AP WH Timeline

Kievan Rus

840

Characteristic: Political
Info: A medieval Slavic state that divided itself into “volosts,” or individual governments/lands. A volost contains many communities, named “vervs.” A local official in these communities was called a “volostel.”

Song Dynasty

960

Characteristic: Technological
Info: A period of economic prosperity under a dynasty founded by Emperor Song. The state saw massive developments in technology, such as gunpowder, or economically, such as paper money and urban centers.

Champa Rice

1000

Characteristic: Economic
Info: Originally from the Champa Kingdom, gifted to Song China, champa rice was a quick-maturing type of rice that allowed for early and multiple harvests every growing season, which aided in feeding and growing the population of China at this time.

Trade Development In Africa

1100

Characteristic: Economic
Info: Africa became popular in trade due to its abundance of rare desirable ores (gold silver) as international trades and exchanges become more prominent. Certain African states became well known trade centers along the Trans-Sahara trade routes such as Mali, Ghana, and Great Zimbabwe.

Monsoon Winds

1100

Characteristic: Interactions between humans and environment
Info: Monsoon winds were periodic cycles of large winds most prominent along the Indian Ocean that followed the seasons, winds blow from southeast during winter and blow from northwest during summer. Maritime traders used the knowledge of when the monsoon winds would come to time when to come and go according to the winds for faster travel and efficiency.

Pax Mongolica

1200

Characteristic: Cultural
Info: The Mongol Empire was known to be religiously tolerant to other religions, especially to those that were conquered. The Mongols allowed for Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, and Daoism to flourish throughout the Mongol Empire, even though the Mongols practiced Tengrism.

Timbuktu

1300

Characteristic: Economic
Info: Timbuktu was notably known as a center for gold trade and Islamic scholarship. It became a permanent settlement in the 12th century, but peaked during the gold, silver, and ivory trade from 1300 to 1500, mainly while empires like the Mali were flourishing. It became a trading hub in the Sahara for West Africa and other kingdoms.

Aztecs

1325

Characteristic: Economic
Info: Hunter-gathers migrated to central Mexico in the 1200s and founded Tenochtilian. They created the Triple Alliance and expanded their empire from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific Ocean. Tribute systems and theocracy governed them.

Bubonic Plague

1346

Characteristic: Interaction with Environment
Info: The bubonic plague is a bacterial infection transmitted through bites from fleas, primarily found from rodents and rats. Symptoms include painful nodes, fever, headache, chills, and weakness. This was a devastating pandemic at this time period, killing millions in Europe and Asia.

Zheng He

1371

Characteristic: Political
Info: Zheng He was regarded as one of the greatest Chinese explorers and admirals in history, as he conducted seven treasure expeditions under the Yongle Emperor. During this, he commanded numerous large ships and navy units, showcasing China’s large and powerful naval influence. He used this large force to establish tributary relationships with foreign nations.