AP World History: Unit 1 Overview (1200-1450)

Video Overview

• Host: Steve Heimler
• Purpose: Guide to excel in Unit 1 exam
• Resource: AP World History Heimler Review Guide

Key Concepts

• State: Politically organized territory under one government
• Focus: Various major civilizations and their state-building strategies

China: Song Dynasty

• Time Period: 960 to 1279

• Main Methods of Rule:

  • Confucianism: Revival as Neo-Confucianism
    • Emphasized hierarchy and social order
    • Filial piety: Obedience and honor towards parents and ancestors
    • Women's roles: Limited rights, foot binding practice
  • Imperial Bureaucracy:
    • Expansion under Song
    • Civil service exams based on Confucian classics

• Influence on Neighbors: Korea, Japan, Vietnam influenced by Chinese traditions

• Role of Buddhism:

  • Spread from India to China
  • Mahayana and Theravada differences

Economy of Song China

• Commercialization: Production of surplus goods
• Key Goods: Porcelain, silk
• Agricultural Innovation: Introduction of Champa rice
• Transportation: Expansion of the Grand Canal

Dar al-Islam

• Translation: House of Islam

• Major Religions: Judaism, Christianity, Islam

  • Islam spread by Arabs, later dominated by Turks

• Turkic Empires: Seljuk, Mamluk, Delhi

  • Military and Sharia law

• Cultural and Scientific Contributions:

  • Nasir al-Din al-Tusi: Trigonometry
  • House of Wisdom: Preservation of Greek works

State-Building and Expansion

• Military expansion: Spread through conquests
• Trade: Muslim merchants influence
• Sufi Missions: Spread through mystical experiences

South and Southeast Asia

• Religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam
• Bhakti Movement: Simplification of Hindu practices
• Hindu Kingdoms: Rajput, Vijayanagara
• Southeast Asia:
  • Majapahit and Khmer Empires
  • Influence of trade and religious syncretism

Americas: Aztec and Inca Empires

• Aztec Empire:
  • Capital: Tenochtitlan
  • Tribute states and Human Sacrifice
• Inca Empire:
  • Centralized bureaucracy
  • Mita system: Labor requirements

Mississippian Culture

• Location: Around Mississippi River Valley
• Characteristics: Monumental Mounds

Africa: State-Building

• Swahili Civilization:
  • Coastal trade cities
  • Language: Swahili (Bantu-Arab mix)
• West African Empires: Ghana, Mali, Songhai
  • Driven by trade, Muslim conversion of elites
  • Hausa Kingdoms: City-states, trade focused
• Great Zimbabwe: Trade in gold, retained indigenous religion
• Ethiopia: Christian state amid Islamic surroundings

Europe

• Christianity:

  • Eastern Orthodox (Byzantine Empire)
  • Roman Catholicism (Western Europe)

• Political Organization:

  • Decentralized, feudalism
  • Manorialism: Land-based economics

• Developments:

  • Lords and vassals system
  • Rise of centralized monarchies post-1000 CE

Conclusion

• Unit 1 covers the foundational state-building and religious influences in various regions from 1200-1450
• Resources available for deeper understanding and preparation for exams