Period 1: Post-Classical Civilizations
600 - 1450 CE
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Spread of major world religions--Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam
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Development of new, more regular systems of trade--connected Africa, Asia, and Europe
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Globalization--transcontinental trade network
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Continuity: maintain and/or revive Classical structures; no systematic changes in social structure
Big Concepts
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Trans-regional communication and exchange networks expanded with important new routes added--missionary activity and new seafaring technology
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Forms of state organization diversified--centralized empires v. more loosely organized states
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increased productive capacity with social consequences--new urban centers and new forms of labor
Triggers for Change
Collapse of Classical Empires
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areas under the control of Classical Empires experienced economic decline and increasing disorder--turn toward religious faith for security, reassurance, and guidance
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established boundaries collapsed--reorientation encourage missionary activity and trade
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new technology--compass, improved ships, improved maps, creation of long-distance credit
Dar al-Islam
East Asia
Africa
The Mongols
Christendom
South and Southeast Asia
The Americas and Pacific Oceania
Consequences of the Spread of Religion
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new opportunities for mutual intolerance AND constructive tolerance
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created new loyalties that compete with other values
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Islam affected more different cultures and people than other religions
Consequences of Trade
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linked prosperous and urbanized societies
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facilitated spread of technologies--paper, printing, mathematics
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DISEASE (Black Death/Plague)