Unit 1 - APWH

#1. The regions that dominated this period were the Americas with the Incas and Aztecs, East Asia where the Song Dynasty reigned, and the Middle East as the home to Dar al-Islam.

#2. Different belief systems impacted each region. In East Asia, Buddhism and Confucianism had the greatest impact. The Middle East was devoted to Islam.

#3. Major innovations developed in China including warfare innovations like gunpowder and agricultural innovations like Champa rice.

#4. Dar al-Islam developed innovations in mathematics like algebra while encouraging transfers from Greco-Roman ideas like medicine and philosophy.

#5. Politically, the feudal system dominated much of the planet as most places remained decentralized.

🔑 KEY VOCAB (know definitions)

• Neo-Confucianism – Blend of Confucianism, Buddhism, Daoism

• Foot Binding – Chinese practice limiting women’s mobility

• Champa Rice – Fast-ripening rice from SE Asia

• Shogun – Military ruler of Japan

• Samurai – Warrior class in Japan

• Caliphate – Islamic political state ruled by a caliph

• Chinampa – Aztec floating gardens

• Sufism – Mystical branch of Islam

• Mit’a – Incan labor tax

• Abbasids – Islamic caliphate centered in Baghdad

• Great Zimbabwe – Stone-built African trading city

• Turkic – Turkish Muslim rulers

• Feudalism – Decentralized political system

• Delhi Sultanate – Muslim state in India

• Serfdom – Coerced peasant labor in Europe

🌏 EAST ASIA

1. Two characteristics of each belief system

Buddhism

• Nirvana

• Eightfold Path

Confucianism

• Filial piety

• Social hierarchy / respect for elders

Daoism (Taoism)

• Harmony with nature

• Dao (the Way)

2.

Rulers of the Song Dynasty used the civil service (imperial) exam to appoint people to positions within the Imperial Bureaucracy.

3. Two ways Champa Rice benefited East Asia

• Allowed 2–3 harvests per year

• Increased population growth due to higher food supply

4. Two examples of Chinese influence on Japan or Korea

• Spread of Confucianism and Buddhism

• Adoption of bureaucratic systems and cultural practices

5.

The Song Dynasty lost the Mandate of Heaven and their rule of China was ended by the invasion of the Mongols.

☪ DAR AL-ISLAM

6.

Following centuries of domination by Arabs and Persians, the Turks came to dominate Dar al-Islam.

7. Two ways Islam spread

• Trade merchants

• Missionaries and Sufis

8. One advancement

Mathematics: Algebra
Literature: Poetry / history / philosophy

9. Siege of Baghdad (1258)

• Cause: Expansion of the Mongol Empire

• Effect: Destruction of Baghdad and the end of the Abbasid Caliphate

🕌 SOUTH & SOUTHEAST ASIA

10.

South and Southeast Asia were dominated by Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam.

11. States

• Hindu State: Vijayanagara Empire (or Khmer Empire)

• Buddhist State: Sukhothai Empire (or Sinhala Dynasties)

12.

The most influential Sultanate in South Asia during this period was the Delhi Sultanate.

🌽 THE AMERICAS

13.

The two largest states in the Americas were the Inca in the Andes Mountains and the Aztec (Mexica) in central Mexico.

14. Mexica (Aztec) characteristics

• Religious: Polytheism and human sacrifice

• Political: Tribute empire ruled by a “Great Speaker”

15. Incan Mit’a System

The Mit’a system required citizens to provide mandatory labor for the state, working on roads, agriculture, or military projects for part of each year.

🌍 AFRICA

16.

African political history was dominated by the West African Empires of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai.

17. Mansa Musa’s pilgrimage

• Religious Cause: He was a devout Muslim completing the Hajj

• Economic Effect: His gold spending caused inflation in Cairo

18.

The two most important natural resources exported from Sub-Saharan Africa were gold and salt.

19. Two characteristics of Great Zimbabwe

• Massive stone walls built without mortar

• Major trade center linking interior Africa to Indian Ocean trade

🏰 EUROPE

20.

Europe became even more decentralized as the manorial system organized daily life.

21. Manorialism characteristics

✅ If you memorize this, you’re set for a 90+ on the final.

If you want, I can:

• Turn this into MCQs

• Make a 1-page cram sheet

• Do SAQ practice like the exam

Just say which one.