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Download Period 3 Regional and Transregional Interactions
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Period 3 Regional and Transregional Interactions c. 600 C.E. to 1450 C.E. Origins of Islam Arabian Peninsula center of trade Exposure to monotheistic faiths (Judaism, Christianity, Zoroastrianism) Prophet Muhammad had vision and gained followers after 622 C.E. Built empire on Arabian Peninsula prior to his death Basic Beliefs of Islam Monotheistic (Allah) 5 Pillars Heaven/Hell Equality of all believers Evangelical (seeking converts) Islam as a Social Cement Tribes finally united by common faith Arabic in origins (language/culture) No priestly class – opportunity for all Provided authority & moral code Islamic Expansion Unity of tribes = confidence Need for valuable land & trade routes Not to force conversion on neighboring societies Nomadic roots was military advantage Jizya (tax) on non-Muslims & treasure built wealth Neighboring societies were weakening Islamic Expansion Sunni – Shi’a Split No clear successor to Muhammad Rashidian Caliphs (1st 4) expanded successfully Conflict over control leads to split Sunni Shi’a Majority Minority Follow Muhammad’s example Must be blood related Accepted Umayyad rule Followers of Ali (rejected Umayyads) Umayyad Caliphate (661 – 750) Conquest continues (empire stretches from India to Spain) Capital moved to Damascus Women’s status generally improved Decline results from internal fighting, corruption, leaders’ separation from the people Abbasid Caliphate (750 – c. 900) Originates in Iran (Persians) ◦ Shift away from Arab-centric Empire Capital moved to Baghdad Ruled as kings ◦ Powerful bureaucracy led by wazir Women’s status declines Gradual decline ◦ Vast & diverse empire with little loyalty ◦ Caliphs manipulated ◦ Nomadic attacks along borders Golden Age of Islam Dynamic urban expansion ◦ Market, Mosque, Medina Explosion of creativity & advancement See picture tour for examples Although ethnically & politically divided Islamic Empire was religiously & culturally united Preserved/built upon Mediterranean & Middle Eastern learning Golden Age of Islam More social mobility than most societies Trade crossroads brought cultural diffusion West Africa Gold, Salt and Slaves East Asia Silk Muslim Merchants East Africa Ivory and Gold India/SE Asia Spices Islam in South & SE Asia India politically fragmented but culturally, economically, intellectually rich Northern India (Indus – Ganges Plains) invaded starting in 700s Delhi Sultanate created in 1206 Blending of beliefs ◦ Influence went both directions ◦ Sufi mystics Islam in South & SE Asia Merchant class in coastal urban areas & low caste Hindus were more likely to convert Hinduism adapted to deal with “threat” of a new faith ◦ High caste Hindus were most against Islamic influence ◦ India least converted region SE Asia had large # of converts due to trade & lack of centralized resistance Islam in Sub-Saharan Africa Africa geographically diverse = culturally diverse = fragmented societies Political organization varied ◦ Hierarchy (Ghana) ◦ Stateless societies Despite differences, pre-Islamic beliefs did contain some similarities Trade contact was signficant ◦ Indian Ocean & Trans-Saharan Islam in Sub-Saharan Africa Conversion successful because: ◦ Conquest & cultural diffusion ◦ African kings benefitted from order & structure ◦ Equality popular amongst masses ◦ Coexisted with native beliefs Ghana, Mali & Songhai in West Swahili Coast in East ◦ Aksum remained Christian Islam in Sub-Saharan Africa Long-term influence of Islam on Sub-Saharan Africa ◦ Increased long-distance trade ◦ Mosques and Islamic architecture ◦ Language (i.e. Swahili) ◦ Islam spreads mostly among merchants and elites (opposite of India) ◦ Slave trade grows China after the fall of the Han Politically unstable Constant warfare Famine Nomadic invasion Buddhism grew in popularity Sui Dynasty (589 – 618 C.E.) Reunited former Han lands Drove back nomads Lowered taxes Promoted the scholar gentry class Excessive spending led to decline by 618 Tang Dynasty (618 – 906 C.E.) Duke of Tang emerged after struggle for power Defeated nomadic groups & repaired Wall Controlled Korea as a vassal state Power held by scholar gentry ◦ Civil service exams became harder, but corruption remained Buddhism had gained popularity & Confucianists & Daoists felt threatened Tang Dynasty (618 – 906 C.E.) Tang Dynasty expanded territory Decline starts in mid 9th c. ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ Palace intrigue Focus on luxury Nomadic invasion Rebellious local leaders Falls by 906 Song Dynasty (960 -1279 C.E.) After 50 years of war, Emperor Taizu emerged on top, creating Song Dynasty Weakened military out of fear of being taken over ◦ Paid northern nomads tribute so they would not attack ◦ Lost territory Militarily weak, culturally strong Song Dynasty (960 -1279 C.E.) Oversaw an economic revolution ◦ Centered in capital of Hangzhou Neoconfucianism grew ◦ Stressed hierarchy, obedience, high standards, very hostile towards outside ideas & women ◦ Foot binding Glorious age of invention for China Song Dynasty (960 -1279 C.E.) Decline of the Song was steady & gradual ◦ Could not take control of northern borders – forced retreat to Southern China by Jurchens ◦ Treasury depleted by bloated scholar gentry, tribute payments to nomads ◦ Reforms attempted but not accepted ◦ China slowly weakened, paving way for eventual Mongol takeover European Feudalism Politics/Government ◦ Decentralized ◦ Chaos & violence Viking raids created need for protection ◦ Reciprocal relationship of protection & food (landowning lords & knights) in return for loyalty & labor (serfs) ◦ Some centralized governments were formed Charlemagne & Holy Roman Empire, William the Conqueror in England ◦ Eventually governments start to modernize Magna Carta & birth of parliament European Feudalism Economics/Trade ◦ Cities fell in importance as trade routes became unsafe, government offices closed and people retreated to rural areas for land & protection ◦ Trade was minimal and local ◦ Until Crusades, Western Europe becomes relatively isolated ◦ Eventually guilds, banking systems trade leagues & common currency emerge Hanseatic League European Feudalism Culture/Religion ◦ Christianity spread throughout Europe following fall of Rome ◦ Catholic Church replaced Roman government as source of order & authority ◦ Pope was most powerful man in Europe ◦ Faith provided hope in an otherwise desolate existence ◦ Learning preserved by the Church (very little new advancements during this time) ◦ Art almost always religious in theme European Feudalism Society/Gender Relations ◦ Society in strict feudal hierarchy (most people poor peasants or serfs) ◦ Women often restrained to the home except in cities & convents ◦ Peasant women had daily freedom, but poor quality of life ◦ Royal women had little freedom, but high quality of life ◦ Could not own property Japanese Feudalism Politics/Government ◦ Unified in the “Imperial Period” from the 500s to 800s ◦ Taika Reforms (646) made Japan more like China ◦ Reforms were resisted by aristocratic families and an attempt to decentralize occurred in the 800s ◦ Japan adopts feudal system known as Bakufu (“tent government”) Japanese Feudalism Economics/Trade ◦ Most trade occurred with China & Korea ◦ Primarily an agricultural (rice) economy ◦ Despite decentralized government, economy consistently grew Japanese Feudalism Culture/Religion ◦ Sinification was met with mixed acceptance ◦ Native religion of Shintoism ◦ Confucianism, Buddhism, civil service exams, imperial government/army Japanese Feudalism Society/Gender Relations ◦ Strict social hierarchy based on bloodline ◦ Warrior class followed code of Bushido ◦ Aristocratic landowners had most power ◦ Peasant class relied on landowners for protection & were used for labor ◦ Women & merchants had inferior social status, although later in period experienced more opportunities Similarities between European & Japanese Feudalism Decentralized government Relative Isolation Strict social hierarchy Valued military strength/loyalty above all else Foreign beliefs spread rapidly (Christianity, Buddhism, Confucianism) Women seen as inferior Eventually centralized power emerges The Mongol Empire Mongols were nomadic herdsmen fragmented into clans & tribes ◦ c. 1100 2 million Mongols divided into over 30 tribes Fierce hunters & warriors who valued courage & physical strength above all else The Mongol Empire Temujin (Chinggis Khan) was elected supreme ruler (khan) by tribal chieftains Due to skill & charisma he was able to unit tribes Reorganized the army into tumens & led 1st wave of conquest Army was highly mobile, tough & had superior weapons & tactics The Mongol Empire The Mongol Empire Pax Mongolica ◦ Single Authority from China to Europe ◦ Trade flourished (routes were safer) ◦ Uniform legal code (Yasa) ◦ Postal System (Yam) ◦ Religious tolerance The Mongol Empire Strengths Nomadic roots Culture of Honor & courage Efficiently organized Not afraid to borrow Tolerant of those they conquered Weaknesses Successors of Chinggis fought each other for power Empire was too large to control Communication & control difficult to achieve
