AP World Unit 1 Review

Names of Dynasties in this era – Song Dynasty, Yuan Dynasty, early Ming Dynasty

What are “traditional methods of Confucianism?” – Focus on hierarchy, social harmony, respect for elders, education, and merit-based civil service.

How did Chinese dynasties use an imperial bureaucracy to maintain and justify their rule? – By selecting officials through the civil service exam based on Confucian teachings, legitimizing their rule as based on merit and moral governance.

What are the core beliefs of Buddhism and how did Buddhism shape Chinese society? – Core beliefs include the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, and the pursuit of enlightenment; Buddhism shaped Chinese society through its influence on art, literature, and the creation of monasteries as centers of learning and charity.

How did Chinese dynasties use traditional methods of Confucianism to maintain and justify their rule? – They used Confucian ideals such as filial piety, loyalty, and the Mandate of Heaven to reinforce authority and order.

How and when did Buddhism reach China? Which branch was it? – Buddhism reached China via the Silk Roads during the Han Dynasty (1st–2nd century CE), primarily as Mahayana Buddhism.

Identify 2 technological innovations which helped the economy flourish under the Song dynasty AND explain how they did:

1. Champa rice – Increased agricultural productivity, leading to population growth.

2. Grand Canal expansion – Improved internal trade and transportation, boosting the economy.

1.2 Dar al-Islam 1200-1450

Define Dar al-Islam – The term meaning "house of Islam," referring to lands under Islamic rule.

Identify 2 Islamic beliefs and explain how each led to cultural or technological innovations:

1. Value of knowledge – Led to the establishment of libraries, universities (like House of Wisdom), and advances in medicine, astronomy, and mathematics.

2. Religious tolerance (in many cases) – Facilitated cultural blending and exchange of ideas with conquered peoples.

Describe 2 ways Islam spread to North India (use Turkish and Delhi Sultanate in 1 of your descriptions):

1. Through Turkish-speaking invaders like the Ghaznavids and Ghurids, who established Islamic rule.

2. Through the Delhi Sultanate, which ruled northern India and promoted Islam via cultural diffusion and administrative policies.

Describe 2 ways Muslim States and Empires encouraged significant intellectual innovations and transfers:

1. Translation movements – Translated Greek, Persian, and Indian texts into Arabic.

2. Centers of learning – Creation of institutions like Al-Andalus and the House of Wisdom, where scholars advanced science and philosophy.

1.3 South and Southeast Asia 1200-1450

Describe how Sufism influenced South and SE Asia – Sufis used a mystical approach to Islam, making it more accessible and appealing to local populations by incorporating indigenous traditions.

Describe how Buddhist Monasticism influenced S and SE Asia – Monasteries became centers of education, economic support, and cultural exchange, helping spread Buddhism.

Identify one Buddhist and one Hindu state in S and SE Asia:

Buddhist – Srivijaya Empire

Hindu – Vijayanagara Empire

1.4 Americas 1200-1450

Describe one way the Aztec & Incan governments maintained authority:

1. Aztec – Tribute system from conquered peoples.

2. Inca – Mit'a system requiring labor as a tax.

Describe one important feature of the Aztec & Incan social systems – Both had rigid social hierarchies with a powerful nobility and priesthood.

Describe one important feature of the Aztec & Incan cultural systems – Strong emphasis on religion, including human sacrifice (Aztecs) and ancestor veneration (Incas).

Describe one important feature of the Aztec & Incan economic systems – State-controlled economies where tribute (Aztec) and communal labor (Inca) supported the empire.

1.5 Africa 1200-1450

Describe 1 way the government maintained authority – Use of Islamic governance structures like Sharia law in Mali to legitimize rule.

Describe one important feature of its social OR cultural system – Strong kinship ties and clan-based social organization, with oral traditions (like griots) preserving history.

Describe one important feature of its economic system – Active participation in the trans-Saharan trade, especially in gold and salt.

1.6 Europe 1200-1450

What does it mean to say Europe was politically fragmented? What caused this political fragmentation? – Europe was divided into many small kingdoms and manors due to the collapse of centralized Roman authority and the need for local protection.

Draw the feudal pyramid –

1. King

2. Nobles

3. Knights

4. Peasants/Serfs

Define manorial system. How is this different to the feudal system? – Manorial system is the economic system based around self-sufficient manors; feudalism is the political/military system based on loyalty and land grants.

Define serfdom - explain the effects of agriculture on social organization in Europe – Serfdom was the labor system where peasants were tied to the land they farmed; agriculture led to a rigid class structure based on land ownership and labor.

Describe Eastern Europe – Eastern Europe was influenced by Byzantine culture and Orthodox Christianity and was less feudalized compared to Western Europe.

Explain how systems of belief affected European society – Christianity unified Europe culturally, provided justification for rulers' authority, and shaped education, art, and politics.

Explain the effects of agriculture on Europe – Led to population growth, urbanization, and economic revival through surplus production and trade.