The World in 600 CE Postclassical Period: Fall of Han, Rome, and Indian classical empires Europe in Dark Ages Lack of political boundaries Religion more important than political boundaries (e.g. Christianity in Europe, Hinduism in India, Buddhism in Central and East Asia)

Important Developments Rise and spread of Islam Long distance trade continues and becomes more complex Impact of nomadic groups: Bedouins (Arabs) and Mongols on civilizations China becomes large and prosperous empire Europe grows into major civilization connected to Asia and Middle East

Important Developments Rise of civilizations in Africa Demographic Changes: --nomadic migrations --Black Death --increased urbanization Summary: Religion and commerce are the main forces of change in this period

Rise of Islam Five Pillars of Islam Causes of Sunni-Shi’a Split Reasons for spread of Islam Changes in status of women Arts, Sciences and Technologies * Islam Powerpoint

Sui, Tang, Song China Re-establishment of empire Growth of examination system and scholar-officials Rise and decline of Buddhism Decline in status of women Neo-Confucianism Chinese modernism (technology, urbanism, manufacturing, etc.) * China Powerpoint

Byzantine Empire Eastern Orthodox split from Roman Catholicism Concept of “Caesarpapism” Byzantine culture transmitted to Russia and Eastern Europe * Byzantine Powerpoint

Developments in Europe Similarities and Differences between European and Japanese Feudalism Impact of the Crusades Demographic Changes of Middle Ages * Middle Ages Powerpoint

Crusades Europeans brought into major world trade systems Europeans encounter much more sophisticated cultures of Middle East Brought back silk, spices, and gold Increased demand for additional goods

African Societies Ghana, Mali, Swahili City-States  Gold/Salt Trade  Influence of Islam  Indian Ocean Trade  Africa increasingly part of world trade system

Increasing Complexity of Trade Routes Africa, Europe, and Asia tied together for the first time Trans-Saharan Trade Indian Ocean Trade Silk Road Mediterranean

Trans-Saharan Trade

Silk Routes (Silk Roads)

Indian Ocean

Mediterranean Trade Venice and Genoa, Italy became important ports during Crusades

The Mongols Reasons for Genghis Khan’s success Style of Mongol Rule Impact of Mongol rule on China, Russia, Middle East (Islamic heartland) Pax Mongolica and diffusion of goods, ideas, and plague

Pax Mongolica

Mongol Impacts Diffusion of knowledge, trade, and plague through caravan routes from Asia to Europe Mongols in Middle East convert to Islam in 1300 Tax farming used to collect money in Middle East and China—private groups collected taxes on behalf of government; drove many landowners into debt and servitude (serfdom) Impact of Mongols most detrimental on Islamic empires, Russia, and China Signaled end of nomadic conquests of civilizations

Yuan and Ming China Yuan Dynasty in China (Mongol Dynasty) Beginning of Ming Dynasty Zheng He’s treasure voyages

Zheng He’s Treasure Ships

Migrations of Peoples Arabs—spread of Islam Vikings—led to feudalism in Europe Turks Mongols Bantu-speaking peoples in Africa

Impacts of Black Death (Bubonic plague) Areas impacted include Europe, China, and Middle East (Islamic) countries Population declines Labor shortages – changes feudal system

World in 1450 China reestablished but increasingly inward looking End of unified Islamic Empire – but still a world religion Growth of Europe into separate kingdoms Increasing desire for trade goods, particularly in Europe Ottoman Turks take over Byzantine Empire Islamic civilizations in India (Mughal Empire) End of nomadic ability to dominate civilizations Decreasing status of elite women in civilized societies (China, Islamic countries, Europe)