AP World History Study Guide Unit 1: The Global Tapestry

AP World History Study Guide Unit 1: The Global Tapestry (c. 1200 to c. 1450)

TOPIC 1.1 Developments in East Asia from c. 1200 to c. 1450

CHINA

• Significance of the Song Dynasty:   - The Song Dynasty (960-1279) rendered great wealth, political stability, and artistic/intellectual innovations.   - Developed the world’s greatest manufacturing capability.   - Transitioned to a commercialized society, moving from local to market production.   - Spread of Buddhism and Confucianism.   - Bureaucratic expansion through meritocracy led to increased social mobility.

• Economic Developments in Postclassical China:   - The Grand Canal: An efficient waterway transportation system that established China as the most populated trading area in the world.   - Gunpowder: Technology spread from China to Eurasia through traders on the Silk Roads.   - Agriculture: Utilization of irrigation systems and heavy plows with buffalo or oxen increased productivity, contributing to rapid population growth.   - Tributes: This system involved payments or goods from other states to honor the Chinese emperor, generating income.

• Social Structures in China:   - Government initiatives included aid to the poor and public hospitals for healthcare.   - Expectations for women's deference to men, exemplified through foot binding practices.

• Religious Diversity in China:   - Buddhism's arrival from India via Silk Roads introduced three forms: Theravada, Mahayana, and Tibetan.   - Neo-Confucianism evolved (770-840), synergizing rational thought with Daoism and Buddhism’s abstract ideas.

JAPAN

• Feudalism:   - Japan maintained a feudal society with no centralized government for centuries.   - Conflict among landowning aristocrats (daimyo) for territorial control; predominant population included rice farmers.

• Government:   - Establishment of a shogun in 1192 by the Minamoto family, initiating four centuries of regional rivalries.   - Central government unification did not occur until the 17th century.

KOREA

• Connection to China:   - Korea possessed a tributary relationship with China, adopting a centralized governance model reflecting Chinese practices.   - Culturally, there was adoption of Confucian and Buddhist beliefs.

• Aristocracy:   - Unlike China, Korea maintained a more potent landed aristocracy, hindering social mobility.

VIETNAM

• Social Structures:   - Vietnamese women enjoyed more independence compared to Chinese women under Confucianism.   - Preference for nuclear family structures (father, mother, children).   - Political centralization was largely absent; independent village governance was common.   - Merit-based bureaucracy of educated officials who were more loyal to local peasants than the emperor.

TOPIC 1.2 Developments in Dar al-Islam from c. 1200 to c. 1450

Innovations

• Advances in Mathematics: Nasir al-Din al-Tusi advanced trigonometry as a distinct subject.

• Advances in Literature: ‘A’ishah al-Ba’uniyyah recognized as a prolific female Muslim writer, focusing on mystical illumination.

• Advances in Medicine: Medical advancements and operational hospitals flourished in cities such as Cairo; licensing exams for medical practitioners and pharmacists were established.

Social Structures

• Islamic society put merchants at a higher social status compared to Europe and Asia.

• Trade revival on Silk Roads enabled merchants to accumulate wealth across the Indian Ocean and Central Asia.

• Status of Muslim Women: Higher than that of Christian or Jewish women, including rights regarding property, marriage, and divorce.

Transfers

• Preservation of Greek moral and natural philosophy in the House of Wisdom, Abbasid Baghdad.

• Cultural and scholarly transfers noted in Muslim and Christian Spain.

Islamic Rule in Spain

• Muslim invasion of Spain in 711 led to a rule lasting seven centuries.

• Umayyad rule in Córdoba promoted religious tolerance among Muslims, Christians, and Jews, along with trade expansion.

TOPIC 1.3 Developments in South and Southeast Asia from c. 1200 to c. 1450

SOUTH ASIA

• Political Structures: Southern India was politically stable under the Chola Dynasty (850-1267), while Northern India faced upheaval.

• Religion: Hinduism predominated before Islam’s arrival.

• Differences between Hinduism and Islam:   - Polytheism vs. Monotheism.   - Visual representations of deities vs. disapproval in Islam.   - Caste hierarchy in Hinduism vs. Islam's call for equality.   - Multiple sacred texts for Hindus vs. Quran as sole guidance for Muslims.

Social Structures

• Arrival of Islam did not significantly alter the structure of Indian society.

• The caste system remained resilient; attempts to escape caste proved largely ineffective.

• The Bhakti Movement: Emerged in the 12th century, focusing on emotional devotion rather than strict ritualism.

SOUTHEAST ASIA

• Influences from South Asia: Southeast Asia saw considerable influence from South Asian kingdoms, notably Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam.

• Sea-Based Kingdoms:   - Srivijaya Empire (7th-1025): Hindu kingdom based on Sumatra, profited from maritime control.   - Majapahit Kingdom (1293-1520): Predominantly Buddhist, controlled sea routes with significant tributaries.

• Land-Based Kingdoms:   - Sinhala Dynasties: Originated with early northern Indian migrations; emerged as a Buddhist study hub.   - Khmer Empire (802-1431): Not reliant on maritime power; developed advanced irrigation leading to significant prosperity.

TOPIC 1.4 State Building in the Americas

The Mississippian Culture

• First large-scale North American civilization centered in the Mississippi River Valley with a rigid social structure and matrilineal society.

The Maya City-States

• Height between 250 and 900 CE, ruled by city-state kings claiming divine lineage.

• Connection of science and religion rooted in astronomical studies.

The Aztecs

• Originating as hunter-gatherers; established Tenochtitlan in 1325.

• Development of an extensive tribute system and a theocratic government.

• Religion involved numerous deities, rituals, and human sacrifices, with significant roles for women in the tribute system.

The Inca

• Division into four bureaucratic provinces, reliant on the mit'a system (mandatory public service).

• Priests and systems for societal functions including diagnosis, crime solving, and sacrificial decisions.

• Agricultural advancements through terrace farming.

TOPIC 1.5 State Building in Africa

Political Structures in Inland Africa

• Development shaped by Bantu migrations, leading to kin-based community governance structures.

• Formation of districts with collective decision-making by village chiefs.

Structures of West and East Africa

• Trade exchanges fostering wealth, cultural diversity, and the spread of Islam contributing to the continent's religious dynamics.

• Mali: Emerged as a powerful trading society following the decline of Ghana and assumed control over trade.

• Zimbabwe: Economically rich through diverse production systems, particularly gold mining.

• Ethiopia: Flourished through trade with various regional powers, establishing Christianity in the region.

Social Structures of Sub-Saharan Africa

• Communities organized around kinship, age, and gender dynamics, with men dominating specialized skill roles while women engaged in agriculture.

• Enslavement of prisoners, debtors, and criminals was prevalent; increasing demand for enslaved labor in the Middle East fueled trade.

Cultural Life in Sub-Saharan Africa

• Traditional religions focused on ancestor veneration, with music and storytelling as vital cultural conduits.

TOPIC 1.6 Developments in Europe from c. 1200 to c. 1450

Feudalism: Political and Social Systems

• Security for peasants through feudalism, emphasizing land over cash and self-sufficiency via manorial systems.

Political Trends in the Later Middle Ages

• Monarchies grew stronger than feudal lords; King Philip II of France initiated a durable bureaucracy.

• Estates-General: A representative body aiding the monarchy, consisting of clergy, nobility, and commoners.

The Hundred Years’ War

• A prolonged conflict between England and France fostering national unity among soldiers.

Roman Catholic Church during the Middle Ages

• The Great Schism (1054) created division in Christianity.

• The Church held significant power and wealth, establishing European universities.

Christian Crusades

• Military campaigns initiated to reclaim the Holy Land, influenced by economic and social pressures.

Economic and Social Change

• Rise of the bourgeoisie and middle-class, towns grew, and anti-Semitism led to expulsions of Jews.

• Muslim communities faced discrimination, especially post-Conquest of Spain (1492).

TOPIC 1.7 Comparisons in the Period from c. 1200 to c. 1450

State-Building and New Empires:

• Continued progression in the Song Dynasty; Abbasid Caliphate fragmentation; centralized governance rising in Mali; tributary and mit'a systems structuring Aztec and Inca administrations. In Europe, feudal systems weakened in Western kingdoms but remained vibrant in Eastern territories; Japan followed a decentralized feudal route.

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

State-Building through Trade:

• Trade expansion spurred cross-cultural exchanges of technology, as seen with the spread of paper, increasing literacy and communication.

Patriarchy and Religion:

• The predominance of patriarchal societal structures persisted across cultures, albeit with opportunities for women in convent life and religious communities.

Unit 2: The Network of Exchange (c. 1200 to c. 1450)

TOPIC 2.1 The Silk Roads

Causes of the Growth of Exchange Networks

• The Crusades initiated broader exchange networks, bringing back Eastern fabrics and spices.

• The rise of the Mongol Empire unified extensive regions of the Silk Roads, enhancing trade protections.

• Transportation improvements, including effective saddles and advances in naval technology.

Effects of the Growth of Exchange Networks

• Cities along trade routes became trading hubs.

• China developed a new credit system (flying cash) to handle burgeoning trade.

• Luxury goods' demand surged, resulting in increased production and proto-industrialization in China.

TOPIC 2.2 The Mongol Empire and the Making of the Modern World

Genghis Khan

• Genghis Khan's conquests expanded the Mongol Empire significantly from the North China Sea to eastern Persia by 1227.

• His policies included religious tolerance and established trade routes fostering new connections across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.

Mongolian Empire Expands

• Genghis Khan's grandchildren expanded the empire into Europe and Asia; the Golden Horde conquered parts of Russia.

Long Term Impact of Mongolian Invasions

• Established systematic roads and preserved Greco-Islamic medical knowledge for future Europe.

• Shifted the balance of military techniques away from Western Europe's reliance on armored knights.

TOPIC 2.3 Exchange in the Indian Ocean

Causes of Expanded Exchange in the Indian Ocean

• The spread of Islam and rising product specialization fostered heightened trade activities.

• Advances in maritime technology, including better ships and navigational tools.

• Growth of states along trade routes supported institutional revenue collection.

Effects of Expanded Exchange in the Indian Ocean

• Factors fostering trade simultaneously turned into significant effects.

• Creation of diasporic communities as merchants engaged with surrounding cultures.

• Wealth concentrated in thriving East African city-states developed from Indian Ocean trade.

TOPIC 2.4 Trans-Saharan Trade Routes

Trans-Saharan Trade

• By the 8th century, the trade had gained notoriety, mainly involving gold.

• Wealth accumulation in West African kingdoms, primarily in Ghana and Mali.

• Introduction of Islam led to significant shifts in cultural practices.

West African Empire Expansion

• Mali capitalized on gold trade and taxed other commerce.

• Notable centers like Timbuktu and Gao arose as Muslim cultural hotspots.

• Need for effective governance spurred administrative developments in trade societies.

Synthesis of 13th Century Empires

Key Figures in 13th Century Empires

• Mansa Musa: Prominent figure in Mali; known for rich trade networks and pilgrimage to Mecca.

• Ibn Rushd: Influential Islamic philosopher.

• Maimonides: Noted Jewish legal scholar.

• Justinian: Byzantine ruler known for codifying Roman law.

• Vladimir I: Kievan ruler who converted to Christianity.

• Yaroslav I: Codified legal structures in Kievan Rus.

Cultural Consequences of Connectivity

Influence of Buddhism on East Asian Culture

• Buddhism's import into China from India, characterized by the 7th-century monk Xuanzang promoting its spread.

• In Japan and Korea, interaction with Buddhism and Confucianism took place, shaping social dynamics.

Spread of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam

• Through trade routes, Hinduism and Buddhism expanded to Southeast Asia, with prominent kingdoms like Srivijaya (Hindu) and Majapahit (Buddhist).

Scientific and Technological Innovations

• Islamic scholars preserved Greek works and contributed to various fields, including medicine and mathematics.

Environmental Consequences of Connectivity

• Population migrations in China led to increased urbanization and resource pressure.

• Environmental degradation resulted from agriculture expansion, urban growth, and overgrazing.

• The transmission of diseases, notably the Bubonic Plague, devastated populations across the regions.

Comparison of Economic Exchange in Diverse Networks

Similarities Among Networks of Exchange

• Silk Roads linked regions for luxury goods and cultural exchange.

• Indian Ocean routes exchanged bulkier goods, while trans-Saharan routes focused on high-value items like gold and salt.

Effects of Trade Routes

• Trading centers emerged as cords connecting exchanges.

• Rise of centralized governance evolved around taxation and safety of routes.

Unit 3: Land-Based Empires: 12%-15% of the AP Test (c. 1200 to c. 1450)

TOPIC 3.1 Empires Expand

Gunpowder Empires

• Definition: Gunpowder Empires denote multi-ethnic states utilizing firearms for territorial control, including the Russian, Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal Empires.

• Europe saw significant turning points in the mid-1400s, marking transitions post-plagues and conflict resolution in the Hundred Years' War.

Russia

• Closely linked to Europe with primary capitals in Europe; established under Mongol influence but derived from Viking trading practices.

• Ivan IV (Ivan the Terrible) sought territorial expansions to the east.

East Asia

• The Yuan Dynasty established by Kublai Khan fell to the Ming in 1368, replaced by the Qing Dynasty in 1644, which had distinct historical aspects from Japan and Korea.

Rise of Islamic Gunpowder Empires

• Commonalities included descent from Turkic nomads, reliance on gunpowder technologies, and opportunities from the Mongol Empire's breakdown.

TOPIC 3.2 Empires: Administration

Centralizing Control in Europe

• Divine Right of Kings: King James's assertion embodying royal authority’s divinely sanctioned nature.

• England's “justices of the peace” from the gentry contrasted with France's absolute monarchy emphasizing singular power.

• Key monarchs included Henry IV and Louis XIV, who established centralized governance structures.

Control of the Russian Empire

• Boyars (nobility) governed, with ascendant power struggles leading to serfdom’s entrenchment for debtors and peasants.

• Peter the Great: Russian leader initiating administrative reforms through provincial division and fostering Western practices.

Legitimizing Power through Religion and Art

• St. Petersburg exemplified European-style design, showcasing Peter's admiration for the West; Askia the Great endorsed Islam as a unifying force for governance in Songhai.

Architectural and Artistic Achievements in the Ottoman Empire

• Istanbul became a cultural epicenter as poets and scholars from diverse backgrounds converged.

• Restoration efforts of classical architecture reflected the empire's historic legacy.

TOPIC 3.3 Empires: Belief Systems

Protestant Reformation Overview

• Lutheranism: Martin Luther's objections led to reform through the posting of the 95 Theses, advocating for faith as the sole determinant for salvation.

• Calvinism: John Calvin's ideologies focused on predestination and governance by the elect, giving rise to Huguenots in France.

• Anglicanism: Emerged from Henry VIII's split with the Catholic Church over personal reasons, establishing significant church reforms.

Counter-Reformation Initiatives

• The Church implemented punitive measures through the Inquisition and established the Jesuit order for missionary work.

• The Council of Trent (1545-1563) reaffirmed Catholic beliefs and practices while addressing church abuses.

TOPIC 3.4 Comparison in Land-Based Empires

Military Might and Centralized Bureaucracy

• The Ottoman and Safavid empires utilized slave soldiers to maintain loyalty against tribal forces.

• Taxation models varied, with Ottomans taxing non-Muslims while the Safavids incentivized Shi'a adherence.

The Ming Empire

• Introduced systemic paper money, but effects led to economic inflation and the challenges of counterfeiting.

Unit 4: Transoceanic Interconnections: 12%-15% of the AP Test (c. 1200 to c. 1450)

TOPIC 4.1 Technological Innovations from 1450 to 1750

Developments in Transoceanic Travel and Trade

• Columbus's voyages linked the Atlantic continents, connecting Empire trade in sugar, tobacco, rum from the Americas; enslaved people from Africa; silk, spices, and rhubarb from Asia.

• Technological Advances: Improvements under Prince Henry the Navigator emphasized exploration along Africa’s Atlantic coast. Notably, useful in navigation and cartography for maritime expeditions.

TOPIC 4.2 Explorations: Causes and Events from 1450 to 1750

Comparing Transoceanic Voyages (c. 1300-c. 1800)

TOPIC 4.3 Columbian Exchange

Diseases and Population Catastrophe

• Indigenous Amerindians faced devastating germ exposure leading to extensive fatalities; notably, conquistadores introduced smallpox.

Animals and Foods

• Exchange of new livestock and grains enriched both European and Amerindian diets and farming practices.

Cash Crops and Forced Labor

• The demand for sugar led to the importation of enslaved peoples from Africa, mirroring earlier plantation economies.

• Detrimental working conditions severely affected enslaved laborers.

TOPIC 4.4 Maritime Empires Established

State-Building and Empire Expansion

• European expansion saw both consolidation and conflict in areas like Kongo, and disrupted trade in Swahili cities.

• Contrastingly, Japan restricted foreign influences, doubling down on isolation.

• After Zheng He’s explorations, Ming China sought to curtail outside interference.

Economic Policies and Changes

• Colonization post-Columbus initiated European mercantilism; autonomy reduced for indigenous populations under colonial rule.

TOPIC 4.5 Maritime Empires Maintained and Developed

Commercial Revolution

• Shift from land-based economies to trade-based systems defined nearly every significant economic interaction during this period.

• Inflationary trends impacted global trading dynamics due to increased monetary supplies.

TOPIC 4.6 Internal and External Challenges to State Power from 1450 to 1750

Internal and External Pressures

• Rebel movements within empires concerning governance, land, and societal structures emerged in colonies worldwide.

TOPIC 4.7 Changing Social Hierarchies from 1450 to 1750

Social Classes in Gunpowder Empires

• The Ottoman Empire escalated tensions among warrior aristocracies against the influential ulama (Islamic scholars). Greater tolerance aided inter-religious relationships.

European Hierarchies

• Nobility held significant influence in governance, particularly in England; Middle Class burgeoned amidst conflicts for power.

TOPIC 4.8 Continuity and Change from 1450 to 1750

Transoceanic Travel and Trade

• Integration of the Western Hemisphere into global transactions marked unprecedented shifts in economy and transport technologies.

• The emergence of the Atlantic System encapsulated broad economic and human exchanges.

Economic Changes

• Europe's engagement with Africa and Asia for resources led to changed agricultural and financial dynamics.