AP World History Unit 1: Circa 1200 to 1450

Overview

• Focus on major civilizations worldwide and their state-building and maintenance.
• Concept of "state" in history: a territory organized under one government (not like US states).

State Building in China

Song Dynasty (960-1279)

• Confucianism Revival: Neo-Confucianism emphasized hierarchy; important for maintaining social order.
  • Filial piety important: children obey parents, elders.
  • Women's status declined: loss of legal rights, practice of foot binding as status symbol.
• Expansion of Imperial Bureaucracy: Civil service exams based on Confucian texts; theoretically open to all men, but realistically limited to wealthy.

Influence on Neighboring States

• Korea, Japan, and Vietnam influenced by Chinese traditions like Buddhism and civil service exams.

Economic Developments

• Commercialization: increased production and trade of goods such as porcelain and silk.
• Agricultural innovation: introduction of Champa rice led to population growth.
• Expansion of the Grand Canal facilitated trade and growth.

Dar al-Islam

Political Changes

• Decline of Abbasid Caliphate; rise of Turkic empires like Seljuk Empire.
• Ethnic Turks replaced Arabs as leaders.

Cultural and Scientific Contributions

• Preservation and enhancement of Greek and Roman knowledge.
• Notable figures: Nasir al-Din al-Tusi (mathematics and trigonometry).

Expansion of Islam

• Through military conquest, trade, and Sufi missionaries.
• Influence in Africa, South Asia, and other regions.

South and Southeast Asia

Religion

• South Asia: Decline of Buddhism; Hinduism remains dominant, Islam gains influence.
• Bhakti movement: Reform in Hinduism emphasizing devotion to one deity.
• Southeast Asia: Buddhism and Islam vie for dominance.

State Building

• South Asia: Delhi Sultanate struggles with Hindu majority; rise of Hindu kingdoms like Vijayanagara.
• Southeast Asia: Majapahit (sea-based, Buddhist) and Khmer Empire (land-based, Hindu and Buddhist).

Americas

Mesoamerica

• Aztec Empire: Expansion through tribute system; Human sacrifice as part of religion.

Andean Civilization

• Inca Empire: Centralized bureaucracy; Mita system for labor.

North America

• Mississippian Culture: Agriculture-based society; known for monumental mounds.

Africa

Swahili Civilization

• Independent city-states; influenced by Muslim trade.

West Africa

• Ghana, Mali, Songhai: Centralized empires, Islamic elite.
• Hausa Kingdoms: Decentralized, trade-based.

Great Zimbabwe

• Grew wealthy through trade, maintained indigenous religion.

Ethiopia

• Christian kingdom; hierarchical society.

Europe

Religious Influence

• Eastern Orthodox in Byzantine Empire; Roman Catholicism in Western Europe.
• Influence of Muslims and Jews.

Political Organization

• Feudalism: Decentralized system of Lords and vassals.
• Manorialism: Economic and social system centered around manors; serfs bound to land.
• Gradual centralization post-1000 CE.

These notes cover the main points from the AP World History Unit 1 lecture, highlighting state-building methods, influential belief systems, and key economic and political changes across various regions between 1200 and 1450.