AP World History Unit 1 Review: Circa 1200 to 1450

Overview

• Focus on major civilizations and how they build and maintain their state.
• "State" refers to a politically organized territory under one government.

China: Song Dynasty (960-1279)

• Confucianism Revival
  • Emphasized Neo-Confucianism with a hierarchical societal structure.
  • Filial piety: obedience to family and ancestors.
  • Women's roles became more restricted (e.g., foot binding).
• Imperial Bureaucracy
  • Expanded under Song rule.
  • Civil service exams based on Confucian texts to hire officials based on merit.
• Economy
  • Commercialization: producing more goods than consumed, traded porcelain and silk.
  • Agricultural innovation: introduction of Champa rice led to population growth.
  • Infrastructure: Expansion of the Grand Canal.

East Asia Influences

• Korea, Japan, Vietnam
  • Influence from Chinese traditions (e.g., civil service exams, Buddhism).

Buddhism in East Asia

• Spread from India to China
  • Adapted forms like Mahayana Buddhism encouraged broader participation.
  • Teravada in Sri Lanka focused on monastic practices.

Dar al-Islam

• Islamic Caliphates
  • Abbasid Caliphate (centered in Baghdad) declined, replaced by Turkic Empires (e.g., Seljuk Empire).
  • Sharia law and military administration continued under new Turkic rulers.
• Cultural and Scientific Advances
  • Contributions from scholars like Nasir al-Din al-Tusi (trigonometry).
  • Preservation of Greek and Roman texts.
• Spread of Islam
  • Through military expansion, trade, and Sufi missionaries.

South and Southeast Asia

• Religions
  • Decline of Buddhism in South Asia, Hinduism remained dominant.
  • Islam spread through the Delhi Sultanate.
  • Bhakti Movement in Hinduism emphasized devotion to one god.
• State Building
  • Delhi Sultanate struggled to impose Islam on Hindu population.
  • Hindu resistance in Rajput Kingdoms and Vijayanagara Empire.
  • Southeast Asia influenced by trade and interactions with China and India.

Americas

• Mesoamerica: Aztecs
  • Large Empire with tribute systems; Human Sacrifice part of religion.
• Andes: Incas
  • Highly centralized state with elaborate bureaucracy.
  • Mit'a system for public service.
• Mississippian Culture
  • Large-scale agriculture around the Mississippi River.
  • Known for Monumental Mounds.

Africa

• East Africa: Swahili Civilization
  • City-states based on trade, influenced by Islam and Arab language.
• West Africa
  • Centralized empires like Ghana, Mali, Songhai, and decentralized Hausa city-states.
• Great Zimbabwe
  • Trade-based economy; maintained indigenous religion.
• Ethiopia
  • Christian state among Islamic and indigenous African states.

Europe

• Religion
  • Dominated by Christianity (Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic).
  • Influence of Muslims on the Iberian Peninsula.
• State Building
  • Feudalism: Decentralized system with Lords and Vassals.
  • Manorialism: Economic system with serfs working the land.
  • Monarchs began gaining power post-1000 CE.

Summary

• Unit 1 covered the development and organization of states across the world and how belief systems influenced societies.
• Various civilizations used different methods to maintain and expand their influence and power during 1200-1450.