AP World History Unit 1 Notes (Heimler’s History)

  • Unit One Overview

    • Time Period: Circa 1200 - 1450

    • Focus: Major civilizations and state-building efforts around the world

  • Definition of "State"

    • Not referring to U.S. states;

    • A state is a politically organized territory under a single government.

    • Examples: United States, Japan.

  • Chinese Civilization: The Song Dynasty

    • Period of rule: September - December (specific dates not critical for exam)

    • Main Questions: How did the Song maintain and justify their rule?

    • Emphasized Confucianism

      • Neo-Confucianism: Revival of Confucian thought, aimed to minimize influences from Buddhism.

      • Confucian Hierarchy: Society structured hierarchically; deferential relationships

      • Citizens obey the state, women obey men, children obey parents, etc.

      • Filial Piety: Emphasized virtue of children honoring parents/elders.

    • Social Impacts on Women:

      • Stripped of legal rights and faced social restrictions.

      • Limited education; foot binding as a status symbol.

    • Expansion of Imperial Bureaucracy:

    • Bureaucracy: Government entity carrying out the emperor's will.

    • Civil Service Exam system based on Confucian teachings, aimed for merit-based recruitment.

    • Notably favored the wealthy who could afford to study for the exams.

  • Influence of China on Neighboring States

    • Korea, Japan, Vietnam influenced by Chinese practices (civil service exams, adoption of Buddhism)

  • Buddhism in Song China

    • Spread from India; teachings center on the Four Noble Truths.

    • Theravada vs. Mahayana Buddhism:

    • Theravada: Monastic focus, for monks only.

    • Mahayana: Encouraged broader participation in practices; Bodhisattvas help others achieve enlightenment.

  • Song Economy and Agriculture

    • Benefited from population growth from previous dynasties; increased prosperity.

    • Economic Development: Commercialization - surplus goods sold domestically and internationally.

    • Key goods: Porcelain and silk.

    • Agricultural Innovation: Introduction of Champa rice (drought-resistant and early-maturing).

    • Expansion of the Grand Canal improved trade and communication.

  • Dar al-Islam (House of Islam)

    • Refers to Muslim-majority regions, including a backdrop of Judaism and Christianity.

    • Abbasid Caliphate: Major Muslim power centered in Baghdad, but began to lose dominance in the region by the end of the timeline.

    • Rise of Turkic Empires (e.g., Seljuk Empire) as Arab dominance waned.

    • Turkic empires maintained practices like Sharia law and military governance.

  • Cultural and Scientific Innovations

    • Significant contributions in mathematics and preservation of Greek philosophical works occurred during the Islamic Golden Age (House of Wisdom).

  • Expansion of Islam

    • Through military means, trade interactions, and Sufi missionaries facilitating conversions.

  • South and Southeast Asia

    • Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam interact, influencing each other and the states in the region.

  • State Building in South Asia

    • Delhi Sultanate faced challenges ruling over a largely Hindu populace.

    • Rise of Rajput Kingdoms in resistance to Muslim rule.

    • Establishment of Vijayanagara Empire as a response to Muslim expansion.

  • Southeast Asia's Kingdoms

    • Majapahit: A powerful Buddhist kingdom weakened by the rise of Islam.

    • Khmer Empire: Transitioned from Hinduism to Buddhism, indicated by structures like Angkor Wat.

  • State Building in the Americas

    • Aztec Empire: Established in 1345, governed through tribute systems, central in religious ceremonies.

    • Inca Empire: Centralized and bureaucratic, utilizing labor systems like Mita for public projects.

  • Mississippian Culture: Agricultural society with monumental mounds as social and political centers.

  • African Civilizations

    • Swahili Civilization: City-states trading along the coast; influenced by Islam leading to the creation of the Swahili language.

    • West African Empires: Emergence of Mali and Songhai, primarily Islamic amongst the elites but retaining traditional beliefs among common populace.

    • Great Zimbabwe: Consolidated around trade, maintained pre-Islamic religions, wealthy from gold exports.

  • Ethiopia: Christian state surrounded by Muslim majority, retained monarchical structures similar to other African systems.

  • European Civilizations

    • Dominated by Christianity: Eastern Orthodox in Byzantine Empire, Roman Catholic in Western Europe.

    • Kievan Rus adopted Eastern Orthodox Christianity, linking trade routes culturally.

    • Decentralization: Feudalism reigned, powerful lords granting land in exchange for military service to vassals.

    • Transition to centralized monarchies began around 1000 CE, leading out of feudal constraints.

/** Flashcards **/

  1. Term: State
    Definition: A politically organized territory under a single government (e.g., United States, Japan).

  2. Term: Song Dynasty
    Definition: A Chinese dynasty that ruled from September to December, characterized by Confucianism and a bureaucratic expansion.

  3. Term: Confucianism
    Definition: A philosophy emphasizing hierarchical relationships and social harmony, significant in the Song Dynasty.

  4. Term: Filial Piety
    Definition: The virtue of children honoring their parents and elders, central in Confucian thought.

  5. Term: Civil Service Exam
    Definition: A competitive examination based on Confucian teachings to recruit government officials, favoring the wealthy.

  6. Term: Dar al-Islam
    Definition: Regions where Islam prevails, including influences from Judaism and Christianity.

  7. Term: Abbasid Caliphate
    Definition: Major Muslim power centered in Baghdad, losing influence over time to Turkic empires.

  8. Term: Turkic Empires
    Definition: Empires that rose in power as Arab dominance waned, maintaining Sharia law and military governance.

  9. Term: Expansion of Islam
    Definition: Spread through military conquest, trade, and Sufi missionaries facilitating conversions.

  10. Term: Delhi Sultanate
    Definition: A Muslim kingdom in India that faced challenges ruling over a primarily Hindu population.

  11. Term: Aztec Empire
    Definition: A Mesoamerican empire established in 1345, governed through tribute systems.

  12. Term: Inca Empire
    Definition: A centralized empire in South America known for its bureaucratic structure and labor system (Mita).

  13. Term: Swahili Civilization
    Definition: City-states in East Africa that engaged in trade and were influenced by Islam.

  14. Term: Great Zimbabwe
    Definition: An African civilization that thrived on trade and maintained pre-Islamic religions.

  15. Term: Feudalism
    Definition: A social system in medieval Europe where lords granted land to vassals in exchange for military service.