AP World History Unit 1 Lecture Notes (c. 1200 - 1450)

Introduction

• Focus: Understanding how major civilizations build and maintain their states.
• State: A territory politically organized under one government (e.g., United States, Japan).

China during the Song Dynasty

• Song Dynasty (960 - 1279): Inherited from Tang Dynasty.
• Main Methods of Rule:
  • Confucianism Revival: Known as Neo-Confucianism.
    • Emphasized hierarchy; societal harmony through filial piety.
    • Women had reduced rights; subjected to foot binding.
  • Imperial Bureaucracy Expansion:
    • Civil service exams based on Confucian texts.
    • Jobs earned by merit, theoretically open to all men.
• Economic Developments:
  • Commercialization; trade of porcelain and silk.
  • Introduction of Champa rice; boosted population growth.
  • Grand Canal expansion facilitated trade and communication.

Influence of Chinese Traditions

• Neighboring regions like Korea, Japan, and Vietnam adopted Chinese practices.

Buddhism in Song China

• Originated in India, spread to China before Song.
• Four Noble Truths: Life is suffering, suffering due to craving, cease suffering by ceasing craving, Eightfold Path.
• Mahayana Buddhism: Broader participation, bodhisattvas aiding others.

Dar al-Islam

• Muslim World (Dar al-Islam): Areas where Islam was the organizing principle.
• Major Empires: Shift from Arab (Abbasid) to Turkic (Seljuk, Mamluk, Delhi Sultanate).
• Cultural & Scientific Advancements:
  • Nasir al-Din al-Tusi: Advances in mathematics; trigonometry.
  • Preservation of Greek works in Arabic.
• Expansion of Islam:
  • Through military conquest, merchants, and Sufi missionaries.

South and Southeast Asia

• Religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam.
• State Building:
  • Delhi Sultanate: Muslim rule in India; challenged by Rajput Kingdom & Vijayanagara Empire.
  • Southeast Asia: Diverse sea and land-based empires; Majapahit Kingdom (Buddhist) and Khmer Empire (Hindu-Buddhist).

Americas

• Mesoamerica: Aztec Empire; tribute system, human sacrifice.
• Andean Civilization: Inca Empire; mita system, centralized bureaucracy.
• Mississippian Culture: Mound builders, Cahokia as a major site.

Africa

• East Africa: Swahili Civilization, trade-based, influenced by Islam.
• West Africa: Ghana, Mali, Songhai Empires; trade, Islamic influence.
• Great Zimbabwe: Independent of Islam; trade in gold.
• Ethiopia: Christian state, hierarchical structure.

Europe

• Belief Systems: Dominated by Christianity (Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic).
• State Organization:
  • Feudalism: Decentralized, Lords and vassals.
  • Manorialism: Land-based economic system; serfs tied to the land.
  • Gradual centralization post-1000 CE, rise of monarchs.

Conclusion

• This unit covers the foundational ways in which various regions organized and maintained power and society through political, economic, and cultural means.
• Further study resources include the AP World History Heimler Review Guide for comprehensive preparation.