AP World History: Modern - Cultural Developments and Interactions (1200-1450)

African Architecture and Oral Tradition

  • West Africa: Mud-and-timber constructions, e.g., Sankore Mosque in Timbuktu, blending Islamic function and indigenous style.
  • Zanzibar: Coral used to decorate buildings.
  • Great Zimbabwe: Sturdy stone enclosures, initially doubted by European colonizers.
  • Oral Tradition: Griots chronicled history and social custom.
  • Sundiata: Famous African epic from Mali, about the chieftain who founded the Mali state.

Asia and Oceania

  • Neo-Confucianism: Revival of Confucian teachings in China during the Song and Ming dynasties, reinforcing hierarchy and obedience.
  • Civil Service Examinations: Used to select government officials based on knowledge of Confucian classics.
  • Ch'an (Zen) Buddhism: Emphasized simplicity and meditation, popular in China and abroad.
  • Forbidden City: Imperial residence in Beijing during the Ming dynasty, showcasing artistic grandeur.
  • Ming Art: Exquisite glassware, porcelain, and scroll painting.

Japan

  • Heian Period: Cultural brilliance and growing independence from Chinese influences.
  • Shinto: Japan's native faith coexisting with Buddhism, Confucianism, and Daoism.
  • The Tale of Genji: Classic of world literature by Lady Murasaki.
  • Post-Heian Era: Rise of shogunates, Bushido code for samurai.
  • Zen Buddhism: Emphasized self-discipline, influencing tea ceremony, landscaping, and haiku poetry.
  • Pure Land Buddhism: Promised a heavenly afterlife.

Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia

  • Cultural Fusion: Throughout the Indian Ocean basin.
  • Religious Influence: Buddhism and Hinduism.
  • Angkor Wat: Temple complex in Cambodia, originally Hindu, converted to Buddhist use.
  • Borobudur: Srivijayan temple in Java, reflecting Indian Buddhism influence.

The Americas

  • Cultural Stamp: Core civilizations influenced neighboring peoples.
  • Limited Technology: Wheel and developed writing systems were rare.
  • North America: Hunting and foraging, animism.
  • Mississippian Civilization: Agriculture, trading centers, earth mounds for religious purposes.
  • Mesoamerica: Centralized and urban societies (Mayans and Aztecs).
  • Pyramids: Built by major societies, including Chichén Itzá (Mayan).
  • Aztec Religious Practices: Human sacrifice to reenergize the sun, Huitzilopochtli.
  • Andean Societies: Centralized and stratified, quipu for record-keeping.
  • Incan cities: Cusco and Machu Picchu. Temple of the Sun: was laid out in the shape of a puma, and its interior was lined with gold. The temple was staffed by thousands of acllas, or "virgins of the sun."