Ap World History Modern

• When analysing markets, a range of assumptions are made about the rationality of economic agents involved in the transactions
• The Wealth of Nations was written

  1776
• Rational


  (in classical economic theory) economic agents are able to consider the outcome of their choices and recognise the net benefits of each one
• Rational agents will select the choice which presents the highest benefits
• Consumers act rationally by


  Maximising their utility
• Producers act rationally by


  Selling goods/services in a way that maximises their profits
• Workers act rationally by


  Balancing welfare at work with consideration of both pay and benefits
• Governments act rationally by


  Placing the interests of the people they serve first in order to maximise their welfare
• Groups assumed to act rationally


  • Consumers
  • Producers
  • Workers
  • Governments
• Rationality in classical economic theory is a flawed assumption as people usually don't act rationally
• Marginal utility


  The additional utility (satisfaction) gained from the consumption of an additional product
• If you add up marginal utility for each unit you get total utility
• AP World History - Ultimate Guide
• Unit 1: The Global Tapestry
• Review of History Within Civilizations
• What rises out of collapse of classical civilization and interactions developing between new states
• Growth of long-distance trade
• Overview of World's Major Religions in 1200
• Most events are connected to religion
• Key Points


  • Most belief systems still are impacting history
  • Most major religions have divisions = subgroups and sects (focus more on overall religion)
  • Understand theological basis of belief systems and impact of belief systems on social, political, cultural, military developments
  • Origin and spread of belief systems - cultural interactions
  • Religious Mysticism: adherents within religions focusing on mystical experiences that bring them closer to divine - prayer, meditation
• Cultures


  India, China, Southeast Asia, Japan
• Context


  • Founded by Siddhartha Gautama, a young Hindu prince - lived in Nepal from 563-483 BCE, rejected wealth and world possessions and became Buddha (Enlightened One)
  • No supreme being - 4 Noble Truth: (1) all life is suffering, (2) suffering caused by desire, (3) can be freed of desire, (4) freed of desire following a prescribed path
  • Death of Buddha (483 BCE) = Buddhism split - Theravada Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism
  • Theravada Buddhism: meditation, simplicity, nirvana as renunciation of consciousness and self
  • Mahayana Buddhism: great ritual, spiritual comfort - more complex but with greater spread
• Impact


  • Rejects caste system - appealed to those of lower rank
  • India: reabsorbed in Hinduism
  • China, Japan, Southeast Asia: Buddhism continued to thrive
  • Further: spread via trade routes
• Cultures


  Started as group of Jews, quickly expanded through Europe, northeastern Africa, Middle East
• Context


  • Based around Jesus of Nazareth, a figure who claimed to be Messiah the Jews had awaited - teachings of devotion to God and love for others
  • Jesus was crucified by Roman and Jewish leaders in 30 CE and his followers believe he rose from dead into heaven
  • Based on Bible teachings
  • Believe Jesus is the Son of God - forgiveness of sins, everlasting life is achievable through him
  • World was created by God, but world has fallen from God
  • Believers should seek God and care for him and others
• Impact


  • Compassion, grace through faith appealed to lower classes and women
  • Became most influential religion in Mediterranean basin by 3rd century
  • Became official religion of Roman Empire, then branching north and west
  • Connection with Roman Empire had profound impact on global culture
• Cultures


  China (400 BCE+)
• Context


  • Founded by Confucius, educator and political advisor - thoughts and sayings collected in the Analects
  • Deals with how to restore political and social order, not with philosophical or religious topics
  • 5 fundamental relations build society and make it orderly - (1) ruler and subject, (2) parent and child, (3) husband and wife, (4) older sibling and younger sibling. (5) friend and friend
• Impact


  • Compatible with other religions, causing it to flourish
  • Led to distinctive Chinese culture of tight-knit communities
  • Stayed within Chinese culture
• Context


  • Belief in one supreme force called Brahma who created everything - gods are manifestations of Brahma (Vishnu = preserver, Shiva = destroyer)
  • Goal of believer is to merge with Brahma - believe it takes multiple lives to accomplish and believers live to determine who they will be in their next life
  • Following the dharma (rules and obligations of your caste) will move you towards Brahma - moksha is highest stake of being (internal peace and release of soul)
  • No sacred text - Vedas and Upanishads guide Hindus
• Impact


  • Religion and social caste system, which has prevented global acceptance of religion
  • Recently, Hindus are rebelling caste system
  • Spawned Buddhism
• Cultures


  Caliphates (Islamic kingdoms), North Africa, central Asia, Europe
• Context


  • 7th century - Muslims are the believers
  • Allah presented words through prophet Muhammad, whose words were recorded in the Qur'an
  • Salvation is won through submission to God - 5 Pillars of Islam: (1) confession, (2) prayer 5 times a day, (3) charity, (4) fasting during Ramadan, (5) pilgrimage to Mecca
  • 2 groups, Shia and Sunni, who disagreed who should succeed Muhammad
• Impact


  Rapidly spread to Middle East
• Context


  • God selected a group of holy people who should follow his laws and worship them
  • Unique relationship with God
  • World is for them to enjoy, free will - destiny of world is paradise
  • Hebrew Bible - Torah, miracles, laws, historical chronicles, poetry, prophecies
• Impact


  First of major monotheistic faiths
• Developments in the Middle East
• Abbasid Dynasty: Golden Age to Remember
• Context


  • Islamic Empire from 750-1258 CE - early mid-9th century golden age
  • Capital in Baghdad (modern-day Iraq)
  • Centre for arts and sciences - mathematics (Nasir al-Din al Tusi), medicine, writings (House of Wisdom library)
  • Built around trade - used receipt and bill system
• Decline of Islamic Caliphates: Internal Rivalries and Mongol Invasions