Study Guide: World History PDF

Study Guide: World History World History Study Guide 1. Mali Empire Leadership: ○ Sundiata Keita (c. 1235-1255): Founder of the Mali Empire. His victory over the Soso king Sumanguru Kanté at the Battle of Kirina established Mali's dominance. He established...

Study Guide: World History World History Study Guide 1. Mali Empire Leadership: ○ Sundiata Keita (c. 1235-1255): Founder of the Mali Empire. His victory over the Soso king Sumanguru Kanté at the Battle of Kirina established Mali's dominance. He established a strong foundation for the empire's future prosperity. ○ Mansa Musa (c. 1312-1337): Mali's most famous ruler. His pilgrimage (hajj) to Mecca in 1324-1325, with a massive entourage and vast amounts of gold, brought Mali to the attention of the wider world. His reign also saw the expansion of the empire and the promotion of Islamic scholarship and architecture (e.g., the Sankore Madrasah in Timbuktu). Trans-Saharan Trade Route: ○ A network of trading routes crossing the Sahara Desert, connecting North Africa with sub-Saharan West Africa. ○ Mali controlled key gold-producing regions in West Africa and benefited immensely from controlling trade routes. ○ Key commodities traded: From West Africa (south): Gold, ivory, kola nuts, slaves. To West Africa (north): Salt, textiles, horses, manufactured goods. ○ The trade route facilitated not only economic exchange but also cultural and religious exchange (e.g., the spread of Islam). 2. European Ship Designs (Age of Exploration) Caravel (15th-17th centuries): ○ A small, highly maneuverable sailing ship developed by the Portuguese. ○ Combined square sails (for power) and lateen sails (triangular sails for better maneuverability against the wind). ○ Shallow draft allowed exploration of coastlines and rivers. Carrack (15th-16th centuries): ○ A larger, multi-masted ship designed for cargo transport and long voyages. ○ High sides for defense, often equipped with cannons. ○ Important for establishing trade routes to Asia and the Americas. Galleon (16th-18th centuries): ○ A large, multi-decked sailing ship primarily used for warfare. ○ Powerful cannons made them dominant naval vessels. ○ Played a crucial role in European naval power and colonial expansion. 3. Industrialization of Russia vs. Japan (19th Century) Russia: ○ State-directed industrialization: Driven by the Tsarist government, particularly under Peter the Great (early 18th century) and later reformers. ○ Focus on heavy industry (iron, steel, railroads) and military modernization. ○ Obstacles: Serfdom (abolished in 1861, but its effects lingered), social and political conservatism, vastness of the country, and limited access to capital. ○ Industrialization was uneven and led to social unrest. Japan: ○ Meiji Restoration (1868): Overthrow of the feudal system and restoration of imperial power. ○ Rapid and deliberate adoption of Western technology, institutions, and industrial practices. ○ Emphasis on education, modernization of the military, and building a strong centralized government. ○ Relatively homogenous population and strong national identity facilitated rapid change. ○ Limited natural resources drove Japan to seek overseas expansion. 4. Industrial Revolution First Industrial Revolution (c. 1760-1840): ○ Key Innovations: Steam engine (James Watt), power loom (Edmund Cartwright), cotton gin (Eli Whitney), improved iron production (Henry Cort). ○ Key Industries: Textiles, coal mining, iron production. ○ Factory System: Shift from domestic production to large-scale factory production. Second Industrial Revolution (c. 1870-1914): ○ Key Innovations: Electricity (Thomas Edison, Nikola Tesla), internal combustion engine (Gottlieb Daimler, Karl Benz), steel production (Henry Bessemer), chemical industry (synthetic dyes, explosives). ○ Key Industries: Steel, chemicals, petroleum, automobiles, electrical equipment. Urban Workforce: ○ Mass migration from rural areas to urban centers seeking employment in factories. ○ Rapid urbanization led to overcrowding, poor sanitation, poverty, and social problems. ○ Rise of labor movements and unions to address workers' rights and conditions. 5. Enlightenment Ideals and the Abolition of Slavery Enlightenment Ideals (18th Century): ○ Emphasis on reason, individual rights (life, liberty, property), natural law, and social contract theory (John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau).  ○ Challenged traditional authority and advocated for reform and revolution. Abolition of Slavery: ○ Enlightenment ideas about natural rights and equality fueled the abolitionist movement. ○ ○ Religious and moral arguments against slavery also gained prominence. ○ ○ Abolition was a gradual process in different countries: Great Britain: Abolition of the slave trade (1807), abolition of slavery in British colonies (1833). United States: Abolition through the Civil War (1861-1865). Other European powers and Latin American countries followed suit throughout the 19th century. 6. Industrial Revolution: Impacts, Innovations, Workforce, Industries (Covered in #4) 7. Egypt: Mamluks and French Influence Mamluks: ○ Slave soldiers (primarily of Turkic and Circassian origin) who rose to power in Egypt in the 13th century. ○ Established a powerful military force and ruled Egypt for centuries. ○ Maintained a degree of autonomy even under Ottoman rule. French Influence (Napoleon's Invasion, 1798-1801): ○ Napoleon's invasion exposed Egypt to modern European ideas and technologies. ○ Led to the discovery of the Rosetta Stone, which was crucial for deciphering hieroglyphs. ○ Weakened the Mamluks and opened the door for increased European influence in the region, particularly British influence. 8. Chinese Influences on Japan and Korea Cultural and Intellectual Influences: ○ Confucianism: Ethical and philosophical system emphasizing social harmony, filial piety, and hierarchical relationships. ○ Buddhism: Spread from India to China and then to Korea and Japan. ○ Chinese writing system (adapted into Japanese and Korean scripts). ○ Art, architecture, literature, and philosophy. Political and Institutional Influences: ○ Centralized bureaucratic government models. ○ Legal codes and administrative systems. Korea as a Cultural Bridge: ○ Korea acted as a conduit for transmitting Chinese culture and ideas to Japan. 9. Comparing Empire Governmental Structures Medieval Europe (c. 5th-15th centuries): ○ Feudalism: Decentralized political system based on land ownership and reciprocal obligations between lords and vassals. ○ Weak central authority; power held by local nobles and the Catholic Church. ○ Monarchies existed, but their power was often limited by powerful nobles. Japan (c. 12th-19th centuries - Shogunate Period): ○ Shogunate: Military government headed by a shogun (general). ○ Emperor was a figurehead; real power held by the shogun and the warrior class (samurai). ○ Feudal system similar to Europe, with lords (daimyo) and their samurai retainers. Song China (960-1279): ○ Highly centralized bureaucratic government. ○ Civil service examinations based on Confucian classics were used to select government officials. ○ Strong central authority exercised by the emperor and his bureaucracy. 10. Mongolian Empire (13th-14th centuries) Expansion: ○ Rapid conquests under Genghis Khan and his successors created one of the largest contiguous land empires in history. ○ Conquests extended from Eastern Europe to Southeast Asia. Trade (Pax Mongolica): ○ "Mongol Peace" – a period of relative stability and peace within the Mongol Empire. ○ Facilitated trade and travel along the Silk Road and other trade routes. ○ Increased cultural exchange and the spread of ideas and technologies. Rule of the Different Khanates: ○ After Genghis Khan's death, the empire was divided into four main khanates: Golden Horde (Russia) Ilkhanate (Persia) Chagatai Khanate (Central Asia) Yuan (China)