AP World History Unit 1: 1200-1450

Overview

• Focuses on state-building and maintenance in major civilizations during 1200-1450.
• "State": A politically organized territory under a single government (e.g., United States, Japan).

China: The Song Dynasty

• Ruling Period: 960-1279
• Key Methods of Rule:
  • Neo-Confucianism:
    • Revival of Confucianism from previous dynasties, removing Buddhist influences.
    • Emphasized hierarchical society (citizens to state, women to men, etc.).
    • Filial piety stressed obedience to parents and ancestors.
    • Women's rights diminished; faced social restrictions such as foot binding.
  • Imperial Bureaucracy:
    • Expanded during Song period.
    • Civil service exams based on Confucian texts determined bureaucratic positions.
• Influence on Neighboring Regions:
  • Korea, Japan, and Vietnam influenced by Chinese traditions, adopted similar systems.

Religion and Culture

• Buddhism:
  • Spread from India to China; Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path.
  • Theravada (monastics-focused) vs. Mahayana (broader participation, bodhisattvas).

Economy

• Economic Growth:
  • Commercialization: Production of goods (porcelain, silk) for internal and Eurasian markets.
  • Agricultural innovations, e.g., Champa rice, led to population growth.
  • Expansion of Grand Canal facilitated trade.

Dar al-Islam

• Muslim Empires:
  • Transition from Arab to Turkic dominance (e.g., Seljuk Empire, Mamluk Sultanate, Delhi Sultanate).
  • Continued practices: military administration, Sharia law.
• Scientific and Cultural Contributions:
  • Advances in mathematics (e.g., trigonometry), preservation of Greek works in the House of Wisdom.
• Expansion:
  • Through military conquest, trade, and Sufi missionaries.

South and Southeast Asia

• Religious Influences:
  • Decline of Buddhism in South Asia; Hinduism and Islam rise.
  • Bhakti movement in Hinduism focused on devotion to a single deity.
  • Southeast Asia: Mix of Buddhism and Islam.
• State Building:
  • Delhi Sultanate (Muslim) vs. Hindu kingdoms (e.g., Rajput, Vijayanagara).
  • Southeast Asia: Maritime (e.g., Majapahit) and land-based empires (e.g., Khmer).

Americas

• Mesoamerica: Aztec Empire.
  • Expansion through tribute systems; human sacrifices.
• Andean Civilization: Inca Empire.
  • Centralized bureaucracy, mita system for state labor.
• North America: Mississippian culture.
  • Agricultural society, known for monumental mounds.

Africa

• East Africa: Swahili city-states, influenced by Muslim trade.
  • Swahili language as a cultural blend.
• West Africa: Empires like Mali, influenced by Islamic trade.
  • Hausa Kingdoms: Decentralized trade-based city-states.
• Great Zimbabwe: Economy based on farming, cattle, and gold trade; maintained indigenous religion.
• Ethiopia: Christian state amidst Islamic regions.

Europe

• Belief Systems:
  • Dominated by Christianity: Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox.
  • Presence of Muslims (Iberian Peninsula) and Jews.
• Political Structure:
  • Feudalism: Lords and vassals system.
  • Manorialism: Economic life centered on manors.
  • Gradual rise of centralized monarchies post-1000 CE.

Conclusion

• Unit 1 highlights the diversity and complexity of state-building across civilizations from 1200-1450, showcasing various political, cultural, and economic systems.