AP World History Notes

Unit 1 (1250-1400)

1.1 Contextualization

Song Dynasty (960-1279)

• Leading example of diversity and innovation in Afro-Eurasia and Americas during the 13th century.
• Wealth and political stability under its rule.
• Tang Dynasty was the previous dynasty, which fell to Manchuria leading to the Song.
• Manchuria created the Jin Dynasty with conquered land.

Political

• Government based on imperial bureaucracy.
• Emperor Song Taizu established the Civil Service exam.
• Bureaucratic system seen as a meritocracy.
• Bureaucracy led to financial issues due to high payments to officials.

Economic

• Encouraged foreign trade through the grand canal.
• Innovations: Gunpowder and Champa rice (from Vietnam), increased population.
• Proto-Industrialization: rise of artisans and craftsmen.
• Cities like Changan, Hangzhou, Guangzhou became trade centers.

Social

• Scholar gentry: educated in Confucianism, influential class.
• Foot Binding: a status symbol, later banned in 1912.
• Wood Block printing: increased accessibility of text.

Religion

• Religious diversity with Buddhism, Daoism, and several forms of Buddhism like Theravada, Mahayana, Tibetan.
• Neo Confucianism: blended Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism.

Japan, Korea, Vietnam

• Japan: Heian Period; influenced by China, feudalism present.
• Korea: Influenced by China; aristocracy stronger than in China.
• Vietnam: More independence for women; loyalty focused on villages over empire.

1.2 Developments in Dar-Al Islam

Mamluks

• Mamluk Sultanate (1250-1517): Prosperous trade but declined with new sea routes.

Abbasid Caliphate

• Seljuk Turks: Conquered parts of the Middle East.
• Crusaders: Christian soldiers launched to reopen access to holy sites.

Innovations

• Prominent figures: Nasir Al-Din Al Tusi (mathematics, trigonometry), Aishah al-Bauniyyah (poet).
• House of Wisdom: A library for global knowledge exchange.

1.3 Developments in South and Southeast Asia

Hinduism and Caste System

• Hinduism: Polytheistic, belief in reincarnation.
• Caste System: Social hierarchy based on birth.
• Buddhism: Offered equality, contrasting the caste system.

South Asia

• Dheli Sultanate: Muslim rule, imposed Jizya tax on non-Muslims.
• Vijayanagara Empire: Reestablished Hinduism after brief Muslim influence.

Southeast Asia

• Influenced by Hinduism and Buddhism.
• Srivijaya and Majupat empires: Controlled trade routes and imposed taxes.

1.4 Developments in the Americas

Mayan Civilization

• Decentralized city-states with advanced mathematics and writing.

Aztec Empire

• Known for human sacrifice and tribute system.
• Capital: Technotilan.

Incan Empire

• Strong military and centralized bureaucracy.
• Economy based on the mita system.

Mississippian Culture

• Hierarchical society near the Mississippi River.

Chaco and Mesa Verde

• Built large stone structures and cliff-side homes.

1.5 Developments in Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa

• Swahili civilization: Prosperous due to location and trade.
• Zimbabwe, Hausa Kingdoms, Ethiopia: Various centers of trade, culture, and religion.

1.6 Developments in Europe

Byzantine Empire

• Eastern Orthodox Christianity.
• Fall led to the rise of the Ottoman Empire.

Feudalism and Manorialism

• Peasants bound to the land.
• 3-field system: Agricultural innovation.

England

• Magna Carta and English Parliament: Early steps towards limiting monarchy.

Hundred Years War

• Fostered a sense of unity and demonstrated gunpowder's impact.

Renaissance

• Revival of arts and culture.
• Printing Press: Revolutionized communication.

Unit 2 (1250-1400)

2.1 The Silk Roads

• Facilitated trade of luxury goods across Eurasia.
• Innovations in commerce and transportation.

2.2 The Mongol Empire

• Created Pax Mongolica, enhancing trade and safety.
• Empire divided into four regions post-Genghis Khan.

2.3 Indian Ocean Trade Network

• Expanded due to the decline of the Mongol Empire.
• Innovations like the magnetic compass and astrolabe.

2.4 Trans-Saharan Trade Routes

• Expanded trade across Africa.
• Growth of empires like Mali, known for wealth and learning.

2.5 Cultural Consequences

• Increased cultural diffusion across regions.
• Rise of syncretic religions and increased spread of technologies.

2.6 Environmental Consequences

• Spread of crops like bananas and Champa rice.
• Black Death: Spread through trade routes, decimating populations.

Unit 3 (1450-1750)

3.1 Gunpowder Empires

• Ottoman, Safavid, Mughal, Qing: Expanded using gunpowder technology.

3.2 Administration in Empires

• Methods to consolidate power, like the Devshirme System in the Ottoman Empire.

3.3 Belief Systems

• Protestant Reformation: Challenged Catholic Church's practices.
• Sikhism: Emerged as a blend of Hindu and Islamic practices.

Unit 4 (1450-1750)

4.1 Maritime Technology

• Innovations like the caravel and astrolabe enabled exploration.

4.2 Causes for European Exploration

• Economic recovery and desire for Asian spices.
• Rise of trading post empires like Portugal's.

4.3 Columbian Exchange

• Exchange of diseases, crops, and animals between east and west.

4.4 Establishment of Maritime Empires

• European powers established colonies and trading posts globally.

4.5 Economics of Empire Building

• Mercantilism and Joint-Stock Companies fueled empire expansion.

4.6 Challenges to State Power

• Resistance to colonial powers, like Queen Ana Nzinga's Resistance in Africa.

4.7 Changing Social Hierarchies

• Introduction of social systems like the Casta System in Spanish colonies.

Unit 5 (1750-1900)

5.1 The Enlightenment

• New political and scientific ideas emerged, challenging traditional beliefs.

5.2 Nationalism and Revolutions

• Led to revolutions in America, France, Haiti, and Latin America.

5.3 Industrial Revolution Begins

• Shift from agrarian to industrial economies.
• Innovations like the steam engine.

5.4 Spread of Industrialization

• Railroads and steamships facilitated trade and migration.

5.5 Technology of the Industrial Age

• Key inventions like the telegraph and Bessemer process.

5.6 Government-Sponsored Industrialization

• Efforts in countries like Egypt and Japan to modernize.

5.7 Economics of the Industrial Revolution

• Rise of trans-national corporations and stock markets.

5.8 Reactions to the Industrial Economy

• Political, social, and urban reforms in response to industrialization.

5.9 Society and the Industrial Age

• Changes in social classes and gender roles due to industrialization.

Unit 6 (1750-1900)

6.1 Rationales for Imperialism

• Motivations included nationalism, scientific racism, and Social Darwinism.

6.2 State Expansion

• European powers expanded into Africa and America.

6.3 Indigenous Resistance to Imperial Expansion

• Examples of resistance include the Cherokee Nation and the Sepoy Rebellion.

6.4 Global Economic Changes

• Colonies transformed into export economies.

6.5 Economic Imperialism

• Opium Wars: British exerted economic control over China.

6.6 Causes of Migration

• Economic changes and opportunities led to global migration.

6.7 Effects of Migration

• Gender roles shifted, and nativism led to immigration restrictions.

Unit 7 (1900-present)

7.1 Shifting State Power

• Decline of empires like the Ottoman and Qing, rise of new governments.

7.2 Causes of World War 1

• Factors included militarism, alliances, imperialism, and nationalism.

7.3 Conducting World War 1

• New warfare strategies and US involvement.

7.4 Global Economy Between World Wars

• Economic instability and recovery efforts like the New Deal in the US.

7.5 Unresolved Tensions After World War 1

• Treaty of Versailles and the implications for Germany and colonial territories.

7.6 Causes of World War 2

• Rise of fascism and totalitarian regimes in Germany and Italy.

7.7 How World War 2 Was Fought

• Alliances, technological advancements, and key events like the atomic bomb.

7.8 Mass Atrocities in the 20th Century

• Genocides and mass killings, including the Holocaust.

Unit 8 (1900-present)

8.1 Context for Cold War and Decolonization

• Post-WW2 power dynamics, rise of the US and USSR.

8.2 The Cold War

• Ideological conflict between the US and USSR, impact on global politics.

8.3 Effects of the Cold War

• Alliances, nuclear proliferation, and proxy wars.

8.4 Spread of Communism After 1900

• Communism spread in China, Vietnam, Cuba, and Egypt.

8.5 Decolonization After 1900

• Independence movements in India, Africa, and Asia.

8.6 State Building After Decolonization

• New nations struggled with internal conflicts and economic challenges.

8.7 Global Resistance to Established Power Structures

• Non-violent resistance movements led by figures like Gandhi and Mandela.

8.8 End of the Cold War

• Economic challenges in the USSR led to reforms and eventual dissolution.