Ap world

Religious Division
  - Split-Religious: East - Orthodox; West - Catholic
  - Judaism: Important but still a small minority and historically mistreated.
  - Catholic Influence: Predominates in Western Europe and impacts all aspects of society.
  - Islam's Influence: Particularly notable in Spain.

Feudalism: A decentralized system of governance which makes it challenging to run large states under centralized power.
- Serfdom: Serfs are bound to the land and unable to change their status.

Toward the End of Period 1: Shifts in social structure due to the effects of the plague.
- Labor Dynamics: With fewer people due to the plague, farmers began demanding some of their rights back, signaling the gradual decline of feudalism.

Divine Right of Kings: Emerges during the Black Plague, signifying a form of governance that does not depend on religious justification.
- Architecture as Power Symbol: The construction of monumental structures like the Palace of Versailles exemplifies wealth and power.
Protestant Reformation: A significant split within the Catholic Church initiated by figures like Martin Luther who formed new Christian denominations despite Catholicism.
- Emergence of Various Denominations: Includes Baptists and Methodists.

European Dominance: Western Europe begins to dominate the Americas during this period.
Columbian Exchange: Exchange of goods and diseases between the Old and New Worlds, enhances cultural and agricultural diversity.
- Notable Crops: Introduction of smallpox, corn, and potatoes occurs, drastically affecting populations in the Americas.

Growth of Maritime Trade: The Atlantic Ocean rises as a focal point for global trade, alongside the growing Indian Ocean trade routes.
  - Motives for Exploration:
    - Pursuit of wealth (gold, spices).
    - Spread of Christianity.
    - Innovations in navigation technologies, like the astrolabe and caravel.

Major Powers: Spain and Portugal lead first; followed by England, France, and the Netherlands.
Key Figures in Conquest:
- Hernan Cortes defeats the Aztecs.
- Francisco Pizarro defeats the Incas.
Resource Extraction: Colonies in the Americas primarily established for the extraction of resources (gold, silver, sugar).

Impacts of the Trade:
- 90% of enslaved individuals displaced for labor in the Americas.

Silk Roads:
  - Routes spanning Eurasia mainly facilitating luxury goods trade.
  - Key Goods: Chinese silk and porcelain.
  - Significant cultural and technological exchanges occurred, contributing to the growth of economies and cities like Kashgar.
Indian Ocean Network:
- The establishment of trade facilitated by monsoon winds and navigational advancements (magnetic compass, astrolabe, junk boats).
- Rise of states, particularly Swahili city-states due to trade connections.
Trans-Saharan Trade:
- Innovations such as the camel saddle enhanced trade capabilities.
- The Mali Empire notably converted to Islam and experienced prosperity, exemplified by leaders like Mansa Musa.

Religious Transfers: Buddhism spread to South Asia and China; the emergence of institutions like the House of Wisdom influenced intellectual advancements.
Travelers and Documentation: Ibn Battuta documented his experiences and travels extensively across several regions, providing insights into Islamic cultures.

Significance: Known as the largest African structure south of the pyramids, acting as a critical trading center towards the Swahili coast.

Mathematics: Development of algebra and trigonometry traced back to scholars in the Dar-al Islam.
Literature: Aisha al-Ba'uniyyah recognized as a prominent Islamic female writer.
Medicine: Noted medical scholars include Al-Razi and Ibn Sina, who advanced anatomical understanding.
Preservation of Knowledge: Institutions like the House of Wisdom and libraries in Timbuktu played critical roles in preserving and transmitting knowledge.

Major Religions: Dominant belief systems include Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism.
- Bhakti Movement: Seeks a personal relationship with Hindu deities.
- Sufism: Islamic mystics known for their spiritual practices and contributions to culture.

The Americas remained largely isolated until the onset of European exploration.
- Key civilizations include Tenochitlan, Cuzco, and the existence of cultural structures like Cahokia.

Mali: Predominantly Muslim, the richest empire in gold and salt trade, epitomized by Mansa Musa's reign.
Ethiopia: Notable for its Christian heritage and connection to the Indian Ocean trade network.

Key Regions: Includes Korea, China, and Japan; a notable focus on Song China which faced the end of its dynasty due to various internal and external pressures.
Cultural Contributions: Notable developments in bureaucracy, exemplified by the civil service exam and the concept of the Mandate of Heaven.
- Technological Advancements: Champa rice introduced to diversify and enhance agricultural output.
- Trade Structures: The Grand Canal facilitated trade between different regions, promoting economic prosperity in Song China.

Dar-al Islam: Represents regions where Muslims practice their faith freely; encompassing empires such as the Mamluks, Ottomans, and the Delhi Sultanate.
- Sufism: A mystical approach within Islam that emphasizes a personal connection with Allah; characterized by practices of dance and communal gatherings