AP World History Unit 1 Review (1200-1450)

Introduction

• Time Period: Circa 1200-1450
• Focus: Major civilizations and how they built and maintained states
• Definition: State - A territory politically organized under a single government

Song Dynasty China

Rule and Governance

• Time Period: 960-1279
• Methods of Rule:
  • Emphasis on Neo-Confucianism
    • Revival of Confucianism rid of Buddhist influence
    • Hierarchical society: Citizens submit to state, juniors to elders
    • Filial piety: Importance of honoring family elders
  • Expansion of Imperial Bureaucracy
    • Civil service exams based on Confucian classics
    • Jobs based on merit rather than connections

Impact on Women

• Limited legal rights and social restrictions
• Practices like foot binding as a status symbol

Economy

• Commercialization and trade (Porcelain and Silk)
• Introduction of Champa rice for agricultural surplus
• Expansion of the Grand Canal for trade facilitation

Influence on Neighboring Regions

• Korea, Japan, and Vietnam influenced by Chinese traditions, including Buddhism and civil service exams

Dar al-Islam

Key Changes and Continuities

• Decline of Abbasid Caliphate, rise of Turkic empires (Seljuk Empire)
• Continued military rule and establishment of Sharia law

Cultural and Scientific Contributions

• Advances by scholars like Nasir al-Din al-Tusi (trigonometry)
• Preservation of Greek philosophy in the House of Wisdom

Expansion of Islam

• Through military expansion, trade, and Sufi missionaries

South and Southeast Asia

Belief Systems

• Major religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam
• Decline of Buddhism in its birthplace; rise of the Bhakti movement in Hinduism
• Islam spread through the Delhi Sultanate

State Building

• South Asia:
  • Delhi Sultanate's struggle to impose Muslim rule
  • Rajput Kingdoms' resistance
  • Vijayanagara Empire's Hindu revival
• Southeast Asia:
  • Majapahit Kingdom: Buddhist, trade via sea routes
  • Khmer Empire: Transition from Hinduism to Buddhism (e.g., Angkor Wat)

Americas

Mesoamerica

• Aztec Empire: Tribute system, Tenochtitlan, human sacrifices

Andean Civilizations

• Inca Empire: Centralized bureaucracy, mita system for labor

Mississippian Culture

• Agriculture-focused, organized around large towns and monumental mounds

Africa

East Africa

• Swahili Civilization: Commerce-driven, Islamic influences, Swahili language

West Africa

• Ghana, Mali, Songhai empires: Centralized states, trade-driven
• Hausa Kingdoms: Decentralized, trade-focused

Great Zimbabwe

• Trade-driven economy, maintained indigenous religion

Ethiopia

• Christian state, trade prosperity, hierarchical society

Europe

Belief Systems

• Dominance by Christianity: Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic
• Influence from Muslims and Jews

State Building

• Decentralization and feudalism
• Manorialism: Peasants bound to land, serfs not personal property
• Growth of monarch power post-1000 CE

Conclusion

• Diverse state-building efforts and belief systems across civilizations during 1200-1450
• Influence of trade, religion, and political structures on societies