Civilizations & Developments in Asia

• Study notes for the student on review of History Within Civilizations and Developments in Asia.

Review of History Within Civilizations

• Classical civilization collapse leads to new state interactions and the expansion of long-distance trade.
• Most significant events are connected to religion.
• Key aspects of religion include their lasting historical impact, internal divisions, theological basis, influence on social, political, cultural, and military developments, and their origin and spread via cultural interactions.
• Religious mysticism involves adherents seeking mystical experiences to connect with the divine through practices like prayer and meditation.

Buddhism

• Originated in India and spread to China, Southeast Asia, and Japan.
• Founded by Siddhartha Gautama from Nepal (563-483 BCE), who rejected wealth to become the Buddha.
• It does not involve the worship of Gods
• Key concepts include the Four Noble Truths, and freedom from desire via a prescribed path.
• Theravada Buddhism focuses on meditation, simplicity, and nirvana as renunciation.
• Mahayana Buddhism incorporates ritual and spiritual comfort.
• It rejects the caste system, attracting those of lower rank, and spread via trade routes.

Christianity

• Originated among a group of Jews and expanded through Europe, northeastern Africa, and the Middle East.
• Centered on Jesus of Nazareth, believed to be the Messiah, teaching devotion to God and love for others.
• Jesus was crucified around 30 CE, with followers believing in his resurrection.
• Based on Bible teachings, it holds that Jesus is the Son of God, offering forgiveness and everlasting life.
• It advocates for compassion, and grace through faith appealed to lower classes and women.
• Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire, profoundly impacting global culture.

Confucianism

• Founded by Confucius in China (400 BCE+), focusing on restoring political and social order.
• His teachings are collected in the Analects.
• Compatible with other religions, it led to tight-knit communities and remained within Chinese culture.

Hinduism

• Originated in India, characterized by belief in Brahma, the supreme force, manifested in gods like Vishnu and Shiva.
• Believers aim to merge with Brahma through multiple lives by following the dharma of their caste.
• Moksha represents the ultimate state of internal peace and soul release.
• Vedas and Upanishads guide Hindus.
• It is associated with the social caste system, hindering global acceptance.
• Buddhism was developed from it.

Islam

• Emerged in the 7th century, with believers known as Muslims.
• Allah's words were revealed through Prophet Muhammad and recorded in the Qur’an.
• Salvation is achieved through submission to God, following the 5 Pillars of Islam.
• The religion spread rapidly to the Middle East.

Judaism

• Originated with the Hebrews and revolves around a unique relationship with God, who has chosen them
• God wants them to enjoy the world, with free will and a destiny of paradise.
• Their texts include the Hebrew Bible (Torah), miracles, laws, and prophecies.
• Islam and Christianity are developed from it.

Developments in the Middle East

• The Abbasid Dynasty (750-1258 CE), with its capital in Baghdad, was a center for arts and sciences.
• Its advancements include mathematics (Nasir al-Din al Tusi), medicine, and writings (House of Wisdom).
• The system was built around trade, using receipts and bills.
• The Islamic Caliphates declined due to internal rivalries and Mongol invasions.
• Challenges came from revolts of Turkish warriors, new Shia dynasty in Iran, Seljuk Turk Sunni group, Persians, Europeans, and Byzantines.
• The Mongols destroyed Baghdad in 1258.
• Ottoman Turks later reunited Egypt, Syria, and Arabia until 1918.
• The Mamluks, an Egyptian group, defeated the Mongols in Nazareth.

Developments in Europe

• The Middle Ages followed the fall of Rome, with the Eastern Roman Empire becoming the Byzantine Empire.
• Western Europe collapsed entirely, while Christianity remained strong.
• European Feudalism divided land into a hierarchy: King, Nobles, Vassals, and Peasants/Serfs.
• Vassals' estates were called fiefs or manors, which were self-sufficient.
• They used a three-field system for fall, spring, and empty fields.
• Conflicts between lords were regulated by chivalry, and women's education was limited to domestic skills.
• Peasants/serfs had few rights outside the manor.
• Increased global trade led to the emergence of a middle class of craftsmen and merchants.

Emergence of Nation-States

• People shifted from feudal kingdom organization to linguistic and cultural organization.
• Germany experienced an interregnum, increasing the power of merchants and tradespeople.
• In England, nobles forced King John to sign the Magna Carta, laying the foundation for Parliament with the House of Lords and House of Commons.
• Joan of Arc spurred revolts against English occupation, unifying France after the Hundred Years’ War (1337-1453).
• Spain was united by Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand, who forced residents to convert to Christianity.
• Russia was taken over by the Tartars until Prince Ivan III expanded his power in the 1400s, with Ivan the Terrible becoming a ruthless ruler in the 1500s.

Developments in Asia

• In China, the Song Dynasty (960-1279) saw Confucianism lead to foot binding.
• Neo-Confucianism incorporated Buddhist ideas, filial piety, and loyalty.
• The Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) followed Mongol dominance.
• China was influenced by Nestorianism, Manichaeism, Zoroastrianism, Islam, and especially Buddhism.
• Mahayana Buddhism promoted a peaceful existence, while Chan or Zen Buddhism valued meditation.
• Japan remained relatively isolated and developed Feudal Japan (1192) with Emperor, Shogun, Daimyo, samurai, and peasants.
• Samurai followed the Code of Bushido.
• The Delhi Sultanate in India saw Islam take over Northern India, while Rajput Kingdoms resisted Muslim forces until 1527.
• In Southeast Asia, religion spread and established states like the Khmer Empire (9th-15th century), which crafted the Angor Wat temple.

Developments in Africa

• Islamic Empire spread to North Africa in the 7th to 8th centuries, reaching sub-Saharan Africa via the Sahara Desert.
• Long trade increased
• The Hausa Kingdoms, off the Niger River achieved economic stability and religious influence through trade, but declined in the 18th century due to internal wars.

Developments in the Americas

• The Aztecs arrived in Mexico in the mid-1200s, establishing Tenochtitlan as their capital.
• They had an expansionist policy and a strict army.
• The Inca, in the Andes Mountains of Peru, also had an expansionist policy, with a strong army, established bureaucracy, unified language, and road system.
• Their capital, Cuzco, had almost 300,000 people in the late 1400s.