AP World History Unit 2 Notes

Overview

• Time Period: 1200 to 1450
• Focus on connections between states through networks of exchange (trade routes)
• Networks facilitated not just economic interaction but cultural diffusion and transfer

Major Networks of Exchange

1. Silk Roads

   • Stretched across Eurasia
   • Traded mainly luxury goods like Chinese silk and porcelain
   • High travel costs led to focus on luxury goods
   • Demand increased production by Chinese, Indian, and Persian artisans
   • Innovations:
     • Caravanserai: Inns along routes providing safety and cultural exchange
     • Commercial Practices:
       • Money economies using paper money (e.g., China's flying money system)
       • New forms of credit, such as bills of exchange
   • Rise of powerful cities: Example - Kashgar

2. Indian Ocean Network

   • Maritime trade, expanded significantly during this period
   • Understanding of monsoon winds enabled trade
   • Traded bulk goods like textiles and spices, as well as luxury goods
   • Technological Innovations:
     • Improved magnetic compass and astrolabe
     • New ship designs like Chinese junks
   • Commercial Practices: Similar to Silk Roads
   • Growth of States: Example - Swahili city-states
   • Cultural Effects:
     • Establishment of diaspora communities, e.g., Arab and Persian in East Africa
     • Language diffusion, e.g., emergence of Swahili
     • Zheng He's voyages spread Chinese technology and culture

3. Trans-Saharan Trade Network

   • Expanded with new transportation like improved camel saddles
   • Increased wealth and power of states like the Mali Empire
   • Mali grew rich from gold trade and taxes under Mansa Musa

Consequences of Increased Connectivity

Cultural Consequences

• Spread of Religions: Example - Buddhism spread to China via Silk Roads
• Literary and Artistic Transfers:
  • Islamic scholars translated Greek and Roman works, leading to the Renaissance
• Scientific and Technological Transfers: Spread of gunpowder

Environmental Consequences

• Transfer of Crops: Champa rice increased food production and population in China
• Spread of Disease: Bubonic plague spread through trading routes

The Mongol Empire

• Largest land-based empire, facilitating exchange and safety on trade routes
• Influenced rise and fall of empires (e.g., Song, Abbasid)
• Created conditions for economic and cultural exchanges (Pax Mongolica)
• Technological and cultural transfers, e.g., adoption of the Uyghur script

Study Resources

• AP World History Heimler Review Guide: Videos, practice questions, guides, and exams
• Additional Videos for more detailed help

This summary captures the key points from the lecture on AP World History Unit 2. Use this as a study aid to review important concepts for your class and exam preparation.