AP World History Unit 2 Overview

Time Period

• 1200 to 1450
• Focus on connectivity between various states and empires

Networks of Exchange

• Key theme: Cultural diffusion and economic interaction
• Three major networks:
  • Silk Roads
  • Indian Ocean Network
  • Trans-Saharan Trade

General Developments (1200-1450)

• Expansion of networks' geographical range
• Innovations in commercial practices and technology
• Increased wealth and power for states participating in these networks
• Rise and fall of powerful states and cities

The Silk Road

• Location: Across Eurasia
• Goods Traded: Luxury goods (e.g., Chinese silk, porcelain)
• Innovations:
  • Caravanserai: Inns providing safety, cultural exchange
  • Commercial practices:
    • Money economies (e.g., paper money in China)
    • Forms of credit (e.g., banking houses in Europe)
• Key City: Kashgar, a trading city that gained power and wealth

Indian Ocean Network

• Location: Maritime trade routes
• Goods Traded: Common goods (textiles, spices) and luxury goods
• Technological Innovations:
  • Magnetic compass
  • Astrolabe
  • Ship designs like the Chinese junk
• Commercial Innovations:
  • Forms of credit
• Key City States: Swahili City States, which became Islamic and prosperous
• Diasporic Communities: Settlements of ethnic groups outside their homeland (e.g., Arab and Persian communities in East Africa)
• Cultural Influence: Spread of Islam, creation of Swahili language
• Notable Figure: Zheng He, Chinese maritime expeditions

Trans-Saharan Trade

• Key Innovation: Camel saddle
• Key Empire: Mali Empire, grew rich from gold trade
• Notable Leader: Mansa Musa, expanded Mali's wealth and trade influence

Consequences of Connectivity

Cultural

• Religious Spread: (e.g., Buddhism to China via the Silk Roads)
• Literary and Artistic Transfers: Greek and Roman classics translated in Baghdad
• Scientific and Technological Transfers: Gunpowder from China to Europe
• Cultural Travelers: Ibn Battuta, documented travels across Dar al-Islam

Environmental

• Crops: Transfer of Champa rice to China
• Diseases: Bubonic plague spread along trade routes

The Mongol Empire

• Largest land-based empire, replaced powerful empires
• Increased networks of exchange, provided safety (Pax Mongolica)
• Encouraged international trade, communication and cooperation
• Technological and Cultural Transfers:
  • Medical knowledge from Greek and Islamic scholars to Europe
  • Adoption of Uyghur script for policy and diplomacy

For further study, consider the AP World History Heimler Review Guide for comprehensive resources and exam preparation.