Focus on the development and maintenance of states
Definition: A state is a territory organized under a single government
China: The Song Dynasty
Time Period: 960 to 1279
Methods of Rule:
Confucianism: Revival of Confucianism, termed Neo-Confucianism
Hierarchical society
Filial piety: Emphasis on children obeying elders
Impact on women: Loss of legal rights, foot binding
Imperial Bureaucracy: Expansion across the state
Civil service examination based on Confucian texts
Economic Developments:
Commercialization of the economy
Innovations in agriculture (e.g., Champa rice)
Expansion of the Grand Canal
Influence on Neighboring Regions: Korea, Japan, Vietnam
Dar al-Islam
Main Empires: Abbasid Caliphate, Seljuk Empire, Mamluk Sultanate, Delhi Sultanate
Cultural and Scientific Innovations:
Mathematics, trigonometry, preservation of Greek philosophy
House of Wisdom in Baghdad
Expansion Methods:
Military, merchant expansion, Sufi missionaries
South and Southeast Asia
Religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam
South Asia:
Decline of Buddhism
Bhakti Movement in Hinduism
Influence of Islam through Delhi Sultanate
Southeast Asia:
Influence of Buddhism and Islam
Majapahit Kingdom, Khmer Empire
The Americas
Mesoamerica:
Aztec Empire: Tenochtitlan, tribute system, human sacrifice
Andean Civilization:
Inca Empire: Mita system, centralized bureaucracy
Mississippian Culture:
Cahokia mounds, fertile agriculture
Africa
East Africa: Swahili Civilization
Trade, Islamic influence
West Africa: Ghana, Mali, Songhai
Trade-driven, Islamic elite
Great Zimbabwe: Trade-oriented, indigenous religion
Ethiopia: Christian state with hierarchical structure
Europe
Religion: Dominance of Christianity (Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic)
Political Organization:
Feudalism: Lords and vassal relationships
Manorialism: Serfdom and land-based economy
Decentralization: Fragmented states, growing power of monarchs after 1000 CE
Conclusion
Unit 1 covers state-building and belief systems across major civilizations during 1200-1450, providing a foundational understanding for further historical developments.