AP World History Unit 1 Lecture Notes

The focus is on understanding how major civilizations around the world were building and maintaining their states.

Introduction to States

State Definition: A territory politically organized under a single government, not like a U.S. state (e.g., Ohio).
Purpose: Understand the structure and function of states around the world.

Timeline: 960 to 1279.
Main Methods of Rule:
- Confucianism and Neo-Confucianism:
  - Revival from Tang Dynasty, known as Neo-Confucianism.
  - Emphasized hierarchy and social roles, filial piety.
  - Women's Subordination: Limited legal rights, social restrictions like foot binding.
- Imperial Bureaucracy:
  - Expanded bureaucracy based on merit through civil service exams.
  - Bureaucratic jobs based on merit, not social status.
Influence on Neighbors: Korea, Japan, Vietnam influenced by Chinese traditions (e.g., bureaucracy, Buddhism).
Economy:
- Growth from Tang and Sui prosperity.
- Champa Rice: Early maturation rice from Champa Kingdom, led to population growth.
- Commercial Economy: Porcelain and silk trade, expansion of the Grand Canal.

Key Regions: Areas where Islam was the central organizing principle.
Religions: Judaism, Christianity, Islam (monotheistic).
Islamic States:
- Abbasid Caliphate: Decline by 1200, rise of Turkic empires (Seljuk, Mamluk, Delhi Sultanate).
- Seljuk Empire: Central Asia, power shift from Arabs to Turks.
Cultural and Scientific Innovations:
- Advances in mathematics (e.g., trigonometry by Nasir al-Din al-Tusi).
- Preservation of Greek texts.
Methods of Expansion:
- Military, merchants, Sufi missionaries.

Belief Systems: Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam.
State Building:
- Delhi Sultanate (Muslim rule in Northern India), Rajput Kingdoms (Hindu resistance).
- Vijayanagara Empire: Southern Hindu kingdom.
Southeast Asia:
- Majapahit (Buddhist Kingdom in Java), control of sea trade.
- Khmer Empire: Hindu-Buddhist elements, Angkor Wat.

Aztec Empire:
- Founded in 1345, capital Tenochtitlan.
- Tribute system, human sacrifices.
Inca Empire:
- Centralized bureaucracy, mita system (labor service).
Mississippian Culture:
- Large towns, agriculture, burial mounds.

East Africa:
- Swahili Civilization: Trade cities along the coast, influenced by Muslims.
- Swahili Language: Hybrid between Bantu and Arabic.
West Africa:
- Ghana, Mali, Songhai: Centralized empires, conversion to Islam.
- Hausa Kingdoms: City-states, trade in trans-Saharan network.
Great Zimbabwe:
- Trade-based wealth, maintained indigenous religion.
Ethiopia:
- Christian kingdom, trade-based, hierarchical society.

Belief Systems:
- Dominated by Christianity (Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic).
- Kievan Rus: Adoption of Eastern Orthodox Christianity.
Political Organization:
- Feudalism: Lords and vassals, manorialism.
- Manorialism: Agriculture-based economy, serfs tied to land.
- Decay of Feudalism: Rise of centralized monarchies.