(TGT) The Global Tapestry 1200-1450 Module Overview

The Global Tapestry 1200-1450 Module Overview

Introduction 

Toward the end of the sixth century, centralized imperial rule returned to China and persisted for almost 700 years under the Sui, Tang, and Song dynasties (589-1279 C.E.). This period witnessed unprecedented economic prosperity for China. In addition, China, as the "Middle Kingdom," made its influence felt throughout the surrounding territories, creating a larger East Asian society centered on China.

By 600 all the great classical civilizations had fallen. The period after the great classical civilizations had fallen is known as the "Post-Classical" Age. It was a tumultuous time period in every part of the globe and would set the stage for the rise of new religions, governments, and intellectual movements. The second great monotheistic religion, Islam, would arise in the early 7th century. Its founder, Muhammad, was born on the Saudi Arabian peninsula and grew up surrounded by hundreds of different religious sects in his hometown of Mecca. How Muhammad founded the Islamic religion, why this religion spread so rapidly, and its profound impact on world history will be the focus of this unit.

In Europe, to the west, people were forced to recover from the nearly complete collapse of the Western Roman Empire. Although Western Europe had to dig itself out of the Roman rubble after the collapse of Classical civilization, these people established new, revitalized economic, social and cultural systems that would launch this region to great success after 1450. Politically fragmented and relying heavily on Roman Catholicism to promote cultural unity, Western Europe would spend much of the Post-Classical period establishing new traditions, as well as revising old ones. 

Meanwhile, in the western hemisphere, vibrant civilizations were flourishing without contact with the Eurasian world. The Aztecs in central Mexico and the Inca in the Andes established thriving cities, economies, and political and social systems that rivaled the complexity of Western Europe. Without the benefit of large domesticated animals or such tools as the wheel, both of these civilizations maintained strong agricultural economies, authoritative political systems, and intricate social and religious patterns.

 

Essential Questions

• What were the systems of government employed by Chinese dynasties and how did they developed over time?
• What were the effects of Chinese cultural traditions on East Asia over time?
• Explain the effects of innovation on the Chinese economy over time.
• Explain how systems of belief and their practices affected society in the period from 1200-1450.
• What were the causes and effects of the rise of Islamic states over time?
• Explain the effects of intellectual innovation in Dar al-Islam.
• Explain how the various belief systems and practices of South and Southeast Asia affected society over time.
• Explain how and why various states of South and Southeast Asia developed and maintained power over time.
• Explain how and why states in the Americas developed and changed over time.
• Explain how and why states in Africa developed and changed over time.
• How did the beliefs and practices of the predominant religions of Europe affected European society. Particularly Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.
• What were the causes and consequences of political decentralization in Europe from 1200-1450?
• Explain the effects of agriculture on social organization in Europe from 1200-1450.
• Explain the similarities and differences in the processes of state formation from 1200-1450 throughout the world.

 

[CC BY 4.0] UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED | IMAGES: LICENSED AND USED ACCORDING TO TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION