Unit 1: The Global Tapestry from c. 1200 to c. 1450

C. 1200 - c. 1450

AP Exam Weighting: 8-10%

Topic 1.1 Developments in East Asia from c. 1200 to c. 1450

Thematic Focus - Governance (GOV) 

A variety of internal and external factors contribute to state formation, expansion, and decline. Governments maintain order through a variety of administrative institutions, policies, and procedures, and governments obtain, retain, and exercise power in different ways and for different purposes. 

Learning Objective


Explain the systems of government employed by Chinese dynasties and how they developed over time. 

Historical Developments


Empires and states in Afro-Eurasia and the Americas demonstrated continuity, innovation, and diversity in the 13th century. This included the Song Dynasty of China, which utilized traditional methods of Confucianism and imperial bureaucracy to maintain and justify its rule. 

Thematic Focus - Cultural Developments and Interactions (CDI)

The development of ideas, beliefs, and religions illustrates how groups in society view themselves, and the interactions of societies and their beliefs often have political, social, and cultural implications. 

Learning Objective


Explain the effects of Chinese cultural traditions on East Asia over time. 

Historical Developments


Chinese cultural traditions continued, and they influenced neighboring regions.

 

Cultural traditions: 

  • Filial piety in East Asia

  • Influence of Neo-Confucianism and Buddhism in East Asia

  • Confucian traditions of both respect for and expected deference from women

  • Chinese literary and scholarly traditions and their spread to Heian Japan and Korea


Buddhism and its core beliefs continued to shape societies in Asia and included a variety of branches, schools, and practices. 


Branches of Buddhism: 

  • Theravada

  • Mahayana

  • Tibetan 

Thematic Focus - Economics Systems (ECN) 

As societies develop, they affect and are affected by the ways that they produce, exchange, and consume goods and services.

Learning Objective


Explain the effects of innovation on the Chinese economy over time. 

Historical Developments


The economy of Song China became increasingly commercialized while continuing to depend on free peasant and artisanal labor


The economy of Song China flourished as a result of increased productive capacity, expanding trade networks, and innovations in agriculture and manufacturing. 


Technological innovations: 

  • Champa rice

  • Transportation innovations like the Grand Canal expansion

  • Steel and iron production

  • Textiles and porcelains for export


Topic 1.2 Developments in Dar al-Islam from c. 1200 to c. 1450

Thematic Focus - Cultural Developments and Interactions (CDI)

The development of ideas, beliefs, and religions illustrates how groups in society view themselves, and the interactions of societies and their beliefs often have political, social, and cultural implications. 

Learning Objective


Explain how systems of belief and their practices affected society in the period from c. 1200 to c. 1450. 

Historical Developments


Islam, Judaism, Christianity, and the core beliefs and practices of these religions continued to shape societies in Africa and Asia. 

Thematic Focus - Governance (GOV) 

A variety of internal and external factors contribute to state formation, expansion, and decline. Governments maintain order through a variety of administrative institutions, policies, and procedures, and governments obtain, retain, and exercise power in different ways and for different purposes. 

Learning Objective


Explain the causes and effects of the rise of Islamic states over time. 

Historical Developments


As the Abbasid Caliphate fragmented, new Islamic political entities emerged, most of which were dominated by Turkic people. These states demonstrated continuity, innovation, and diversity. 


New political entities: 

  • Seljuk Empire

  • Mamluk Sultanate of Egypt

  • Delhi Sultanates


Muslim rule continued to expand to many parts of Afro-Eurasia due to military expansion, and Islam, subsequently expanded through the activities of merchants, missionaries, and Sufis

Thematic Focus - Technology and Innovation (TEC)

Human adaptation and innovation have resulted in increased efficiency, comfort, and security, and technological advances have shaped human development and interactions with both intended and unintended consequences.

Learning Objective

Explain the effects of intellectual innovation in Dar al-Islam. 

Historical Developments


Muslim states and empires encouraged significant intellectual innovations and transfers. 


Innovations: 

  • Advances in mathematics (Nasir al-Din al-Tusi) 

  • Advances in literature (A’ishah al-Bu’uniyyah) 

  • Advances in medicine 


Transfers: 

  • Preservation and commentaries on Greek moral and natural philosophy

  • House of Wisdom in Abbasid Baghdad

  • Scholarly and cultural transfers in Muslim and Christian Spain 


Topic 1.3 Developments in South and Southeast Asia from c. 1200 to c. 1450

Thematic Focus - Cultural Developments and Interactions (CDI)

The development of ideas, beliefs, and religions illustrates how groups in society view themselves, and the interactions of societies and their beliefs often have political, social, and cultural implications. 

Learning Objective


Explain how the various belief systems and practices of South and Southeast Asia affected society over time. 

Historical Developments


Hinduism, Islam, and Buddhism, and their core beliefs and practices, continued to shape societies in South and Southeast Asia. 


Beliefs and practices: 

  • Bhakti movement

  • Sufism

  • Buddhist monasticism 

Thematic Focus - Governance (GOV) 

A variety of internal and external factors contribute to state formation, expansion, and decline. Governments maintain order through a variety of administrative institutions, policies, and procedures, and governments obtain, retain, and exercise power in different ways and for different purposes. 

Learning Objective


Explain how and why various states of South and Southeast Asia developed and maintained power over time. 

Historical Developments


State formation and development demonstrated continuity, innovation, and diversity, including the new Hindu and Buddhist states that emerged in South and Southeast Asia. 


Hindu/Buddhist States: 

  • Vijayanagara Empire

  • Srivijaya Empire

  • Rajput kingdoms

  • Khmer Empire

  • Majapahit

  • Sukhothai kingdom