🌍AP World History: Modern AP Cram Sessions 2021

Key Concepts and Themes

• Continuity and change over time analyzes how historical processes and patterns have persisted or shifted throughout history
• Causation examines the complex web of factors that contribute to historical events and developments
• Comparison contrasts different societies, regions, or time periods to identify similarities, differences, and patterns
• Periodization divides history into distinct eras or periods based on significant changes or turning points
• Interaction between humans and the environment explores how societies have adapted to and transformed their natural surroundings
  • Includes the impact of geography, climate, and natural resources on human societies
  • Also considers how human activities have altered the environment (deforestation, urbanization)
• Development and interaction of cultures examines the origins, spread, and evolution of diverse cultural traditions and practices
• State-building, expansion, and conflict investigates the formation, growth, and decline of political entities and empires
  • Analyzes the causes and consequences of wars, revolutions, and other forms of political upheaval
• Creation, expansion, and interaction of economic systems studies the development of trade networks, financial institutions, and economic ideologies
• Development and transformation of social structures looks at how societies have organized themselves based on factors such as class, gender, and race

Historical Periods and Regions

• The course is divided into four main periods: 1200-1450, 1450-1750, 1750-1900, and 1900-present
• 1200-1450: The Global Tapestry explores the interconnectedness of the world during the Middle Ages (Silk Roads, Indian Ocean trade)
• 1450-1750: Networks of Exchange examines the intensification of global interactions and the emergence of new economic and political systems (Columbian Exchange, Atlantic slave trade)
• 1750-1900: Revolutions reshapes the world through political, economic, and social upheavals (American Revolution, Industrial Revolution)
  • Includes the rise of nationalism, imperialism, and global capitalism
• 1900-present: Global Conflict and Decolonization covers the major wars, ideological struggles, and independence movements of the 20th century (World Wars, Cold War, decolonization)
• The course focuses on six main regions: Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania
  • Emphasizes the interactions and influences between these regions over time
• Specific civilizations and empires are studied within their regional and global contexts (Ming China, Ottoman Empire, Aztec Empire)

Major Events and Turning Points

• The Mongol conquests (1206-1368) created the largest contiguous land empire in history, facilitating trade and cultural exchange across Eurasia
• The Black Death (1347-1351) devastated Europe and Asia, leading to significant demographic, economic, and social changes
• The European Renaissance (14th-17th centuries) marked a revival of classical learning, art, and culture, setting the stage for the Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment
• The Columbian Exchange (1492-1750) involved the transfer of goods, people, and diseases between the Old and New Worlds, transforming global ecosystems and societies
• The Atlantic slave trade (1526-1867) forcibly transported millions of Africans to the Americas, shaping the economic, social, and cultural development of the region
• The Industrial Revolution (1750-1900) transformed production, transportation, and communication, leading to the rise of industrial capitalism and global imperialism
• The Haitian Revolution (1791-1804) was the first successful slave revolt in history, establishing an independent black republic and inspiring anti-colonial movements worldwide
• The Russian Revolution (1917) overthrew the Tsarist regime and established the world's first communist state, setting the stage for the Cold War
• Decolonization (1945-1975) saw the end of European colonial empires and the emergence of newly independent nations in Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean

Important Figures and Their Impact

• Genghis Khan (1162-1227) founded the Mongol Empire, uniting nomadic tribes and conquering vast territories across Eurasia
• Ibn Battuta (1304-1368) was a Moroccan explorer who traveled extensively throughout the Islamic world, providing valuable insights into the societies and cultures of his time
• Christopher Columbus (1451-1506) initiated the European exploration and colonization of the Americas, setting in motion the Columbian Exchange and the Atlantic slave trade
• Martin Luther (1483-1546) challenged the authority of the Catholic Church, sparking the Protestant Reformation and the fragmentation of Western Christianity
• Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) was a key figure in the Scientific Revolution, making groundbreaking discoveries in astronomy and physics and challenging the geocentric model of the universe
• Simon Bolívar (1783-1830) led the independence movements in South America, liberating much of the continent from Spanish rule and promoting the idea of a united Latin America
• Karl Marx (1818-1883) developed the theory of communism, critiquing capitalism and inspiring revolutionary movements throughout the world
• Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948) led the Indian independence movement through nonviolent resistance, challenging British colonial rule and inspiring civil rights struggles globally
• Nelson Mandela (1918-2013) fought against apartheid in South Africa, becoming the country's first black president and promoting reconciliation and social justice

Cultural and Social Developments

• The spread of world religions (Buddhism, Christianity, Islam) shaped the beliefs, values, and practices of societies across Afro-Eurasia
• The development of the printing press in Europe (1450) revolutionized the dissemination of knowledge and ideas, contributing to the Renaissance and Reformation
• The Scientific Revolution (16th-18th centuries) challenged traditional beliefs and promoted empirical observation and experimentation, laying the foundation for modern science
  • Key figures include Copernicus, Kepler, Galileo, and Newton
• The Enlightenment (18th century) emphasized reason, individualism, and progress, influencing political revolutions and the rise of liberal democracy
• Romanticism (late 18th-19th centuries) celebrated emotion, nature, and the individual, influencing art, literature, and music
• The abolition of slavery (19th century) reflected changing attitudes towards human rights and the rise of humanitarian movements
• The women's suffrage movement (late 19th-early 20th centuries) fought for women's right to vote and participate in political life
• The civil rights movement (1950s-1960s) challenged racial segregation and discrimination, leading to landmark legislation and social change in the United States
• The sexual revolution (1960s-1970s) challenged traditional gender roles and norms, promoting greater freedom and equality in personal relationships

Economic Systems and Trade

• The Silk Roads (2nd century BCE-15th century CE) connected East Asia, Central Asia, and Europe, facilitating the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures
• The Indian Ocean trade network (1st-15th centuries) linked the Middle East, East Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, fostering commercial and cultural interactions
• The trans-Saharan trade (8th-16th centuries) connected West Africa with the Mediterranean world, exchanging gold, salt, and slaves
• The Hanseatic League (13th-17th centuries) was a commercial and defensive confederation of merchant guilds and market towns in Northern Europe, dominating Baltic trade
• The Commercial Revolution (13th-18th centuries) saw the expansion of banking, credit, and joint-stock companies, laying the foundation for modern capitalism
• Mercantilism (16th-18th centuries) was an economic policy that aimed to maximize a nation's exports and minimize its imports, leading to colonial expansion and trade rivalries
• The Atlantic triangular trade (16th-19th centuries) involved the exchange of manufactured goods, raw materials, and enslaved Africans between Europe, Africa, and the Americas
• The Industrial Revolution (1750-1900) transformed production through mechanization, factory systems, and new energy sources (coal, steam), leading to the rise of industrial capitalism
• Economic imperialism (19th-20th centuries) saw the expansion of European control over global markets and resources, often through military force or unequal treaties

Political Structures and Ideologies

• Feudalism (9th-15th centuries) was a decentralized political and social system based on the exchange of land for military service, prevalent in medieval Europe and Japan
• Absolute monarchy (16th-18th centuries) concentrated power in the hands of the ruler, claiming divine right and rejecting constitutional limitations (Louis XIV of France, Peter the Great of Russia)
• Constitutional monarchy (17th-19th centuries) limited the power of the monarch through a written constitution and representative institutions (England after the Glorious Revolution)
• Liberalism (18th-19th centuries) emphasized individual rights, limited government, and free markets, influencing the American and French Revolutions and the rise of democracy
• Nationalism (19th-20th centuries) promoted loyalty to the nation-state, often based on shared language, culture, and history, leading to the unification of Germany and Italy and the breakup of empires
• Socialism (19th-20th centuries) advocated for collective ownership of the means of production and the redistribution of wealth, inspiring labor movements and revolutionary parties
• Communism (20th century) aimed to establish a classless society through the abolition of private property and the dictatorship of the proletariat, as implemented in the Soviet Union and China
• Fascism (20th century) was a totalitarian ideology that emphasized nationalism, authoritarianism, and often racism, as exemplified by Nazi Germany and Mussolini's Italy
• Decolonization (20th century) saw the end of European colonial empires and the rise of newly independent nations, often through nationalist movements and armed struggles

Exam Strategies and Tips

• Read the questions carefully and make sure you understand what is being asked before answering
• Outline your essays before writing to ensure a clear and organized response
• Use specific examples and evidence from the course to support your arguments and analysis
• Make connections between different historical periods, regions, and themes to demonstrate your understanding of global patterns and interactions
• Practice writing timed essays and short-answer questions to improve your speed and efficiency
• Review key terms, concepts, and events regularly to reinforce your understanding and retention
• Analyze primary and secondary sources, paying attention to the author's perspective, audience, and historical context
• Engage with the material actively by asking questions, making comparisons, and drawing conclusions
• Collaborate with classmates to discuss and debate historical issues, sharing insights and perspectives
• Seek feedback from your teacher and use practice exams to identify areas for improvement and adjust your study strategies accordingly