AP World UNIT 2 REVIEW (Everything you NEED to KNOW!)

Summary

This educational video script offers an insightful overview of AP World History Unit 2, focusing on the period 1200 to 1450. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of various states and empires through networks of exchange, such as the Silk Roads, Indian Ocean Network, and Trans-Saharan Trade Route. These networks facilitated not only economic transactions but also cultural diffusion, including the spread of religion, language, and technology. The script highlights the expansion of these networks due to innovations in transportation and commercial practices, and discusses the rise and fall of cities, the transfer of crops and diseases, and the significant role of the Mongol Empire in enhancing connectivity and exchange across Eurasia.

Takeaways

• 🕰️ The time period covered is 1200 to 1450, focusing on the connections between various states and empires.
• 🌐 The emphasis is on 'networks of exchange' which were not just trading routes but also facilitated cultural diffusion.
• 🔑 Three major networks of exchange are highlighted: the Silk Roads, the Indian Ocean Network, and the Trans-Saharan Trade Route.
• 🌟 General developments in these networks include their expansion due to geographical range, innovations, commercial practices, and the rise and fall of states and cities.
• 🛣️ The Silk Roads were known for the trade of luxury goods and saw innovations like the Caravanserai and the development of money economies.
• 🚢 The Indian Ocean Network expanded due to understanding monsoon winds and technological advancements like the magnetic compass and new ship designs.
• 🐫 The Trans-Saharan Trade Network grew with innovations like the improved camel saddle for transporting goods across the desert.
• 🏙️ The rise of powerful trading cities like Kashgar and the Swahili city-states are examples of the impact of these networks.
• 📚 Cultural consequences include the spread of religions, literary and artistic transfers, and the exchange of scientific knowledge like gunpowder.
• 🌱 Environmental consequences involve the transfer of crops like Champa rice and diseases such as the Bubonic plague, which followed trade routes.

Q & A

What is the time period covered in AP World History Unit 2?

AP World History Unit 2 covers the time period from 1200 to 1450.

What is the main focus of Unit 2 in AP World History?

The main focus of Unit 2 is on how various states were connected to one another through networks of exchange.

What are the three major networks of exchange mentioned in the script?

The three major networks of exchange mentioned are the Silk Roads, the Indian Ocean Network, and the trans-Saharan Trade Route.

What is a significant cultural aspect that these networks of exchange facilitated besides trade?

Besides trade, these networks facilitated cultural diffusion and transfers, including the spread of religion, languages, and technology.

Why did Silk Road merchants specialize in trading luxury goods?

Silk Road merchants specialized in trading luxury goods because travel was expensive and arduous, making it impractical to carry common items that wouldn't sell for a premium.

What is a technological innovation that facilitated the expansion of the Silk Roads?

One technological innovation that facilitated the expansion of the Silk Roads was the Caravanserai, a series of inns and guest houses that provided safety and a place to rest along the routes.

How did the development of money economies impact trade along the Silk Roads?

The development of money economies, particularly the introduction of paper money, made trade easier and more secure by reducing the need to transport heavy metal-based currencies.

What was the significance of the Swahili city-states in the Indian Ocean Network?

The Swahili city-states acted as brokers for goods from the African interior, which grew them in power and wealth, and their connection to the larger trading world of Dar al-Islam increased their economic prosperity.

How did the Mongol Empire facilitate connections across Eurasia?

The Mongol Empire facilitated connections by establishing the largest land-based empire, providing safety and continuity along trade routes, and encouraging international trade, which led to increased communication and cooperation.

What was one of the environmental consequences of increased connectivity during this period?

One of the environmental consequences was the transfer of crops, such as Champa rice, which increased food production and population growth in regions like China.