AP World History Units 1-8

Unit 1: 1200-1450
Major civilizations are growing larger, world religions continue to exert a huge influence on life and culture. This period is marked by significant events such as the rise of major empires, the expansion of trade routes, and the flourishing of technology. Technological innovations such as gunpowder and paper are emerging, while smaller states, localized religious beliefs, and older technology decline.
State Building: The concept of 'state' refers to an organized political community under one government. Key figures include Chinese emperors, Muslim caliphs, and regional leaders.
Focus on how states built themselves up and maintained control over varied populations.
Contrast Examples:

• Song Dynasty (960-1279): Considered China's Golden Age, an extension of the Tang Dynasty. Technological advancements include gunpowder and improvements to the Grand Canal. The introduction of Champa rice allowed for increased food production, resulting in a population explosion. Cultural progress was seen in the revival of Confucianism and the civil service examination.

• Abbasid Caliphate (750-1258): Faced fractures due to invaders, while new Muslim states arose from its decline, leading to changes in authority structures.
  Other State Building Examples:

• South Asia: Vijayanagara Empire (1336-1646) and Chola Kingdom.

• Africa: Kingdom of Mali's rise in the 13th century skewed towards regional trade.

• Americas: The Aztecs and Incas, both utilizing tribute and labor systems, respectively.

• Feudalism in Europe: A hierarchical society that starts to decline in favor of centralized monarchies.
  Future Impact: The emerging centralized states laid the groundwork for future nation-states and global interactions.

Unit 2: 1200-1450
Trade Routes:

• Silk Road: Connected East and West with major trading cities like Kashgar and Samarkand, facilitating trade in luxury goods, including silk. Prominent figures include merchants and travelers like Marco Polo.

• Indian Ocean Trade: Similar maritime trade networks with known adventurers like Admiral Zheng He.

• Trans-Saharan Trade: Key players included Islamic travelers bringing goods and faith to sub-Saharan Africa, impacting cultural exchanges significantly.
  Impact of Trade: The spread of diseases like the bubonic plague, and introduction of agricultural innovations such as Champa rice, evolving economies.
  Future Impact: Established foundations for global trade networks and cultural exchanges crucial to understanding modern economic systems.

Unit 3: 1450-1750
Gunpowder Empires:

• Ming Dynasty (1368-1644): Focused on Confucian ideals while improving bureaucracy. Notable rulers were the Hongwu Emperor and Yongle Emperor.

• Ottoman Empire: Key figures like Suleiman the Magnificent expanded the empire and instituted significant reforms.

• Mughals: Akbar the Great was known for religious tolerance, creating monuments like the Taj Mahal.

• Safavids: A Shia Muslim empire often in conflict with the Ottomans. Key figures include Shah Abbas.
  Belief Systems: The Protestant Reformation (1517) led by Martin Luther challenged the Catholic Church's practices, leading to an emerging trend of religious diversification.
  Future Impact: These empires influenced worldwide political and cultural landscapes still relevant today.

Unit 4: 1450-1750
Maritime Empires:

• Portuguese and Spanish Expansion: Key figures like Prince Henry the Navigator supported exploration, resulting in trade empires and resource extraction.

• Joint Stock Companies: The British East India Company established in 1600 and the Dutch VOC in 1602, allowed for wealth generation and colonial competition.

• Colombian Exchange: Exchange post-1492 had lasting impacts on both continents.
  Future Impact: Set the stage for globalization and economic systems driven by colonial legacies.

Unit 5: 1750-1900
Political Revolutions:

• Influenced by Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke. Revolutions include the American (1775-1783), French (1789-1799), Haitian (1791-1804), and Latin American Revolutions led by figures like Simón Bolívar.

• Industrial Revolution: Beginning in the late 18th century in Great Britain marked a shift towards capitalism and changes in labor systems.
  Future Impact: Revolutionized economies and class structures, leading to modern economic practices and sociopolitical ideologies.

Unit 6: 1900-Present
Global Conflicts and Their Impact:

• World Wars: WWI (1914-1918) and WWII (1939-1945) saw advancements in military technologies and significant geopolitical shifts.

• Cold War Era: The rivalry (1947-1991) between the U.S. and USSR influenced decades of foreign policy.

• Decolonization: Affected nations in Asia, Africa, and Latin America; figures like Gandhi and Kwame Nkrumah became symbols of the movement.
  Future Impact: These conflicts and movements have ramifications on international relations, national identities, and social structures.

Unit 7: Globalization
Technological Advancements:

• Innovations like the internet and shipping containers reshaped interactions.
  Social Changes: Movements for rights and equality gained momentum globally, influencing legislative changes and societal norms.
  Cultural Globalization: Western influences grew, while local cultures countered these trends, highlighting the dual narrative of global culture.
  International Institutions: The rise of organizations like the United Nations post-WWII to promote human rights and peace shifted international diplomacy.
  Future Impact: Understanding and addressing globalization's challenges is crucial for sustainable development in the future.

Focus

Unit 8: Contemporary Global Context
on the end of colonialism and the current state of global interconnections. This period reflects the significant transformations societies undergo in response to globalization, the influence of technology, and social movements driven by the quest for rights and equality.
Technological Advancements: Innovations in transportation and communication, such as the internet, shipping containers, and fast travel, have reshaped global interactions.
Social Changes: Movements for rights and equality, including feminisms and anti-colonial activism, emerged powerfully in many nations.
Cultural Globalization: Western influences have become predominant in global culture, shaping lifestyles, values, and societal norms. However, some societies have pushed back against these influences.
International Institutions: The establishment of the United Nations and various NGOs emerged to promote human rights and peace around the globe, helping to navigate conflicts and humanitarian issues.
Conclusion of Unit 8: Recognize key events in history that drive changes, continuities, and developments in global landscapes. Understanding this period shapes our present context, illustrating the importance of addressing historical legacies while navigating the complexities of modern global challenges.
Future Impact: The interconnections formed during this period have lasting implications for diplomacy, economics, culture, and social structures, emphasizing the need for cooperation in addressing global challenges such as climate change and inequality.