Questions of Periodization

Unit III – Regional and Transregional Interactions(600 – 1450)

I. Introduction

A. Begins1. Fall of Classical Empires

B. Ends with reaction to nomadic invasions1. Mongols (1200s and 1300s)2. By end of 1400s Asia recovering

I. Introduction

3. Western European exploration4. Collapse of 2 key political units in the Middle East

a) Byzantine Empireb) Arab Caliphate

Partner Discussion Question

• What religion was born out of the Abrahamic beliefs in the early 600s? What separated this religion from those that came before it?

II. Four Overarching Developments

A. Rise of Islam1. Islamic Civilization2. Created new empires

a. Brought political structures

3. Conversion spread through outreach

II. Four Overarching Developments

4. Commerce spread across:a. Indian Ocean to W. Pacificb. Down east coast of Africac. Across Sahara Desertd. Silk Routes

II. Four Overarching Developments

5. Decline of the Islamic imperial system• What is an Imperial System???

II. Four Overarching Developments

B. Expansion of Civilization1. Civilization began to spread geographically

a. Sub-Saharan Africab. Northern Europe (East and West)c. Japand. Americase. Polynesian culture (Pacific Islands)

Partner Discussion Question

• Why did civilization spread from the core areas into these new regions? What benefits could this have provided for the “older” civilizations? What drawbacks? Explain.

II. Four Overarching Developments

2. Seven Diverse Areasa. Middle East and North Africab. China and East Asiac. Eastern Europed. Western Europee. Sub-Saharan Africaf. India and South East Asiag. Americas

II. Four Overarching Developments

3. All shared similarities and differences4. Interaction with nomadic societies

II. Four Overarching Developments

C. World Religions1. Spread of religions across Afro-Eurasia

a. Hinduismb. Buddhismc. Islamd. Christianity

Partner Discussion Question

• Based on the FOLLOWING maps, what was the primary method for the spread of religions? What evidence can you provide to support your argument? Be specific.

II. Four Overarching Developments

2. Religions differed greatly, BUT had commonalities

a. All move away from multiple spirits to a supreme god or supernatural force… WHY???

b. Extend beyond local cultures c. Inclusiond. New Institutions:

1) Christian Churches2) Buddhist monasteries3) Religious and legal experts of Islam

New Religious Institutions

II. Four Overarching Developments3. Why were people willing to change???

a. Political confusionb. Missionariesc. Examples of political and commercial

splendor of religious capitalsd. Growth of Trade

II. Four Overarching DevelopmentsD. The World Network

1. Increasing interactions2. International trade grows

– Arab commerce– Indian merchants– Chinese exchanges with S.E. Asia– North / South trade in Western Europe– African merchant routes on east coast of Africa AND routes

through Sahara

a. Primarily luxury goods

II. Four Overarching Developments

3. Cultural Exchange4. Disease

a. Example: Black Death

II. Four Overarching Developments

5. Not global … What is missing???

II. Four Overarching Developments

6. Technology7. No dominant political forms – Empire declined

Partner Discussion Question

•What replaced the empire as the dominant force unifying people? How did this improve connections among people?

III. World History Themes

A. Environmental ChangeB. Social and gender inequalityC. Nomads

IV. Exchange and ImitationA. Manufacturing and bureaucracy

1. Newer civilizationsa. Traded with major centers BUT …

B. Cultures spread through contact