Unit 5 AP World History: Key Concepts Explained

Welcome to our exploration of state building and economic systems from 1200 to 1450 CE.This period saw the rise and development of sophisticated empires across Eurasia and Africa.The Mongol Empire dominated Eurasia, creating the largest land empire in history.The Mali Empire controlled vast gold resources and dominated trans-Saharan trade.The Ottoman Empire began its rise to power during this period.The Ming Dynasty established sophisticated governmental systems in China.These empires developed complex administrative systems to maintain control.Bureaucratic systems included civil service examinations, systematic tax collection, and detailed record keeping.Military organizations evolved to include standing armies, specialized cavalry units, and naval forces.Economic systems were developed to manage trade networks, currency, and taxation across vast territories.These sophisticated systems laid the groundwork for cultural and intellectual developments we'll explore next.During this period, religions continued to spread across vast regions.Islam expanded throughout Africa and Southeast Asia, establishing new centers of learning and culture.Meanwhile, Buddhism continued to flourish in East Asia, influencing art, philosophy, and daily life.Universities emerged as vital centers of learning in both Islamic and European worlds.Architecture reached new heights of sophistication, as seen in Gothic cathedrals of Europe.Islamic architecture developed its distinctive style, characterized by geometric patterns and elegant domes.Literary traditions flourished in various languages, each developing unique styles and forms.Trade networks in the medieval world connected distant regions through various routes.As urban centers grew, social hierarchies became more complex, with distinct classes emerging.Merchants and craftsmen organized themselves into powerful guilds, creating a structured system of training and advancement.These trade networks facilitated the spread of important innovations across societies.However, these same networks also facilitated the spread of disease, most notably the Black Death.The medieval trade networks had a lasting impact on world history, connecting cultures and shaping societies in ways that continue to influence us today.These networks laid the foundation for our modern globalized world.