AP World History: Unit 2 (1200-1450)

Overview

• Focus on the period 1200 to 1450.
• Examination of how various states and empires were connected through networks of exchange.
• Networks facilitated not just economic interaction but also cultural diffusion and transfers.

Major Networks of Exchange

1. Silk Roads
2. Indian Ocean Network
3. Trans-Saharan Trade Network

General Developments

• Geographic expansion of networks.
• Innovations in commercial practices and technology.
• Increased connectivity led to wealth and power for states.
• Rise and fall of powerful states and cities.

Silk Roads

• Connected Eurasia: Focus on luxury goods (e.g., Chinese silk, porcelain).
• Expansion due to increased demand for luxury items.
• Innovations:
  • Transportation technologies: Caravan Sarai (safety, cultural exchange).
  • Commercial practices: Money economies (paper money, flying money system), credit systems.
• Rise of trading cities: Example of Kashgar.

Indian Ocean Network

• Maritime trade expanded significantly with monsoon winds understanding.
• Traded common goods (e.g., textiles, spices) and luxury goods.
• Innovations:
  • Magnetic compass, astrolabe, and Chinese junk ships.
  • Commercial practices similar to Silk Roads.
• Growth of states: Example of Swahili city-states.
• Establishment of diaspora communities: Arab and Persian in East Africa.
• Cultural diffusion: Spread of Islam, emergence of Swahili language.
• Role of Zheng He in technological and cultural transfers.

Trans-Saharan Trade Network

• Expansion due to new camel saddles.
• Increased wealth and power: Example of the Mali Empire.
• Conversion to Islam and participation in Dar al-Islam networks.
• Mansa Musa's role in trade and wealth.

Effects of Increased Connectivity

Cultural Consequences

• Spread of religions: Buddhism into China via Silk Roads.
• Literary and artistic transfers: Example of the House of Wisdom.
• Scientific and technological transfers: Gunpowder spread.
• Rise and fall of cities: Hangzhou (rise) vs. Baghdad (fall).
• Travelers and their accounts: Ibn Battuta's travels and writings.

Environmental Consequences

• Crop transfers: Champa rice in China, leading to population growth.
• Disease transfers: Bubonic plague spread along trade routes.

The Mongol Empire

• Largest land-based empire, replaced powerful empires (Song, Abbasid).
• Enhanced trade networks and safety (Pax Mongolica).
• Technological and cultural transfers under Mongol rule.
  • Greek and Islamic knowledge to Europe.
  • Adoption of Uyghur script for policy and diplomacy.

Study Resources

• AP World History Heimler Review Guide for a comprehensive study approach.
• Videos and note guides to help with practice questions and exams.