1.7 State-Building Processes from c. 1200 to c (study flashcards attached)

Essential Question

• How were state-building processes in different parts of the world between c. 1200 and c. 1450 similar and different?

Overview of State-Building (c. 1200 - c. 1450)

• Centralized, more powerful states emerged globally while smaller states declined.
• Variability in state-building processes across regions:
  • Asia: Military strength of Mongols formed largest land-based empire.
  • West Africa, Middle East, South Asia: Religion of Islam pivotal in state-building.
  • Europe: Internal and external trade influenced state development.

State-Building & New Empires

• Asia:

  • Song Dynasty (China): Continued technological and cultural progress.
  • Abbasid Caliphate: Fragmented but led to new Muslim states.
  • Chola Kingdom & Vijayanagar Empire: Utilized trade for strong states; Delhi Sultanate was land-centric.

• Africa:

  • Mali Empire: More centralized than predecessors like the Empire of Ghana.

• Americas:

  • Aztecs: Established a tributary empire via military strength.
  • Inca Empire: Implemented mit'a system for state support; many areas lacked centrality.

• Europe:

  • Decline of feudalism led to stronger centralized states in Western realms (England & France).
  • Compared to Eastern Europe, Western Europe showcased clearer state centralization.

• Japan: Notable for increasing decentralization and feudalism.

Role of Religion in State-Building

• Religion significantly impacted state unity and political control:
  • Islamic World: Shared beliefs and Arabic language helped legitimize rulers across regions.
  • China (Confucianism): Connected to civil service; the Song Dynasty’s bureaucracy facilitated governance across vast territories.
  • East Asia: Neo-Confucianism spread to Korea and Japan, enhancing rulers' political powers.
  • South & Southeast Asia: Hinduism and Buddhism assisted in strengthening states.
  • Europe: The Church’s role fluctuated, at times aiding or competing with emerging states.

Diffusion of Religions

• Major religions (Islam, Buddhism, Christianity) promoted conversion efforts, affecting local beliefs:
  • Islamic military incursions induced Hindu conversions in South Asia, leading to tension and tolerance.
  • Trade networks across oceans facilitated religious spread.

State-Building Through Trade

• Increased trade stimulated cross-cultural exchanges:

  • Technological Innovations: E.g., Champa rice from Vietnam boosted Song’s population capacity.
  • Manufacturing Growth: China led in porcelain, silk, and steel production.
  • Literacy Increase: Spread of paper manufacturing led to enhanced literacy in Europe and the Islamic world.

• European-Middle Eastern Contacts: Crusaders vs. conquered Muslim lands; Mongol conquests spurred knowledge transfer.

Impact of Nomadic Peoples

• Nomads like the Mongols were influential in state building:
  • Mongolian dominance provided stability and expanded trade networks.
  • Established direct Europe-China contacts and encouraged cultural exchanges.
  • Turkish Peoples: Different groups established separate empires post-Mongol dominance.

Patriarchy and Religion

• Patriarchy remained predominant, with mixed implications through religion:
  • Convents offered women opportunities for leadership (Christian, Jain, Buddhist contexts).
  • Foot binding in China curtailed women’s rights.

Four Types of State-Building (c. 1200-c. 1450)

• Emergence of New States: New leadership arises in territories of previous empires.

  • Examples: Mamluk Empire, Seljuk Empire, Delhi Sultanate.

• Revival of Former Empires: Innovated continuation of past empires.

  • Examples: Song Dynasty (from Han), Mali Empire (from Ghana).

• Synthesis of Different Traditions: Local adaptation of foreign ideas.

  • Examples: Holy Roman Empire (from Roman), Neo-Confucianism.

• Expansion in Scope: Existing states expand influence through various means.

  • Examples: Aztecs, Incas, city-states in East Africa and Southeast Asia.