AP WORLD HISTORY

Governance

  • run managed or controlled in society (1200 -1945)

  • government changed from mainly non representative to representative. This means citizens gained more control over how their government would run. One of the most common forms of the governance in the 14th and 13th and centuries was the MONARCHY. a single person has or most of the power. Queen, sultan or emperor. By the 16 hundred.

  • Head of state (someone lead the power ) Prime minister (set of powers) republic = head of state (limited control + power)

  • In the USA the senate originally elected by state legislators then changed to voted by people of the public (by 20th century). Kept growing.

  • France alternated between republic and monarchy. French republic formed until Nazi took over then become rep again

  • Imperialism (expansion to a empire of a new territory. New power. Pushing out existence of governance of the people already living there. Most European imperialists thought creating civilized regions. Justified European expansion

  • Example is the British took control of the Indian subcontinent. Australia and eastern Africa. Some instances some empires used existing governance that was already in place. Another is Mongol empire took much India in 16th century. Areas already controlled by zamindars control their pieces of territory. When British took control in 19th century Used same arrangement. In 20th century empires began to fracture and colony’s became independent and own governance. Imperialism led to intermingling of cultures and people


cultural development and interactions

cross cultural exchange - when ideas are shared across different cultures

this happened through trade, war

1200-1450 - trade routes played a big role in cultural exchange. Silk road stretched from china across Europe and Africa. This helped exchange of culture, art, language, literature, food and religion.


Mostly by person to person interactions. i.e trader to trader

1300 Marco polo travelled the silk route to china.

printing press in the 1340s invented. Word of mouth led to inaccurate stories. Printing press made information accurate

Literacy spread around the world. Even the poor became illiterate

The Colombian exchange is an example of cross cultural change and trading. Magellan and Francis drake traded jewelry with indigenous people along the route

spread of empires often was the driver or had financed the exploration. society was forcing its own culture on another

Spains conquest in 1842 led to significant territorial expansion in the Americas, as they imposed their language, religion, and customs on indigenous populations, further exemplifying the dynamics of cultural exchange and conflict during this period. Spanish priest destroyed writing from indigenous.

cultural syncretism when u blend culture. Creole and mesijo culture. This has led to fusions of cultural known as multiculturalism. Others believed it will lead to loss of national identity.



South Asia And Southeast Asia

India = Main religon HINDUISIM

Hinduism

I. Polytheistic belief system that encompasses a wide variety of deities, rituals, and philosophies, allowing for diverse expressions of faith and worship among its followers.

  • Adherents believe in many gods, not just one

-Sets them apart from monotheistic religions like Judaism or Islam

II. Ultimate goal of believers is to reunite their individual souls to all pervasive world soul known as Brahman , which represents the ultimate reality and source of all existence in Hindu philosophy.

  • involves cycling through birth and death (reincarnation) to achieve

III. Provided the conditions for a unified culture in India

Hindu Caste System = social mobility is limited, as individuals are born into a specific caste that dictates their social status and occupational roles, thus influencing their opportunities for personal advancement and interactions with others.


Buddhism founded in India = Carried idea of cycle of birth and death and reincarnation

Ultimate goal: dissolve into the oneness of the universe , achieving nirvana and breaking free from the cycle of suffering and rebirth, which provided alternative spiritual paths to many seeking liberation from the rigid structures of the caste system.

Buddhism rejected the caste system. Equality for all was their belief

Hinduism was ethnic religion and closely tied to Indian culture, often emphasizing the importance of rituals, tradition, and social hierarchy in contrast to Buddhism's universalist approach. Additionally, while Hinduism focused on devotion to various deities and the pursuit of dharma, Buddhism emphasized personal enlightenment and mindfulness through meditation and ethical living.

Buddhism is as a universalizing religion

Islam = In 1206 Turkic Muslim invaders came into South Asia and set up a muslim empire known as the Delhi sultanate

Because in large parts of India the the Muslims were in charge, it became the religon of the elite, and then throughout Southeast Asia It spread rapidly among diverse populations, leading to significant cultural exchange and the blending of local traditions with Islamic practices.

I. Hinduism

  • Bhakti Movement = An influential devotional movement in medieval India that emphasized personal devotion to a single god, often breaking from traditional caste hierarchies and promoting social equality.

II. Islam = A more mystical, spiritual experience - based version of Islam thatencouraged a direct connection with the divine, often exemplified through Sufism, and appealed to individuals seeking a more personal and less institutionalized practice of faith.

III. Buddhism

  • Despite the original teachings of the Buddha emphasizing access to enlightenment for all people, by this time in South Asia it had become more and more exclusive


Muslims made Delhi sultanate

Rajput kingdoms existed before Muslim rule in India

Vijayanagara empire

  • A powerful South Indian empire that rose to prominence in the 14th century, known for its cultural and architectural achievements, as well as its role in resisting northern invasions. The empire eventually fell in the 17th century due to internal strife and external pressures, leading to the decline of Hindu power in southern India.

  • Mughal Empire: Established in the early 16th century, this empire marked a significant period in Indian history with its rich cultural amalgamation, monumental architecture, and the introduction of new administrative techniques, although it faced challenges from both internal rebellions and European colonial pressures.

Srijivaya empire

7 - 11 centuries ruled over a vast maritime trade network, significantly influencing Southeast Asia's economy and culture, particularly through the spread of Buddhism and Hinduism. Control over strait of Malacca. Taxes for ships passing through the strait

Majapahit Empire

Tributary system served as a means for the Majapahit Empire to exert influence over its neighboring states, maintaining a hierarchy and ensuring economic and political allegiance while facilitating trade relations across the region.

Sinhala Dynasties: Dominant power in Sri Lanka during this period, known for its rich culture and significant contributions to Buddhism, which played a key role in regional trade and cultural exchanges.

Khmer Empire: Renowned for its impressive architectural achievements such as Angkor Wat, this empire ruled much of Southeast Asia and was pivotal in spreading Hindu and Buddhist influences throughout the region, enhancing trade links and cultural exchanges.



Unit 2 Topic 1


Silk Roads

  • A vast network of roads and trials that facilitated trade and the spread of culture and ideas across Eurasia in and before the period 1200 - 1450


Luxury items were mainly traded along the silk road. Mainly Chinese silk and porcelain

Silk road grew because of commercial practices and innovations


Innovations in commercial practices

I. Development of Money Economies

  • Paper Money

II. Increasing use of credit

  • “Flying Money”

III. Rise of banks


With the introduction of paper money to facilities trade, a merchant could deposit bills in one location and then withdraw the same amount in another location thus increasing the ease of travel and the security of transactions


Transportation

I. Caravanserai

  • Provided safety from plunderers

  • Became centers of cultural exchange and diffusion

II. Saddles

  • Enabled the effective transportation of goods and people, allowing for increased trade along the Silk Roads and connecting diverse cultures.

III. Maritime innovation

  • Facilitated long-distance sea trade, greatly enhancing connections between distant civilizations and facilitating the movement of ideas, technology, and commodities across the oceans.


Kashgar : A crucial trading hub on the Silk Roads, serving as a meeting point for caravans and merchants, where diverse goods and cultures converged, contributing to the rich tapestry of interconnected societies. Built around river


With the increasing demand for interregional trade, Kashgar became a destination in itself hosting highly profitable markets and eventually became a thriving center for Islamic scholarship and culture, fostering exchanges that not only included commercial transactions but also the sharing of knowledge and religious ideas among various communities.


Samarkand: Another significant city along the Silk Roads, Samarkand served as a vital cultural and commercial center, renowned for its stunning architecture and vibrant markets where traders from different backgrounds gathered to exchange goods, ideas, and innovations. Cultural exchange


As demand grew for these luxury items, Chinese, Indian, and Persian artisans increased their production of these goods.


Proto - Industrialization

  • A process by which China began producing more goods than their own population could consume, which were then were sold in distant markets


Unit 2 Topic 2


Temujin = Genghis khan. Gobi desert

Genghis Khan united the Mongolian tribes and established a vast empire through innovative military strategies and effective governance.


Army organization

10,000

100

10

1000


Weaponry

Bow

  • A traditional weapon used for hunting and warfare, consisting of a curved wooden or composite frame with a taut string connecting its ends, allowing for the propulsion of arrows. Longer and larger bows, such as the longbow, were developed during this period, providing greater range and power, especially in battles.

  • Skillful horse rider


1258 Baghdad - the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate, was captured by the Mongols, marking a significant turning point in Islamic history and the decline of the Islamic Golden Age.


After chinghis khan death the mongol empire seperated into khanates taken by his grandsons


Kublai Khan - confucian style ruler


But arguably, the Silk Roads were never more organized and prosperous than they were under Mongol rules


Mongol Economies

I. Improved infrastructure

  • Built bridges and repaired roads

II. Increased communication

Yam system - a relay system of mounted couriers that facilitated rapid communication across vast distances in the empire.


Because it was the Mongol policy to send skilled people to all different parts of the empire, that movement encouraged the transfer of technology and ideas and culture


Mongol Transfers

I. Medical Knowledge

  • Greek/islamic scholars to western Europe

II. Adoption of Uyghur Script