3.2 Summary
- State formation and development demonstrated continuity, innovation, and diversity in various regions. -College Board
- Essentially in all parts of the world old systems of governance collapsed and reformation of these political systems, which incorporated new methods of governance, was a catalyst for new innovation of technology, trade, interregional interactions, and cultural transfers.
3.2 I
3.2 I Summary
I: Empires collapsed in different regions of the world, and in some areas were replaced by new imperial states or political systems. -College Board
I: At the end of the classical era many empires collapsed; however, in many regions those states were replaced by new imperial states or political systems who incorporated new and old elements into their government. A point to take careful note of: many these new government systems implemented previous regional systems; however, not all of them did. -Our Summary
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Evidence for 3.2 I
Textual
- At the end of the classical age, the former Roman empire collapsed under the weight of epidemics from the silk roads, internal tension in government and the migration of Germanic tribes due to pressures by the Huns. The Western Roman Empire completely crumbled while the Western Roman Empire still survived as the Byzantine Empire. The Byzantine Empire established a highly centralized bureaucracy with the emperor as the central figure. Like Chinese emperors the emperors of the Byzantine Empire had absolute power and even established a culture of bowing like the Tang Kowtow. But that is besides the point. The Byzantine empire established a system of government very different than that of the Roman Empire (I will not discuss the Barracks Emperors because they were essentially part of the internal decay or the Roman Empire). The Roman Republic created a republican constitution that specified the power that was invested in each of the two counsels who had control over the military and civil affairs. Counselor were elected from the aristocratic and wealthy families (patricians) and served one year terms (tribunes were later established who represented interests of the plebs). Now the Roman Republic later became the Roman Empire through Caesar who established himself as a never ending dictator (used to only rule in times of strife). Caesar was quickly disposed of though and Augustus took over and established a Monarchy (with loyal governors). Now the Byzantine Empire as states earlier was a highly centralized bureaucracy and would later establish the themes system which established generals as civic administration in a given region who incorporated local, free peasants in private armies. This new system of government allowed Byzantine forces to quickly react to Islamic attacks, and generals can use this to expand the empire. Generals Like Basil II vastly increased its domains and accumulated vast wealth. Was established domination over the Mediterranean. Moreover it gave grants to the free peasantry who joined thus they gained land (increased agriculture production) like how private armies were built under local rulers in the Roman Empire (Caesar). Moreover incorporations of past Roman law such in documents such as Justiannians Code.
Visual
- In absence of the strong control and protection by the Roman state after is collapsed and establishment of new persons in Europe (Germanic Tribes) called for a new system in government. As local rulers (lords) became better suited for dealing with external threats populations turned to their local rulers who established self sufficient communities with private armies, smiths, workshops, farms, keeps, and occasionally monasteries. On small scale this was organized through manors or what you see above. On a large scale relationships between lords (who could achieve more land by conquest) and vassels who were tied to the lord through tributary relationships and support during conquest or when under attack by mobilizing their private army which was made up of nobles who joined the military (knights) who were heavy armored and equipped and common peasants. This system was the basic foundation for the complex web that formed the vast political governance in Europe during the middle ages.
3.2 I Vocabulary
Ottoman Empire
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This empire was established after Osman and his massive following declared independence from the expanding Seljuk Sultan who was the puppeteer behind the Abbasid Empire. Although this state would later become more powerful it was here where it gained momentum from the commoners due to their suppressive and over demanding lords in the Byzantine Empire.
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3.2 II
3.2 II Summary
II. Interregional contacts and conflicts between states and empires encouraged significant technological and cultural transfers.- college board
II. Contacts through trade, diplomacy, and wars induced technological and cultural acculturation between various regions.
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Evidence for 3.2 II
Textual
- Dar-Al-Islam (house of god) was a system in place to connect all of the Islamic empires under one house under Allah. This was the catalyst for peace and trade between Islamic empires and others through two main sea routes: the Mediterranean Sea & Indian Ocean and the Silk Roads. These routes connected The Islamic world with essentially every other region in the world. Islamic empires created a common bank system which used paper (method diffused from China) checks (sakks) instead of cash to carry large sums of money which could be cashed in at any city. During the Crusades European trade with the Islamic states surprisingly increased, this increase in trade and establishment of long distance relations in Asia via the Silk Roads allowed for larger quantities of Asian goods into Europe. Moreover this transfer of new knowledge of science, medicine, and technology from the Muslims to Europe.
Visual
![Picture](/uploads/1/1/0/7/110711779/screenshot-2017-11-12-17-48-40_orig.png)
Mosques in Mali (Islamic worshiping sites) shows that interactions between Islamic merchants had a significant impact on the culture of Mali people. This is because construction of constructs such as this requires a lot of money and time. Moreover it shows that there is enough of a following to support a mosque.
3.2 II Vocabulary
Heian japan
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This state was centralized power in the Fujiwara Family due to inspiration from Tang centralization. Also, based on Confusion values from China it established a formal education for boys. Also, it was a catalyst for development of literature as relations between Chinese scripts and the Japanese language fused- examples of this can be seen in The Tale of Genji.
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Results of Crusades
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This was a catalyst for cultural diffusion between Islamic states who reestablished Greco-Roman culture in Europe through preserved texts and translated texts such as Aristotle. Bot Feudal lords and Papal power were diminished by these relationships as knowledge of new science, math, technologies, and medicine from the Islamic world was gained (known as renaissance period).
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Primary Documents
![Picture](/uploads/1/1/0/7/110711779/editor/screenshot-2017-11-11-21-48-09.png?1510454974)
- Islamic merchants traveling along the sub-saharan trade routes were attracted to the massive quantities of gold traded by states such as Ghana and Mali. Ghana and Mali used Islam as an advantage to get more trade from these Islamic merchants by converting to Islam. However, over time these traditions became more serious as mosques were developed for common followers and Kings converting their courts and basing their court's etiquette based off Islamic beliefs and traditions diffused throughout the entire state (due to wanting to get higher positions in government and relations with merchants). The important thing to take away from this relationship and diffusion of Islam is that it didn't completely assimilate into their cultural practices and beliefs. For example the Islamic Qadi Ibn Battuta noticed that humbling practices such as dust bathing before the king were still practiced in Mali court and that women often appeared naked instead of veiled as Islam demands.
- A the end of the classical age, the former Han Dynasty disintegrated into another warring states period due to factions that formed in their bureaucracy. The Han Dynasty founded a tightly centralized government based on the merit of Confucian scholars. The post classical Tang Dynasty also formed their tight bureaucracy based of the merit of Confucian scholars and reincorporated civil service examinations. Also, like their Han predecessors the Tang Dynasty invested in the expansion of their empire through military expeditions and were able to become one the largest states in Chinese History. In addition to this the Tang Dynasty also saw the importance of highly developed infrastructure (like their Han predecessors) and were able to establish a communication incorporating inns, runners, postal stations and stables. New policies were also formed out of the Tang Dynasty as they established the equal field system which granted land based on the individuals needs and it could redistribute land that was no longer useful to the individual while only 20% of the land became hereditary. All of these developments were allowed due to improvements in their complex bureaucracy.
Map
![Picture](/uploads/1/1/0/7/110711779/europe-814_orig.png)
This shows the political divisions left in the eastern portion of the Roman Empire (after its fall) by the Germanic tribes that moved in. This map aids in seeing the division and construction of new states in Europe. Moreover, it aids us in viewing how they are accessible to the rest of the world (interregional relationships) via marine-time trade and silk road. As one can tell from this graphic the Byzantine empire wasn't able to reach the full glory of the Roman Empire due to the already established peoples and pressures from other kingdoms. Thus regional kingdoms in the Europe constantly changed as kingdoms gained more wealth or influence or power.