AP World History Unit 1 Review Notes

Overview

• Time Span: 1200 to 1450
• Major Themes:
  • Growth of major civilizations
  • Influence of world religions
  • Technological innovations (e.g., gunpowder, paper)
  • Decline of smaller states, localized beliefs, and older technologies

State Building

• Definition: Organized political community under one government (e.g., United States, Canada)
• Main Theme: How states built and maintained control over populations

Comparisons in State Building

Song Dynasty (China)

• Golden Age: Continuation from Tang Dynasty
• Technological Advances:
  • Gunpowder, Grand Canal improvements
  • Introduction of Champa rice (early maturing, flood-resistant)
• Cultural Progress:
  • Revival of Confucianism
  • Expansion of civil service examination (meritocracy)

Abbasid Caliphate

• Decline: Fractured by invaders
• New Muslim States:
  • Sultanate of Delhi (India): Difficulty converting large population to Islam
  • Mamluk Sultanate (North Africa): Established by enslaved military class

Other Regions

• South Asia:
  • Vijayanagara Empire and Chola Kingdom used trade for state building
• Africa:
  • Kingdom of Mali centralized power, gained wealth under Mansa Musa
• Americas:
  • Aztecs used tribute system; Incas used Mita system (mandatory public service)
• Europe:
  • Initially feudal system; rise of centralized monarchs

Religion and State Building

• Islam: Unifying force through shared beliefs and language (Arabic)
• Confucianism: Stabilizer in Song China, used for governmental justification
• Hinduism and Buddhism: Power consolidation, caste system in South Asia
• Catholicism: Organizational structure in Europe, power struggles with emerging political states

Spread of Major Religions

• Christianity, Islam, Buddhism: Conversionist strategies using missionaries
• Military Invasion and Conversion:
  • Delhi Sultanate in India, partial conversion to Islam
• Trade as a Conversion Medium:
  • Cultural exchange along Sahara Desert and Indian Ocean

Technological Exchanges

• Champa Rice: From Vietnam to China, supporting population growth
• Paper Manufacturing: Spread from China, increasing literacy and learning
• House of Wisdom (Baghdad): Center for study and translation

Role of Nomadic Peoples

• Mongols: Large empire, facilitated trade and cross-cultural interaction
• Decline of Nomadic Influence: Rise of organized merchants and traders

• Additional Resources: Detailed topic videos available for further exploration
• Instructor: Laura from AP World History Cram Course
• Goal: Achieve an "A" in the course and a "5" on the exam