AP World History Unit 1 (1200-1450) Study Guide

Introduction

• Focus: Major civilizations building and maintaining their state.
• Definition of "state": Politically organized territory under one government.

Chinese Civilization

The Song Dynasty

• Power: 960-1279 (no need to memorize dates).
• Key Question: How did they maintain and justify their rule?
• Methods:
  • Emphasizing Confucianism:
    • Neo-Confucianism: Revival of Confucianism, rid of Buddhist influence.
    • Society viewed as hierarchical.
    • Filial piety emphasized.
    • Role of Women:
      • Subordinate position, fewer legal rights.
      • Social restrictions: Foot binding.
  • Expansion of Imperial Bureaucracy:
    • Bureaucratic jobs based on merit (civil service exam).
    • Bureaucracy grew in scope.

Influence on Neighboring Regions

• Korea, Japan, Vietnam influenced by Chinese traditions (e.g., civil service exam, Buddhism adoption).

Buddhism in Song China

• Originated in India.
• Four Noble Truths:
  • Life is suffering.
  • Suffer due to craving.
  • End suffering by ceasing craving.
  • Follow Eightfold Path to cease craving.
• Branches:
  • Theravada (Sri Lanka): Monks-focused.
  • Mahayana (East Asia): Broader participation, bodhisattvas help others.

Economic Developments

• Commercialization: Produced more goods, traded porcelain and silk.
• Agricultural Innovation:
  • Champa rice led to a population explosion.
  • Expansion of Grand Canal facilitated trade.

Dar al-Islam (House of Islam)

• Regions where Islamic faith was central.
• Other Religions Practiced: Judaism, Christianity.

Changes in Empires

• Abbasid Caliphate declined; Turkic empires rose (e.g., Seljuk Empire).
• Continuation of Sharia law and military administration.

Cultural and Scientific Contributions

• Nasir al-Din al-Tusi: Advances in math, trigonometry.
• Preservation of Greek works at the House of Wisdom.

Expansion

• Military, merchants (Africa), and Sufi missionaries.

South and Southeast Asia

South Asia

• Religions: Hinduism, Islam (Delhi Sultanate), declining Buddhism.
• Bhakti Movement: Devotion to one Hindu god, simplified Hinduism.
• State Building:
  • Delhi Sultanate struggled with Hindu majority.
  • Rajput Kingdoms resisted.
  • Vijayanagara Empire rival in the South.

Southeast Asia

• Religions: Buddhism and Islam.
• State Examples: Majapahit (sea-based, Buddhist), Khmer Empire (land-based, Hindu to Buddhist).

The Americas

Mesoamerica (Aztec Empire)

• Established through alliances, tribute system from conquered people.
• Human sacrifice central to religion.

Andean Civilization (Inca Empire)

• Centralized control through bureaucracy.
• Mita system: Labor for state projects.

North America

• Mississippian culture: Large-scale agriculture, monumental mounds.

Africa

East Africa (Swahili Civilization)

• Trade-based city-states, Islamic influence.
• Swahili language: Blend of Bantu and Arab.

West Africa

• Ghana, Mali, Songhai empires: Trade-driven, elite Islam conversion.

Great Zimbabwe

• Economy based on trade, gold.
• Retained indigenous religion.

Ethiopia

• Christian state amidst Islamic and indigenous beliefs.

Europe

Belief Systems

• Dominated by Christianity (Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic).
• Eastern Orthodox in Kievan Rus and declining Byzantine Empire.
• Roman Catholicism linked Western Europe.

Political Organization

• Feudalism: Lords and vassals exchange land for military service.
• Manorialism: Life centered on manors, serfs worked the land.
• Emerging monarchies grew in power post-1000 CE.

This guide summarizes the key points from the lecture, focusing on major world civilizations during the period from 1200-1450, their state-building methods, cultural practices, and economic developments.