AP World History: Ultimate Guide Notes

Unit 1: The Global Tapestry

Review of History Within Civilizations

• Rise of new states after classical civilization collapse
• Development of long-distance trade

Overview of World's Major Religions in 1200

• Events connected to religion
• Major religions: Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism

Buddhism

• Founded by Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)
• Spread across India, China, Southeast Asia, Japan
• Split into Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism
• Rejects caste system; spread via trade routes

Christianity

• Based on teachings of Jesus of Nazareth
• Spread across Europe, Northeastern Africa, Middle East
• Became official religion of Roman Empire

Confucianism

• Founded by Confucius in China
• Focus on social order and relationships

Hinduism

• Dominant in India
• Belief in Brahma and reincarnation

Islam

• Founded by prophet Muhammad; based on Quran
• Spread rapidly in Middle East

Judaism

• Hebrew Bible; first monotheistic faith

Developments in the Middle East

• Abbasid Dynasty and Golden Age
• Decline due to internal rivalries and Mongol invasions

Developments in Europe

• Middle Ages and Feudalism
• Emergence of Nation-States: Germany, England, France, Spain, Russia

Developments in Asia

China

• Song and Ming Dynasties; Confucian influence
• Neo-Confucianism developed

Japan

• Feudal Japan structure: Emperor, Shogun, Daimyo, Samurai

India

• Islamic Delhi Sultanate
• Rajput Kingdoms

Southeast Asia

• Khmer Empire and Angor Wat

Developments in Africa

• Spread of Islam in North Africa
• Hausa Kingdoms

Developments in Americas

• Major civilizations: Maya, Incas, Aztecs

Unit 2: Networks of Exchange

Height of the Middle Ages

• Growth of trade and urbanization
• Hanseatic League and Crusades

Rise and Fall of the Mongols

• Genghis Khan's expansion
• Influence on global trade and culture

Mali and Songhai

• Mali's wealth in gold
• Songhai's cultural influence

Chinese Technology

• Song Dynasty advancements in bureaucracy and transport

Trade Networks and Cultural Diffusion

• Major trade routes: Hanseatic League, Silk Road, Trans-Saharan
• Spread of the Bubonic Plague

Indian Ocean Trade

• Dominated by Persians and Arabs

Silk Road

• Key trade route from China to Mediterranean

Expansion of Religion and Empire

• Spread through trade, war, and missionaries

Unit 3: Land-Based Empires

Major European Developments

• The Renaissance: humanism, art, printing press
• Protestant Reformation: Martin Luther, Calvinism
• Scientific Revolution: Copernicus, Galileo

European Rivals

• Spain, Portugal, England, France, Germany, Russia

Islamic Gunpowder Empires

• Ottoman and Mughal Empires

Africa

• Songhai, Kongo, Angola's histories

Isolated Asia

• China and Japan's policies

Unit 4: Transoceanic Interconnections

European Expansion

• Explorations by Portugal and Spain
• Treaty of Tordesillas

New World Empires

• Spanish conquest of Aztecs and Incas

Encomienda System

• Hierarchical colonial society

African Slave Trade

• Exploitation and conditions of enslaved people

Columbian Exchange

• Transatlantic transfer of goods, people, and ideas

Commercial Revolution

• Joint-stock companies and mercantilism

Unit 5: Revolutions

The Enlightenment

• Philosophers: Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Voltaire

Enlightenment Revolutions

American Revolution

• Independence from Britain

French Revolution

• Overthrow of monarchy; rise of Napoleon

Latin America

• Independence movements in Haiti, South America, Mexico

Industry and Imperialism

• Industrial Revolution and its global impact

Unit 6: Consequences of Industrialization

Search for Natural Resources

• Colonization for raw materials
• Impact on environment

European Justification

• Social Darwinism and "White Man's Burden"

Imperialism in India

• British East India Company and Sepoy Mutiny

Imperialism in China

• Opium Wars and spheres of influence

Imperialism in Africa

• Berlin Conference and colonial divisions

Unit 7: Global Conflict

World War I

• Causes, alliances, and Treaties

Russian Revolution

• Bolsheviks and Lenin

World War II

• Axis vs. Allies, Holocaust, and aftermath

Cold War

• US and Soviet tensions

Unit 8: Cold War and Decolonization

Communism and Conflicts

• Korean and Vietnam Wars

Decolonization Movements

• Independence in India, Africa, and Middle East

Unit 9: Globalization

International Terrorism

• War in the Gulf, Al Qaeda and 9/11

World Trade

• NAFTA, EU, and global trade agreements

Environmental and Health Challenges

• Global warming, epidemics, and technology's impact

These notes provide an overview of key historical events and developments. They cover the rise and fall of empires, the spread of religions, significant revolutions, and the impact of industrialization and globalization on world history.