Lecture Notes: AP World History Study Guide

Unit 1: The Global Tapestry (c. 1200 to c. 1450)

Developments in East Asia

• Song Dynasty: Wealth, political stability, and innovations.

  • Expanded manufacturing and commerce.
  • Spread of Buddhism and Confucianism.
  • Bureaucratic expansion led to greater social mobility.

• Economic Developments:

  • Grand Canal facilitated trade.
  • Gunpowder technology spread via Silk Roads.
  • Advancements in agriculture increased productivity and population.
  • Tribute systems supported economic stability.

• Social and Religious Structures:

  • Meritocracy-based bureaucracy.
  • Patriarchal society with practices like foot binding.
  • Religious diversity with Buddhism’s spread and the rise of Neo-Confucianism.

Developments in Dar al-Islam

• Innovations:

  • Advancements in math, literature, and medicine.
  • Merchants held high status.
  • Women had certain rights (e.g., property, remarriage).

• Cultural Transfers: Preservation of Greek philosophy and learning through the House of Wisdom in Baghdad.

Developments in South and Southeast Asia

• Political Structures:

  • More stable Southern India versus Northern India.
  • Delhi Sultanate introduced Islam.
  • Hinduism vs. Islam differences.

• Social Structures:

  • Caste system remained strong.
  • Bhakti Movement emphasized emotional devotion over rituals.

• Influence of South Asia on Southeast Asia:

  • Sea-based and land-based kingdoms like Srivijaya and Khmer.
  • Influence of Buddhism and Hinduism.

State Building in the Americas

• Civilizations:
  • Mississippian culture, Maya city-states, Aztec theocracy, and Incan mita system.
  • Importance of religious practices and tribute systems.

State Building in Africa

• Political Structures:

  • Kin-based societies and the influence of Islam.
  • Mali's rise through trade.

• Social and Cultural Structures:

  • Kinship and age as social organizing principles.
  • Griots preserved history orally.

Developments in Europe

• Feudalism:

  • Land-based wealth and self-sustaining manorial systems.
  • Growth of monarchies and centralized states.

• Religious Influence:

  • Great Schism split Christianity.
  • Crusades as religious and economic ventures.

• Renaissance:

  • Revival of classical culture.
  • Gutenberg's press revolutionized information dissemination.

Unit 2: Network of Exchange (c. 1200 to c. 1450)

The Silk Roads

• Causes of Growth:

  • Crusades and Mongol unification.
  • Technological and financial advancements.

• Effects:

  • Trade led to city growth and new financial systems.

The Mongol Empire

• Expansion and Governance:
  • Genghis Khan's conquests and religious tolerance.
  • Long-term impacts on trade and culture.

Indian Ocean Exchange

• Trade Networks:
  • Connected by Islam and demand for goods.
  • Diasporic merchant communities.

Trans-Saharan Trade Routes

• Wealth and Expansion:
  • Gold trade supported Mali's wealth and Islam's spread.

Cultural and Environmental Consequences

• Exchange Influence:
  • Spread of religions and scientific knowledge.
  • Environmental impacts like pandemics and urban growth.

Unit 3: Land-Based Empires (c. 1200 to c. 1450)

Gunpowder Empires

• Expansion and Rule:
  • Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal empires relied on firearms.
  • Cultural achievements and centralized bureaucracy.

Empires: Belief Systems

• Reformation and Scientific Revolution:
  • Protestant Reformation challenged Catholic Church.
  • Scientific methods and discoveries reshaped understanding.

Unit 4: Transoceanic Interconnections (1450 to 1750)

Technological Innovations

• Improvements:
  • Navigation and shipbuilding advancements.
  • Columbus's voyages connected continents.

Columbian Exchange

• Biological and Cultural Exchanges:
  • Diseases devastated indigenous populations.
  • Crops and animals transformed societies.

Maritime Empires and Economic Systems

• Empire Expansion:
  • Portuguese and Spanish conquests.
  • Establishment of new trade systems and labor types.

Unit 5: Revolutions (1750 to 1900)

Enlightenment and Nationalism

• Political Ideals and Movements:

  • Calls for liberty, equality, and nationalism fueled revolutions.

• Industrial Revolution:

  • Technological developments reshaped economies and societies.

Unit 6: Consequences of Industrialization

Imperialism and Resistance

• Motives and Reactions:
  • Nationalist and economic motives drove imperialism.
  • Indigenous resistance varied from armed conflict to negotiation.

Unit 7: Global Conflict (1900 to 1945)

World Wars

• Causes and Conduct:

  • Complex alliances and militarism led to WWI.
  • WWII defined by total war and global coalitions.

• Post-War Changes:

  • Treaties and economic plans aimed to prevent future conflicts.

Unit 8: Cold War and Decolonization

Cold War Dynamics

• Ideologies:

  • Capitalism vs. Communism defined global politics.

• Decolonization:

  • Former colonies sought independence through negotiation or conflict.

Unit 9: Globalization (1900 to Present)

Technological and Economic Changes

• Advancements:
  • Information technology and global trade reshaped economies.

Resistance to Globalization

• Social Movements:
  • Critiques of economic disparity and cultural homogenization.

These notes capture the key points from each unit in the AP World History curriculum, highlighting significant developments, ideologies, and cultural exchanges that have shaped human history.