AP World History Unit 1 Lecture Notes

Overview

• Time Period: Circa 1200 to 1450
• Focus: Development of major civilizations and state-building
• State Definition: Organized political entity under a single government (e.g., USA, Japan)

China and the Song Dynasty

Key Features:

• Song Dynasty (960-1279): Emphasized Confucianism, introducing Neo-Confucianism.
• Confucianism: Hierarchical society; filial piety emphasized.
• Role of Women: Subordinate status; practices like foot binding.
• Imperial Bureaucracy: Used civil service exams based on Confucian texts.

Economic Developments:

• Commercialization: Manufacturing beyond domestic needs; major goods were porcelain and silk.
• Agricultural Innovations: Introduction of Champa rice, increasing food production and population.
• Transportation: Expansion of the Grand Canal for trade.

Influence on Neighbors:

• Korea, Japan, Vietnam: Influenced by Chinese traditions, such as the civil service exam and Buddhism.

Dar al-Islam

Islamic Empires:

• Abbasid Caliphate: Declined in power by 1200.
• Turkic Empires: Seljuk Empire, Mamluk Sultanate, Delhi Sultanate.

Cultural and Scientific Achievements:

• Scholars: Nasir al-Din al-Tusi (trigonometry), preservation of Greek works.
• House of Wisdom: Center of learning in Baghdad during Islam's Golden Age.

Expansion:

• Methods: Military, merchants, Sufi missionaries.
• Regions: Spread through Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia.

South Asia and Southeast Asia

Belief Systems:

• Main Religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam.
• Bhakti Movement: Devotion to one god, simplifying Hindu practices.

State Building:

• Delhi Sultanate: Difficulty in imposing Muslim rule.
• Rajput Kingdoms: Hindu resistance.
• Vijayanagara Empire: Hindu Empire in the south.

Southeast Asia:

• Majapahit Kingdom: Controlled sea trade routes.
• Khmer Empire: Hindu and Buddhist influences, exemplified by Angkor Wat.

Americas

Civilizations:

• Aztec Empire: Tribute system, extensive Human Sacrifice.
• Inca Empire: Mita system, centralized bureaucracy.
• Mississippian Culture: Known for mound-building.

Africa

East Africa:

• Swahili Civilization: City-states influenced by Muslim trade.
• Languages: Swahili (Bantu and Arab mix).

West Africa:

• Empires: Ghana, Mali, Songhai.
• Trade and Islam: Elites mostly converted to Islam.

Zimbabwe and Ethiopia:

• Great Zimbabwe: Wealth through trade, not Islamic.
• Ethiopia: Christian state with hierarchical structure.

Europe

Belief Systems:

• Christianity: Dominant religion with Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox branches.
• Islam and Judaism: Minor presence, often facing persecution.

State Structure:

• Feudalism: Decentralized political system.
• Manorialism: Economic system based on land and serf labor.
• Centralization: Monarchs began to centralize power after 1000 CE.

For further study, consider reviewing the AP World Heimler Review Guide for comprehensive resources to excel in exams.