Postclassical PeriodNew Faith and New Commerce

~Intensification of Exchange & the Nomads Last Hurrah~

Periodization…up to interpretation

945 CE ________________

1054 CE ________________

________________ 1200s CE

________________ ________________

1127 CE ________________

________________ 610 CE618 CE ________________

________________ 661 CE

750 CE ________________________________ 800 CE

________________ 1000 CE

________________ 1096 CE

1300s CE ________________ ________________

________________ ________________

________________ 1433 CE________________ 1453 CE

Themes to Consider

Demographics & MovementTradeGender RolesBelief SystemsPolitical organization

Questions to Consider …b/t 600 & 1450

Compare the Umayyad & Abbasid Caliphates.

Analyze the changes and continuities in the role of Christianity in Western Europe.

Compare Byzantium & Tang-Song China.Analyze the changes and continuities in

the role of women.

Demographic Trends

Provide a good summary of period: How?Population increased

from 250 mil to 450 mil

Demographic Trends

Migrations

Vikings

Bantu-Speaking People of Africa

Mongols

Turkic Groups

People of Oceania

Arabs

Germanic Tribes

Chinese

Compare the Umayyad & Abbasid Caliphates.

???

Islam

One of the defining developments of Postclassical period

Rooted in Judaism & ChristianityFive Pillars, Quran

Umayyad

An “Arab Caliphate” & conquest state◦From bedouins to Arab garrison administrators

Abbasid

An “Islamic Caliphate”◦ Inherit a large empire & seek to integrate society

through conversion to IslamGovernment

◦More bureaucratic – Vizir◦Yet, Political weakness = fragmentation after 945

Economy◦Trade revenue & exchange fostered scientific

advances◦ Inclusion of Africa and South/SE Asia into more

global network

Compare Umayyad & Abbasid?

Similarities? Differences?

Compare Umayyad & Abbasid?

Reasons for Similarities?

Reasons for Differences?

Analyze the changes and continuities in the role of

Christianity in Western Europe.???

Periodization

500-1000 = Early Middle Ages

1000-1300 = High Middle Ages

1300-1450 = Late Middle Ages

Role of Christianity – Early Medieval

Christianity acted as consolidating force◦Little central political control, so church

provided some leadership modeled after Roman administration Charlemagne & crowning

◦Spread throughout Europe due to emotional comforts

◦Intellectual beacon

c1000 CE

Western Europe transitions◦Moldboard plow & 3-field system◦Population growth◦Urbanization & interaction

Role of Christianity – High Medieval

Christianity loses some political influence, but maintains intellectual dominance◦Monarchies grow more powerful, yet church

calls for Crusades◦Scholasticism, Thomas Aquinas, & universities

Economy recovers – trade & urbanization

CCOT of Christianity’s Role?

Changes? Continuities?

CCOT of Christianity’s Role?

Reasons for CCOT? Context?

Compare Tang-Song China & Byzantium.

???

Tang-Song China

Return China to era of greatness after Sui restore order

Tang:◦Politically powerful◦Buddhism to Neo-Confucian backlash

Song:◦Economic & cultural growth

Fostered spread of civilization in East Asia & European exploration

Byzantium

Continuation of Eastern Roman Empire blending Roman, Greek, & Christian values◦Highly bureaucratic◦Centered on Constantinople & Silk Road trade

Fostered spread of civilization to Russia & acted as bridge/barrier

Mongols

Compare Tang-Song China & Byzantium?

Similarities? Differences?

Compare Tang-Song China & Byzantium?

Reasons for Similarities?

Reasons for Differences?

Analyze the changes and continuities in the role of

women in Afro-Eurasia.???

Role of Women

Spreading of belief systems often meant decline in women’s status

◦Middle East Bedouin -> Muhammad -> Abbasid North Africa, Spain – exception: West Africa

◦East Asia Buddhism -> Neo-Confucianism Korea, Japan – exception: Vietnam

CCOT of Women’s Role in Afro-Eurasia?

Changes? Continuities?

CCOT of Women’s Role in Afro-Eurasia?

Context?

Aztecs & Incas?

Americas

Aztecs IncasTribute stateSacrificesCorn

Incan socialismSacrificesPotato

•Women enjoyed more freedom• Importance in farming due to lack of draft

animals & wheel

945 CE ________________

1054 CE ________________

________________ 1200s CE

________________ ________________

1127 CE ________________

________________ 610 CE618 CE ________________

________________ 661 CE

750 CE ________________________________ 800 CE

________________ 1000 CE

________________ 1096 CE

1300s CE ________________ ________________

________________ ________________

________________ 1433 CE________________ 1453 CE