AP World History - Unit 1 (1200-1450)

Introduction

• Focus on major civilizations and their state-building efforts.
• Definition of a "state": a politically organized territory under one government.

China: Song Dynasty

Rule and Justification

1. Confucianism & Neo-Confucianism

   • Emphasis on hierarchy and order.
   • Filial piety as a societal glue.
   • Placed women in subordinate positions; legal and social restrictions (e.g., foot binding).

2. Expansion of Imperial Bureaucracy

   • Civil service examination based on Confucian texts.
   • Merit-based bureaucracy.

Influence on Neighboring Regions

• Korea, Japan, Vietnam influenced by China’s civil service and Buddhism.

Buddhism in Song China

• Originated in India; spread to China.
• Theravada Buddhism: Monastic and isolated.
• Mahayana Buddhism: Community-oriented, with Bodhisattvas assisting others.

Economic Developments

• Commercialization: Production exceeded local needs.
• Agricultural Innovations: Introduction of Champa rice.
• Transportation: Expansion of the Grand Canal.

Islamic World: Dar al-Islam

Political Changes

• Decline of Abbasid Caliphate; rise of Turkic Empires (Seljuk, Mamluk, Delhi Sultanate).

Cultural and Scientific Contributions

• Preservation and expansion of Greek philosophy.
• Nasir al-Din al-Tusi’s contributions to math and trigonometry.

Expansion of Islam

1. Military expansion
2. Merchants
3. Sufi missionaries

South and Southeast Asia

Influence of Belief Systems

• South Asia: Decline of Buddhism, rise of Bhakti movement in Hinduism.
• Southeast Asia: Predominantly Buddhism and Islam.

State Building

• South Asia: Delhi Sultanate, Rajput Kingdoms resist Muslim rule.
• Southeast Asia: Majapahit (sea-based) and Khmer (land-based) empires.

American Civilizations

Mesoamerica

• Aztec Empire: Tribute system, human sacrifices, capital Tenochtitlan.

Andean Region

• Inca Empire: Centralized bureaucracy, mita system for labor.

North America

• Mississippian Culture: Agriculture and monumental mounds.

African Civilizations

East Africa

• Swahili Civilization: Trading cities influenced by Islam, Swahili language.

West Africa

• Ghana, Mali, Songhai Empires: Trade-driven growth, Islam among elites.

Southern Africa

• Great Zimbabwe: Trade-based economy, maintained indigenous religion.

Ethiopia

• Christian state within a sea of Islam and indigenous beliefs.

Europe

Religious Influence

• Eastern Europe: Eastern Orthodox Christianity, Byzantine Empire declines.
• Western Europe: Roman Catholicism, decentralized feudalism.

Political Structure

• Feudalism: Land-based loyalty and military service system.
• Manorialism: Agricultural economy centered around manors; serfs tied to land.

Summary

• Each region developed unique state systems influenced by prevailing belief systems.
• Common themes include trade influence, religious integration, and state centralization efforts.