AP World History Unit 1 Notes (Circa 1200 to 1450)

Overview

• Focus: Major civilizations and their state-building efforts around the world.
• Definition of "state": A politically organized territory under a single government (not U.S. states).

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China: The Song Dynasty (960 - 1279)

Key Methods of Rule

1. Confucianism

   • Neo-Confucianism: Revival influenced by Buddhism.
   • Emphasized hierarchical society:
     • Citizens submit to state.
     • Women submit to men.
     • Importance of filial piety.
   • Women in Song China:
     • Stripped of legal rights.
     • Limited education.
     • Practice of foot binding.

2. Imperial Bureaucracy

   • Hierarchical government structure.
   • Civil service exams based on Confucian teachings, theoretically open to all men.
   • Encouraged meritocracy but favored the wealthy.

Influence on Neighboring Regions

• Korea, Japan, and Vietnam adopted Confucian examination systems and Buddhism.

Buddhism in Song China

• Originated in India; spread to China.
• Four Noble Truths of Buddhism:
  1. Life is suffering.
  2. Suffering arises from craving.
  3. Suffering ceases when craving ceases.
  4. Follow the Eightfold Path to cease craving.
• Mahayana Buddhism: Broader participation; focus on bodhisattvas.

Economic Developments

• Increased prosperity and population growth.
• Commercialization: Overproduction of goods for trade.
• Key goods: Porcelain and silk.
• Agricultural Innovations: Introduction of Champa rice (early maturing, drought-resistant).
• Transportation Innovations: Expansion of the Grand Canal.

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Dar al-Islam: Islamic Civilization

Overview

• Refers to all regions where Islam was the organizing principle.
• Major religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Changes in Islamic Empires

• The Abbasid Caliphate began to fragment.
• Rise of Turkic empires such as the Seljuk Empire.

Cultural and Scientific Innovations

• Advances in mathematics and philosophy (e.g., Nasir al-Din al-Tusi).
• Preservation and translation of ancient Greek works in the House of Wisdom, Baghdad.

Expansion of Muslim Rule

1. Military expansion (e.g., Seljuks, Mamluks, Delhi Sultanate).
2. Trade and influence of Muslim merchants.
3. Sufi missionaries promoting Islam.

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South and Southeast Asia

Influence of Religions

• South Asia: Hinduism dominant; Islam gained influence with the Delhi Sultanate.
• Bhakti movement: Emphasized devotion to a single deity, challenging existing hierarchies.

State Building

• Delhi Sultanate faced resistance from Hindu kingdoms (e.g., Rajput Kingdom).
• Vijayanagara Empire: Founded by former Hindu emissaries who returned to Hinduism.
• Southeast Asia: Interaction with China and India shaped local empires.
  • Example: Majapahit Kingdom (Buddhist).

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The Americas

Mesoamerica

• Aztec Empire (founded 1345): Tribute states, human sacrifice.

Andean Civilization

• Inca Empire: Centralized state with bureaucracy; labor system (Mita) for state projects.

Mississippian Culture

• Early civilization in North America along the Mississippi River.

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Africa

East Africa: Swahili Civilization

• Cities focused on commerce and trade, influenced by Muslim traders.
• Emergence of the Swahili language (Bantu + Arabic).

West Africa:

• Centralized empires: Ghana, Mali, Songhai, influenced by trade and Islam.
• Many indigenous beliefs remained despite elite conversion to Islam.

Great Zimbabwe

• Wealthy state focused on agriculture and trade, maintained indigenous beliefs.

Ethiopia

• Christian state amidst Islamic surroundings, hierarchical structure.

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Europe

Belief Systems

• Dominated by Christianity (Eastern Orthodox in the Byzantine Empire; Roman Catholic in Western Europe).

State Organization

• Fragmented and decentralized structure (feudalism).
• Lords and vassals; manorialism as main economic system.
• Serfs bound to land, not personal property of lords.

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Conclusion

• Unit 1 highlights the complexity of state building and the influence of belief systems from 1200 to 1450 across various regions.