AP World History Unit 1 Overview

Time Period

• Circa 1200 to 1450
• Focus on the building and maintaining of states across the world.

Definition of a State

• A territory politically organized under a single government.

Chinese Civilization: Song Dynasty

• Song Dynasty (960-1279)
  • Revival of Confucianism into Neo-Confucianism.
  • Neo-Confucianism: Adapted Confucian thought, reducing Buddhist influence.
  • Established a hierarchical society: Citizens submit to the state; filial piety emphasized.
  • Women's roles: Subordinate position, legal rights restricted, social restrictions like foot binding.
  • Expansion of Imperial bureaucracy.
  • Civil service exams based on Confucian classics.
• Economic Developments
  • Commercialization: Production for markets across Eurasia.
  • Key goods: Porcelain and silk.
  • Innovations: Champa rice, Grand Canal expansion.

Influence on Neighboring Regions

• Neighboring regions like Korea, Japan, Vietnam were influenced by Chinese traditions (e.g., civil service exams, Buddhism).

Buddhism in Song China

• Spread from India, based on Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path.
• Different forms like Theravada (focus on monastic life) and Mahayana (broad participation).

Dar al-Islam

• Muslim Empires
  • Turkic empires like Seljuk, Mamluk, Delhi Sultanate rose as Abbasid caliphate waned.
  • Sharia law maintained as a legal system.
• Cultural and Scientific Contributions
  • Advances in math, preservation of Greek works in places like House of Wisdom in Baghdad.
• Expansion of Muslim Rule
  • Through military expansion, merchants, Sufi missionaries.

South and Southeast Asia

• Religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam influenced society.
• South Asia
  • Decline of Buddhism, rise of Hinduism and Islam.
  • Bhakti movement: Focused devotion to one Hindu god.
  • Delhi Sultanate: Muslim rule with Hindu resistance (e.g., Rajput Kingdoms).
• Southeast Asia
  • Dominance of Buddhism and Islam.

State Building in Americas

• Mesoamerica: Aztec Empire
  • Founded in 1345, expanded through tribute system.
  • Human sacrifices were integral to their religion.
• Andean Civilization: Inca Empire
  • Centralized with elaborate bureaucracy and Mitas system.
• Mississippian Culture
  • Known for agriculture and monumental mounds.

African Civilizations

• East Africa: Swahili Civilization
  • Trade-based city-states influenced by Islam.
• West Africa: Ghana, Mali, Songhai
  • Centralized empires driven by trade, Islamization mainly among elites.
• Great Zimbabwe
  • Wealth through trade, maintained indigenous religion.
• Ethiopia
  • Christian state, hierarchical society.

Europe

• Christianity Dominated
  • Eastern Orthodoxy in Byzantine Empire; Roman Catholicism in Western Europe.
  • Jews and Muslims also present.
• Political Structure
  • Feudalism: Decentralized states, allegiances between lords and vassals.
  • Manor system: Centered around land owned by nobility.
  • Gradual centralization of power.

This overview captures the essence of state development and cultural exchanges in various regions during 1200-1450. For detailed study, explore the specific civilizations and belief systems noted here.