Unit 1: The Global Tapestry from c. 1200 to c. 1450

1.1 - Developments in East Asia

Song Dynasty (960-1279):

• Prosperity and Stability:
  • China flourished economically, politically, and culturally under Neo-Confucian influence.
• Bureaucracy and Meritocracy:
  • Expanded imperial bureaucracy and civil service exams promoted merit-based governance.
• Economic Developments:
  • Agricultural advancements and manufacturing expansion led to population growth and proto-industrialization.
• Cultural and Intellectual Advances:
  • Woodblock printing facilitated the spread of knowledge, blending Buddhist and Confucian ideals.
• Social Structures:
  • Urbanization and Class Hierarchy:
    • Urbanization increased, with the scholar gentry rising above the aristocracy.
  • Women's Roles:
    • Confucian norms reinforced patriarchal society, symbolized by foot binding.
• Comparing Japan, Korea, and Vietnam:
  • Japan:
    • Influenced by China but maintained feudal society and limited central governance.
  • Korea:
    • Emulated Chinese politics and culture but retained a strong aristocracy.
  • Vietnam:
    • Resisted Chinese influence, maintaining distinct gender and social structures.
• Religious Diversity in China:
  • Buddhism:
    • Adapted and spread, influencing culture and society, and leading to syncretic forms like Chan Buddhism.
  • Neo-Confucianism:
    • Combined Confucian, Daoist, and Buddhist principles, emphasizing ethics and governance.
• Military Conflict with China:
  • Vietnamese rebels resisted Chinese occupation, demonstrating expertise in guerrilla warfare.

1.2 - Developments in Dar al-Islam

• Islamic Expansion and Tolerance:
  • After Muhammad, Islam spread through conquests, trade, and missionary efforts, fostering tolerance toward monotheists.
• Invasions and Trade Shifts:
  • The Abbasid Empire faced challenges from nomads, Crusaders, Seljuks, and Mongols, leading to economic decline.
• Cultural and Social Life:
  • Despite political fragmentation, Islamic states shared culture through trade and learning centers.
  • Scholars in the golden age made significant advancements in various fields.
• Commerce, Diversity, and Women's Rights:
  • Commerce thrived, merchants had high status, and slavery was practiced but regulated.
  • Women enjoyed rights like property ownership and inheritance, influenced by Muhammad's policies.
• Islamic Rule in Spain:
  • The Umayyad rule in Spain fostered tolerance and prosperity, contributing to cultural exchanges that influenced European development.

1.3 - Developments in South and Southeast Asia

• Political Structures:
  • South Asia saw occasional unity but mostly decentralized governance, with Hinduism providing cultural unity.
  • Southern India had stable Chola and Vijayanagara kingdoms, while northern India faced Rajput conflicts and Muslim invasions.
• Religion in South Asia:
  • Islam's arrival led to a dynamic interaction with Hinduism and Buddhism, with converts drawn voluntarily.
  • The caste system remained strong, but Islam brought some social mobility opportunities.
  • The Bhakti Movement emerged, resembling Sufi mysticism and spreading Hinduism.
• Cultural Interactions:
  • Indian religions influenced Southeast Asia, with trade routes facilitating the spread of Hinduism and Buddhism.
  • Indian architectural styles merged with local traditions in Southeast Asian kingdoms.
  • Islam spread through trade and Sufi missionaries, adapting to local beliefs and practices.

1.4 - Developments in the Americas

• Emergence of Civilizations:
  • Rise of new civilizations in Mesoamerica and the Andes after the decline of the Olmecs and Chavin.
  • The first large-scale civilization in North America Mississippian culture.
• Mississippian Culture:
  • Known for enormous earthen mounds and rigid class structure.
  • Cahokia, the largest mound, reflects an advanced society.
• Chaco and Mesa Verde:
  • Innovations in architecture in the southwestern United States.
  • Decline due to the drier climate in the late 13th century.
• Maya City-States:
  • Flourished between 250 and 900 C.E. in southern Mexico and Central America.
  • City-states governed by kings, with complex religion and science.
• Aztecs:
  • Originated as hunter-gatherers and founded Tenochtitlan in 1325.
  • It was developed into an empire with a complex tribute system and a theocracy.
  • The central role of religion includes human sacrifices.
• Inca Empire:
  • Emerged under Pachacuti in 1438, extended across South America.
  • Efficient governance, mandatory public service (mit’a), and strong religious beliefs.
  • Contributions in mathematics, agriculture, and engineering.
• Decline of Civilizations:
  • Factors include environmental changes, diseases, and the Spanish conquest.
  • Continuities and debates about cultural relationships among Mesoamerican civilizations.

1.5 - Developments in Africa

• Political Structures:
  • Sub-Saharan Africa's political landscape was shaped by Bantu migrations, leading to kin-based governance.
  • The rise of larger kingdoms like the Hausa Kingdoms, Mali, Zimbabwe, and Ethiopia was fueled by trade and cultural exchange.
• Social Structures:
  • Communities were organized around kinship, age, and gender roles, with slavery prevalent in various forms.
• Comparison of Slavery:
  • Slavery existed in different forms across regions, with notable slave rebellions like the Zanj Rebellion.
• Cultural Life:
  • Music, visual arts, and storytelling played vital roles, with griots preserving history through oral traditions.

1.6 - Developments in Europe

• Medieval Context and Feudalism:
  • Europe in the Middle Ages saw decentralized political systems and the dominance of the Roman Catholic Church.
  • Feudalism emerged, with lords granting land (fiefs) to vassals for loyalty and service.
• Manorial System:
  • Large estates (manors) provided economic self-sufficiency, with serfs bound to the land in exchange for protection.
• Technological and Agricultural Advancements:
  • Advancements like the three-field system and new plows improved agricultural efficiency, leading to population growth.
• Political Trends:
  • Monarchies grew more powerful, establishing bureaucracies, and consultative bodies like France's Estates-General and England's Parliament emerged.
• The Hundred Years’ War:
  • The wars fought between England and France led to the development of national identities and the spread of gunpowder weapons.
• Crusades and Religious Dynamics:
  • European Christians sought to reclaim the Holy Land, leading to cultural exchange and technological advancements.
• Social and Economic Changes:
  • Trade expansion and agricultural surplus spurred urban growth and the rise of the middle class (bourgeoisie).
• Jewish and Muslim Communities:
  • Despite facing discrimination, Jews and Muslims contributed to European society through trade and cultural exchange.
• Renaissance and Intellectual Revival:
  • The Renaissance saw a revival of classical learning and humanist ideals, leading to cultural and political transformations.
• Origins of Russia:
  • Kyivan Rus adopted Orthodox Christianity and maintained ties with Byzantium before Mongol rule led to further separation and the emergence of an independent Russia.

1.7 - Comparison in the Period from 1200 to 1450

• State-Building Trends (1200-1450):
  • States in core regions grew larger and more centralized, following similar trends globally.
  • Mongol military strength, Islam, and trade impacted state-building processes.
• Emergence of New Empires:
  • Song Dynasty in China and the Abbasid Caliphate in the Middle East continued advancements.
  • The Chola Kingdom, the Vijayanagar Empire, and the Delhi Sultanate in South Asia expanded.
  • Mali in Africa, the Aztecs in the Americas, and the Incas in the Andean regions formed powerful states.
• Role of Religion:
  • Religion played a vital role in state-building, providing legitimacy and unity.
  • Islam, Confucianism, and Hinduism/Buddhism influenced governance in various regions.
• Trade and Cultural Exchange:
  • Increased trade led to cross-cultural exchanges and technological innovations.
  • Paper manufacturing, inventions, and intellectual advancements spread across Eurasia.
• Impact of Nomadic Peoples:
  • Mongols and Turkish groups established vast empires, facilitating trade and interactions.
  • Nomadic influence waned as organized trade and commerce networks developed.
• Patriarchy and Religion:
  • Social structures remained patriarchal, with religion sometimes reinforcing male power.
  • Religious communities provided opportunities for women's learning and leadership in some cultures.