ap world unit 1 20% must knows
🌏 Key Civilizations & Empires
Song Dynasty (China)
Revived Confucianism & civil service exams → strong bureaucracy.
Champa rice + innovations (paper money, printing) → economic boom.
Dar al-Islam (Islamic World)
Abbasid Caliphate fragmented but Islamic culture still spread via trade (esp. Indian Ocean).
Islamic scholars preserved Greek texts, advanced in science/math (House of Wisdom).
South & Southeast Asia
Hinduism & Buddhism shaped kingdoms (e.g., Srivijaya = Buddhist maritime trade).
Delhi Sultanate = Muslim rule over Hindu majority in India.
Africa (Sub-Saharan)
Mali Empire: gold-salt trade, Islam (Mansa Musa's pilgrimage = Islamic influence).
Great Zimbabwe: powerful trade kingdom in southern Africa (stone architecture = wealth).
Europe (Post-Roman)
Feudalism: decentralized power structure with kings, nobles, knights, serfs.
Roman Catholic Church = unifying force; Crusades begin exposing Europe to wider world.
🛤 Trade & Cultural Exchange
Silk Roads
Goods (silk, porcelain), ideas (Buddhism, Islam), and tech (gunpowder) moved.
Caravanserai + credit systems (e.g., bills of exchange) enabled long-distance trade.
Indian Ocean Trade
Monsoon winds = predictable sailing; trade connected East Africa, Middle East, India, SE Asia.
Led to diasporic merchant communities spreading culture (esp. Islam).
Trans-Saharan Trade
Gold, salt, and enslaved people traded across North & West Africa.
Camels + caravans made desert trade possible.
🧠 Belief Systems
Confucianism
Focused on order, hierarchy, filial piety → shaped Chinese politics/society.
Islam
Unified large regions culturally & legally; tolerant of “People of the Book” under dhimmi status.
Buddhism & Hinduism
Spread via trade + monks; adapted differently in regions (e.g., Mahayana in China, Theravada in SE Asia).
Christianity
Powerful in Europe; Eastern Orthodox vs. Roman Catholic split (1054) = major religious divide.
🏛 Political Systems & Legitimacy
Bureaucracy (China)
Civil service exams = merit-based governance (model for others).
Decentralization (Europe & Japan)
Feudalism = local control, loyalty to lords, limited central power.
Theocracies & Monarchies
Many rulers used religion to legitimize power (e.g., Islamic sultans, Christian kings).
🔄 Themes of Continuity & Change
Continued dominance of agriculture in economies.
Religion as a unifier and justification for rule.
Expanding trade networks = growing connections & cultural diffusion.
Rise of new political powers while older ones (like Abbasids) decline.
✅ Key Relationships
🔗 Political Power & Religion
China (Song Dynasty) + Confucianism
Confucian values shaped civil service, family structure, and social harmony.
Use this to explain how ideology justifies government rule.
Islamic States + Sharia Law / Caliphates
Religious law and caliphal authority = fusion of spiritual and political power.
Useful in comparing Islamic rule to secular governance elsewhere.
Europe + Christianity (Roman Catholic Church)
Church held political power, influenced kings, ran schools.
Key for comparing religious influence in state-building.
🌍 Trade Networks & Cultural Diffusion
Silk Roads + Buddhism/Islam
Religious ideas spread with merchants → local adaptations (e.g., Zen Buddhism in Japan).
Use to show how trade fosters ideological syncretism.
Indian Ocean Trade + Islam/Hinduism
Diasporic communities spread culture, intermarried → blend of traditions.
Great evidence of long-distance cultural exchange and continuity/change.
Trans-Saharan Trade + Spread of Islam in West Africa
Muslim merchants and scholars → conversion of kings (e.g., Mansa Musa).
Use to highlight how religion spread peacefully through trade, not conquest.
🛠 Technology & Empire Strength
China’s innovations (gunpowder, paper, printing) + economic growth
Song Dynasty had technological edge → strong internal trade, prosperity.
Use to show how innovation supports political/economic power.
Use of camels & saddles + Trans-Saharan trade
Enabled connection between West Africa and the Islamic world.
Perfect for analyzing environmental adaptation and trade expansion.
🧱 Social Structure & Ideology
Confucianism + Patriarchy (China)
Gender roles (filial piety, footbinding) tied to Confucian hierarchy.
Key for explaining how beliefs shape society and continuity in gender norms.
Caste System (India) + Hinduism
Religion reinforced social stratification; caste determined occupation.
Great example of how religion can maintain long-term social order.
Feudalism + Loyalty (Europe & Japan)
Political decentralization paired with loyalty-based obligations.
Use to compare structure of decentralized states across regions.
⚖ Decline vs. Continuity
Abbasid Caliphate decline + Rise of regional Islamic states (Mamluks, Delhi Sultanate)
Shows fragmentation doesn’t end cultural unity.
Use for continuity despite political change.
Byzantine decline + European decentralization
Rise of smaller powers (like feudal lords) when big empires fall.
Great for showing power shifts and long-term transitions.
FIVEABLE:
Key Regions and Civilizations
Major civilizations during this period included the Islamic world, China under the Song and Yuan dynasties, and the Mongol Empire
Islamic world encompassed a vast region from the Iberian Peninsula in the west to the Indian subcontinent in the east
Abbasid Caliphate ruled much of the Islamic world until the Mongol conquest of Baghdad in 1258
Mamluk Sultanate in Egypt and the Delhi Sultanate in India emerged as powerful Islamic states
China experienced a golden age under the Song dynasty (960-1279) with advancements in technology, trade, and culture
Yuan dynasty (1271-1368), established by the Mongols, continued many of the Song dynasty's policies and practices
Mongol Empire, founded by Genghis Khan, became the largest contiguous land empire in history
Encompassed much of Eurasia, from China to Eastern Europe
Facilitated trade and cultural exchange through the Pax Mongolica
Other notable civilizations included the Byzantine Empire, the kingdoms of Western Europe, and the civilizations of the Americas (Maya, Aztec, and Inca)
Major Trade Networks
The Silk Roads, a network of overland trade routes connecting East Asia and the Mediterranean, flourished during this period
Facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and technologies between civilizations
Mongol Empire's control of the Silk Roads during the Pax Mongolica enhanced trade and cultural exchange
Indian Ocean trade network connected civilizations in East Africa, the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia
Monsoon winds facilitated maritime trade across the Indian Ocean
Swahili city-states (Kilwa) and port cities (Calicut) emerged as important trade hubs
Trans-Saharan trade routes linked West Africa with the Mediterranean world
Gold, salt, and slaves were major commodities traded across the Sahara
Spread of Islam and the rise of empires (Mali) in West Africa were closely tied to trans-Saharan trade
Maritime trade in the Mediterranean and the Baltic Sea connected European kingdoms with the Islamic world and the Byzantine Empire
Italian city-states (Venice, Genoa) and the Hanseatic League dominated maritime trade in Europe
Cultural and Religious Developments
Islam continued to spread throughout Afro-Eurasia during this period
Sufi mysticism gained popularity and contributed to the spread of Islam
Syncretism between Islam and local beliefs and practices occurred in many regions (Southeast Asia)
Christianity remained a significant force in Europe and the Byzantine Empire
Roman Catholic Church held considerable political and spiritual authority in Western Europe
Eastern Orthodox Church dominated religious life in the Byzantine Empire and Eastern Europe
Buddhism, Hinduism, and Confucianism continued to shape societies in Asia
Neo-Confucianism emerged in China during the Song dynasty, emphasizing moral cultivation and social harmony
Interreligious interactions and intellectual exchanges increased, particularly along trade routes
Translation of Greek and Arabic texts into Latin in medieval Europe
Transmission of Indian mathematics and astronomy to the Islamic world
Syncretic religions and new religious movements emerged, such as Sikhism in India and the Bhakti movement
Technological and Scientific Advancements
Islamic Golden Age witnessed significant advancements in mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and engineering
Development of algebra and trigonometry
Improvements in medical knowledge and the establishment of hospitals
Innovations in architecture and urban planning (round city of Baghdad)
China under the Song dynasty experienced a period of technological innovation
Invention of movable type printing, gunpowder, and the magnetic compass
Advancements in shipbuilding and navigation technologies
Diffusion of technologies and knowledge across Afro-Eurasia increased through trade networks
Spread of papermaking and printing technologies from China to the Islamic world and Europe
Transmission of Islamic medical knowledge to medieval Europe
Agricultural innovations, such as the introduction of new crops and irrigation techniques, increased food production
Champa rice from Vietnam spread to China and increased agricultural yields
Advancements in military technology, particularly gunpowder weapons, began to transform warfare
Political Structures and Empires
The Mongol Empire's conquest of much of Eurasia led to significant political changes
Establishment of the Yuan dynasty in China and the Ilkhanate in Persia
Mongol rule facilitated trade and cultural exchange but also caused widespread destruction
Islamic empires, such as the Mamluk Sultanate and the Delhi Sultanate, emerged as powerful political entities
Mamluks, a slave-soldier elite, ruled Egypt and Syria and successfully repelled Mongol invasions
Delhi Sultanate, established by Turkic and Afghan rulers, controlled much of the Indian subcontinent
Feudalism characterized political organization in medieval Europe
Decentralized political authority and the rise of the nobility
Growth of towns and cities led to increased political and economic autonomy
The Byzantine Empire, although in decline, remained a significant political and cultural force in the eastern Mediterranean
Decline accelerated after the Fourth Crusade's sack of Constantinople in 1204
Rise of regional empires and kingdoms in Africa (Mali) and the Americas (Aztec, Inca)
Social and Economic Systems
Agricultural production remained the foundation of most societies during this period
Feudal system in Europe and Japan characterized by lords, vassals, and serfs
Iqta system in the Islamic world, where rulers granted land revenue rights to military commanders
Urban growth and the expansion of trade led to the development of new social and economic classes
Merchant class and guilds in Europe and the Islamic world
Scholarly-gentry class in China, based on merit and Confucian education
Slavery and forced labor were prevalent in many societies
Trans-Saharan slave trade supplied labor to Islamic societies
Plantation slavery in the Mediterranean and the Americas
Gender roles and relations varied across civilizations
Patriarchal structures were common, but women played important roles in trade, religion, and politics in some societies (Southeast Asia)
The practice of foot binding in China reflected changing gender norms and aesthetics
Social hierarchies based on factors such as birth, wealth, and occupation shaped social interactions and opportunities
Artistic and Intellectual Achievements
Islamic art and architecture flourished, reflecting the diversity of Islamic cultures
Development of unique architectural styles (mosques, madrasas)
Calligraphy and decorative arts (carpets, ceramics) reached new heights
Gothic architecture emerged in medieval Europe, characterized by pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and large windows
Construction of grand cathedrals (Notre-Dame, Chartres) showcased the wealth and piety of European societies
Chinese art and literature thrived under the Song and Yuan dynasties
Landscape painting and poetry reflected Confucian and Daoist ideals
Porcelain production and blue-and-white ceramics became renowned exports
Intellectual developments in philosophy, theology, and science occurred across Afro-Eurasia
Scholasticism in medieval Europe, which sought to reconcile Christian theology with classical philosophy
Islamic philosophers (Averroes, Avicenna) made significant contributions to logic, metaphysics, and ethics
Neo-Confucianism in China, which synthesized Confucian, Buddhist, and Daoist ideas
Oral traditions and literature flourished in many societies (African epic of Sundiata, Icelandic sagas)
Environmental and Demographic Changes
The Medieval Warm Period (950-1250) led to improved agricultural conditions and population growth in many regions
Expansion of agriculture in Europe and Asia
Viking settlements in Iceland, Greenland, and Newfoundland
The Little Ice Age (1300-1850) brought cooler temperatures and more erratic weather patterns
Famines, crop failures, and population declines in some regions
Abandonment of Viking settlements in Greenland
The Black Death (1347-1351), a pandemic of bubonic plague, devastated populations across Afro-Eurasia
Estimated to have killed 30-60% of Europe's population
Led to significant social, economic, and religious upheavals
Mongol conquests and the expansion of trade networks facilitated the spread of diseases
Spread of the Black Death along the Silk Roads
Introduction of new diseases to the Americas by European explorers and colonizers
Urbanization and the growth of cities led to new challenges in sanitation and public health
Inadequate waste disposal and contaminated water supplies contributed to the spread of disease in urban centers