AP World History - Unit 1 Summary

Overview

• Time Period: Circa 1200 to 1450
• Main Idea: Explore major civilizations around the world focusing on state-building and maintenance.
  • State: A territory politically organized under a single government (e.g., United States, Japan).

China: Song Dynasty

Political and Social Structures

• Confucianism Revival: Neo-Confucianism revived to justify and maintain rule.
  • Hierarchical society structure.
  • Emphasis on filial piety.
• Place of Women:
  • Subordinate position under Confucianism.
  • Social restrictions (e.g., limited education, foot binding).

Bureaucratic Expansion

• Imperial Bureaucracy: Grew to maintain rule.
  • Civil service examinations based on Confucian classics.

Influence on Neighboring Regions

• Korea, Japan, Vietnam: Influenced by Chinese traditions (e.g., civil service exams, Buddhism).

Economy

• Commercialization: Increased production and trade of goods like porcelain and silk.
• Agricultural Innovations: Introduction of Champa rice leading to population growth.
• Transportation: Expansion of the Grand Canal facilitated trade.

Islamic World: Dar al-Islam

Religious and Cultural Influence

• Islam: Dominant in various regions (e.g., Abbasid Caliphate in Baghdad).
• Monotheistic Religions: Judaism, Christianity, Islam coexisted.

Political Changes

• Turkic Empires: Rise of Seljuk, Mamluk, Delhi Sultanate dominated by Turkic people.
• Seljuk Empire: Established by Turkic pastoralists, played a key role in territorial expansion.

Innovations and Contributions

• Scientific and Cultural: Advances in mathematics, philosophy, and translations of Greek works.
• Sharia Law: Continued as a legal system.

Expansion of Islam

• Military, Merchants, and Sufis: Spread through military conquest, trade, and missionary work.

South and Southeast Asia

Religious Influence

• South Asia: Hinduism and Islam majorly influential.
• Bhakti Movement: Emphasized personal devotion in Hinduism.
• Southeast Asia: Buddhism and Islam dominated.

Political Structures

• Delhi Sultanate and Hindu Resistance: Struggled to impose Muslim rule.
• Rajput Kingdoms and Vijayanagara Empire: Resistance to Muslim expansion.

Americas

Mesoamerica

• Aztec Empire: Large, tribute-based empire with Tenochtitlan as capital.

Andean Civilization

• Inca Empire: Centralized with the mita system for state projects.

Europe

Belief Systems

• Christianity: Dominated by Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodox Christianity.
• Muslim and Jewish Influence: Minor yet significant in certain regions.

Political Structures

• Feudalism: Decentralized political system with Lords and vassals.
• Manorial System: Economic system with serfs working the land.

Africa

East Africa

• Swahili Civilization: Trade-based city states, influenced by Islam.

West Africa

• Empires: Ghana, Mali, Songhai influenced by trade and Islam.

Great Zimbabwe

• Economic Power: Trade-based wealth, maintained indigenous religion.

Ethiopia

• Christianity: Unique among African states, hierarchical society.

• Use these notes to review the key concepts and prepare for examination on Unit 1. Further details and expansions on these topics can be found in additional resources and study guides.
• Unit 1 focuses on state-building and the spread of major religions and cultural practices across different regions.