AP Review
Unit 1 Review Sheet: The Global Tapestry
I. Rise of Islam
Founded by the prophet Muhammad (570-632 CE)
Muhammad's Background:
A Bedouin, who were polytheistic nomadic Arabs engaged in overland trade routes using camels.
Received messages from the angel Gabriel, which he documented and became the Koran while in Mecca.
Prophethood:
Considered by Muslims to be the final prophet in a lineage including Abraham, Moses, and Jesus.
Historical Context:
Threatened by Bedouin leadership, he and his followers fled to Medina (known as the Hegira).
Returned to conquer Mecca ten years later, leading to rapid spread of Islam across the Arabian peninsula, North Africa, and into Spain within 100 years.
Tolerance in Islam:
Very accepting of other faiths, particularly Jews and Christians who are referred to as "people of the Book."
5 Pillars of Islam:
Belief in one God - Allah
Pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj)
Prayer 5 times a day
Almsgiving (charity to the poor)
Fasting during Ramadan
Jihad:
Defined as the inner struggle to be true to the faith or as a physical struggle/war to protect Islam.
Hijab:
A form of dress where women cover their bodies to preserve modesty.
Rights of Islamic Women:
Enjoyed more rights compared to Bedouin, Christian, and Jewish women, including:
Ability to own and inherit property, receive dowries from husbands directly, remarry after divorce, and practice birth control.
Female infanticide was forbidden.
Sunni/Shiite Split:
After Muhammad's death in 632, a division arose regarding the rightful succession of leadership.
Shiites: Believed leadership should be from Muhammad's direct descendants.
Sunnis: Believed leadership could come from any qualified individual.
Current demographic: Majority are Sunni; the Shiite minority primarily resides in Iran and Iraq.
Umayyad Dynasty:
The first Sunni dynasty with a capital in Damascus, extending rule from North Africa to India until its collapse in 750.
Sufism:
A mystical form of Islam focused on personal connections to Allah rather than strict religious study; facilitated the spread of Islam beyond Arabia, particularly in India and Southeast Asia.
II. Islamic Golden Age / Dar al Islam
Abbasid Dynasty:
Overthrew the Umayyads in 750 and moved the capital to Baghdad, positioned strategically for trade.
Wealth derived from control over Silk Roads and Indian Ocean trade routes, elevating merchants' social status (Muhammad was a merchant).
Intellectual Centers:
Baghdad became a hub of learning; advancements included improvements to papermaking leading to extensive libraries.
House of Wisdom: An academic institution and library in Baghdad that attracted scholars from various cultures.
Notable Scholars:
Persian Muslims like Avicenna contributed significantly to medicine, philosophy, and astronomy.
Translated Greek and Roman texts into Arabic, preserving Western intellectual traditions during Europe's Dark Ages.
Decline of Abbasid Dynasty:
Faced invasions from the Seljuk Turks, Western European Crusaders, Mongols, and Mamluks (Egyptians).
III. Islamic Spain / Al-Andalus
Islamic Rule in Spain:
Lasted for 700 years and founded by the Umayyad dynasty.
Capital: Cordoba, recognized as a cultural and academic center.
Scholar Ibn Rushd wrote influential works in both science and philosophy.
Cultural Synthesis:
Spain became a center for cultural exchanges between Muslim and Christian communities.
Renowned for remarkable Islamic architecture, alongside establishing extensive trade connections with China and Southeast Asia.
Historic Battles:
Battle of Tours (732): Charles Martel led the Franks to defeat Muslim forces, preserving Christianity in Western Europe.
IV. Medieval Europe (476 - 1400)
A. Early Middle Ages (476-814)
Affected by the fall of the Roman Empire, leading to a political vacuum and the emergence of various Germanic tribes, notably the Franks.
Roman Catholic Church:
Emerged as the most powerful institution, wielding significant influence and control over salvation.
Charles Martel’s victory at the Battle of Tours (732) helped maintain Christianity's dominance in Europe.
Notable Leaders:
Charlemagne briefly unified Western Europe (800 AD), initiating a cultural revival known as the Carolingian Renaissance.
B. Feudal Period (814-1100)
The establishment of feudalism characterized by a strict social hierarchy in a decentralized government structure amidst Viking, Muslim, and Magyar invasions.
Feudalism:
Created order through a hierarchy with kings granting fiefs to nobles in exchange for protection and taxes.
Loyalty was local-based and secured through fealty oaths.
Manorialism:
The economic system centered around self-sufficient feudal villages, characterized by a lack of external trade and insufficient agricultural development (merely 10% of land utilized for farming).
C. High Middle Ages (1100-1400)
Crusades (1096 onwards):
Initiated by Pope Urban II to reclaim the Holy Land, leading to renewed trade relations with the Middle East.
Emergence of New Monarchies:
Politically centralized, reducing the local lords' power in various regions, such as Capetian France and the Holy Roman Empire.
The issuance of the Magna Carta (1215) in England established Parliament, thereby limiting royal authority.
Economic Resurgence:
Emerged towns and cities spurred by trade, leading to a rise in guilds, banks, and universities (including Oxford and Cambridge) and a burgeoning middle class (burghers).
Black Death (1347-1349):
The bubonic plague caused the death of one-third of Europe's population, which led to labor shortages and the gradual decline of feudalism.
V. Byzantine Empire
The eastern half of the Roman Empire remained stable post-Rome's fall.
Constantinople:
Served as a commercial crossroads between Asia and Europe, leading to significant wealth generation, along with strong agricultural and silk production capacities.
Emperor Justinian & Empress Theodora:
Their reign marked the empire’s zenith, overseeing a contraction over centuries thereafter.
Justinian’s Code:
Consolidated and preserved Roman laws, forming the foundation of modern European law.
Architectural Significance:
Construction of the Hagia Sophia.
Cyrillic Alphabet:
Developed for Slavic peoples; significantly influenced literacy and the spread of Orthodox Christianity in Russia.
Geopolitical Role:
Acted as a buffer against the expanding Islamic empire toward Western Europe.
The Great Schism (1054):
Split between the Byzantine Orthodox Church and Catholic Church over matters of iconoclasm and pope supremacy, with significant ideological disagreements highlighting the conflict for Christianity's heart (Rome vs. Constantinople).
Decline exacerbated by the Crusaders’ sack of Constantinople in 1200, incited by Venetian merchants' interests.
VI. Kiev Rus: The Early Russians
A federation of early city-states governed by Vikings who settled and conquered Slavic tribes in Eastern Europe.
Novgorod:
The largest city boasting a population of 400,000 engaged in Silk Road trade.
Political Structure:
Nobility known as Boyars wielded power in electing the Grand Prince of Kiev.
Conversion to Christianity in 989:
Led to the establishment of domed churches modeled after the Hagia Sophia.
Overpopulation issues led to cities dispatching quotas of peasants to serve as slaves in Baghdad (where enslaving fellow Muslims was prohibited).
Conquered by the Mongols around 1240.
VII. China
Post-Classical China characterized as a golden age marked by territorial expansion, economic growth, and flourishing arts and literature, notably through reopened Silk Roads under Arab merchants during the Abbasid Golden Age following the fall of Roman and Han dynasties.
A. Tang Dynasty (618-907)
Territorial expansion into Manchuria, Mongolia, and Vietnam, with a perception of being the world's center (Middle Kingdom).
Established Tributary System:
Various states were required to pay tribute to the emperor, performing the ritual kowtow (bowing).
Civil Service Exams:
Continued demanding examinations to qualify for bureaucratic positions; education became a crucial source of pride and a new class of influential scholar-gentry emerged.
Cultural Flourishing:
Producing significant amounts of literature due to advancements in papermaking (e.g., Li Bo, a poet focusing on nature).
Agricultural Reforms:
Implemented systems like the equal-field system which allocated land to peasants, combined with use of fertilizers and improved irrigation techniques, resulted in increased agricultural wealth.
Introduced “Flying Cash”:
Paper currency that could be deposited in one location and withdrawn elsewhere, facilitating trade and future banking systems.
Buddhism Growth:
Xuanzang, a Buddhist monk, translated numerous texts into Chinese, enhancing Buddhism's penetration in Chinese culture.
Tang Decline:
A corrupt emperor (Hsuan Tsung) suppressed a rebellion with severe costs leading to military devastation contributing to the dynasty’s weakening.
B. Song Dynasty (960-1279)
Neo-Confucianism Development:
Revival of Confucian teachings with a focus on traditional values emphasizing the “Five Relationships” and filial piety; government positions increasingly held by scholars over militaristic leaders.
Civil Service Exams Accessibility:
While available to all social classes, wealthier families had the advantage of better preparation facilities for their children.
Cultural and Economic Prosperity:
Governed a more compact region than the Tang yet saw tremendous economic growth, continuing the flying cash system for interregional credit functions.
Non-Agricultural Production Boom:
Minimized reliance on agriculture by significantly increasing production of porcelain and silk, representing an early industrial revolution rivaling British production levels of iron.
Grand Canal:
A monumental engineering achievement that linked northern and southern China for trade, enhancing economic cohesion.
Population Growth:
Surged to over 100 million, resulting in the establishment of the world’s largest cities.
Introduction of Champa Rice:
Fast-growing rice from North Vietnam yielding higher outputs to accommodate the expanding populace.
First to utilize gunpowder for weaponry, which spread across Eurasia via Silk Roads.
Moveable Type Printing:
Improved printing significantly reduced costs, especially for preparations for civil service examinations and dissemination of agricultural knowledge.
Fiscal Measures:
As military expansions necessitated funds, they resorted to tax farming, where cash was collected by private individuals who maximized extractions from the populace before sending smaller amounts to the state.
Decline of Women's Rights:
As neo-Confucianism gained prominence, women’s rights diminished, exemplified by foot binding practices that restricted their independence and mobility.
VIII. Japan
A. Heian Period (794-1185)
Attempted to establish a strong central government in a resource-limited archipelago with heavy reliance on fishing.
Political System:
The Fujiwara clan endeavored to mimic Chinese governance and tax-collection methods, but this failed leading to prolonged Japanese feudalism.
Literary Achievement:
Produced Tale of the Genji, written by noblewoman Murasaki Shikibu, recognized as the first novel in the world presenting the life and growth of a Japanese prince.
B. Minamoto Clan (1194-1600)
Established a robust feudal structure with the Shogun possessing more authority than the emperor, who became a figurehead.
Power was held by land-owning nobles daimyos, who employed samurai warriors (similar to European knights) for protection.
Comparison with European Feudalism:
Shared decentralization and social hierarchies, but kings wielded more authority than Japanese emperors.
IX. Korea
A. Silla Kingdom
Strong connections with China due to shared borders; became a tributary state to China necessitating tribute payments and performing the kowtow.
Cultural Assimilation:
Adopted Chinese practices including Buddhism, Confucianism, and the writing system.
Nobility's Power:
Korean nobles held significant power, restricting common people's access to civil service examinations.
X. Southeast Asia
A. Srivijaya Empire
Positioned in Java and Sumatra (modern-day Indonesia) characterized by strict Buddhism but later fell under Islamic influence post-collapse.
Established as a substantial maritime and commercial empire controlling trade through the Strait of Malacca linking China to India, primarily trading spices and exotic woods.
B. Khmer Empire / Angkor
Renowned for agricultural production due to advanced irrigation systems enabling multiple rice harvests annually.
Initially a Hindu domain, gradually incorporating Buddhism around 1200, evident in the construction of the architectural marvel, Angkor Wat.
C. Vietnam
Underwent Chinese domination during the Han Dynasty, experiencing stronger cultural resistance than Korea.
Maintained decentralization with local communities holding power and having more rights for women compared to China.
Utilized guerilla tactics and seized the Tang dynasty's decline (907) to expel Chinese conquerors.
XI. South Asia / India
A. Delhi Sultanate (1206-1500)
Dominated northern India; unable to penetrate southern India due to defenses against Mongol incursions.
Era featured remarkable intellectual and cultural advancements including the dissemination of algebra and geometry to the Arab world and foundation of colleges.
Introduced Islam into South Asia, presenting significant challenges for conversion due to stark contrasts with Hindu beliefs (e.g., worship of multiple deities versus a single Allah).
Non-Muslims were subject to a tax imposed by the sultan's administration.
XII. West Africa: Gold and Salt Trade
Developed during the late Post-Classical period, with rich gold reserves making long treks across the Sahara worthwhile.
Innovations in camel transport (adaptation of camel saddles facilitated heavy loading) enabled vast camel caravans traversing the Sahara between oases.
A. Ghana
Benefited from both trans-Saharan and Indian Ocean trade routes, especially in gold and ivory commodities.
B. Mali (1200-1400)
Founded by Sundiata, the last survivor of an overthrown ruling family, who reclaimed his throne becoming legendary.
Mansa Musa:
The most powerful leader known for his pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324, bearing an extravagant procession (80 camels carrying 300 lbs of gold each, alongside 60,000 men and slaves).
Notably gave gold to the impoverished during his journey, strengthening Islam in Africa upon his return by establishing mosques and religious schools.
Encountered a Golden Age of advancements in mathematics and science characterized by the rise of Timbuktu as a prominent center for Islamic scholarship.
Played a pivotal role in dominating the gold and salt trade.
C. Songhai (1450-1600)
A formidable Western African kingdom succeeding Mali, encompassing a larger geographic area and wealthier state.
University in Timbuktu attracted scholars from the Arab world enhancing cultural and intellectual exchanges.
XIII. South America
A. Aztecs (1200-1519)
Situated in central Mexico with Tenochtitlan as the capital (200,000 population) on Lake Texcoco.
Emperor known as the Great Speaker, embodying divine authority with a societal structure comprising nobles, scribes, craftsmen, peasants, and slaves.
Religion involved numerous deities necessitating human sacrifices.
Chinampas:
Floating gardens on Lake Texcoco contributed to agricultural output despite absence of wheel or animal labor.
Achievements included monumental architecture (200 ft high double temple), calendar systems, and extensive artistic outputs.
Notable gender dynamics: Women held a comparatively elevated status, engaging as priestesses or merchants.
Historical accounts largely derived from Spanish perspectives due to the destruction of Aztec records by conquistadors.
B. Incas (1300-1532)
Inhabitants of modern-day Peru, Ecuador, and Chile organized under a king overseeing four provinces to manage governance effectively.
Mita System:
A labor tribute system obligating conquered populations to contribute mandatory public service rather than taxes.
Religion centered around ancestor veneration and mummification, intending to provide deceased leaders with possessions for the afterlife.
Technological Innovations:
Developed advanced irrigation, terrace farming on mountainsides, constructed an extensive road network (25,000 miles) comparable to those of Romans, Persians, and Chinese, and utilized quipus (knotted strings for calculations) along with innovative calendar systems.
XIV. Technological Advances
Inventions and enhancements that bolstered trade, communication, and societal development:
Paper mills
Gunpowder and cannons
Astrolabe and sextant
Compass
Algebra
Moveable type printing
Porcelain production
Terrace farming techniques