AP World History Unit 1

UNIT I: The Global Tapestry from c. 1200 to c. 1450

Understand the Context

  • Between 1200 and 1450, several large empires emerged globally.

    • Some were modified revivals of earlier empires, while others represented novel developments.

    • All were influenced by the context of increasing regional trade since around 600.

The Revival of Large Empires

  • Song Dynasty in China (wealthiest and most innovative empire):

    • Last in a series of states ruling a unified China.

    • Enjoyed prosperity and innovation.

  • Aztec Empire in Mesoamerica:

    • Influenced by earlier Mayan civilization.

  • Centers of Learning:

    • Baghdad and Spain exemplified the Islamic world's emphasis on learning.

  • African and Southeast Asian Trade:

    • Produced larger, more complex states not seen prior, e.g., the Mali and Ghana empires.

    • Trade across the Sahara and Indian Ocean facilitated growth in regions like Zimbabwe and India.

Unity in Central Eurasia

  • Mongols' Emergence:

    • Nomads from Central Asia that conquered vast territories, creating a large land empire.

    • Enabled revival of trade across Eurasia, aiding the exchange of ideas and technology.

    • Marked the context for intensified global interactions post-1450.

Key Events Timeline

  • 1215: King John of England signs the Magna Carta.

  • 1258: Mongols conquer the Abbasid Empire.

  • 1321: Dante, a leader of the European Renaissance, dies.

  • 1325: Aztecs found Tenochtitlán.

  • 1279: China's Song Dynasty begins its decline.

Developments in East Asia (c. 1200 to c. 1450)

Essential Question

  • How did developments in China and East Asia reflect continuity, innovation, and diversity?

The Song Dynasty (960-1279)

  • Characteristics:

    • Example of diversity and innovation, marked by wealth, stability, and artistic achievements.

    • Neo-Confucian teachings underlined governance and societal structure.

  • Bureaucracy Expansion:

    • Strengthened the dynasty and expanded upon imperial bureaucracy tradition.

    • Officials executed imperial policies.

  • Meritocracy and Civil Service Exam:

    • Education opportunities expanded to lower economic classes, allowing social mobility.

    • Exams based on Confucian texts; meritocracy defined the bureaucratic system, despite low representation from the poor.

    • By the end of the Song, large bureaucracy presented a financial burden.

Economic Developments in Postclassical China

  • Agricultural Reform:

    • Flourishing Tang Dynasty innovations led to increased prosperity and population growth during the Song.

    • Grand Canal: 30,000 miles aiding trade and communication.

    • Gunpowder Development:

      • First guns created, technology spread via the Silk Roads.

  • Agricultural Productivity:

    • Introduction of Champa rice; allowed for double cropping and increased land cultivation.

    • Innovative farming practices included irrigation systems, manure use, and new plowing techniques.

  • Manufacturing and Trade:

    • Discovery and usage of coal for cast iron goods and later steel production.

    • Proto-industrialization: local production for market sales; artisans produced goods for trade.

    • Development of textiles, porcelain, and efficient naval technologies supported robust trade.

Taxes and Tributes

  • Public Projects Paid for by Taxation:

    • Shift from forced labor for public works to salaried labor, stimulating economic growth.

  • Tributary System:

    • Foreign states paid tribute to the emperor, stabilizing trade and cementing political power.

    • Included ceremonies showcasing respect, e.g., kowtow.

    • Zheng He's expeditions symbolized imperial power.

Social Structures in China

  • Growth of urbanization dramatically changed society; large cities (over 100,000 people) flourished.

  • Class Structure:

    • Emergence of scholar gentry, surpassing traditional aristocracy in influence.

    • Other classes included farmers, artisans, and merchants, with merchant status low due to Confucian ideologies.

  • Women in Society:

    • Elevated status and restrictions due to foot binding, signifying social status while limiting mobility.

Intellectual and Cultural Developments

  • Flourishing arts, technology, and literature; increased accessibility to books through paper and woodblock printing.

  • Religious Diversity:

    • Buddhism’s introduction led to varying beliefs such as Theravada, Mahayana, and Tibetan Buddhism.

    • Monks adapted Buddhist principles to fit Daoist concepts, culminating in Chan Buddhism (Zen).

  • Neo-Confucianism:

    • Merge of rational thought and ethical teachings, gaining popularity in East Asian countries.

Regional Comparisons

  • Japan:

    • Controlled engagement with China; influence on arts, literature, and politics.

    • Unique aspects like feudalism, where samurai and daimyo held significant power.

  • Korea:

    • Close relationship with China; adopted many cultural aspects, though aristocracy held power.

  • Vietnam:

    • Strong resistance to Chinese dominance, allowing unique cultural independence.

Key Terms by Theme

  • Economics:

    • Champa rice, proto-industrialization, artisans.

  • Society:

    • Scholar gentry, filial piety.

  • Government:

    • Song Dynasty, imperial bureaucracy, meritocracy.

  • Technology:

    • Woodblock printing.

  • Culture:

    • Foot binding, Buddhism (including its various forms).

  • Japan:

    • Heian period.

  • Vietnam:

    • Nuclear families, polygyny.

Impacts of Developments in East Asia (c. 1200 to c. 1450)

Positive Impacts:

  • Economic Growth: The agricultural reforms, such as the introduction of Champa rice and advanced irrigation techniques, led to increased productivity and a significant population boom in China. This prosperity facilitated trade and urbanization.

  • Cultural Flourishing: The thriving arts and literature during the Song Dynasty enriched Chinese culture, with increased accessibility to books due to innovations like woodblock printing. This also included the spread of diverse religious beliefs, such as Buddhism and Neo-Confucianism.

  • Social Mobility: The meritocratic civil service exam expanded educational opportunities for lower economic classes, allowing talented individuals to rise in bureaucratic positions, which contributed to a more dynamic society.

  • Innovative Technology: Developments in manufacturing, such as proto-industrialization and advancements in textiles and naval technologies, enhanced trade efficiency and contributing to sophistication within industries.

Negative Impacts:

  • Bureaucratic Burden: By the end of the Song, the large bureaucracy became a financial burden, potentially leading to inefficiencies and governmental strain.

  • Social Stratification: Despite opportunities for social mobility through examinations, the rigid class structures, particularly the low status of merchants due to Confucian ideologies, perpetuated inequalities.

  • Foot Binding: While foot binding was a symbol of status and beauty, it severely restricted women's mobility and autonomy, leading to psychological and physical health issues.

  • Resistance and Cultural Conflicts: Encounters with neighboring civilizations, such as Vietnam's resistance to Chinese dominance, often resulted in cultural tensions and conflicts that affected regional stability.

Summary

The period from c. 1200 to c. 1450 in East Asia was marked by significant advancements and developments which yielded both beneficial and detrimental effects on society. While economic and cultural progress marked the era positively, challenges such as bureaucratic pressures and social inequalities posed serious obstacles for many.

Key Terms by Theme with Etymology

Economics:

  • Champa rice: Named after the Champa kingdom in present-day Vietnam, where it was initially cultivated; derived from the Sanskrit word "champa" meaning "divine" or "sacred."

  • Proto-industrialization: "Proto" is derived from the Greek word "prōtos," meaning "first," combined with "industrialization," which comes from the Latin "industria," meaning "diligence or activity."

  • Artisans: From Middle French "artisan," from Latin "artitus" meaning "skillful, accomplished."

Society:

  • Scholar gentry: "Scholar" derives from Old English "scoler," meaning "a student or learner," and "gentry" comes from Middle English "gentrice," which originates from Old French "genterie," meaning "nobility or good birth."

  • Filial piety: The term "filial" is from Latin "filialis," meaning "of or belonging to a son or daughter," and "piety" from Latin "pietas," meaning "dutifulness, loyalty, or devotion."

Government:

  • Song Dynasty: "Song" comes from the Chinese character 宋 (sòng), which means "to follow or succeed."

  • Imperial bureaucracy: "Imperial" is derived from the Latin "imperialis," meaning "of an emperor or empire," and "bureaucracy" comes from French "bureaucratie" (from "bureau," meaning "desk or office," and "-cracy," meaning "rule or government").

  • Meritocracy: From Latin "meritum," meaning "merit or worth," and Greek "kratos," meaning "power or rule."

Technology:

  • Woodblock printing: "Woodblock" is a compound of "wood," from Old English "wudu," meaning "a tree or wood," and "block," from Old English "blocc," meaning "a solid piece of hard material."

Culture:

  • Foot binding: "Foot" comes from Old English "fōt," and "binding" is from Old English "bindan," meaning "to fasten or secure."

  • Buddhism: From the Sanskrit "budhi," meaning "to awaken or enlighten," combined with the suffix "-ism" indicating a practice or philosophy.

Japan:

  • Heian period: "Heian" means "peace" or "calm" in Japanese, derived from the characters 平安.

Vietnam:

  • Nuclear families: "Nuclear" is derived from Latin "nucleus," meaning "the core or central part," and "families" comes from Latin "familia," meaning "household or family group."

  • Polygyny: From Greek "polygynia," where "poly-" means "many" and "gynē" means "woman or wife."