AP World History Final Review

Major Empires of the Post-Classical Era

• Byzantine Empire: Preserved Roman culture and law, heavily influenced by Greek Orthodoxy.
• Islamic Empires (Umayyad, Abbasid, Ottoman): Spanning North Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Europe.
• Chinese Dynasties (Sui, Tang, Song): Known for technological advancements and cultural flourishing.
• Indian Empire (Gupta): Experienced a golden age in art, science, and mathematics.
• Mongol Empire: A vast empire spanning from Eastern Europe to China, characterized by military strength and significant impact on trade.

Innovations and Diffusions of the Islamic Empires

• Paper: Introduced from China, facilitated literacy and knowledge growth.
• Algebra: Developed by Islamic mathematicians, advanced mathematics and astronomy.
• Astrolabe: Tool for navigation and astronomy, used extensively by Islamic sailors.
• Translation of Greek and Indian Texts: Preserved knowledge and advanced intellectual growth.
• Universities: Established in major Islamic cities to foster education.

Major Innovations of China in the Post-Classical Era

• Gunpowder: Significant military implications following its invention in China.
• Printing (Woodblock): Revolutionized knowledge dissemination.
• Compass: Crucial for maritime navigation, aiding exploration and trade.
• Porcelain: Prized trade good showcasing Chinese craftsmanship.
• Paper Money: Facilitated trade and economic development.

Differences between Europe and China in the Post-Classical Era

• Political Structure: Europe fragmented into kingdoms and city-states; China unified under dynasties.
• Economic Systems: Europe's feudalism contrasted with China's centralized bureaucracy.
• Cultural Influences: Europe influenced by Christianity; China by Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism.

The Spread and Transformation of Buddhism

• Originated in India with Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha).
• Spread to China, Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia.
• Adapted to different cultures, incorporating local beliefs.

Religion, Unity, and Conflict

• Rajputs: Hindu warrior caste in India, often in conflict with Islamic rulers.
• Crusaders: Christian warriors involved in wars to reclaim Jerusalem.
• Sufis: Mystic Islamic practitioners emphasizing inner spirituality.

Innovations that Increased Trade

• Caravans: Facilitated exchange of goods and ideas across distances.
• Seafaring: Improved shipbuilding and navigation techniques expanded sea trade.
• Coinage: Standardized coins facilitated trade.

Cultural Diffusion in the Post-Classical Era

• Spread of Religions: Buddhism, Islam, Christianity diffused through trade and conquest.
• Exchange of Technologies: Gunpowder, paper, and compass exchanged across Eurasia.
• Artistic Influences: Cultural blending through exchanged art styles.

Environmental Changes Resulting from Trade

• Spread of Crops: New crops like rice and sugar, impacting agriculture and diets.
• Disease Transmission: Diseases like the bubonic plague spread, causing significant population decline along trade routes.

Mongol Impact on Afro-Eurasia

• Military Conquest: Brought about extensive political and social changes.
• Trade Promotion: Pax Mongolica fostered trade and cultural exchange.
• Cultural Diffusion: Facilitated the spread of ideas, technologies, and arts.

Major Empires of the First Global Empires Era (1450-1750)

• Ottoman Empire: Controlled crucial trade routes, expanded into Europe.
• Mughal Empire: Known for its wealth and cultural achievements in India.
• Spanish Empire: Colonized the Americas, extracted resources and labor.
• Portuguese Empire: Established trading posts and colonies, driving global trade.
• Ming Dynasty: Reunified China after Yuan, initiated maritime exploration.
• Safavid Empire (Persia): Known for Shi'a Islamic beliefs and cultural influence.
• British Empire: Established global colonies and trading posts; rose to a global power.
• French Empire: Colonized areas, competing with Britain for global dominance.

Environmental Impacts of European Maritime Empires on the Americas

• Deforestation: Occurred for resources and agricultural expansion.
• Soil Degradation: Intensive agriculture and non-native crops depleted soil.
• Disease Transmission: Introduced European diseases like smallpox and measles.

Demographic Impacts of European Maritime Empires on the Americas

• Population Decline: Indigenous populations significantly declined due to disease.
• Introduction of African Slaves: Atlantic slave trade brought millions of Africans.
• Population Growth: European migration increased populations in some areas, due to new crops.

Cash Crops and Chattel Slavery

• Cash Crops: Crops (sugar, tobacco, cotton) driven European colonization.
• Chattel Slavery: Enslaved people considered property, fueling the transatlantic slave trade.

Major Innovation Leading to Global Empires

• Improved Navigation Technologies: Compass, astrolabe, and caravel ships enabled exploration and colonization.

Consolidation of Power in Large States

• Military Expansion: Used to conquer territories and establish authority.
• Centralized Bureaucracies: Developed to manage, and tax vast territories.
• Control of Trade Networks: Extracted wealth through trade routes.

Revenue Raising Strategies for States

• Taxes: Levying taxes on subjects.
• Trade Revenue: Extracted wealth through trade route control.
• Tribute: Imposed on conquered populations.

Religious Conflict During the First Global Empires Era

• Protestant Reformation: Challenged the Catholic Church, causing European religious conflict.
• Religious Wars: European powers, and within empires, due to religious differences.

Social Hierarchy Changes

• Rise of a Middle Class: European trade and commerce fostered growth.
• Shifting Power Dynamics: Colonial rule and the slave trade created racial and class hierarchies.

Differences in Trade Policies

• China (Ming Dynasty): Limited foreign trade, focusing on self-sufficiency.
• Japan: Isolationist policies, limiting contact and trade.
• Europe: Active pursuit of global trade, creating colonies and trading posts.

Major Contributions of the European Renaissance

• Humanism: Focused on human potential, reviving interest in classical arts and learning.
• Scientific Revolution: Advancements in science, driven by observation and experimentation.
• Art and Literature: Flourishing through innovative styles.

Enlightenment Philosophers

• John Locke: Natural rights (life, liberty, property).
• Baron de Montesquieu: Separation of powers.
• Jean-Jacques Rousseau: Popular sovereignty and social contract.
• Cesare Beccaria: Criminal justice reform.
• Voltaire: Freedom of speech, religious tolerance.
• Mary Wollstonecraft: Women's rights.

Impacts of the Enlightenment

• Political Revolutions: Inspired revolutions in America, France, and Latin America.
• Social Reforms: Led to reforms in education, legal systems, and religious views.
• Scientific Advancements: Observed reason and experimentation furthered understanding.

Revolutionary Phrases and Connections

• "No taxation without representation:" Colonial demand for representation, against British taxation.
• "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity": French Revolution goals, ending monarchy and promoting equality.
• "Liberty or Death:" Haitian Revolution, determination against colonial rule.
• "Independence or Death:" Latin American Revolutions, fighting for independence.

Connecting Revolutionary Documents with Enlightenment Philosophers

• Declaration of Independence (John Locke): Echoes Locke's natural rights.
• Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (Locke and Rousseau): Reflects Locke's rights and Rousseau's popular sovereignty.
• Haitian Declaration of Independence (Locke and Thomas Paine): Inspiration from Locke's liberty and Paine's revolution.
• Simon Bolivar's "Jamaica Letter" (Locke, and Rousseau): Reflects Locke's limited government and Rousseau's social contract.