AP World History Pre 1200 Social

Summary

In this AP World History lecture, Mr. Jacobson explores the social theme in history from 8,000 BC to 1200 CE, emphasizing topics like social hierarchies, slavery, and patriarchy. He discusses the egalitarian nature of early hunting and gathering societies, the complexities of slavery, including its origins and economic impact, and the varying social systems across civilizations like China and India. The lecture also delves into Confucianism's role in shaping social structures, highlighting practices like filial piety and foot-binding, as well as the pervasive influence of patriarchy across cultures.

Takeaways

• 😀 Early human societies (10,000 BCE) were largely egalitarian, with men hunting and women gathering, supporting the survival of their kinship groups.
• 😀 Slavery existed throughout history, often driven by prisoners of war or unpaid debts, and was not initially racial in nature.
• 😀 In ancient civilizations like Greece and Rome, a significant portion of the population was enslaved, and slave revolts, like Spartacus', were notable events.
• 😀 Corvée labor was a forced labor system used in place of taxes, such as working on government projects like the Great Wall of China.
• 😀 Social hierarchies and class systems were widespread, with clear divisions between elites, merchants, and lower classes such as peasants and slaves.
• 😀 The Hindu caste system in India was built on spiritual hierarchy, with priests (Brahmin) at the top and the untouchables at the bottom.
• 😀 Confucian social hierarchy in China placed the emperor and government officials at the top, while peasants were highly revered despite their lower status in society.
• 😀 Wealth and social class were often separate in China, where merchants, despite their low social status, were typically wealthier and more powerful than peasants.
• 😀 Patriarchy was a central theme in ancient civilizations, with male dominance seen in various societal roles, including Confucius' Three Obediences for women.
• 😀 Foot-binding in China became a practice where women’s feet were bound to make them smaller, as small feet were considered desirable for marriage, reflecting the patriarchal nature of Chinese society.

Q & A

What is the main theme through which the AP World History curriculum views history?

The main theme is 'social interactions and organizations,' which focuses on how societies group their members and the norms that govern interactions, impacting political, economic, and cultural institutions.

What does 'egalitarian' mean in the context of early human societies?

In early human societies, 'egalitarian' refers to the relatively equal roles of men and women in hunting and gathering societies, where both genders contributed to survival despite the leaders being mostly male.

How did slavery function in early civilizations, and was it always racially based?

Slavery in early civilizations was primarily based on being captured in war or being unable to repay a debt, rather than race. Initially, it was not a racial issue, but more about winning a conflict or economic failure.

What is the difference between slavery and corvée labor?

Slavery involves individuals being owned and forced into labor, while corvée labor is a form of unpaid, coerced work required by rulers in exchange for tax relief, such as building projects like the Great Wall of China.

How did China's tribute system work in terms of social interactions?

China’s tribute system required neighboring societies to acknowledge China's superiority and pay tribute in exchange for the privilege of trade. This system emphasized China’s dominance and was a form of social control.

What is the structure of the Hindu caste system, and how does it reflect social organization in India?

The Hindu caste system organizes society into four main groups: Brahmins (priests), Kshatriyas (warriors), Vaishyas (merchants/farmers), and Shudras (laborers/slaves), with each caste having specific duties and levels of spiritual and social importance.

What was Confucius' view on social hierarchy in China, and how did it affect the treatment of merchants?

Confucius' social hierarchy placed the emperor and elites at the top, followed by peasants, artisans, and merchants at the bottom. Merchants were despised for their lack of productive work, despite often being wealthy and influential.

What role did patriarchy play in ancient civilizations like Rome, Greece, and China?

Patriarchy was a dominant feature in these societies, where male superiority was institutionalized. Women were often subordinate, required to obey their fathers, husbands, and later sons, with limited societal power or freedom.

How did the practice of foot-binding reflect the social expectations for women in China?

Foot-binding in China was seen as a way to make women more desirable for marriage by emphasizing small, delicate feet. This practice was linked to male-dominated standards of beauty and the desire for women to fulfill their roles as wives.

What is filial piety, and how did it shape Chinese family dynamics and society?

Filial piety is the Confucian principle that children, particularly sons, must honor and care for their parents, including the elderly. It reinforced family loyalty and social responsibility, emphasizing that sons would take care of their parents in old age while daughters would serve their husband's family.