In these chapters, the world is transformed by new ideas and nations. The Roman Empire has fallen in Europe, Islam has its beginnings in the Middle East, civilizations form in the Americas, and China asserts its dominance in East Asia.
Important things to remember:
- The spread and interaction of ideas and beliefs.
Beliefs such as Islam, Confucianism and Buddhism saw rises in this period and interacted with their surroundings. Technology like the stirrup, compass and others influenced movement and culture spread. How is violence attributed to conflicts with culture (The Buddhist monastery raids, the Crusades, the spread of the Islamic Caliphate)? What happens to culture and conflict when the growing and developing nations interact (Mesoamerica, the Jin and Tanggut)?
- The significance of geographical location.
Geographical location shaped the making of Europe, Russia, the Byzantines and the Americas. It moulded the economy, influenced the politics, and often contributed to social structure and division. How did America's geographical location affect its civilisations' development? How did Europe and Kievan Russia develop according to their regional strengths and weaknesses?
- Belief system's power over society, culture economy and politics.
Mesoamerica's interactions in society and methods of warfare were largely dictated by religious belief. In Europe, Christianity united the scattered kingdoms politically and culturally. In the Arab World, Islam came to dominate social structure, politics, and the culture. Tang and Song China's adopted beliefs affected all levels of society and dictated the economy.
Review Questions: grasping the big picture
Compare the influences of Amerindian religions on their conflicts, of Christianity on Europe's conflicts, and Islam on Arab conflict.
Compare the roles of women in America, Europe, the Middle East, and China during this period, especially focusing on the various levels of social hierarchy.
Compare the economies of the four regions. Which were based on agriculture? War? Trade? Tribute?
How were the separate political entities in each region (the kingdoms of Europe, Caliphates of the Islamic world, civilisations of the Americas, and dynasties and surrounding nations in East Asia) similar in culture?
How do the states on the outskirts of the regions (the Northern Peoples in America, the Byzantines and Kievan Rus in Europe, the Jurchen, Uighurs, and Tibetans in East Asia) contribute to the region as a whole? Why are they given attention, but not put as a main focus?