Whap Unit 1: Global Tapestry 1200-1450

Empire / Region

Song China

  • Politics:

    • Bureaucracy based on Confucian merit system with civil service exams.
    • Strong centralized state structure.

  • Economy:

    • Champa rice introduced leading to food surplus.
    • Heavy use of taxes and tributes to support the state.
    • Various trade routes including the Silk Roads and maritime trade facilitated economic exchange.

  • Culture:

    • Neo-Confucianism represented a blend of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism.
    • Innovations in art, printing, and literature marked this period.
Dar al-Islam

  • Politics:

    • Caliph served as both religious and political leader.
    • Region fragmented after the Mongol conquest of Baghdad in 1258.
    • Delhi Sultanate maintained military control over a majority Hindu population.

  • Economy:

    • Flourishing trade across the Silk Roads, Indian Ocean, and Trans-Saharan routes facilitated economic growth.
    • Development of banking and credit systems supported trade activities.

  • Culture:

    • Islam unified diverse regions, introducing advances in mathematics, science, medicine, and philosophy.
    • The Arabic language spread widely through scholarly texts.
West African Kingdoms (Mali)

  • Politics:

    • Kings, such as Mansa Musa, ruled with centralized power.
    • Islamic advisors and law influenced political decisions.

  • Economy:

    • Gold-salt trade via Trans-Saharan routes was vital for the economy.
    • Timbuktu emerged as a significant trade and learning center.

  • Culture:

    • Oral traditions (griots) played a key role in preserving history and culture.
    • While Islam spread, traditional beliefs remained prominent.
Europe (High Middle Ages)

  • Politics:

    • Feudalism characterized governance; monarchs shared power with the Catholic Church.

  • Economy:

    • The manorial system created self-sufficient farming estates.
    • Revival of trade through Mediterranean routes, leading to economic shifts.

  • Culture:

    • Gothic architecture flourished alongside the establishment of universities.
    • Scholasticism emerged as a key philosophical framework.
Americas

  • Politics:

    • Aztecs: Ruled through a tribute-based system from Tenochtitlán.
    • Incas: Established a centralized bureaucracy with extensive road networks and governors.

  • Economy:

    • Tribute collection from conquered populations was essential for the Aztec economy.
    • The Incas employed the mita labor system for public projects.

  • Culture:

    • Aztec religion involved polytheism and practices such as human sacrifice.
    • Inca spirituality centered around sun god worship and used quipu for recordkeeping.
SE Asia (Khmer Empire)

  • Politics:

    • Governed as a Hindu-Buddhist monarchy that maintained centralized authority.

  • Economy:

    • An agricultural economy was supported by large-scale irrigation projects and exports of spices.

  • Culture:

    • Angkor Wat serves as a significant cultural and religious symbol of this period, demonstrating the blend of Hindu and Buddhist influences.