Portugal to stop slave trading as slavery was getting out of control and the Kongese were actually being sold into slavery as well, but big ‘ol Portugal said no 

• The King of Congo made Catholicism the official faith because he was very impressed with the faith, after having his delegates in Portugal, although Portugal and Congo were supposed to be close because of their shared religion, the King of Porgual did not respond to the King of Congo’s plea to stop slave trade  

Asante

• One of the tribes that sold themselves and enemies into slavery, asked Mr. Mihara that is all that he said 

Mita

• Incan System: where citizens worked for the government, they made roads, fought, etc. form of how the gov’t used mandatory service to expand the kingdom 

• Think it might relate to slavery or indentured servitude as you are able to compare the 2 

Indentured servitude

• Poor people in england, paid for voyage by plantation owners in the new world and than they would work for them for 3-4 years then they would be free

• Indentured servants jin the long run worth less than slaves as you can buy slaves and they will work for you until they die (approx 7 yrs) but indentured servants you have to let go 

Joint-stock companies

• Joint stock companies take the capital that they’re investors pay to colonize

• It was important as it expanded the size of many countries as the gov’t would give them a charter of a monopoly and they would give returns back to the investors, everyone becomes rich 

• IT WAS also important as the Bourgeoisie were a large portion of the investors as they weren’t so rich that they did willy nilly but they were rich enough to want to get more money from things other than their jobs, they funded these companies 

Mercantilism

• Getting all of the wealth from a colony, then only trading with the motherland, which gives more profit to motherland, thus making only that motherland richer and more powerful, draining the colony of all it’s NATURAL resources(NATURAL) 

• British go to heavy lengths to make sure they get profits, example the navigation acts where ships could only go to England 

Main themes that could appear on an essay or short answer:

Political

• State supported transoceanic exploration

  • States supported transoceanic exploration in Portugal, Spain, Denmark, England 

  • They supported transoceanic exploration by allowing them to have monopoly charters in which they would be able to be only company to control that region

  •  Also think about Mercantilism and how the Motherland countries wanted to deplete a colony of their resources to boost their own

  • Dutch West India, Dutch East India, Virginia Company, etc. but MOSTLY MERCANTILISM

• Establishment of European trading posts in Africa and Asia led to Asian restrictive or isolationist trade policies

  • The Japanese let the Dutch and Portuguese into Japan and they brought Christianity, but there was a large massacre of Christians as the gov’t thought that Christianity was bad, 

  • THIS LEADS TO THEM EXCLUDING EUROPE ALL TOGETHER ISOLATIONIST POLICY 

  • Nagasaki port allowed dutch to trade with them one a year but it was heavily moderated 

• New maritime empires established (Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, French, British)

  • Portugal: they took over the Indian Ocean, they made it so that people had to go through their customs at their forts in different parts of the Indian Ocean, essentially made it their sea 

  • Spanish: They expanded to the new world primarily, but they were trying to head to Indies, because they thought they could make money from the spice trade, but they were able to go to south america and Mexico where they conquered the natives there and they were large innovators of route making, Ferdinand Magellan who sailed the whole world 

  • Dutch: The dutch were a large maritime empire because of their joint stock companies which would expand for the country and was funded by the Bourgeoisie.

  •  In addition to this, the reason why the dutch were able to expand is because the captured Portugal's trading ports using the FLUYT. This is also a technological advancement. 

  • French: France used military force to gain trade advantages in the Americas, also accordingto Heimler they tried to go the east but they landed in Quebec (6pm in Quebec) and they were able to take advantage of that fur trade their and it was very good for them 

  • The French had also participated in the Indian Ocean trade, meaning they sought after spices and made various trading ports along Inda. 

  • British: colonised north America and was large proprietor of the mercantilism system 

  • An important note is that to gain more control over trade, the British also took control of many ports around the Indian Ocean trade. For example, they made some of their ports only permitted for British ships. 

  • All of these maritime states became established after or because of:  

    • Post the black death- renaissance 

    • Rulers giving merchants and some monopoly contracts

    • Militancy: as Christians said they attacked others cause God was on their side 

    • They were curious about what was in the outside world 

    • SIDE NOTE Portugal was one of the first to expand but soon after Spain followed and other countries followed 

• Use of joint-stock companies and mercantilist policies to finance exploration

  • Netherlands and England large proprietors of this system 

    • You have the Dutch East India  Company, Dutch West India Company 

  • They would be funded the Bourgeoisie and the profits would go back to the Bourgeoisie investors 

  • Mercantilism was very rampant and predominant amongst the sea based empires the govt funded these companies as they wanted only the profits go back to them, which the definition of Mercantilism 

  • England went to long lengths to make sure they got the profits which was like the Navigation Act, where ships could only go the England the colonies, Virginia Company was the state during this time 

• Rivalries and conflicts between states

  • The Imjin War: the Japanese attacked Korea, and the Chinese allied the Koreans, but after the War the Manchus(Koreans) took over the Chinese after they pushed the Japanese back out of their land 

  • Slave Groups would sell each other into slavery because they saw it as an effective way to rid themselves of their enemies, Dahomey, Asante, Oyo

• Resistance to state expansion and centralization from various groups

  • THE MOST important resistance to state expansion was when specific states a part of the indian ocean trade revolted against the Portuguese's oppressive rules which included their trading ports, their requirement that all items must be signed off on, and passports

  • These states included Calicut, who were able to try and resist their trading ports, their taxes, and even their passports however if you were caught trying to evade you were brutally killed 

  • When the Europeans came to the Americas, the Aztecs and other indigenous tribes tried to fight against the invaders however to no avail, this was primarily against Hernan Cortes

• Slave resistance challenged existing authorities in the Americas

  • Pueblo Revolt: terrible abuse from the Spanish Christians, forced into coerced labor and were killed because of disease, violently rebelled and killed christian leaders and were able to kick spanish for some time but they eventually came back

  • Maroons slaves that ran away from the plantations

    • They would be able to hide in the hills and make deals with the plantation owners for their prolonged freedom 

  • Maroon Societies 

  • In Jamaica the maroon societies fought back against the white plantation owners, and there was a treaty that 

  • Stono Rebellion: South Carolina; 100 slaves took over the armory and killed many people in the countryside 2

  • Pueblo Revolt, Tacky’s Revolt 

  • Middle Passage rebellions: slaves would try to jump overboard to kill themselves so that they would never have to be a slave in the new world

Cultural

• In certain cases, increase and intensification of interactions between the newly connected hemispheres furthered the reach of certain religions

  • Christianity was spread by the Portuguese and the Spanish, because they believed that God was on their side and they forced them to become Christian but there were some people who tried to be nice and stop iot 

• Religious conflicts occurred

  • Christianity vs Japan (shinto and buddhism) 

  • Conflict between natives and people who tried to force Christianity on them Pueblo Revolt good example

• Syncretic belief systems developed

  • Didn’t learn however due to the slow introduction of christianity to the natives in the americas there were some syncretic belief systems that developed however heimler didn’t go over what these were called 

  • Unit 3 : Sikhism- asked Mihara and he said to go over that 

  • Sikhism - was a combination of Islam and Hinduism. This can also be called a syncretic blend of these two religions, Islam and Hinduism. Sikhism kept the belief in one God, monotheism, and the belief in the reincarnation system. Also, they got rid of the negative things about these religions, which were the gender hierarchies in Islam, and the caste system in Hinduism, where different people had different levels in society, the lowest being the homeless, the highest being a noble (don’t quote me on that)

  • Religion called Vodun - African animist beliefs with Christian doctrines and practices in the Americas. 

Social

• Exporting of slaves continued in the Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions

  • Triangular Trade 

    • 1st Leg: Manufactured goods and rum would go to Africa

    • 2nd Leg: middle passage

    • 3rd Leg: raw materials to Europe from Americas 

      • Essentially manufactured goods from Europe would go to africa in exchange for slaves that would be sent to the Americas to extract raw materials from the ground or pick them

  • Raw goods included tobacco, molasses, sugar

  • Important to understand that the COlumbian Exchange happens before this 

• Slavery continued in its original form

  • Slavery was seen as a system that was normal so that plantation owners could get good profit 

  • Slavery persisted as a way for African tribes and societies to rid themselves of their enemies by selling them into slavery 

• Growth of the plantation economy in the Americas increased the demand for slaves and changed the demographics of the region

• Tobacco was originally grown in the new world but it was outlawed by the king of england so they switched to sugar which was more labor intensive so they so started bringing slaves from Africa, specifically the Middle Passage to work the large plantations and one of the largest economies 

• DEMOGRAPHIC you can say that there was an influx of white europeans contrasted to the natives i'm not really sure about but there were the great whites, the little whites, free blacks these were the classes outside the slaves in the regions in which slavery was predominant, you also had the maroons who were free and separated themselves from the plantation

• In order to take over these places in the Americas people like Cortes brutally killed the Aztecs and Columbus who enslaved the natives and treated them awfully, so you can say that they killed the demographics 

• ALSO YOU can say that they died because of influenza 

• Some notable gender and family restructuring occurred.

• In Europe wealthy women had better lives than poor men, widows had a lot of power, there were some arranged marriages but they were mostly to move up in class 

• Women who were rich had more power than in the past and in some cases more than poor men 

• In JAPAN, women were tracked in the Koryo dynasty however in Choson Korea they were not tracked in their hereditary lineage meaning their right and power was on the decline 

  • Essentially don’t track women, you take them out of the line 

• Because of the triangular trade where more men got traded to be enslaved than women, this ruined family structures in Africa because men were marrying multiple women (Rise of Polygymy) 

• Atlantic slave trade blended cultures of African, American, and European peoples

• Creole languages - Heimler 

• Some states allowed for religious diversity and others suppressed it

• In Japan, when Christianity was introduced to the island it became so popular that there were 350,000 Christians but then the gov’t decided to outlaw it killing Christians in horrible ways, ex of suppressing religious diversity 

• Ottoman Empire allowed Jews into their Kingdom Sultan Mehmed II, after both Spain then Portugal kicked them out, but still paid Jizya 

•  In 

• New social classes were created in Spanish colonies, China, and Korea

• In the Colonies you had the different gangs and classes these included

  • The Great whites: the rich white people 

  • Little whites: poor 

  • Different gangs depending on your age: the great gang : this was the strongest group of slaves, the grass gang was for children with the supervision of an older slave, and there was unnamed group for those who weren’t as strong 

  • TRY TO FIND SOMETHING ABOUT ASIA 

  • CASTA System: system established in Spanish Colonies, Peninsulares, Creoles, Mestizo, Mulattoes, Native Americans, African Slaves, casta erased cultural complexity 

• Positions of new elites changed with each new monarch

• There was a feudalistic system in Japan and they were very decentralized but there was Hideyoshi Toytmi who became Shogun and he became very powerful and united the daimyos essentially disposing of the feudalistic society 

• So the Daimyo and Shogun switched power

• Also while the Tokugawa were in power there was a transition from the old honorful society in which Saamurai were honored and celebrated, but during that time the Samurai were lost as they did not know their place in society, so they lost power 

• PETER THE GREAT took away the power of the Boyars, elites were losing their power 

Technology

• Knowledge of Classical, Islamic, and Asian worlds facilitated the development of European technology, prince henry the navigator  

  • Compass, Astrolabe, Quadrant, the portuguese made improvements to all of these tools, 

  • This was all under the command of Prince Henry the navigator who wanted to expand south to get gold and slaves 

  • CHECK THE WEBSITE AND GO TO THE TECH Part

• New developments included new tools, ship designs, and improved understanding of regional wind and current patterns.

  • Caravels- created by the Portuguese to be sleek, have deep hills so they wouldn't sink, and they had many weapons to defend themselves 

  • Compass and Astrolabe were improved on by the Portugese to make 

  • Not sure what else was created or even wind patterns: allI can think of is in the Indian Ocean there was an expansion of knowledge about the monsoon winds which expanded the trade 

Economics

• Portuguese development of maritime technology and navigational skills led to their construction of a global trading-post empire including ports in Africa and Asia

  • Henry the Navigator started a culture of exploration for slaves and gold

  • They created caravels to defend with multiple weapons, travel into shallow grounds as the hulls were deep and wouldn’t pierce, and it was sleek, and lastly it had lateen(triangle) sails which helped them get wind from both sides 

  • They also improved upon the Compass and Astrolabe which helped them navigate the Indian Ocean 

  • Portugal starts asserting control over the Indian ocean, they had forts in major places like Goa, Gujarat, Calicut, Horuz and more 

  • They also took over Malacca which was A HUGE win for them as it was a big trading city, they were able to all of this because they have superior ships and weapons

  • HOWEVER, the biggest part of their expedition was making it essentially be a portuguese sea as people had to go through THEIR customs and had to have their passports etc. 

  • They broke the pepper monopoly in Venice and Genoa which was a huge win because it was so dominant for so long 

• Spanish sponsorship of voyages of Columbus increased European interest in transoceanic trade

• So Columbus was portuguese but there was some beef between him and portuguese cause they wouldn’t pay for his expedition, so he turned to spanish and isabella and ferdinand said fs 

• So he gets there starts abusing natives and is kicked out by the spanish but the Spanish and the Portuguese make a treaty with very little knowledge of the land, Spain takes the west and Portugal everything east, east portion is very very very small but the portuguese don’t know that 

• NOT very sure how it increased European interest but there was a treaty and presumably they were able to expand more transoceanic trade as there was trade between the colonies, motherland, and africa for slaves in exchange for raw and manufactured materials  

• English, French, and Dutch ships all received sponsorship and sought to find sailing routes to Asia for trade

• England: England when they saw a bunch of other countries going to the new world decided to set up ports in asia to take advantage of that trade

• French: French East India Company: Louis XIV 

• Dutch: The Dutch had trading outposts in Taiwan but after they were kicked out they became the predominant traders in the Indian Ocean through their state sponsored company- Dutch East India Company 

• Despite the arrival of Europeans, Indian Ocean trade continued to flourish between Asian merchants

• Just need to know, talk about southeast  asia grew, some people e managed to escape the Portuguese blockades 

• For example: the portuguese made everyone have to comply with their laws but some places resisted like Calicut, but the Portuguese embargoed Aden one of Calicut’s amigos to basically make Aden angry at Calicut

• People would be able to resist against the trade and would be able to trade with their original trade partners  

• Colonial economies in the Americas depended on agriculture, existing labor systems, chattel slavery, indentured servitude and encomienda and hacienda systems

  • In the Americas originally Tobacco was grown and sold however the King of England outlawed it, so they switched to sugar 

  • Sugar labor intensive and more valuable, more bang for your buck, if you get a slave rather than indentured servants who only work for limited time

  • Then slaves used to produce RAW materials and then they are sold/sent to the motherland, who then trade the MANUFACTURED materials to Africa for slaves to supply the colonies who make the raw stuff 

  • We didn’t go over the encomienda, Mr. Mihara said we don’t need to know that stuff 

  • For reference, hacienda system is like the feudal system so if it comes up you can compare the two 

Humans and the Environment

• New connections between the Eastern and Western Hemispheres resulted in the exchange of new plants, animals, and diseases, known as the Columbian Exchange

  • To the New World: wheat, olives, rice, bananas, cattle, pigs, sheep, pests , HORSES 

  • To the Old World: maize, potatoes, beans, squash, peanuts, dyes, cotton, tobacco 

  • During the Little Ice Age the Europpeans relied on stuff from the   Columbian Exchange to help feed the peasants, for example potatoes were less expensive and they were easier to make as there were more calories per acre 

• European colonization led to the spread of rates and diseases.  These had catastrophic effects on the indigenous population.

  • For example the europeans brought measles that only affected the natives like, small pox, measles, influenza and typus 

  • They also brought things like malaria, and yellow fever which affected both of them

  • In some places the native population went down by 90% 

• American foods became staple crops in parts of Europe, Africa, and Asia.  Cash crops were grown using coerced labor and were exported mostly to Europe and the Middle East.

  • During the Little Ice Age the Europpeans relied on stuff from the Columbian Exchange to help feed the peasants, for example potatoes were less expensive and they were easier to make as there were more calories per acre 

  • Remember the atlantic circuit and triangle trade where raw materials grown or picked by slaves was sent to the motherland who traded manufactured materials to africa in exchange for slaves to be sent to the colonies to create a continuous cycle 

SPECIAL NOTES- René 

• Big Part of ALL expansions from Portugal and Spain were about CHRISTIANITY

• Also portuguese captured Ceuta showed them the riches of the trans saharan trade so they wanted in  

• The Dutch became big in asia cause the VOC (dutch east india) head kowtowed to the Chinese emperor 

• Mercantilism laws were called Exclif in France 

• Royal African Company was a chartered company from England, chartered by the English 

• 7.5 million slaves traded between 1650 and 1800

Explanation of Imjin war 

• Japan attacks korea, china allies with manchus to protect korea, then after manchus backstab to take over china, Choson and Manchus live at the same time, but different groups of people

Tech that the Europeans ADOPTED, and Improved on 

• Lateen Sail: triangle sail that helped ships catch more wind and be more precise and effective when sailing 

• Compass: magnetic compass

• Astrolabe

• Arab Star Quadrants 

French tred to get to Asia, but they hit North America and found the crazy fur trade and it proved prosperous for them, trading posts good for them

England late to the game; textile was good for them: Queen Elizabeth expanded their state by trying to go the North America 

Dutch: Dutch free from Spain, and very wealthy and tried to make trading posts in Africa and ended up by becoming the kings of the Indian Ocean trade; Henry Hudson to start New Amsterdam in North America 

Due to New contact between New and Old World there was the start of the Columbian Exchange 

Effect: Transfer of Disease; brought rats and mosquitoes; Malaria from enslaved africans; Measles: densely pops; Smallpox: killed people in Central and South America and Mexico; Diseases were devastating and easier for Europeans to Conquer 

Effect: Food Transfer: Natives got some better foods which expanded their life spans, and the same thing happened to Europeans; Cash Crops on Plantations: where food is grown to export to other places; Planting on massive plantations with coerced labor 

Slaves did intensive labor and was exported 

Slaves brought some food too 

Effects: Animals: Animals had no predators and made the future for cattle economies, but sheep eat grass too close to the ground and made it too bare, Horses changed the society of many people by being able to hunt more groups of Buffalo 

Motives for Imperialism: to enrich themselves, spread Chritianity and be the best state in the world 

Portugese became a trading post empire, with their caravel and carracks which ahd big weapons, they didn’t want to be peaceful but wanted force 

Spain: setted up in the Philipines by running coloniesL through tribute systems, taxations, and coerced labor, 

Dutch: took over the Indian Ocean Trade from the Portugese by using the Fluyts 

British: had issues becoming a Sea based empire, because weren’t strong enough to take over the Mughal Empire but set up some posts in Indai 

Continuity Trade: Middle Eastern and Asian Traders kept using the trade routes 

Merchants like the Gujaritis kept using the Indian Ocean Trade 

Asian Resistance: Tokugawa Japan: Japan which was fractured became united by a Tokugawa emperor and thought the Europeans would gracture it again, Japan becomes Christian from Europeans, and they supressed Catholicism and made Japan an isolated country 

Ming China: Zheng He, goal was to have a strong maritime empire, but became isolated, portuguese came to china and tried to trade but China expelled them cause of dirty tactics 

Asante Empire: key partner of Portugese : Gold Ivory Slaves, Asanate Rich and expanded their military and their power in the region, used that might to expel Britain later from the region 

Kongo really close with Gold Copper and Slaves, and to keep the relationship the king became Christians, and the relationship later deteriorated 

Existing Labor Systems 

The Spanish used the Mit’a system which meant that people had to provide labor a certain amount of days per year, used to get silver from mountains 

New Labor Systems

• Chattel Slavery 

Property: meant slaves were property and could be used anytime, RACE Based and was hereditary that was what was different 

• Indentured Servitude 

Bound to work for 7 years but then free in the colonies 

• Encomienda System 

Indigenous were forced to provide work in exchange for food and protection from the Spanish

• Hacienda System 

Large plantations where indigenous workers were forced to work the land and develop crops 

Difference Econmienda focused on controlling population Hacienda focused on food production 

Continuity: African Slave Trade, Cultural Assimilation, Domestic Work, Slaves held Power 

Slave Trade was already happening, 

Change: Agricultural Work: Males were purchased mostly, TransAtlantic trade was larger, racial prejudice, slavery was identified with blackness 

Chinese Political Systems

• The Chinese political system evolved under various dynasties, emphasizing centralized power and Confucian values.

• The Mandate of Heaven legitimized rulers, linking governance to divine approval.

• The bureaucratic system relied on the civil service examination, allowing talented individuals to rise in rank.

• During the Tang and Song dynasties, China expanded its administrative structure to maintain control over a vast empire.

• Local governance was managed by scholar-officials, ensuring harmony between central policies and regional needs.

• The Tang dynasty established a meritocratic governance model, later refined by the Song.

• The Yuan dynasty, ruled by the Mongols, adapted but maintained many Chinese bureaucratic traditions.

• The Ming dynasty reasserted Han Chinese dominance, focusing on economic recovery and maritime exploration (e.g., Zheng He).

• The tribute system emphasized China’s supremacy, requiring neighboring states to pay homage.

• Confucian principles shaped policies, promoting social hierarchy and respect for authority.

• Economic policies fluctuated between promoting trade (e.g., during the Tang) and isolation (e.g., during the Ming).

• The Great Wall symbolized the effort to secure borders and prevent nomadic invasions.

• Periods of instability often saw dynastic changes due to the loss of the Mandate of Heaven.

Japan Under the Tokugawa Shogunate

• The Tokugawa Shogunate (1603–1868) established a centralized feudal government after years of civil war.

• The shogun wielded real power, while the emperor served as a symbolic figure.

• Regional lords (daimyos) controlled their territories but had to pledge loyalty to the shogun.

• The alternate attendance policy required daimyos to spend time in Edo, weakening their ability to rebel.

• The policy of sakoku (isolation) limited foreign influence, allowing only the Dutch and Chinese to trade at Nagasaki.

• Social hierarchies were rigid, with samurai, peasants, artisans, and merchants forming distinct classes.

• Samurai transitioned into administrative roles as warfare declined during this peaceful period.

• Urbanization increased, with Edo becoming one of the largest cities in the world.

• The economy flourished due to agricultural advancements and a growing merchant class.

• Culturally, the Edo period saw the rise of Kabuki theater, woodblock printing, and haiku poetry.

• Confucian values influenced governance, while Shinto and Buddhism shaped religious practices.

• Foreign pressure, particularly from Commodore Perry in 1853, led to the shogunate's decline.

• The Meiji Restoration ended Tokugawa rule, modernizing Japan and opening it to global influence.

Indian Ocean Trade

• The Indian Ocean trade network connected East Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.

• Monsoon winds facilitated predictable seasonal trade routes, revolutionizing maritime commerce.

• Goods exchanged included spices (from Southeast Asia), textiles (from India), ivory (from Africa), and porcelain (from China).

• Swahili city-states like Kilwa and Mombasa thrived as hubs of trade and cultural exchange.

• Indian cities like Calicut became central nodes, linking the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia.

• Islamic merchants dominated the network, spreading Islam to Southeast Asia and the Swahili coast.

• Innovations such as the dhow and junk ships advanced navigation and cargo capacity.

• Cultural exchange flourished, blending Arab, Indian, and Southeast Asian traditions.

• Trade facilitated the spread of technologies like the astrolabe and compass.

• The network contributed to the rise of powerful trading empires like the Srivijaya and Sultanate of Malacca.

• The arrival of Europeans in the 15th century disrupted existing trade systems.

• Despite European interference, the Indian Ocean remained a vital economic region.

• This trade network fostered global interconnectivity before the modern era.

Columbian Exchange

• The Columbian Exchange refers to the transfer of crops, animals, diseases, and people between the Old and New Worlds.

• American crops such as maize, potatoes, and tomatoes transformed diets and agriculture in Europe, Asia, and Africa.

• Livestock like horses, cattle, and pigs were introduced to the Americas, revolutionizing Indigenous lifestyles.

• Diseases like smallpox, measles, and influenza devastated Native American populations, causing a demographic collapse.

• European settlers introduced wheat, sugarcane, and coffee to the Americas, altering ecosystems.

• The slave trade brought millions of Africans to the Americas, creating a labor force for plantations.

• Cultural exchanges included the introduction of Christianity to the New World and Indigenous practices to Europe.

• Environmental changes occurred as European agricultural practices reshaped the Americas.

• The Columbian Exchange stimulated global economic systems like mercantilism.

• The exchange of goods and ideas led to new global markets and cultural syncretism.

• While it brought technological and agricultural advancements, it also facilitated European colonization and exploitation.

• The long-term effects of the Columbian Exchange reshaped global demographics and economies.

Mongol Empire Expansion

• The Mongol Empire, founded by Genghis Khan, became the largest contiguous empire in history.

• Superior cavalry tactics and psychological warfare enabled rapid conquests across Asia and Europe.

• The Pax Mongolica established stability, promoting trade and cultural exchange along the Silk Road.

• Mongol rule was religiously tolerant, integrating diverse cultures into their administration.

• The empire was divided into khanates, such as the Yuan dynasty in China and the Ilkhanate in Persia.

• Under Kublai Khan, the Yuan dynasty adopted Chinese bureaucratic practices while maintaining Mongol identity.

• Trade flourished, facilitating the spread of goods, ideas, and technologies between East and West.

• The Mongols contributed to the spread of the Black Death, which devastated Eurasian populations.

• Despite their brutality, the Mongols fostered advancements in cartography, communication, and military strategies.

• Internal divisions and the inability to manage vast territories led to the empire’s decline.

• The Mongols influenced subsequent states, such as the Russian Tsardom and the Ottoman Empire.

• Their legacy reshaped the geopolitics and economies of Eurasia.

Expansion of Land-Based Empires

• Land-based empires such as the Ottoman, Safavid, Mughal, and Russian empires dominated Eurasia during the early modern period.

• These empires relied heavily on gunpowder technology, earning them the title “gunpowder empires.”

• The Ottoman Empire controlled vital trade routes and regions like the Balkans, the Middle East, and North Africa.

• The Safavid Empire established Shia Islam as a state religion in Persia, fostering Persian art and architecture, such as the mosques in Isfahan.

• The Mughal Empire blended Islamic and Hindu cultures, exemplified by Akbar’s policies of religious tolerance and monumental architecture like the Taj Mahal.

• The Russian Empire expanded eastward into Siberia and westward into Europe, integrating diverse ethnic groups.

• Centralized administrations allowed these empires to consolidate power and govern vast territories.

• They established large standing armies, funded by taxation systems such as the Ottoman devshirme or Mughal zamindar system.

• Agriculture and tribute systems supported their economies, with limited focus on maritime trade.

• Religious and ethnic diversity often created challenges; the Safavids and Ottomans frequently clashed over Sunni-Shia divides.

• Internal corruption, administrative inefficiency, and the rise of European maritime empires eventually led to their decline.

• By the 18th century, land-based empires faced challenges from industrialized Western powers.

Impact of Disease

• Diseases have played a transformative role in shaping societies and global history.

• The Black Death (bubonic plague) spread via trade routes in the 14th century, killing an estimated 25–30 million people in Europe.

• The Columbian Exchange introduced Old World diseases like smallpox, measles, and influenza to the Americas, devastating Indigenous populations.

• Mortality rates in the Americas reached as high as 90% in some regions, destabilizing societies and aiding European colonization.

• In Africa, the introduction of diseases like malaria impacted local populations and shaped colonial ventures.

• Disease often spread through trade networks, such as the Silk Road and Indian Ocean trade.

• Epidemics like the Spanish flu in the 20th century demonstrated the global reach of pandemics.

• Responses to disease included medical advancements, quarantine systems, and changes in public health policies.

• The spread of disease often disrupted political and economic systems, leading to labor shortages and social unrest.

• Religions and belief systems often interpreted disease as divine punishment, influencing cultural and spiritual practices.

• The introduction of vaccines and improved hygiene practices in later centuries helped curb the spread of diseases.

• Disease remains a significant factor in modern global interconnectedness, as seen in pandemics like COVID-19.

African Trading Systems

• African trading systems were integral to regional and global trade networks.

• The Trans-Saharan trade connected West Africa to North Africa and the Mediterranean, exchanging gold, salt, and slaves.

• The Indian Ocean trade linked East Africa to the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, facilitating the exchange of ivory, gold, and exotic goods.

• Coastal city-states like Kilwa, Zanzibar, and Mogadishu thrived as hubs of trade and cultural diffusion.

• The Kingdom of Mali, under rulers like Mansa Musa, became wealthy through control of gold trade routes.

• The spread of Islam to West Africa through trade brought cultural, educational, and architectural influences.

• The Atlantic slave trade forcibly integrated African societies into the global economy, supplying labor for the Americas.

• Local trade networks within Africa also flourished, exchanging agricultural goods and crafts between regions.

• African merchants often acted as intermediaries, facilitating trade between foreign traders and inland communities.

• Trading systems also influenced political structures, with wealth from trade funding powerful empires like Ghana, Mali, and Songhai.

• Portuguese and other European powers disrupted traditional trade routes, redirecting commerce toward coastal regions.

• The legacy of African trading systems continues to influence cultural and economic practices in the region.

Silk Road Trade

• The Silk Road was a network of overland trade routes connecting China, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.

• Luxury goods like silk, spices, porcelain, and paper flowed from East to West, while horses, glassware, and textiles traveled in the opposite direction.

• The Silk Road facilitated cultural exchange, spreading religions like Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam across Eurasia.

• Innovations such as the compass, paper, and gunpowder spread via the Silk Road, transforming societies.

• Cities like Samarkand and Kashgar flourished as key trading hubs and cultural melting pots.

• The Mongol Empire revitalized the Silk Road during the Pax Mongolica, ensuring stability and safety for merchants.

• Caravans and relay trade systems allowed goods to travel vast distances across difficult terrain.

• Disease, including the Black Death, spread along the Silk Road, impacting populations from China to Europe.

• Decline in use occurred as maritime trade routes became more efficient during the Age of Exploration.

• Despite its decline, the Silk Road left a lasting legacy of interconnectedness in Eurasian history.

Technology in Afro-Eurasia

• Technological advancements in Afro-Eurasia transformed societies and economies during the classical and postclassical eras.

• The invention of paper and printing in China revolutionized communication and record-keeping.

• The compass and advancements in shipbuilding (e.g., junks and dhows) enhanced maritime navigation.

• Islamic scholars preserved and expanded upon Greek, Roman, and Indian scientific knowledge.

• Gunpowder, originating in China, revolutionized warfare and facilitated the rise of gunpowder empires.

• Agricultural technologies like the heavy plow and water wheels increased food production.

• Architectural innovations, including domes, minarets, and aqueducts, showcased cultural and engineering achievements.

• The development of trade networks, such as the Silk Road and Indian Ocean, spread technology across regions.

• Islamic medical advancements, including hospitals and surgical tools, influenced European medicine.

• Afro-Eurasian technologies often blended local and imported innovations, creating unique regional practices.

• The Renaissance in Europe, fueled by Islamic and Asian technologies, ushered in a new era of scientific progress.

• These technological advancements laid the groundwork for modern scientific and industrial revolutions.

Spread of Belief Systems

• The spread of belief systems in Afro-Eurasia during the classical and postclassical eras was facilitated by trade, conquest, and migration.

• Buddhism spread from India to East and Southeast Asia through the Silk Road and Indian Ocean trade routes.

• Hinduism expanded across Southeast Asia, influencing kingdoms like the Khmer Empire and Srivijaya.

• Islam emerged in the Arabian Peninsula and spread rapidly to the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia through trade and conquest.

• Christianity spread from the Roman Empire to Europe, parts of Africa, and the Middle East, becoming a dominant religion in Western Europe after the fall of Rome.

• Syncretic beliefs emerged as religions blended with local traditions, such as Zen Buddhism in Japan and Sufism in the Islamic world.

• Trade routes like the Silk Road and Indian Ocean facilitated the movement of religious texts, scholars, and missionaries.

• The Crusades and Islamic conquests also contributed to the exchange and spread of religious ideas between Europe and the Middle East.

• Belief systems often provided a framework for political legitimacy, such as the divine right of kings or the Mandate of Heaven.

• Religious institutions, like monasteries and madrasas, became centers of learning and cultural exchange.

• Art and architecture, such as mosques, cathedrals, and temples, reflected the influence of belief systems.

• Religious conflicts, such as the Sunni-Shia divide in Islam or the Protestant Reformation in Christianity, shaped political and cultural landscapes.

• Over time, belief systems adapted to new regions, leading to diverse practices within the same faith.

Change in Social Class Hierarchies

• Social class hierarchies evolved significantly across civilizations during the classical and postclassical eras.

• In China, Confucian ideals emphasized a rigid hierarchy, with scholar-officials (gentry) at the top, followed by peasants, artisans, and merchants.

• Feudal Japan mirrored this structure, with samurai, peasants, artisans, and merchants forming distinct classes.

• In medieval Europe, feudalism divided society into nobles, clergy, knights, and serfs, with little social mobility.

• In the Islamic world, social mobility was possible through religious scholarship or trade, but distinctions still existed between Arabs and non-Arabs.

• The caste system in India, rooted in Hinduism, created a rigid social order based on birth, with Brahmins (priests) at the top and Dalits (untouchables) at the bottom.

• The transatlantic slave trade introduced new social hierarchies in the Americas, placing European colonists at the top and enslaved Africans at the bottom.

• In the Americas, the encomienda and hacienda systems created hierarchies based on race and ethnicity, with peninsulares (Spanish-born elites) at the top.

• Gender roles also shaped social hierarchies; patriarchy was common, though women in certain societies, such as the Mongols, had more influence.

• Urbanization and trade in Afro-Eurasia allowed merchants to gain wealth and challenge traditional social structures.

• Religious and philosophical movements, such as Buddhism and Christianity, emphasized spiritual equality, sometimes challenging social hierarchies.

• Social mobility was often limited by laws, customs, and religious doctrines, but exceptions existed in meritocratic systems like China’s bureaucracy.

• Revolts, such as peasant uprisings in Europe and the Yellow Turban Rebellion in China, reflected dissatisfaction with rigid hierarchies.

• Over time, colonialism, industrialization, and revolutions (e.g., the French and Haitian Revolutions) began to challenge and transform traditional hierarchies.

Chinese political systems-

civil service exams-exams that if people did well on they would be upgraded to an official. Most people who took the exams were noble because they could hire servants to do the work while they could study. 

bureaucracy- a system of government in which most of the important decisions are made by state officials rather than by elected representatives.

Japan under the Tokugawa Shogunate- Christians were being persecuted by the Japanese.  The capital was moved to Edo(Tokyo). Road and maritime transport improved because there are lots of islands in Japan. There was an increase in steel making and pottery. Tokugawa Shogunate was the last shogun. 

Indian Ocean trade-used the monsoon winds to travel. Used compasses and astrolabes to know in which direction they were traveling in. Chinese junks were the popular ship because they were bigger(hold more cargo), harder to sink, and they had steer-mounted rudders.

Columbian Exchange- exchange of diseases, plants, animals, and technology between the New and Old Worlds. Things that hurt the indigenous people were diseases, sheep, and pests. Things that helped the indigenous people were horses and plants. Nothing hurt the Europeans. Things that helped the Europeans were food and minerals from the Americas. 

Mongol Empire expansion-not a lot of soldiers, yet made it seem like there was a lot of them. Scared towns into surrendering. Used a tribute system before splitting up in to Khanates to spread even further.

Expansion of land-based empires-used gunpowder weapons to conquer. 

Impact of disease-killed many people

Black Death(Bubonic Plague)-killed 1/3 of the population in Europe

Small pox/Malaria-killed about 90% of the indigenous people

African trading systems-

Trans-Saharan Trade-traded gold, salts, kola nuts, and slaves. Arab traders from the north, African traders from the west. Camel saddles helped trade more goods. Mali became very powerful.

Slave Trade-trading of slaves to other countries for goods. The slaves were traded throughout the Indian Ocean and Triangular trade.

Triangular Trade-Manufactured goods and rum went to Africa. Slaves went to the Americas. Sugar and tobacco went to Europe.

Silk Road trade-trade routes that connected Afro-Eurasia in which goods and diseases were spread. Silk Road was mainly under Mongol control. Caravanserai were places to stop where merchants could trade with each other, but diseases were spread here.

Technology in Afro-Eurasia-compass, astrolabe, caravel, junk, gunpowder weapons

Spread of belief systems-spread over trade routes as merchants preached their religion to people. Set up communities for their religion after getting people to convert.

Change in social class hierarchies- Qing put Manchu people at the top, half Manchu an Half Han in the middle, and and ethnic Han at the bottom.