APWWH Unit 1 Cheat Sheet part 1

EAST ASIA: OVERVIEW BY THEME

Political

• China (Song Dynasty):

  • Governed by a strong bureaucracy and meritocracy through civil service exams.

  • Focus on trained officials allowed for social mobility, even among peasants.

• Japan:

  • Influenced by Chinese Buddhism and Confucianism.

  • Developed a feudal system with landowning aristocrats (daimyo).

• Korea:

  • Incorporated Chinese political structures and Confucian belief systems.

  • Maintained its unique language, diverging from Chinese writing.

• Vietnam:

  • Similarities in adapting Chinese culture but less centralized and retained more independence for women.

Innovations/Tech

• Agriculture (China):

  • Innovations included the Grand Canal, Champa rice, and advanced irrigation systems.

• Technological advancements:

  • Gunpowder, steel, compass, and paper/writing technologies developed.

Economics

• Internal Trade:

  • Strongly facilitated by the Grand Canal, supporting a burgeoning economy.

• External Trade:

  • Engagement in trade across the Silk Roads and the South China Sea,

    • Key exports: porcelain, textiles, and tea, connected through a tributary trade system.

Cultural

• Philosophical influences:

  • Confucianism, Buddhism, Daoism, and the rise of Neo-Confucianism characterized intellectual life.

  • Woodblock printing and literature thrived in the educated population.

Environment

• Geographic strengths:

  • Rich in resources, especially coal; strategically located near tributary states and trade routes.

Society

• Social structure:

  • Class divisions: Scholar gentry, farmers, artisans, merchants, to urban poor.

  • Patriarchal norms with practices like foot binding emphasizing women's status.

Overview and Decline of the Song Dynasty

• The Song Dynasty established a system reliant on bureaucratic governance, facilitating the inclusion of educated officials.

• Innovations such as gunpowder and commerce expanded China's influence geographically through trade, significantly altering the Silk Roads dynamics.

• The dynasty's decline stemmed from internal corruption, infrastructural issues, and external pressures, notably from the Mongols.

DAR AL ISLAM: OVERVIEW BY THEME

Political

• Islamic Empire:

  • Includes various caliphates and eventually evolves into the Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal empires.

  • Political systems varied but shared a cultural unifying element.

Innovations/Tech

• Golden Age Contributions:

  • The House of Wisdom in Baghdad became a center for mathematical, astronomical, and philosophical advancements.

  • Significant contributions from scholars like Nasir al-Din al-Tusi in various fields.

Economics

• Trade Routes:

  • Encompassed the Silk Roads, Trans Sahara, and Indian Ocean Network helping spread Islam and foster economic growth.

  • Trade led to advancements in technology and broader cultural diffusion.

Cultural

• Intellectual and Cultural Achievements:

  • Promotion of literature, math, and law, laying groundwork for the European Renaissance.

  • Poetry and literature flourished with figures like 'A'ishah al-Ba’uniyyah.

Environment

• Cultural Centers:

  • Major cities like Baghdad and Cordoba emerged as vital hubs for learning and cultural exchange.

Society

• Social Structure:

  • Merchants held high status, with relative rights for women compared to other religions, allowed to own property and pursue education.

  • Slavery was practiced but had regulations concerning Muslim and protected peoples.

Overview and Decline

• The Islamic Empire thrived culturally, implementing educational and scientific advancements influencing global knowledge.

• The eventual fragmentation under the Mongols led to the rise of distinct empires, including the Ottomans and Mughals.

SOUTH and SOUTH EAST ASIA: OVERVIEW BY THEME

South Asia

• Regions:

  • Southern India: More stable, features notable dynasties like Chola and Vijayanagara.

  • Northern India: More turbulent, interactions with Islamic forces and the Delhi Sultanate.

Innovations/Tech

• Mathematical Developments:

  • Developments in geometry, algebra using Arabic numerals, and notable architectural achievements like the Qutub Minar.

Economics

• Trade Systems:

  • Connected through Indian Ocean routes and the Silk Roads, facilitating wider economic exchange.

Cultural

• Religious Dynamics:

  • Predominantly Hinduism and Buddhism before the emergence of Islam, which saw many conversions for various social reasons.

• Bhakti Movement:

  • A cultural push to promote Hinduism against the backdrop of increasing Islamic influence.

Society

• Caste System:

  • Rigid caste structures persisted, with merchants enjoying relative status improvements due to their economic role.

Southeast Asia

• Distinct Kingdoms:

  • Sea-based kingdoms (e.g., Srivijaya, Majapahit) and land-based kingdoms (e.g., Khmer Empire, Sinhala Dynasties).

• Cultural Diffusion:

  • Incorporated Hinduism, Buddhism, and later Islam, with significant developments in irrigation and architecture noted in the Angkor Kingdom.

GLOBAL TAPESTRY C. 1200-1450

• Key Developments:

  • Interconnectivity between regions led to cultural exchanges and advancements spanning multiple fields, with a focus on trade and knowledge.

• Continued Influence of Major Areas:

  • Emphasis on the socio-political and economic structures facilitating the spread of different cultures and beliefs.