Questions+of+Periodization+600+to+1450

=Periodization of History= = Because the amount of information on historical happenings is so enormous, it is divided into different eras. This process is called periodization. Historians often determine the different eras by events such as: changes in leadership, revolutions, major religious occurrences, and wars. These examples are just a few of the many possible divisions by which historical records may follow. Below are the individual accounts of specific cultures that experienced many changes that led to the emergence of new cultures or the decline of existing ones. = = __Umayyad__ =
 * Before start of empire caliphs ruled (religious and political leader rolled up into one neat little ball)
 * - The type of government was called a theocracy because the ruler was believed to provide divine guidance
 * - The Muslim world was referred to as a caliphate
 * - Umayyad dynasty rose out of the struggling Muslim world due to debate over the next Caliph, and took over after Hasan gave up his throne
 * - The capital was moved from Mecca to Damascus
 * - Used a gold and silver coin currency
 * - The empire expanded as far as North Africa and Spain
 * - They were stopped by Charles “the Hammer” Martel while trying to get into Paris (fun fact: Charles Martel was Charlemagne’s Grandfather)
 * - The battling sides of the Muslim faith (Sunni and Shiites) tore the population apart and caused great tension among the Muslim citizens
 * - Eventually due to all the struggle, many members of the Umayyad family were murdered, paving the way for the next dynasty, the Abbasids

=__ Abbasid __=
 * 750-1258 ce
 * - Had a golden age for Islamic culture in the ninth century
 * - Built the capital at Baghdad which then became a major cultural center
 * - Society was Built around Trade
 * - Used receipts and bills to track money spending (and to write off deductibles)
 * - Manufactured steel very efficiently for the making of swords
 * - A medical encyclopedia was written signifying great advancements in knowledge
 * - Defeated the T’ang army
 * - Used paper that they found for books, which were an important part of their society
 * - Because of their exquisite geographical location, they had a very key role in silk road trade
 * - There was a very strong central government at Baghdad and the Abbasids had a flourishing nation

Byzantine Empire: Beginnnings: · Created when the Roman Empire was split into two parts, the Western Roman Empire and the Eastern Roman Empire. (It is the Eastern one.) · It was known to its inhabitants as the Roman Empire and was only labeled the Byzantine Empire by later historians. · Created its capital on the foundations of the town of Byzantium, which was called Constantinople after the emperor Constantine and became one of the most prominent cities in Europe.. · The start of the empire is sometimes dated to emperor Constantine’s switch from the capital in Anatolia to Byzantium in 330 BCE. Political Systems/Organizations: · Empire ruled by an Emperor · Autocracy · Similar legal code to that of the original Roman Empire · Large, specialized army · Institutionalized religion in Eastern Orthodox Christianity · Legislative body was the Byzantine Senate Russia: Beginnings: · Founded by Scandinavian traders and centered in the city of Kiev · In the early ninth century, the Rus people became loosely organized under the Rus Khanate · Kievan Rus was founded in 880 by prince Oleg · During the next 35 years, Oleg and his warriors subdued Eastern Slavic and Finnic tribes · In 907, Oleg led an attack against Constantinople and in 911 he signed a commercial treaty with the Byzantine Empire as an equal partner · The new Kievan state prospered because it had an abundant supply of furs, beeswax, and honey for export and because it controlled three main trade routes of Eastern Europe: the Volga trade route from the Baltic Sea to the Orient, the Dnieper trade route from the Baltic to the Black Sea, and the trade route from the Khazars to the Germans, Political Systems/Organizations: · Lead by regional princes and kings · Saw the first Eastern Slavic legal code · Government was a monarchy · Orthodox Christianity eventually became the government supported religion

Developments of Sudanic States and Swahili Coast · Swahili Coast: East Africa · East coast of Africa linked it to India and South East Asia o Via shipping lanes of Indian Ocean trade · Populated by Bantu-speaking people’s: farmers, merchants, fisherman · Swahili language: Bantu and Arabic · Swahili traders brought gold, slaves, ivory, and other exotic products to the coast o Created incredible wealth and growth of powerful kingdoms along this coast § Cultural and political centers § Lots of development § Fortified cities with trade goods from all over the world · Facilitated political and economic relationships · Took on some Islamic traditions but kept many of their own Sudanic States: West Africa · Often had patriarch or council of elders of a dominant family o Prior to this it was matrilineal descent · People with the same linguistics or ethical background tended to stick together · Larger states had control over smaller states · Development of unified states allowed many groups to coexist · Ruling families used Islamic titles o This reinforced their authority · The formation of states caused an increase in social differences o More hierarchal · In order to keep authority rulers had to have the ability to intercede with local spirits · Rulers were considered sacred o Surrounded by rituals · Ghana and Mali had lots of gold o Established a gold and salt trade with Islamic merchants o Islam was also brought to the area · Ghana fell into decline after an attempted Islamic holy war · Mali came to power o Mansa Musa-1307 made a pilgrimage to Mecca · Songhai-biggest mid 15th century o Sonni Ali-conquered all and established an empire o Made Timbuktu a major cultural center

Tang China - Following the Han Dynasty there was a period of political strife - Many groups were competeing for the throne - Nomads began to rule China - When the Tang Dynasty began many institutions were revived - Li Yuan laid the basis for the Tang era o Conquered many lands o Repaired the Great Wall o Resetablished the bureaucracy and the exams o Family influence still held power in the imperial system - After a period of peace and a thriving culture, the organization dissapated Song China - Internal rebellions and nomadic invasions led to the decline of the Tang - Xuanzong was distracted by Yang Guifei and her interventions broke up the empire - Under Zhao Kuangyin China resisted division and the Song Dynasty was established o The examinations remained and were expanded o Confucian thought was revived o Buddhism was suppressed

The Tang and Song Dynasties brought new trade patterns, commerce, expansion, new artistic expression, and technological advancements. China is said to have thrived under these two dynasties.



Ming China - Emerged as a result of the leadership of a peasant named Ju Yuanzhang - The Mongol rulers retreated to the mainland and the Mindg resided for three centuries - The civil sevice examinations and bureaucracy remained as well

SUMMARY OF MAIN POINTS - The civil service exam was greatly improved - Canals and extended communication systems were constructed - Paper money and credit systems were developed; tribute systems came to exist in the areas controlled by the dynasties

Delhi Sultanate: - Muslims took over to introduce Islam to India * Became countries major religion - Muslim women (India) gained more property rights than Hindu, especially in lower caste. *Also possible for divorce and remarry - Timur attacked and captured Delhi, when he left (after a year) the city was in ruins

Mongols:

- Reunified China 1300's (as a single state) - Mongols adapted themselves to Chinese ways: Buddhism and Mandarin Chinese's as a language - Kublai Khan reigned until 1294 and made Yuan China rich and powerful * Forced most of china's neighbors to pay tribute - Kublai Khan * Rebuilt China's bureaucracy and economy * Repaired roads and canals * Built new cities * Restored trade in the West * Silk Road emerged again - Imposed a single political authority, encouraged economic trade, made travel conditions safer, imposed legal order (to all places conquered) * Smarkand became a crucial economic center - Borrowed * Written language (China) * Law code (//yasa-// China) * Paper currency (China) * Religions (Buddhism and Islam) - Used skills with horses for postal systems (fastest and most efficient) * Called the //yam//

Turkish - Seljuk success in conquering crippled the Byzantine Empire and ushered its long period of decline

SOURCES: Google Images Sterns AP World History Textbook Princeton Review Book