DBQ/LEQ Contextualization Ideas & Tips (AP World History)
Contextualization Tips
- Introduce the Time PePeriod or 3 “Big Ideas” from the list below & discuss them further
- Must be relevant to the period & /or prompt
- Use Contextualization to lead into your thesis
- You may pick events from before, during, or after the period
- Before & During are used more than After
Post-Classical Era (1200-1450)
Big Ideas
- State Expansion which led to More Trade which led to Cultures Spreading
Economic
- Expansion of Interregional Trade Networks
- Silk Roads
- Indian Ocean Trade Network
- Trans-Saharan Trade Network
Social & Cultural
- Spread of Religion
- Buddhism to China & SE Asia
- Christianity throughout Europe
- Hinduism in India & SE Asia
- Islam to Sub-Saharan Africa
- Chinese Influence
- Sinification → Spread of Chinese Culture
- Korea, Japan, Vietnam
Political
- Land-Based Empires
- Song Dynasty
- Mongols
- West African Trading Kingdoms (Ghana, Mali, Songhai)
- Islamic Empires (Abbasid)
Early Modern Era (1450-1750)
Big Ideas
- Age of Exploration
- Reformation
- Colonialism
- Mercantilism
- Capitalism
- Absolutism
Economic
- Global Trade
- Atlantic Trade
- Columbian Exchange
- Atlantic Slave (Triangular) Trade
- Indian Ocean Trade
Social & Cultural
- European Reform Movements
- Reformation
- Renaissance
- Scientific Revolution
- Enlightenment
- Columbian Exchange (Impacts)
- American Social Structure Begins to Change
- New Food/Animals
- Population Increase
- The disease impacts the Americas
Political
- Colonialism
- Trade & Wealth
- Overseas Expansion
- Absolutism
- Monarchs
- Divine Right
- Religion & Gov’t
- Reformation & Counter-Reformation
- Confucianism → Civil Service Exam
Modern Era (1750-1900)
Big Ideas
- Revolutions
- Industrialization
- Imperialism
Economic
- Industrialization
- Increased Production
- Technology
- Less developed regions exploited for resources
Social & Cultural
- Reactions to Industrialization
- Socialism & Communism
- Feminism
- More Education
- Motives for Imperialism
- White Man’s Burden
- Religion
- Social Darwinism
- Impact of Imperialism
- Migration
- Syncretism (Blending of Beliefs)
- Assimilation (Understanding of other cultures)
Political
- Revolutions
- Nationalism
- Enlightenment
- Haiti, France, USA
- Socialism & Communism
- Imperialism
- European dominance throughout Asia & Africa
Contemporary Era (1900-Present)
Big Ideas
- Nationalism
- Communism vs. Capitalism
- Decolonization
- Globalization
Economic
- Great Depression
- Unemployment
- Decrease in Trade
- Globalization
- Multinational Organizations
Social & Cultural
- Westernization
- Environmentalism
- Cultural Tension
- Genocide
- Apartheid
- Israel vs. Palestine
- Terrorism
- Protests & Reform
Political
- Competing Ideologies
- Socialism
- Communism
- Fascism
- Capitalism
- Totalitarian Gov’t
- Global Conflicts
- World War (I & II)
- Cold War
- Zionism
- Jewish movement to establish a home state (Israel)
- Decolonization
- Self-Determination