AP World History Unit 1: Circa 1200-1450 Overview

Introduction

• Focus on major civilizations building and maintaining states.
• "State" refers to a politically organized territory under one government.
• Emphasis on Chinese state-building, neighboring influences, and global expansion.

Chinese State Building

The Song Dynasty (960-1279)

• Confucianism Revival: Emphasized hierarchical societal structure and filial piety.
  • Neo-Confucianism aimed to rid Confucian thought of Buddhist influence.
  • Women had limited rights; practices like foot binding were status symbols.
• Imperial Bureaucracy Expansion:
  • Civil Service Exam based on Confucian texts ensured merit-based bureaucracy.
  • Bureaucratic system led to economic and population growth.

Economic and Cultural Influence

• Commercialization: Manufacturing and trade of surplus goods like porcelain and silk.
• Agricultural Innovations: Introduction of Champa rice led to population growth.
• Grand Canal Expansion: Improved trade and communication.
• Influence spread to Korea, Japan, and Vietnam, adopting similar systems.

Dar al-Islam

Muslim Empires and Religion

• Abbasid Caliphate: Decline led to rise of Turkic empires (e.g., Seljuk Empire).
• Cultural and Scientific Contributions:
  • Preservation and translation of Greek works contributed to the Renaissance.
  • Innovations in mathematics (trigonometry) and other sciences.

Expansion of Islam

• Military Expansion: Seljuk and other empires grew through conquest.
• Trade and Merchants: Spread Islam through Africa and Asia.
• Sufi Missionaries: Promoted conversion through mysticism and cultural adaptation.

South and Southeast Asia

Religious Influence

• Hinduism and the Bhakti Movement: Aimed for personal devotion and challenged hierarchies.
• Buddhism Decline: Mostly monastic influence in Nepal and Tibet.
• Islam's Influence: Emerged as a dominant force, especially among elites.

State-Building

• Delhi Sultanate's Challenges: Difficulty in imposing Islam on Hindu-majority regions.
• Vijayanagara Empire: Resistance to Muslim rule, promoting Hinduism.
• Majapahit and Khmer Empires: Influenced by Buddhism and trade.

The Americas

Mesoamerica and Andean Civilizations

• Aztec Empire: Tribute system for labor and goods.
• Inca Empire: Centralized bureaucratic control with mita labor system.

North America

• Mississippian Culture: Agriculture-based society with monumental mounds.

African Civilizations

East and West Africa

• Swahili Civilization: Trade-based city-states with Muslim influence.
• Ghana, Mali, Songhai Empires: Centralized, trade-driven states with Islamic elite.

Great Zimbabwe and Ethiopia

• Great Zimbabwe: Wealth through trade, maintained indigenous beliefs.
• Ethiopia: Christian state amid Islamic surroundings.

Europe

Christianity and State Structure

• Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Christianity: Differences in practice and influence.
• Byzantine Empire: Decline gave rise to Kievan Rus with Eastern Orthodoxy.

Political Organization

• Feudalism: Decentralized political power among Lords and vassals.
• Manorialism: Economic system centered on Lords' estates.

Conclusion

• Global interplay of trade, religion, and political organization shaped civilizations.
• Diverse methods and systems of governance and belief influenced societies worldwide.