Focus: Understanding how major civilizations around the world build and maintain their states.
Definition of State: A territory politically organized under a single government.
Major Civilizations and Developments
China
Dynasty: Song Dynasty (960-1279)
Methods of Rule:
Emphasis on Confucianism (Revival known as Neo-Confucianism)
Society seen as hierarchical.
Promotion of filial piety and proper societal roles.
Influence on the role of women, who were legally and socially restricted.
Imperial Bureaucracy: Expansion allowed for civil service exams based on Confucian classics.
Influence: Chinese traditions influenced Korea, Japan, and Vietnam.
Economy:
Commercialization: Production of excess goods like porcelain and silk.
Agricultural innovations, e.g., Champa rice, led to population growth.
Expansion of the Grand Canal facilitated trade.
Dar al-Islam
Empires: Transition from Arab-dominated Abbasid Caliphate to Turkic-dominated empires like the Seljuk Empire.
Islamic Influence:
Sharia law and military-dominated administrations.
Cultural and scientific contributions, e.g., trigonometry by Nasir al-Din al-Tusi.
Expansion:
Military conquest, merchant activity, and Sufi missionary work spread Islam.
South and Southeast Asia
Religions:
Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam shaped societies.
Bhakti Movement: Emerged in South India, promoting devotion to one deity.
State Building:
South Asia: Dominated by the Delhi Sultanate, with resistance from Hindu kingdoms like the Rajput Kingdoms.
Southeast Asia: Maritime and land-based empires, e.g., Majapahit and Khmer Empires.
Americas
Civilizations:
Aztec Empire: Tribute-based system with Tenochtitlan as a major city.
Inca Empire: Centralized government using the Mit'a system.
Mississippian Culture: Mound-building society.
Africa
Civilizations:
Swahili City-States: Trade-based cities along East Africa’s coast.
West African Kingdoms: Ghana, Mali, and Songhai empires driven by trade.
Great Zimbabwe: Wealthy through gold trade, retained indigenous religion.
Ethiopia: Christian state amidst Islamic and indigenous religions.
Europe
Christianity:
Dominated by Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox branches.
Feudalism:
Decentralized political structure involving lords and vassals.
Manorialism: Economic and social system where peasants worked land owned by lords.
Key Themes
The balance between continuity and change in belief systems and state structures.
Influence of trade and religion on cultural exchange and state power.
Conclusion
Understanding these foundational aspects of each region helps to grasp the historical context and evolution of global civilizations around the period 1200-1450.