AP World History Unit 1 Review (Circa 1200-1450)

Summary:

Steve Heimler provides a comprehensive review targeting AP World History students, specifically focusing on unit 1 which covers the period from 1200 to 1450. The lecture addresses how various major civilizations around the world were building and maintaining their states. The key takeaway from this unit is understanding the definition of a "state" in this context — a territory organized under a single government — and observing how different regions handle the challenges and intricacies of statecraft.

Major Civilizations and Concepts:

• China and the Song Dynasty:

  • Emphasized Neo-Confucianism, revitalizing traditional Confucian thought while minimizing Buddhist influence.
  • Heavily focused on hierarchical social structures and the importance of filial piety.
  • Women saw a decline in social and legal statuses, with practices like foot-binding symbolizing elite status.
  • Maintained rule through expanded imperial bureaucracy; bureaucrats had to pass civil service exams based primarily on Confucian texts.

• Buddhism in China:

  • Different forms of Buddhism shaped as it interacted with various cultures, including the development of Mahayana Buddhism in East Asia promoting broader religious participation compared to Theravada Buddhism in places like Sri Lanka.

• Economy in Song China:

  • Experienced significant commercialization, selling surplus goods both domestically and across Eurasia.
  • Important trade goods included porcelain and silk.
  • Agricultural innovations such as the introduction of Champa rice from Vietnam led to population growth.
  • Improvements in transportation, including the expansion of the Grand Canal.

• Dar al-Islam (House of Islam):

  • Spans across various regions where Islam was the dominant faith.
  • During this period, the shift from Arab to Turkic dominance in Muslim empires, with examples like the Seljuk Empire emerging.
  • Significant cultural and scientific advancements were made, with contributions in fields like mathematics and translation of Greek philosophical works.

• South and Southeast Asia:

  • Dominated by Hinduism, Islam, and Buddhism with significant interactions influencing social and political structures.
  • Introduction of the Bhakti Movement in Hinduism focusing on individual devotion over ritual sacrifices.
  • Challenges in state-building with Hindu kingdoms resisting Muslim expansion.

• The Americas (Mesoamerica and Andean civilizations):

  • Aztecs used a tribute state system with significant roles played by human sacrifices in religion.
  • The Inca Empire implemented the Mit'a system, demanding labor for state projects.
  • Mississippian culture notable for large mound structures for community and religious activities.

• Africa (Swahili coast, West African Empires, and the Kingdom of Ethiopia):

  • East African Swahili cities thrived on Indian Ocean trade, increasingly adopting Islam.
  • West African empires like Mali and Songhai developed strongly centralized states through trade, converting to Islam mainly among the elite.
  • Zimbabwe and Ethiopia highlighted indigenous religious practices with Ethiopia maintaining a Christian state.

• Europe:

  • Fragmented into numerous states with varying degrees of Christian influence (Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic).
  • The societal structure based on feudalism and manorialism, with power largely held by land-owning nobility.
  • Period marked by gradual centralization of monarchial power over several centuries.

Conclusion:

Unit 1 in AP World History spans a vast array of cultures, each with unique approaches to government, economy, and social structure. Understanding these diverse methods of state-building and maintenance provides critical insights into the complexities of early global interactions from 1200 to 1450.