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

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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)

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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

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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

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