Spread of Neo-Confucianism (in China): mixture of Confucianism with some Buddhism
Camels in Sahara – increased trade
The Great Schism - (when the East and the West churches divided into Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodox Christianity; they divided over the issue of icons); 1054
BlackDeath – decimated Europe’s population, political, and economic systems; 1346-53
New Empires and Political Systems:
Tang Dynasty (618 – 906)
A merit-based bureaucracy - System developed during the Han Dynasty, but the Tang made good use of it by recruiting government officials who were well educated, loyal, and efficient. Although powerful families used their resources to place relatives in government positions, most bureaucrats won their posts because of intellectual ability.
Mongols
Caliphate System – religious leader and the political leader one in the same. Used in Islamic political systems
Feudalism in Europe – King; Lords; Knights; Peasants
Continuities:
The Byzantine Empire remained major power; It held many different groups of peoples. Bureaucracy key to success – SIMILAR TO TANG
The impact of the Viking raids - challenged Europeans to get better protection. Invaded rural areas rather than large cities
The Crusades (1095-1291): Europeans travel to Holy Land – creating a desire to Eastern goods – leads to exploration
Mongolian empires: new group of “invaders” from Mongolia. Under the leadership of Genghis Khan
Mamluk rule in Egypt (non-Arab slaves in Egypt who overthrew the Egyptians)
Islam was a unifying force in cultural aspects in Eurasia and Africa. Rise of Islamic empires in which they all had the same belief system (Islam), similar language (Arabic), similar art (geometric designs).
State - An organized political community under one government.
Song Dynasty - 960-1279
China's golden age
Expanded on Grand Canal
Found gunpowder
Introduction of champa rice: Important as it could be harvested 3 times a year
CAUSE AND EFFECT: More food (champa rice) increased Song's population
Revival of Confucianism and Civil Service Exam.
Merit-based Bureaucracy. Meritocracy!
Abbasid Caliphate - 750-1258
Fractured by invaders
Many Muslim states arose from it's 'ashes'
Delhi Sultanate - rose from Abbasid Caliphate's fall, product of Muslim Turks.
Mamluk Sultanate - in North Africa.
Formed by former enslaved people from Egypt.
COMPARISONS: Song Dynasty flourished during 1200-1450, whilst The Abbasid Caliphate died socially, politically, and economically.
SouthAsian States:
Vijayanagara Empire
Chola Kingdom
Both established power and extended influence through trade
Mali - used centralization to control their empire, compared to Ghana, it's predecessor. Mali gained lots of wealth.
Major sources of wealth: Salt, Gold, Ivory
Mansa Musa - 1312-1337
Ruler of Mali, helped expand trade to increase riches in his empire. Helped to make Mali the wealthiest kingdom in Africa.
Aztecs: 1421-1521
Ruled remotely, utilized the tribute system to expand and make a large empire. Enforced tribute system through a strong military.
Incans: 1532 - 1572
Utilized the Mit'a system, which compelled their citizens into mandatory publicservice for certain periods of time.
CHANGE AND CONTINUITIES: Feudal empires lost power during the 12th and 15th centuries due to the increasing success of centralizedpowers.
Feudalism - social hierachy in medieval Europe.
Crown - Monarchs
Nobles - held lands from the Crown in exchange for military service
Vassals - rented land from the noble class
Peasants/Serfs - obliged to live on their lord's land and give him labor and a share of the produce, notionally in exchange for military protection.
Religions (UNIT 1)
Islam and it's language (Arabic) were used to help unite regions throughout Afro-Eurasia
Confucianism was used to justify their rule (Ex. CivilService Exam)
Hinduism/Buddhism was also used to justify/consolidate rule in S. and S.E Asia. Hinduism introduced the Caste System in Dehli Sultanate
Roman Catholic was relatively weak. Organized societies apart from states.
Struggle for power between Catholicchurch and state due to rising powers in both France and the Holy Roman Empire
COMPARISONS AND SIMLARITIES: All major world religions spread.
Convert Religions: Christianity, Islam, Buddhism.
Sent out missionaries to create new converts to their own religions. Peaceful
CAUSE AND EFFECT: The large growth of worldreligions caused the decline of local indigenous religions.
Religious conversions through military force:
Muslims invaded N. India to create The Dehli Sultanate. The new Muslim rule placed the Jizya Tax, which allowed non-muslims to remain in the empire, but would be taxxed.
CAUSE AND EFFECT: Many people in the Dehli Sultanate convertedtoIslam to avoid the Jizya Tax.
Religious conversions happened through trade
CAUSE AND EFFECT:
Literacy rates increased due to the spread of paper-making technologies from China to the Western parts of the world. Places like Europe, N.Africa, and S. & S.E Asia
This caused learning in fields like mathematics and medicine to increase as well
House of Wisdom - Baghdad, Iraq - 8th century. During the Abbasid dynasty, the House of Wisdom was a Muslim center of learning and culture.
Nomadic people - Pastoral people through Afro-Eurasia regions. Helped increase trade (ex. SilkRoads) and cross-cultural interactions.
During this time period, their influence began to wane over the spread of cultures as merchants in trade routes increased.