Unit 1: The Global Tapestry Exam Study Guide

c. 1200 - c. 1450

Topic 1.1 Developments in East Asia from c. 1200 to c. 1450

Learning Objective Historical Developments Describe Song China (include SPICE-T characteristics).
Explain the systems Empires and states in Afro-Eurasia and Social :scholar gentry, respect women but they still defer to men, filial piety.
of government the Americas demonstrated continuity, Political :imperial bureaucracy, meritocracy
employed by innovation, and diversity in the 13th Intellectual: confucianism
Chinese dynasties century. This included the Song
and how they Dynasty of China, which utilized Cultural: literature (poetry), confucianism, buddhism, foot binding, neo-confucianism
developed over traditional methods of Confucianism Economic: wealth, most popular trading area in the world, proto-industrialization,
time. and imperial bureaucracy to maintain tributary system, artisans
and justify its rule.
Technology: guns, woodblock printing, champa rice
1. Explain the influence of Confucianism on Song China’s political system.
One of the main influences of confucianism in the song china’s dynasty’s political
system is that it was used to expand the bureaucracy , the civil service exam which
could allow people to get good jobs in the bureaucracy was based on knowledge of
Confucian texts.

Learning Objective Historical Developments 2. Explain the influence of Confucianism on Song China’s society and culture.
Explain the effects Chinese cultural traditions continued, Boys were now even more valued than girls, but were also given lots of very high
of Chinese cultural and they influenced neighboring expectations to pass the Exams. A son passing would mean a better life for the whole
traditions on East regions. family.
Asia over time.
Cultural traditions:
● Filial piety in East Asia
● Influence of Neo-
Confucianism and
Buddhism in East Asia 3. How did Buddhism arrive in China?
● Confucian traditions of both
respect for and expected It came through the Silk Roads by trade.
deference from women
● Chinese literary and scholarly
traditions and their spread to 4. What were the cultural impacts of the arrival of Buddhism?
Heian Japan and Korea Zen Buddhism and Neo-Confucianism happened. Many Confucians began to adopt
Buddhism and its core beliefs Buddhism's ideals into daily life
continued to shape societies in Asia K
and included a variety of branches,
schools, and practices.

Branches of Buddhism:
● Theravada
● Mahayana
● Tibetan
Learning Objective Historical Developments 5. Explain the effects of each of the following on Song China:
Explain the effects The economy of Song China became
of innovation on the increasingly commercialized while ● The Grand Canal
Chinese economy continuing to depend on free peasant
over time. and artisanal labor.
The Grand Canal enabled China to become the most populous trading area
The economy of Song China flourished in the world
as a result of increased productive
capacity, expanding trade networks,
and innovations in agriculture and ● Champa rice:
manufacturing.
Since champa rice was fast growing, drought resistant and could grow on
Technological innovations:
● Champa rice lots of places, there was an abundance of food and the population grew
● Transportation innovations like
the Grand Canal expansion
● Steel and iron production
● Textiles and porcelains for
export ● Chinese production of textiles and porcelain:
They were highly desired and everyone traded for them so China became the
world's most commercialized society

Topic 1.2 Developments in Dar al-Islam from c. 1200 to c. 1450

Learning Objective Historical Developments 6. List the core beliefs/practices of Islam:
Explain how Islam, Judaism, Christianity, and the core
systems of belief beliefs and practices of these religions The Five Pillars are the core beliefs and practices of Islam: Profession of Faith
and their practices continued to shape societies in Africa and (shahada). The belief that "There is no god but God, and Muhammad is the
affected society in Asia.
the period from c. Messenger of God" is central to Islam
1200 to c. 1450.

7. List the core beliefs/practices of Judaism:

The three main beliefs at the center of Judaism are Monotheism, Identity, and
covenant (an agreement between God and his people). The most important
teachings of Judaism is that there is one God, who wants people to do what is just
and compassionate

8. List the core beliefs/practices of Christianity:

 Believe in the Holy Trinity, Heaven and Hell, Jesus's death and return, and his
second coming

Learning Objective Historical Developments 9. Describe the Abbasid Caliphate (include SPICE-T characteristics):
Explain the causes As the Abbasid Caliphate fragmented,
and effects of the new Islamic political entities emerged, most
rise of Islamic states of which were dominated by Turkic people. Social:
over time. These states demonstrated continuity,
innovation, and diversity. Political: common use of shariah created similar legal systems
Intellectual: great universities created centers for sharing intellectual innovations
New political entities: Cultural: formed a cultural region
● Seljuk Empire
● Mamluk Sultanate of Egypt Economic: controlled trade routes
● Delhi Sultanates Technology: got printing from the Chinese
Muslim rule continued to expand to many
parts of Afro-Eurasia due to military
expansion, and Islam, subsequently
expanded through the activities of 10. Describe the Seljuk Empire:
merchants, missionaries, and Sufis.
Turkic empire ruled by sultans in Persia and modern-dayIraq (11th and 12th
centuries); Established Turks as major ethnic group carrying Islam across Eurasia,
along with Arabs and Persians; Demonstrated weakness of Abbasid caliphate in its
later years; sultans held real power in the empire; Helped to spread the influence of
Islam throughout the region

11. Explain the causes of the expansion of Muslim rule; how and where did
it expand before 1450?

Muslim rule continued to expand to many parts of Afro-Eurasia due to military

expansion, and Islam, subsequently expanded through the activities of merchants,
missionaries, and Sufis.

12. What were the effects of the rise of Islamic states?

Islam spread and many intellectual advances (translations, math, medical)were

 made

Learning Objective Historical Developments 13. Describe the intellectual innovations and transfers of Muslim States:
Explain the effects of Muslim states and empires encouraged
intellectual significant intellectual innovations and Innovations:
innovation in Dar al- transfers. Advances in mathematics (Nasir al-Din al-Tusi)
Islam. Advances in literature (A'ishah al-Bu'uniyyah)
Innovations:
● Advances in mathematics (Nasir Advances in medicine
al-Din al-Tusi) Transfers:
● Advances in literature (A’ishah al-
Bu’uniyyah) Preservation and commentaries on Greek moral and natural philosophy
● Advances in medicine House of Wisdom in Abbasid Baghdad
Scholarly and cultural transfers in Muslim and Christian Spain
Transfers:
● Preservation and commentaries on
Greek moral and natural
philosophy
● House of Wisdom in Abbasid
Baghdad 14. What effects did these innovations have in Dar al-Islam?
● Scholarly and cultural transfers in
Muslim and Christian Spain

Muslim states and empires encouraged significant intellectual innovations and

transfers. This led to various advances and interactions with different culture

15. Explain the significance of the House of Wisdom in Abbasid Baghdad:

Scholars could travel here, to this center of learning, which helped the Islamic
community help transfer knowledge throughout Afro-Eurasia

Topic 1.3 Developments in South and Southeast Asia from c. 1200 to c. 1450
Learning Objective Historical Developments 16. Explain how Hinduism impacted societies in South and Southeast Asia:
Explain how the Hinduism, Islam, and Buddhism, and their
various belief core beliefs and practices, continued to Vijayanagar Empire, Rajput kingdoms, Urdu, Bhakti Movement, Srivijaja
systems and shape societies in South and Southeast Empire, main religion before Islam and Buddhism showed up
practices of South Asia.
and Southeast Asia
affected society over Beliefs and practices:
time. ● Bhakti movement 17. Explain how Islam impacted societies in South and Southeast Asia:
● Sufism
● Buddhist monasticism Islam entered India forcefully at first then because more peaceful. Islam attracted
 low-caste Hindus (cuz Islam had equality of all believers). The most converts to
Islam were Buddhists.

18. Explain how Buddhism impacted societies in South and Southeast Asia:

Buddhism spread throughout Southeast Asia, but the spread of Islam made
Buddhism a minority religion in its place of birth. It still influenced civilization through
Buddhist monks, monasteries, priests as advisors to monarchs in some areas,
Majapahit Kingdom, etc

19. What role did Sufi missionaries play in spreading Islam?

They tended to adapt to local cultures and traditions, sometimes interweaving local
religious elements into Islam, winning many converts

20. What role did Buddhist monasteries play in spreading Buddhism and
promoting trade?

Monasteries and nunneries flourished because both men and women found a life of
contemplation and simple living attractive.

Learning Objective Historical Developments 21. How did the Srivijaya Empire develop and maintain power?
Explain how and State formation and development It built up its navy and prospered by charging fees for ships traveling between
why various states demonstrated continuity, innovation, and India and China
of South and diversity, including the new Hindu and
Southeast Asia Buddhist states that emerged in South and
developed and Southeast Asia.
maintained power
over time. Hindu/Buddhist States:
● Vijayanagara Empire
● Srivijaya Empire
● Rajput kingdoms
● Khmer Empire
● Majapahit
● Sukhothai kingdom
● Sinhala dynasties
 Topic 1.4 State Building in the Americas
Learning Historical Developments 22. Describe the Maya city-states (include SPICE-T characteristics) :
Objective
In the Americas, as in Afro-Eurasia, state
Explain how and systems demonstrated continuity, innovation, Social: at peak, 2 million Mayans
why states in the and diversity, and expanded in scope and Political: main form of Mayan government, each ruled by king, city and its surrounding
Americas reach. territory, wars common
developed and Intellectual: honor many deities (most important sun, rain, corn), made offerings to get
changed over time. State systems in the Americas: answered prayers
● Maya city-states Cultural: classical culture in south Mexico and Central America, sacrifice, math
● Mexica Economic: tribute, common people payed taxes (crops), moderate trade
● Inca
● Chaco
Technology: writing system, monumental architecture, calendar
● Mesa Verde 23. Describe the Inca (include SPICE-T characteristics) :
● Cahokia

24. Describe the Mexica (include SPICE-T characteristics):

TOPIC 1.5 State Building in Africa

Learning Historical Developments 25. Describe Great Zimbabwe (include SPICE-T characteristics):
Objective
In Africa, as in Eurasia and the Americas,
Explain how and state systems demonstrated continuity,
why states in Africa innovation, and diversity and expanded in S: connected with East Africa, Middle East, and South and East Asia (by indian ocean trade),
developed and scope and reach. nearly 20,000 people in Zimbabwe in late 15th century
changed over time. P: taxes on transport of gold, capital city
State systems in Africa: I: clearly smart if they managed to get all that gold and make all those stone houses and walls
● Great Zimbabwe
● Ethiopia
C: traders blended Bantu and Arabic to make Swahili, E: wealthy, built its prosperity on a mix
● Hausa kingdoms of agriculture, grazing, trade and GOLD
T: first stone walls built without mortar, huge
26. Describe Ethiopia (include SPICE-T characteristics)
S: Christianity, people combined traditional faith traditions, like ancestor veneration and belief
in spirits, with Christianity to make a distinct form of faith
P: rulers expressed power through architecture
I: combining things (see: Social)
C: rock structures a feature of religious architecture
E: prospered by trading goods from India, Arabia, Roman Empire, and interior of Africa
T: 11 massive churches made of rock

TOPIC 1.6 Developments in Europe

Learning Objective Historical Developments 27. Explain the impact of the Roman Catholic Church on Western Europe:
Explain how the Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and the
beliefs and practices core beliefs and practices of these
of the predominant religions continued to shape societies
religions in Europe in Europe. It was the most powerful institution in Europe, who was divided into hundreds of
affected European
society. small political states. Often only Church staff could read/write and manors had a
small church and priest. Church led education and art, held power in feudal system

Learning Objective Historical Developments 28. Describe the political organization of feudal Europe:
Explain the causes Europe was politically fragmented and
and consequences characterized by decentralized There was no strong government and people needed protection so feudalism happened. Monarch
of political monarchies, feudalism, and the grants fiefs to lord, so lord becomes king's vassal. Lord gives lands to knights, so knights become
decentralization in manorial system. vassals and pledge to fight for em. Lord also give land+protection to peasants, so peasants farm
Europe from c. 1200 and give lord crops and livestock and obey orders. Gave security and protection (and
to 1450. equipment/land)

29. Describe the manorial system:

Economic system during the Middle Ages that revolved around self-sufficient farming
estates where lords and peasants shared the land; the economic side of feudalism

Learning Objective Historical Developments 30. Describe the social hierarchy of feudal Europe:
Explain the effects of Europe was largely an agricultural
agriculture on social society dependent on free and coerced
organization in labor, including serfdom. monarch, lord, knight, serf
Europe from c. 1200
to c. 1450.

31. What was the role of serfdom in Europe?

Serfs were peasants who weren't slaves but were tied to the land of their lord

32. What eventually happened to serfdom? (How did it change moving into the
1450-1750 time period)?

Monarchies got more powerful, more trade changed the social pyramid, middle
class (bourgeoisie) appeared, Renaissance

TOPIC 1.7 Comparisons in the Period from c. 1200 to c. 1450

 Learning Objective Historical Developments

Explain the similarities and differences State formation and development demonstrated continuity, innovation, and diversity in various regions
in the processes of state formation from ● As the Abbasid Caliphate fragmented, new Islamic political entities emerged, most of which were dominated by Turkic peoples.
c. 1200 to c. 1450 These states demonstrated continuity, innovation, and diversity
● Empires and states in Afro-Eurasia and the Americas demonstrated continuity, innovation, and diversity in the 13th century. This
included the Song Dynasty of China, which utilized traditional methods of Confucianism and an imperial bureaucracy to maintain and
justify its rule.
● State formation and development demonstrated continuity, innovation, and diversity, including the new Hindu and Buddhist states that
emerged in South and Southeast Asia
● In the Americas, as in Afro-Eurasia, state systems demonstrated continuity, innovation, and diversity, and expanded in scope and
reach
● In Africa, as in Eurasia and the Americas, state systems demonstrated continuity, innovation, and diversity, and expanded in scope
and reach

CONTEXT STATEMENTS PRACTICE:

Instructions: Write a contextual statement for each of the prompts below. This will not only help you review content from Unit 1 (1200-1450),
but also help you practice writing context statements which, if done successfully, can earn you one point on both the DBQ and LEQ essays.

To earn this point, the response must relate the topic of the prompt to broader historical events, developments, or processes that occur
before, during, or continue after the time frame of the question. This point is not awarded for merely a phrase or reference.

The final sentence of your context should narrow down to the topic of the prompt, tying your contextual statement to your thesis statement.

Prompt 1: Evaluate the extent to which agriculture affected social organization in Europe from c. 1200 - 1450.

Prompt 2: Evaluate the extent to which the diffusion of Islam impacted the development of African states in the 1200 - 1450 time period.
Prompt 3: Evaluate the extent to which belief systems and practices impacted South and Southeast Asian societies in the 1200 - 1450 time
period.
Belief systems and practices in the south and southeast asian societies impacted the arrangement of the social hierarchy, political practices and other
aspects of daily life. Both Confucianism and Hinduism have their hierarchies topped by males. Rich and educated men dominated most aspects of
confucian cultures, while the unprivileged were poorly treated and had few , if any benefits. In addition , women had no voice and were obligated to
obey their male family members. The richest men in Hindi society were the top cast and received the best treatment.Buddhism however improved this
because material wants were not stated allowing the unprivileged as well as women to progress. These are a few examples of how confucianist, Hindu,
and Buddhist practices and beliefs affected south and southeast asian civilization and various parts of daily life.

Prompt 4: Evaluate the extent to which European and East Asian state development differed in the 1200 to 1450 time period.