Postclassical Period New Faith and New Commerce

Postclassical Period New Faith and New Commerce
~Intensification of Exchange & the Nomads Last Hurrah~

PoV Practice

Guess Who? Pilgrimage to Mecca brought attention to the wealth of the Mali Empire Mali controlled trans-Saharan trade route Built capital at Timbuktu Built mosques and schools to promote Islam Mansa Musa

Guess Who? Ruled the eastern portion of the Roman Empire
Attempted to rebuild the Roman Empire through military conquest Rebuilt Constantinople Built Hagia Sophia Wife Theodora was very influential Codified Roman law Justinian

What is the date? Charlemagne crowned 800

What is the event? 1258 CE Mongol conquest of Baghdad

What is the date? Fall of Constantinople 1453

Compare the impact of Islam on Africa and S/SE Asia.

Spotlight: Africa - the bellwether
Bantu complete Islam Conquest Empires Ruler reverence Agriculture Trade Women’s rights Slave trade Shift to coasts Guns Dependence Extreme expansionism Authoritarian Colonized Peaceful decolonization Violent settler colonies Continued dependence “Developing”

Postclassical Period New Faith and New Commerce
~Intensification of Exchange & the Nomads Last Hurrah~

Post-Classical - Contents
Trends Dar al-Islam Western Europe China & Byzantium Women The Americas Timeline

Post-Classical Trends

Population increased from 250 mil to 450 mil
Provides a good summary of period: How? Population increased from 250 mil to 450 mil Demographics Population recovery from Classical decline begins the Post-Classical period Although Middle Eastern and South Asian populations stagnated, populations grew steadily in Africa, Europe, China Migration of Bantu in Africa complete by end of Classical period fostered population growth (and more complex civilizations in region) Europe’s new technologies of moldboard plow and three-field system led to increased population in 10th century. Also, the adoption of Asian crops via the Middle East added productive capacity China opened new land, built dams, and adopted Champa rice from SE Asia, which all led to more agricultural productivity and population growth The greater overland connections fostered by the Mongol expansion allowed bubonic plague to spread from China to the Middle East and Europe. The disease wiped out 1/3 of many societies and break outs reoccurred for four centuries Demographic Trends

Demographic Trends Migrations Vikings Mongols Germanic Tribes
Bantu-Speaking People of Africa Mongols Turkic Groups People of Oceania Arabs Germanic Tribes Chinese At the close of the Classical Period, that Bantu peoples were spreading throughout Africa. At the same time, Germanic peoples were migrating to Western Europe and destabilizing the western Roman Empire. As civilization in Western Europe was re-built political unity was slowed by Viking migrations. Vikings experienced population growth and moved westward to raid northern Europe and eastward, eventually mixing with slavic peoples and forming Kievan Russia. After Islam united the bedouins, these Arabs expanded outward, conquering a region from Spain to India. As Turkic populations grew in Central Asia, the Seljuks and then the Ottomans expanded westward and destabilized the Abbasid Caliphate. As Chinese civilization blossomed, ethnic Chinese increasingly inhabited southern China and northern Vietnam. By last centuries of the Post-Classical period, Mongol nomads united under Chinggis Khan’s leadership conquered an area from Russia and the Middle East to China and Korea. Demographic Trends

Compare the Umayyad & Abbasid Caliphates. ???
Dar al-Islam Compare the Umayyad & Abbasid Caliphates. ??? The Postclassical Period witnesses a growth of interregional exchange that is unprecedented. The Islamic Caliphates were a tremendous impetus for connecting Africa, Southeast Asia, Europe, and China. While internationally the two caliphates have similar impacts, the internal social and political policies of each differ greatly.

Islam One of the defining developments of Postclassical period
Rooted in Judaism & Christianity Five Pillars, Quran Founded by a merchant named Muhammad among the bedouin Arabs in the early 7th century. Muhammad preached a message that continued the monotheistic tradition of Judaism and Christianity. Muhammad’s teachings, initially unwelcome among Arabs united a violent nomadic culture in common purpose as animistic peoples prayed to one god. Muhammad taught that Judaism and Christianity were all “People of the Book” as they all traced their roots back to the Old Testament’s Abraham. This meant a belief in the Ten Commandments, heaven/hell, and all previous Judeo-Christian prophets. Yet, Muhammad was thought to be the “Seal of the Prophets” as no others could come after. Central to Muhammad’s new religion, Islam, were the Five Pillars (five practices that supported the basic tenets of their belief in God). 1) There is no God, but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger, 2) Pray five times daily, 3) Give to Charity, 4) Fast during the holy month of Ramadan, 5) Travel to the holy city of Mecca on a religious pilgrimmage/hajj. These central practices were recorded in the Islamic holy book of the Quran, a poetic record of God’s words, according to Islam. Because the Quran was originally a oral record of God’s message (according to Islam), Muslims believe the Quran to be particularly holy. The words themselves are holy, and therefore, Islam does not allow artistic representations of God beyond the words of the Quran. Muhammad made a mark as a political and religious leader in order to win converts and direct some resistance Meccans to worship. When Muhammad died, the new Islamic community was faced with finding a successor to this political/religious leadership. A divide in the community occurred as some believed any devote Muslim could lead the community (Sunni) while others believed that only members of Muhammad’s lineage could rightfully lead the community (Shia). While the Five Pillars created a new found unity of Arabs and won many converts, tension over leadership remained a problem for thirty years until the Umayyad clan formed a dynastic caliphate. Islam

Muhammad* Jesus* Abraham David Moses* Judaism Christianity Islam

Umayyad An “Arab Caliphate” & conquest state
From bedouins to Arab garrison administrators The Umayyad spread largely due to the absence of strong opposition. North Africa and Spain were fragmented after the fall of the Roman Empire and the Byzantine and Persia Empires were weakened by centuries of conflict between each other. This allowed the Arab Umayyad to conflict a diverse populace from Spain & North Africa through Persia & the borders of India. The Umayyad were then forced to address administering government to such a diverse group of people. Loyal Arab conquerors and generals frequently were rewarded with posts at provincial governors. Since the government was primarily funded by the plunders of war, the Arabs had little incentive to actively spread the religion to non-Arabs. This led to Arabs governing from garrisons and many localities maintaining many of their own local laws and officials. In addition to the income generated by plunder, the Umayyad also needed state revenue, but Islamic law largely eliminated taxes outside of annual charity. In order maintain funding, non-Arabs who converted to Islam were often not afforded these tax benefits. Socially, the Umayyad realm gave preferential status to Arab Muslims, who dominated bureaucratic posts and ownership of large tracts of land. Late the Umayyad period, non-Arab Muslims outnumbered Arabs and approximately 90% of population did not fall into either category as they were non-Muslims. Since Sharia law and judges largely applied only to Muslims, many Jews and Christians maintained many of their customs. Because Muslims were not to be enslaved, a powerful trade of non-Muslims developed to provide slave labor to the empire. The systematic difference in treatment of Arab Muslims and non-Arab Muslims ultimately led to a revolt that toppled the Umayyad regime. As the Abbasid took control of the empire, the one surviving Umayyad claimant fled to Spain and established an autonomous Umayyad Caliphate in Spanish Cordoba. Umayyad

Abbasid An “Islamic Caliphate” Government Economy
Inherit a large empire & seek to integrate society through conversion to Islam Government More bureaucratic – Vizir Yet, Political weakness = fragmentation after 945 Economy Trade revenue & exchange fostered scientific advances Inclusion of Africa and South/SE Asia into more global network The Abbasid, having deposed the Umayyad, sought to integrate the diverse elements of society into the empire more fully. This was largely done by actively seeking converts and allowing non-Arab converts to reach high government posts and military leadership. The Abbasid also sought for a time to important government administration by centralizing authority in Baghdad and less in the hands of provincial governors. This is best typified by the creation of the vizir (chief minister). In time political weakness increased dramatically. Rival siblings and their mercenary armies often created succession problems and destabilized the empire. Increasingly caliphs became less interested in day-to-day administration. Now that Arab identity was de-emphasized, regionalism replaced the predominant loyalty of much of the populace. With coupled with succession problems and disinterested caliphs, the outer reaches of the empire began to break away from Abbasid leadership. When Baghdad was created as the capital city, this shift toward Persia represented a shift toward Persian culture and outside influence. Non-Arab generals and mercenary armies in the absence of conquest often exercised either much provincial control or control over the caliph. In fact, provincial generals were often given responsibility to collect taxes, so these regional militaries acted autonomously. Turks of Central Asia often converted to Islam and acted as trade intermediaries, and Turkish cavalry forces were recruited to the army. This migratory pattern and wealth of Baghdad drew Seljuk Turks and then Ottoman Turks into the empire further removing the Caliph from authority. The position of caliph was in fact reduced to a puppet, particularly after 945. During the Abbasid period, agricultural productivity boomed. Irrigation and infrastructure improvements of the late Umayyad and early Abbasid led to higher yields and thus more trade. Once the Islamic Empires reached the peak of their expansion, cultural diffusion quickened. Indian numerals, sugar, melons, and citrus all flowed throughout Dar al-Islam. Arab lateen sails and dhows led Arab mariners to increasingly control Indian Ocean trade further connecting East Africa, South Asia, and SE Asia. Camel caravans traversed the Sahara pulling West African trading states into the hemispheric economy. Scholars and scientists in Baghdad observed the stars, made medical advances, and preserved Greek texts. Impact on India: Impact on SE Asia: Impact on East Africa: Impact on West Africa: Abbasid

Western Europe Analyze the changes and continuities in the role of Christianity in Western Europe. ???

Periodization 500-1000 = Early Middle Ages
= High Middle Ages = Late Middle Ages Due to the collapse of the Roman Empire, Western Europe was forced to start from a position of rebuilding: Early Middle Ages = Although today the term, Dark Ages, is frowned upon. If there were a dark period in European history. This era would qualify. The Early Middle Ages witnessed decentralized rule with lots of warfare. Technological sophistication was little progress, and the Catholic Church exerted a great amount of influence. High Middle Ages = After a period of recovery, the High Middle Ages were a period of growth in Western Europe as governments became more formal, trade rebounded, and scientific thought recovered as well. Late Middle Ages = After 1300, Western Europe entered a transitional period as a result of the bubonic plague and Hundred Years War. As serfs suffered huge population loses, their labor became more valuable and the institution of serfdom began to decline as a period of global interaction was on the horizon. Periodization

Role of Christianity – Early Medieval
Christianity acted as consolidating force Spread throughout Europe due to emotional comforts Little central political control, so church provided some leadership modeled after Roman administration Charlemagne & crowning Intellectual beacon The Christian Church was a fundamental institution in postclassical Europe. The chaos of the Early Middle Ages fostered a climate that made Christianity attractive to converts. Additionally, some of the early Germanic kings, like Clovis, converted and transformed their realm’s to Christian lands. These conversions served to help unite lands and legitimize some rule. In the absence of solid and formal rule by the Roman Empire the emerging Christian Church was modeled after Roman bureaucratic units: Pope (as emperor in Rome), Cardinals and Bishops (as regional officials), and Priests and Monks (as local authorities). In this way, the church provided some stability and also adopted many of the social functions of government. This structure, particularly with the Pope in Rome, led to tension between the western church and the eastern church with leadership centers in Constantinople. While decentralized and informal government was often the rule based around feudal obligations and the manor system, Charlemagne stands as an exception when he united a large portion of Western Europe under Frankish hands. Yet, Charlemagne was crowned as the “Holy Roman Emperor” by the Pope symbolizing the political strength of the church at this point make and unmake kings. The Catholic Church also acted as the preservers of learning. Many monks devoted their lives to copying manuscripts, which they could not comprehend, and the few people were literate in the era were often church officials. The centrality of the church was also seen when villagers sought refugee from Viking raids at monasteries and monasteries were pillaged by Vikings for their wealth. Role of Christianity – Early Medieval

c1000 CE Western Europe transitions Moldboard plow & 3-field system
Population growth Urbanization & interaction Around 1000 CE, Western Europe experienced an important transition that witnessed higher agricultural yields due to innovations like the moldboard plow and 3-field system. These yields allowed for population growth and resulting urbanization. As Viking raids ended, stability was more possible. Additionally, exposure to Islamic culture, the split between E & W Christianity, and Crusades all helped form a newly vibrant Western Europe. c1000 CE

Role of Christianity – High Medieval
Christianity loses some political influence, but maintains intellectual dominance Monarchies grow more powerful, yet church calls for Crusades Scholasticism, Thomas Aquinas, & universities Economy recovers – trade & urbanization In the High Middle Ages, kings increasingly exerted their control and centralized their authority bringing more stable and formal leadership. As Vikings were assimilated into European society, they aided this political process. This is perhaps best evidenced by William the Conqueror in England. Yet, the Catholic Church used its authority to call Christians to the Crusades. The Catholic Church also remained the center of learning in the postclassical period as Christian thinkers like Thomas Aquinas attempted to merge Christian theology and classical thought in a movement known as Scholasticism. The technical advancement of the age was reflected in more advanced Gothic architecture and the formation of cathedral universities. As population growth led to urbanization, cities received royal charters to act more autonomously and trade grew. The Hanseatic League in northern Europe and Italian city-states became more active in trading for Asian luxuries. Role of Christianity – High Medieval

Compare Tang-Song China & Byzantium.???

Return China to era of greatness after Sui restore order
Tang: Politically powerful Buddhism to Neo-Confucian backlash Song: Economic & cultural growth Fostered spread of civilization in East Asia & European exploration The Sui Dynasty often parallels the history of the earlier Qin for its role in centralizing authority, restoring order, and harsh building of infrastructure. After the era of disunity in China, Buddhism also became more widely practiced in China. The Tang Dynasty was established after the Sui and utilized a powerful military to expand China’s borders – particularly along the Silk Roads into Central Asia. But as political stability was more entrenched, the Confucian civil service exams reached their peak. As Confucian bureaucrats became more influential, the wealth of the Buddhist monasteries and the religion’s role in China was questioned. This sparked a crackdown that reduced the role of Buddhism for the rest of China’s history. The political strength of the Tang Dynasty is often credited with fosters increased economic dynamism in China, especially during the Song Dynasty. Chinese manufacturing was considered some of the most advanced in the world and Chinese goods were highly sought after. New financial innovations, like flying money, helped trade boom and China become more cosmopolitan. The Song Dynasty by contrast had a weaker military and saw a decline in their size of their territory. During the Song Dynasty, the bureaucracy became bloated and less effective. Perhaps as a result of China reaching a high level of sophistication during the period, it increasingly exported its culture throughout East Asia. Korea = elites were sinified (government officials were taken from upper class and exam system was copied, but exams were only open to upper class), Buddhism & written script spread from China Vietnam = Vietnam was directly controlled by China were a longer period and due to the duplication of many Chinese military and administrative techniques, the Vietnamese government more closely copied the styles of the Chinese government. This sinification largely did not impact the pop culture however beyond the introduction of Buddhism. Japan = The Japanese emperor in an effort to unify Japan and heighten his power attempted to selectively import many Chinese styles (Taika reforms). However, other imports like Buddhism and the strength of the Japanese nobility undermined these reforms. After c1000 CE, Japan descended into feudal warfare between rival daimyo and samurai. Tang-Song China

Continuation of Eastern Roman Empire blending Roman, Greek, & Christian values
Highly bureaucratic Centered on Constantinople & Silk Road trade Fostered spread of civilization to Russia & acted as bridge/barrier The Byzantine Empire was a continuation of the Roman Empire based around the eastern capital city build at Constantinople. Despite the fact that we give this empire a different name today, the people referred to themselves as Romans and thought of themselves as the Roman Empire due to the lineage of the empire. This is seen in the reign of Justinian in the 6th century CE. Justinian sponsored the construction of the Hagia Sophia, simplification of the Roman legal codes, and attempted to conquer the former Roman lands. The Byzantine Empire had a highly complex and professional bureaucracy open to all classes. The Byzantine emperor was also a religious figure for his role in naming the patriarch of the eastern Christian church. Because the Christian church had two leaders – the Pope in Rome and the Patriarch in Constantinople led to tension between the rightful leadership of the church and their eventual split in 1054. Byzantium was based around one of the most impressive cities in the world and had a highly developed manufacturing industry. Byzantium produced silk that became trade in the eastern Mediterranean and competed commercially and militarily with the Caliphates. Byzantium was a critical civilization in European history because of its role as a bridge. It spread civilization and Orthodox Christianity to Kievan-Russia. Byzantium also helped preserve the texts of Greek and Roman philosophers. Byzantium was also an important conduit via trade of innovation and luxury goods from the Middle East and Silk Road. Byzantium and its military strength also served to protect Western Europe from Arab, Mongol, and Turkish invasions. Byzantium

The 1200s, Mongols played a role in both Tang-Song China and Eastern Europe. United by Chinggis Khan, the Mongols and their nomadic war machine established a large land empire based in Central Asia. The Mongols initially attacked northern China (overrun by nomads), but due to the strength of the Song, the Mongols turned westward. Mongols conquered the declining Abbasid empire and Kievan-Russia. In the Middle East, the Mongols were finally repelled by the Mamluks slave army in Egypt, while the Mongols advance in Europe stopped due succession issues. At that point, the Mongols returned to China, conquered the Song, and established the Yuan Dynasty. While the Mongols helped strengthen overland trade by uniting the entire region and pacifying raiders along the Silk Road, they also help the bubonic plague spread. Ultimately, the Mongols were not able to conquer Japan or continue their ambitions, but Marco Polo’s travels popularized Chinese goods and likely help motivate Europeans to explore maritime paths to China. Mongols

Women Analyze the changes and continuities in the role of women in Afro-Eurasia.???

Spreading of belief systems often meant decline in women’s status
Middle East Bedouin -> Muhammad -> Abbasid North Africa, Spain – exception: West Africa East Asia Buddhism -> Neo-Confucianism Korea, Japan – exception: Vietnam After women’s subordinate position was indoctrinated by belief systems in the Classical period, the spread and mixing of those belief systems led to decreased position of women. Although Islam initially raised women’s position, old practices of veil, combined with the harem. Neo-Confucianism also brought footbinding to the fore and further reducing women’s ability to navigate the world. Role of Women

The Americas Maya Inca Aztecs

Post-Class: Ch11 Outline
Maya (400CE-800) City-States Regional trade from coastal & rainforest zones Religious pyramids & priests - sacrifices Astronomy

Americas Women enjoyed more freedom
Importance in farming due to lack of draft animals & wheel Aztecs Incas Tribute state Sacrifices Corn Incan socialism Sacrifices Potato Americas

Timeline of Post-Classical Period

Early Interact Crisis Power

Early Justinian Early Medieval Charlemagne Vikings Bantu migrations end Islam Umayyad Abbasid Sui Tang Interact Schism 1st Crusade High Medieval Abbasid splinters Ghana peaks Song Crisis Mongols Plague Late Medieval Southern Song Power Byzantium ends Aztec/Inca peak Mali peaks Islam in SE Asia Ming & ZhengHe

Famous Founder & Builder #12
Considered by believers to be the last prophet of Allah Allah’s revelations to him were recorded in the Quran Teaching and sayings were recorded in the Hadiths Converted and unified the Arab people prior to his death

Postclassical Period New Faith and New Commerce

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