AP World History Cram Chart Notes
Key Dates:
1200s: Mongol Empire expands across Asia.
1324: Mansa Musa's pilgrimage to Mecca demonstrates the wealth of the Mali Empire.
1347: Bubonic Plague begins, drastically reducing the population of Europe and Asia.
1492: Christopher Columbus arrives in the Americas, initiating European exploration and colonization.
1502: The first slaves are transported from Africa to the Americas, marking the beginning of the transatlantic slave trade.
1750: The Industrial Revolution begins in Great Britain, transforming economies and societies with new technologies.
1885: The Berlin Conference regulates European colonization of Africa, leading to the Scramble for Africa.
1914-1918: World War I erupts, significantly altering political landscapes worldwide.
1917: The Russian Revolution leads to the rise of the Soviet regime.
1939-1945: World War II occurs, encompassing global conflict and resulting in significant geopolitical changes.
1945-1991: The Cold War period, characterized by ideological conflict between Western powers and the Soviet Union.
Themes:
SOCIAL: Changes in social structures, including class and race dynamics.
POLITICAL: Emergence and fall of major empires and shifts in governance.
INTERACTION: Global exchanges of trade, culture, and diseases.
CULTURAL: Developments in technology, religion, and art across periods.
ECONOMIC: Changes in economic systems and global trade networks.
PERIOD 1: POST CLASSICAL (1200 - 1450)
Social
Feudalism: A system where vassals pledged loyalty to lords in exchange for land, creating hierarchical social structures.
Patriarchy: Dominance of men in social and political spheres, influencing family structures and societal norms.
Slavery: Continued institution of slavery across various civilizations.
Caste System: Prominent in Hindu society, dictating social status based on heredity and occupation.
Filial Piety: Emphasized respect for one's elders and ancestors, particularly in Confucian societies.
Political
Major Empires: Expansion of influential empires, including the Mongols, Song, Byzantines, and the Mali Empire.
Statebuilding: Societies focused on wealth acquisition and stability, leading to the solidification of governance forms.
Feudal Structure: Defined hierarchies illustrating power dynamics from king to serf.
Interaction
Diaspora: Movement of various cultural and religious groups such as Muslims, Chinese, and Jews, contributing to cultural exchange.
Champa Rice: Introduction of a fast-maturing rice variety that improved agricultural productivity.
Black Death: Catastrophic plagues leading to 25-50% of Europe's population loss.
Camel Transportation: Enhanced trade across the Sahara desert, facilitating economic interactions.
Cultural
Technological Advancements: Innovations like the compass and astrolabe improved navigation and trade.
Cultural Traditions: Confucian values of filial piety and yin and yang played a crucial role in societal cohesion.
Religious Practices: Spread of major religions including Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam, shaping cultures.
Economic
Trading Centers: Important hubs included Novgorod, Baghdad, and Venice, instrumental for trade networks.
Trade Routes: Silk Roads, Trans-Saharan routes, and Indian Ocean trade facilitated the exchange of goods like silk, spices, and slaves.
PERIOD 2: EARLY MODERN (1450 - 1750)
Social
Indentured Servants: Laborers working under contracts as a means of transportation to the Americas.
Racial Hierarchy: Systems identifying social status based on racial backgrounds (Mestizo, Mulatto, Creole).
Atlantic Slave Trade: Intensified the forced migration of Africans to the Americas.
European Nobility: A class that maintained significant power and privilege.
Political
Major Empires: Dominating maritime empires (Spanish, British, French) and land-based powers (Ottoman, Russian).
Colonialism: Expansion and control exerted by European nations over foreign regions.
Divine Right: The belief that monarchs derive authority from God, justifying their rule.
Interaction
Columbian Exchange: The widespread transfer of plants, animals, culture, humans, and ideas between the Americas and the Old World.
Disease Exchange: Indigenous populations suffer as European diseases decimate communities.
Agricultural Prosperity: Introduction of new crops enhanced food security and population growth.
Zheng He Expeditions: Chinese maritime explorations that expanded trade networks before isolation.
Cultural
Technological Advances: Developments in navigation and mapping improved sea exploration.
Renaissance Innovations: Rekindled interest in arts and sciences shaping cultural identity.
Missionary Activity: Religious missions aimed at conversion played critical roles in cultural exchanges.
Catholic Reformation: Counter-reforming movement aiming to rectify church abuses and solidify Catholic dominance.
Economic
Joint Stock Companies: Innovations in finance allowed for shared investment in expeditions and trade.
Atlantic Triangle Trade: Network linking Europe, Africa, and the Americas in trade cycles.
Silver Flow: Increased wealth from the Americas led to inflation issues in China, impacting economies.
Mercantilism: Economic theory advocating for government regulation of the economy to enhance state power.
PERIOD 3: MODERN (1750 - 1900)
Social
Feminism movements: Rise of movements advocating for women’s rights, particularly suffrage.
Labor Unions: Collective groups aiming for workers' rights amidst industrial exploitation.
Abolitionist movement: Growing opposition to slavery, focusing on human rights.
Education: Expansion of universal education reflecting changing societal values.
Political
Major Empires: Global powers involved in imperialism (British, French, Russian) faced internal and external conflicts.
Ideological Revolutions: Events such as the American, French, and Haitian revolutions inspired political changes.
Enlightenment Influence: Philosophers like Locke and Voltaire provided ideas that influenced liberal democracy.
Interaction
Migration Patterns: Movement of unskilled laborers shaped demographics in industrialized nations.
Urbanization: Overcrowded cities formed as populations shifted due to the industrial revolution.
Colonial Expansion: Competing interests led to conflicts in Africa and Asia as European nations scrambled for colonies.
Cultural
Technological Advancements: Innovations such as railroads and steamships revolutionized transport and communication.
Cultural Revolutions: Artistic movements influenced societal views and philosophies.
Application of Enlightenment: Ideas inspired sociopolitical reforms and revolutions across the globe.
Economic
Industrialization: Factories and innovations like the steam engine transformed economies towards mass production.
Capitalism vs. Communism: Conflicting economic ideologies emerge, championing private property vs. communal ownership.
Laissez-Faire: Advocacy for minimal governmental intervention in economic affairs reflects new ideologies.
PERIOD 4: CONTEMPORARY (1900-present)
Social
Social Movements: The rise of civil rights and feminist movements advocating for equality and justice.
LGBTQ Rights: Growing visibility and activism for LGBTQ rights and acceptance.
Global Protests: Notable protests in 1968 and 1989 reflecting societal discontent and calls for change.
Political
Global Players: The United States and USSR emerge as superpowers, influencing global politics.
Wars and Independence: Key conflicts like WWI, WWII, and wars of independence reshape national boundaries.
Cold War Tensions: Ideological rivalry shapes international relations and conflicts globally.
Interaction
Health Crises: Pandemics like the Spanish flu and HIV/AIDS dramatically impact global health and policies.
Environmental Issues: Climate change becomes a pressing global concern, with pollution and higher emissions as major factors.
Apartheid Resistance: Movements against racial segregations, particularly in South Africa, highlight struggles for equality.
Cultural
Technological Innovations: Developments such as the internet and mass media transform global communication and culture.
Globalization: Increased interconnectedness among nations driven by trade, war, and media.
Economic
Great Depression: Severe economic downturn leading to global economic reforms and social welfare policies.
Communist and Capitalist Strategies: Contrasting economic models shape the global economy post-WWII.
Reform Movements: