2. The Post-Classical World 600-1450

3. Remember where we left off… Classical Empires were no longer existed due to internal problems and external invaders (often related to the Huns) Old trade routes (Silk Road) are less safe than previously Belief Systems are still very important, and in fact spreading in this time of chaos –Buddhism in China –Christianity in the remnants of the Roman Empire

4. Key Points to Remember for the Post-Classical Era A “leading” civilization—the Muslim Empire Expansion of new (Islam) and existing belief systems An Afro-Eurasian trade network (not Global yet!!!) Expansion of “civilizations” to new areas –Sub-Saharan Africa –Northern Europe – Japan – Americas – Polynesia

5. Islam Begins in Saudi Arabia--622 Strong appeal to many –Monotheism –Highly developed legal codes –Egalitarianism –Strong sense of community

6. The Muslim Empire Crisis of leadership –Who is going to be caliph –Eventually leads to Sunni-Shiite split Umayyads 661-750 –Damascus, Syria –Dominated Arabs –Conquerors Aided by weakening empires around it Strong fighters in the desert Religious zeal

7. Abbassids 750-1258 –Baghdad, Iraq –End Arab dominance –Islam becomes a universal religion –Controlled trade routes, highly urban society Weakened by –Seljuk Turks in 900s (assume political leadership) –Crusades –Mongols – Capture Baghdad 1258

8. Golden Age of Muslim World Muhammad as a merchant –Pioneer new business practices –Guilds dominate city life –Islam and ideas continue to spread via trade networks Especially knowledgeable in math, science, medicine Works of art based on calligraphy and geometric patterns

9. Western Europe Early Middle Ages 500-1000 –Invasions of Vikings, Magyars, Muslims –Feudalism Weak central government Strict social hierarchy –manorialism Self-sufficient; no trade; few cities –Rule of Catholic church Conflict between secular rulers and Popes

10. Unity for A Moment… Charlemagne Crowned Christmas Day 800 –Model for later monarchs –Spread Christianity to Northern Europe –Blending of Christian, Roman, and Germanic traditions

11. High Middle Ages 1000-1300 –Agricultural revolution –Population growth –Revival of cities--Commercial Revolution –Weakening of feudal (nobility) system –Universities, scholasticism (reason and faith) –The Crusades Not successful in original goal Introduction to new ideas, demand for goods, “pull” Europe out of dark ages

12. Beginnings Of Nation-States England –William the Conqueror –King John 1215 Magna Carta –Limited Monarchy France –Capetian Kings –Absolute Monarchy Holy Roman Empire –Battle Of Lay Investiture –No unity

13. Late Middle Ages 1300-1500 –Plague –Hundred Years’ War –Social Chaos –Questioning of Church Results: –Golden Age of Peasantry –Increasing Power of Monarchs

14. Byzantine Empire Justinian (and Theodora) –Recaptured lands –Wealth of Constantinople (center of trade) –Hagia Sophia –The Code Eastern Orthodox Christianity –Schism –Icons Fall to Ottoman Turks 1453

15. Byzantine Commonwealth Kiev Russia 900s –Eastern Orthodox Christianity –Cyrillic alphabet –Arts and architecture –Autocratic rule Eastern Europe –Diversity!!! Language, religion, influences

16. East Asia Tang 618-907 –Tang-Abbassid Silk Road –Military size –Tributary states; –Model for Korea, Japan Song 960-1279 –Inward looking; fear of nomadic people –Neo-Confucianism; Golden Age –Power of scholar-gentry –footbinding

17. The Mongols Last nomadic surge Great conquerors, not rulers Yuan China –Tried to stay separate from Chinese –Middle East –Russia Cut off Russia from West

18. The Ming 1368-1644 Revival of Confucianism Zheng He (1433) –Inward looking

19. Korea –Cultural bridge –Own heritage; hangul Japan Unified by Yamato Clan (1 dynasty) Shintoism Nara Heian –Selective borrowing; Confucianism, Buddhism –Dwellers among the clouds; literature

20. Feudalism Similar to European –Daimyo vs. Nobility –Little power to king, noble –Bushido vs. chivalry Differences –Declining power of Japanese women –European model included negotiated bonds; pattern for increasing political representation in West

21. Sub-Saharan Africa Camel encouraged trade across Sahara West African Kingdoms –Ghana, Mali, Songhai –Gold for salt –Wealth and power of kings –Increasing conversion to Islam (elite) –Continue traditional patterns (women; Ibn Battuta)

22. Famous emperor –Mansa Musa –Hajj –Outside knowledge of wealth

23. East African city-states Kilwa, Sofala, Mogadishu –Indian Ocean trade –Introduction of Islam –New language—Swahili (cultural blending) mix of Bantu and Arabic

24. The Americas Maya (Classical) –City-states –Trade –Priestly power –Importance of some women

25. Empires in the Americas Aztecs –Feared by many –Human sacrifice –Large empire –Agriculture, chinampas –Trade –Religion –Writing –Fall to Spanish

26. Incas –Absolute rule –Vertical trade –Terrace Farming –No market economy –Impose language –No writing; quipu –Fall to Spanish