Sui Dynasty: Unified China and military conquests.
Tang Dynasty: Known for grand canal, art, literature and a period of peace.
Song Dynasty: Characterized by increased technology and economy, and a strong centralized government.
Bureaucracy:
Large, complex system of government organization with clear hierarchy, division of labor, standardized procedures, emphasis on efficiency, and formalized communication.
Meritocracy: The most qualified people run the government through the Civil Service Exam, a Confucian-based exam, a major continuity until 1900!
People who passed the exam entered a new social class: Scholar gentry.
Developments:
Gunpowder: Revolutionized combat and eventually spread.
Champa Rice: Tribute from Vietnam with two growing seasons, increasing the food supply.
Paper: Led to printing and revolutionized currency.
Public Works: Great Wall and Dujiangyan irrigation.
Social Structure: Based on Confucian principles.
Emperor: Divine right to rule (Mandate of Heaven), but if broken, people have the right to rebel.
Scholar Gentry: A new social class of people who passed the Civil Service Exam.
Peasants: The main labor force in the agrarian society.
Merchants: Generally lower status in the Confucian hierarchy.
Footbinding: Mutilation of women's feet to make them smaller, reflecting women's lower status due to Confucian principles and filial piety (respect for elders).
Tributary System: China's surrounding states (Japan, Korea, Vietnam) gave China's emperor goods in exchange for protection and trade rights.
JAPAN
Adopted Buddhism but rejected Confucianism and maintained a tight aristocracy.
Kanji from China but resisted Sinification.
Feudal and decentralized nation with an Emperor and Shogun as military leader. The Samurai warriors practiced Bushido (their own brand of chivalry).
Daimyo: Landowners with Samurai warriors
DAR AL-ISLAM
Monotheistic religion founded by Prophet Muhammad.
Quran: Holy book of Islam and final revelation from God.
Sharia Law: Muslim code of conduct.
Islamic expansion through the Middle East facilitated trade.
Jizya: Non-Muslim tax.
Battle of Tours halted Islam's advance into Europe and consolidated Christianity within Europe.
Al-Andalus: Muslim-ruled dynasties in Iberia were a center of culture & learning with a highly diverse & tolerant society.
Women's Position: Islamic teachings suggest men = women, but interpretations of the Quran meant this wasn't always the case with nuanced to 100% generalite.
Caliphates
Umayyad (661-750)
Centered in Damascus, Syria
Military conquests led to increased persecutions. (Towitus 2)
Abbasids (750-1258)
Centered in Baghdad (Iraq)
Known for the House of Wisdom and being the center of scholarship.
Many cultural achievements
Eventual Internal conflicts.
New Islamic Powers:
Egyptian Mamluks: Originally slave soldiers who eventually overthrew the government and established a centralized state. Fell to Ottomans.
Seljuk Turks: Turkish people from Central Asia who established a huge, influential Islamic empire. Fell to Mongols.
Delhi Sultanate: Muslim sultanate in India with cultural & architectural achievements. Fell to Mughals.
SOUTH ASIA
Hinduism
Polytheistic.
Caste system consolidates power with stagnant social dynamics through reincarnation. People won't rebel in hopes of better caste in next life.
South India:
Chola Dynasty.
Vijayanagar Empire.
Muslim Kingdoms.
Rajput Kingdoms: Vulnerable, Hindu Kingdoms in Northern India.
Delhi Sultanate: Ruled parts of Northern & Central India alongside Rajput Kingdoms with lack of efficient bureaucracy, which made it difficult to impose policies and it held against Mongols before fell to the Mughals.
SOUTHEAST ASIA
As a result of its connection through the Indian Ocean Trade Network, SE Asia Saw great cultural diffusion that played a key factor in the econ. & culture of this region
Like Pre-Columbian Americas, Africa was mostly tribal / clan-based.
Most African cultures were kin-based networks, where families / clans governed themselves, which resulted to no centralization of power.
Kin-based networks became too difficult to govern as population grew, paving way for empires to form.
Islam's Influence through Hajj( Pilgrimage to Mecca.), Exchange of goods
Econ. & cultural development and Spread of Islam.
Early Africa
EARLY AFRICA
Like Pre-Columbian Americas, Africa was mostly tribal/clan-based.
Most African cultures were kin-based networks, where families/clans governed themselves, resulting in no centralization of power.
Kin-based networks became too difficult to govern as pop. grew, paving the way for empires to form.
Islam's Influence
Hajj - Pilgrimage to Mecca.
Trans-Saharan Trade + Indian Ocean Trade facilitated Exchange of goods, econ. & cultural development, and the spread of Islam.
Some parts of Africa resisted Islam, and S. Africa regions didn't even have contact until later. Most African cultures were Kin-based networks, tribal/clan-based.
Post-Classical Africa saw significant changes
WEST AFRICA
Ghana: Powerful army & $ controlled gold & salt in Saharan Trade. No state religion.
Mali: Founded by Sundiata. Mansa Musa made lavish hajj, supported trade & Islam $$. A highly respected Mali emperor who led it into tremendous wealth
Shanghai: Founded by Sunni Ali. Conquered by Moroccan invaders eventually.
Swahili Coast: Located in E. Africa with a crossroad for trade with the Indian Ocean. Bantu city-states blended African, Arab, and Persian culture. Largest city was Great Zimbabwe.
Ethiopia: Kingdom of Axum - Christian Kingdom which engaged in trade.
Storytellers who acted as oral historians
Early Europe
EARLY EUROPE
Following the fall of Rome, W. Europe came to be dominated by feudalism.
Feudalism: Based on the holding of land in exchange for service/labor with a clear hierarchy: King, Lords (elites w/ granted land), Knights (protected wealth & power), and Serfs (worked the land).
Large Fiefs were known as manors. The manorial system provided econ. self-sufficiency and defense.
Europe remained decentralized and unengaged w/ global trade.
Agriculture
3-Field System increased food production, leading to population growth.
Windmills & plows also increased argicultural efficiency.
Political Developments
Gradually, regional kingdoms grew to become solidified, where regional kingdoms grew to become solidified.
King Phillip II, France, made legislative body: Estates-General
Holy Roman Empire was federation of territories founded by King Otto I and crowned emperor by Pope. Another decentralized state
Concordat of Worms: Separated church from state (secular authority).
King John of England was forced to sign Magna Carta - milestone for constitution & checks and balances.
Hundred Year's War demonstrated growing use of gunpowder spread west and brought on nationalism.
Religious Developments
Reconquista: Catholic church expelled Muslims from Spain.
The Great Schism marked the 1st division of Christianity, where:
Roman Catholic West Europe.
Orthodox East Europe (Greece - Russia).
Catholic Church was the MOST powerful institution in Europe. Dominated literacy, established 1st universities, and persecuted those who spoke out.
Crusades: A pretty much failed. However, it: Weakened the power of Catholic church, increased the power of regional monarchs, and sparked off Renaissance.
Renaissance
A reemergence of literature, art, global connection, and development during which Individuals (Humanism) put more emphasis on science & Philosophy.
Gutenberg Printing Press mass printed books. Played key role in spreading of knowledge.