Focus on how major civilizations built and maintained their states
Definition of a state: A territory organized under a single government
China
Song Dynasty (960-1279)
Confucianism: Neo-Confucianism revived Confucian principles, emphasizing social hierarchy and filial piety.
Women's Roles: Women had limited rights, endorsing practices like foot binding.
Imperial Bureaucracy: Civil service exams based on Confucian texts ensured merit-based bureaucracy.
Economy: Commercialization and agricultural innovations (Champa rice) led to population growth.
Influence in Neighboring Regions: Spread of Chinese traditions to Korea, Japan, and Vietnam.
Dar al-Islam
Abbasid Caliphate & Successors
Decline and Succession: Rise of Turkic empires like the Seljuks and Mamluks.
Sharia Law: Continued Islamic legal systems.
Cultural Contributions: Preservation of Greek texts, advancements in mathematics (trigonometry).
Expansion of Islam: Through military, trade, and Sufi missions.
South and Southeast Asia
Religious Influence
South Asia: Hinduism (Bhakti movement) and Islam were dominant.
Southeast Asia: Buddhism and Islam competed for influence.
State-Building
Delhi Sultanate: Muslim rule in India.
Hindu Resistance: Rajput Kingdoms and Vijayanagara Empire.
Majapahit Kingdom: Control of trade routes in Southeast Asia.
Americas
Mesoamerica and Andean Civilizations
Aztec Empire: Tribute system and human sacrifices.
Inca Empire: Centralized bureaucracy and mita labor system.
Mississippian Culture: Agricultural society, known for mound building.
Africa
East and West Africa
Swahili Civilization: Trade-based city-states influenced by Islam.
West African Empires: Ghana, Mali, Songhai driven by trade and Islamic conversion.
Great Zimbabwe & Ethiopia
Great Zimbabwe: Trade-based economy, maintained indigenous religion.
Ethiopia: Christian state with hierarchical structure.
Europe
Christianity
Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholicism: Dominated religious landscape.
Fragmented Political Structure: Feudalism and manorialism shaped society.
State Organization
Feudalism: Lords and vassals with land exchanges for military service.
Manorialism: Economic structure centered on large estates.
Conclusion
Unit 1 explores the foundations of state-building and maintenance across different regions, highlighting the influence of belief systems, trade, and political structures.