Ap World Unit 2 Study Guide

AP World History Unit 2 Study Guide: Networks of Exchange

This comprehensive study guide covers AP World History Unit 2, focusing on the networks of exchange that shaped the world from 600 CE to 1450 CE. We’ll examine the major trade routes, the spread of religions and technologies, and the significant impacts on different societies. Understanding this period is crucial for success in the AP exam.

Key Themes of Unit 2: Networks of Exchange (600-1450 CE)

This unit emphasizes several key themes that recur throughout the AP World History course:

• Exchange: The movement of goods, people, ideas, and diseases across vast distances.
• Technology: Innovations and their impact on trade, agriculture, and daily life.
• Culture: The spread and blending of religious and cultural practices.
• State Building: How empires and political structures adapted to and influenced trade networks.
• Social Structures: The impact of exchange on social hierarchies and class systems.
• Environment: The impact of human activity on the environment and vice versa.

I. Major Trade Routes: The Silk Road and Beyond

A. The Silk Road:

• Definition: A network of interconnected land routes stretching from East Asia to the Mediterranean Sea.
• Goods Exchanged: Silk, spices, porcelain, tea, horses, textiles, precious metals, and religious ideas.
• Impact: Facilitated cultural exchange, spread of religions (Buddhism, Christianity, Islam), and economic growth.
• Key Players: China, Central Asian empires (such as the Mongols), Persia, the Byzantine Empire, and various city-states in the Middle East and Europe.

B. The Indian Ocean Trade Network:

• Definition: A vast maritime network connecting East Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, India, Southeast Asia, and China.
• Goods Exchanged: Spices, textiles, ivory, gold, slaves, and other luxury goods.
• Impact: Promoted economic growth and cultural exchange among diverse societies.
• Key Players: Arab merchants, Indian traders, Southeast Asian kingdoms (such as Srivijaya), and Chinese traders.
• Monsoon Winds: Crucial for navigation and timing of trade voyages.

C. Trans-Saharan Trade Network:

• Definition: A network of routes across the Sahara Desert connecting North Africa with West Africa.
• Goods Exchanged: Gold, salt, slaves, ivory, and textiles.
• Impact: Led to the growth of powerful West African empires (such as Ghana, Mali, and Songhai), and the spread of Islam.
• Camels: Essential for transportation across the harsh desert environment.

D. The Viking Expansion:

• Exploration and Trade: Seafaring Vikings established trade routes across northern Europe and even reached North America.
• Impact: Spread of Norse culture and technology, including shipbuilding techniques.

II. The Spread of Religions: A Global Phenomenon

A. Buddhism:

• Spread: Spread along the Silk Road and through missionary efforts to East and Southeast Asia.
• Adaptations: Buddhism adapted to local cultures in different regions, resulting in variations like Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism.

B. Christianity:

• Spread: Spread throughout the Roman Empire and beyond through missionary activities and the support of rulers. Further spread throughout Europe and also into Asia along trade routes.
• Branches: Development of different branches of Christianity, including the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches.

C. Islam:

• Spread: Spread rapidly through military conquest, trade, and missionary efforts across the Middle East, North Africa, West Africa, and parts of South Asia.
• Impact: Establishment of powerful Islamic empires and caliphates, and significant contributions to science, art, and culture.

III. Technological Innovations and their Impact

A. Agricultural Advancements:

• Improved irrigation techniques: Increased agricultural productivity and supported larger populations.
• New crops: Introduction of new crops to different regions enhanced food supplies.

B. Technological Innovations in Trade:

• Improved shipbuilding: Allowed for longer and more efficient sea voyages.
• Use of the compass: Improved navigation and facilitated maritime trade.
• Development of new financial instruments: Facilitated long-distance trade and commerce (e.g., bills of exchange).

C. Military Technologies:

• Gunpowder: Revolutionized warfare and played a role in the rise and fall of empires.
• Improved siege weaponry: Increased the effectiveness of sieges and battles.

IV. The Impact of Exchange on Societies

A. Economic Growth:

• Increased trade led to economic growth: Created new wealth and opportunities for merchants and traders.
• Development of new urban centers: Trade routes stimulated the growth of cities along major trade routes.

B. Cultural Exchange and Syncretism:

• Blending of cultures: Interaction between different societies led to the blending of religious beliefs, cultural practices, and artistic styles.
• Syncretism: The fusion of different religious beliefs and practices.

C. Social Change:

• New social hierarchies: Trade created new social hierarchies based on wealth and occupation.
• Growth of merchant classes: Merchant classes gained economic and political power in many societies.

D. Disease:

• Spread of epidemic diseases: The increased interaction between societies led to the spread of diseases like the bubonic plague.

V. State Building and Empires

A. The Byzantine Empire:

• Political structure: Maintained the legacy of the Roman Empire in the East.
• Influence on trade: Controlled key trade routes and played a vital role in the Mediterranean world.

B. The Islamic Caliphates:

• Political structure: Large and powerful empires that unified vast territories under Islamic rule.
• Influence on trade: Controlled major trade routes and fostered economic growth within their domains.

C. The Mongol Empire:

• Political structure: A vast empire spanning Eurasia under the rule of Genghis Khan and his successors.
• Influence on trade: Brought relative peace and security along the Silk Road, facilitating increased trade.

D. Sub-Saharan African Empires (Ghana, Mali, Songhai):

• Political structure: Powerful empires based on gold trade and military strength.
• Influence on trade: Controlled the trans-Saharan trade network.

E. The Sui and Tang Dynasties in China:

• Political structure: Reunified China after a period of division and established a powerful centralized state.
• Influence on trade: Played a significant role in the Silk Road trade.

VI. Environmental Impact

A. Deforestation:

• Increased demand for timber: Trade and population growth led to increased deforestation in many regions.

B. Overgrazing:

• Impact of livestock: Overgrazing contributed to environmental degradation in some areas.

C. Climate Change: Evidence suggests that climate shifts influenced agricultural patterns and trade routes.

VII. Key Terms to Know:

• Silk Road
• Indian Ocean Trade Network
• Trans-Saharan Trade Network
• Vikings
• Buddhism
• Christianity
• Islam
• Gunpowder
• Compass
• Monsoon Winds
• Camels
• Byzantine Empire
• Islamic Caliphates
• Mongol Empire
• Ghana
• Mali
• Songhai
• Sui Dynasty
• Tang Dynasty
• Pax Mongolica
• Zheng He

VIII. Practice Questions:

1. Compare and contrast the Silk Road and the Indian Ocean Trade Network. What were the similarities and differences in the goods exchanged, the participants involved, and the impact on the societies involved?

2. Analyze the role of technological innovations in facilitating trade and cultural exchange during this period. Provide specific examples.

3. Discuss the spread of at least two major religions during this period. How did these religions adapt to new cultures and environments?

4. Evaluate the impact of the Mongol Empire on trade and cultural exchange along the Silk Road.

5. Assess the impact of long-distance trade on the environment. What were some of the negative consequences of increased trade?

6. Compare and contrast the political structures and economic systems of at least two empires from this period.

This study guide provides a solid foundation for understanding AP World History Unit 2. Remember to consult your textbook, classroom notes, and other resources for more detailed information. Practice using primary and secondary sources to analyze the period and develop your critical thinking skills. Good luck with your studies!