Religions Summary Table
Religion Founding/Key Core Expansion Sociopolitical Technologica
Figures Beliefs Role Impact
Buddhism Siddhartha Four Noble Spread via State Universities
Gautama Truths, Silk Road, support (Nalanda),
(563-483 Eightfold monasteries, under art (stupas),
BCE) Path, Ashoka's Ashoka, meditation
nirvana missionaries monastic practices
(3rd c. BCE) communities
as
education
centers
Christianity Jesus of Monotheism, Roman Byzantine Universities,
Nazareth (c. salvation adoption Empire, Gothic
4 BCE-30 through (313 CE), Holy Roman architecture,
CE), Paul of Christ, New missionary Empire, preserving
Tarsus Testament networks, divine right classical
monasticism of kings texts
Islam Muhammad Five Pillars, Rapid 7th- Caliphates Algebra,
(570-632 Quran as 8th c. (Umayyad, astronomy,
CE) final expansion, Abbasid), hospitals,
revelation, trade Sharia law, calligraphy,
umma networks, dhimmi architecture
Sufi system
missionaries
Hinduism No single Dharma, South Asian Caste Mathematics
founder, karma, cultural system (zero),
Vedic samsara, sphere, legitimizes temple
traditions moksha, trade rule, temple architecture,
(1500 BCE) caste routes, economy, Sanskrit
system temple rajas literature
networks supported
Confucianism Confucius Filial piety, Han Chinese Civil service
(551-479 social Dynasty imperial system,
BCE) harmony, adoption bureaucracy, Neo-
five (206 BCE- exam Confucian
220 CE), system,
relationships, civil service patriarchal academies,
meritocracy exam family legal codes
system
Daoism Laozi (6th c. Wu wei Coexisted Alternative Alchemy,
BCE), (non- with to medicine,
Zhuangzi action), Confucianism, Confucian feng shui,
harmony popular bureaucracy, landscape
with nature, religion, popular painting
yin-yang alchemy movements
Classical Civilizations Summary Table
Civilization Dates Location Social Political Environment/Technolog
Cultural
Structure System Achieveme
Han 206 BCE- East Asia Patriarchal Centralized Iron Confucian
China 220 CE families, bureaucracy, plows, classics,
scholar- civil paper, historical
gentry service water writing
class, exams, mills, Silk (Sima
peasant Legalist- Road Qian), art
farmers Confucian trade
synthesis
Roman 27 BCE- Mediterranean
Patricians/plebeians,
Republic Aqueducts, Latin
Empire 476 CE Basin slavery, to empire, roads, literature,
(West) client- law concrete, Roman
patron codes, Mediterranean law,
system provincial integration engineering
administration architecture
321 BCE-
Mauryan/Gupta South Caste Mauryan Monsoon- Sanskrit
India 550 CE Asia system centralized based epics,
(varnas/jatis), empire, agriculture, mathematic
joint Gupta iron tools, (zero),
families, golden textile temple
gender age, production architecture
hierarchies regional
kingdoms
Greece 800-338 Aegean Citizens/slaves/women
City- Maritime Philosophy
(Classical) BCE Basin excluded, states trade, (Plato,
polis- (poleis), olive/wine Aristotle),
based Athenian economy, drama,
society democracy, limited Olympic
Hellenistic arable games
kingdoms land
Persian 550-330 Middle Satrap Absolute Qanat Zoroastriani
Empire BCE East system, monarchy, irrigation, monumenta
imperial satrapies, royal architecture
administration,
royal road road, cultural
cultural network standardized synthesis
tolerance coinage
Summer Assignment Vocabulary Summary
Table
Term Definition Significance for Post-
1200 World
Animism Belief that objects, places, Foundation for
and creatures possess understanding indigenous
spiritual essence religions' persistence and
syncretism with major
world religions
Bantu Migration Series of expansions of Established linguistic and
Bantu-speaking peoples cultural patterns in sub-
from West-Central Africa Saharan Africa, influenced
(1000 BCE-1000 CE) later kingdoms and trade
networks
Buddhism Religion founded by Major influence in
Siddhartha Gautama East/Southeast Asia,
emphasizing enlightenment shaped cultural exchanges
through meditation and along Silk Road and Indian
ethical living Ocean networks
Byzantine Empire Eastern Roman Empire Preserved classical
(330-1453 CE) with knowledge, served as
Constantinople as capital bridge between East and
West, influenced Russian
development
Caste System Hindu social hierarchy Continues to influence
dividing society into South Asian societies,
hereditary groups affects economic
development and social
mobility
Christianity Monotheistic religion Became dominant religion
based on teachings of of Europe/Americas, drove
Jesus Christ exploration, colonization,
and cultural transformation
Confucianism Chinese philosophy Shaped East Asian
emphasizing social societies, influenced civil
harmony and proper service systems, family
relationships structures, and governance
Daoism Chinese philosophy Influenced Chinese
emphasizing harmony with science, medicine, art;
nature coexisted with
Confucianism and
Buddhism in East Asia
Feudalism Decentralized political Shaped medieval Europe
system based on land-for- and Japan, created social
service relationships hierarchies that influenced
later political development
Hinduism Major South Asian religion Continues to shape South
with diverse beliefs and Asian societies, influenced
practices Southeast Asian cultures,
major global religion today
Islam Monotheistic religion Became dominant in
founded by Muhammad Middle East, North Africa,
parts of Asia; drives major
cultural and political
movements
Judaism Monotheistic religion of Diaspora created global
the Jewish people Jewish communities,
influenced Christianity and
Islam, shaped European
history
Manorialism Economic system of Foundation for European
medieval Europe based on agricultural development,
self-sufficient estates shaped social structures
and economic relationships
Monasticism Religious way of life Preserved classical
characterized by asceticism knowledge during medieval
and prayer period, centers of learning
and cultural transmission
Patriarchy Social system where men Continues to shape gender
hold primary power relations globally,
influences family
structures, property rights,
and political power
Roman Empire Ancient Mediterranean Legacy in law, architecture,
empire (27 BCE-476 CE) language continues to
influence Western
civilization and global
governance
Silk Road Network of trade routes Established patterns of
connecting East and West cultural exchange, disease
transmission, and
economic integration that
accelerated after 1200
Syncretism Blending of different Explains how major
religious or cultural religions adapted to local
traditions contexts, influenced
cultural development and
religious practices
Tang/Song China Chinese dynasties (618- Established patterns of
1279 CE) known for East Asian development,
cultural achievements influenced neighboring
societies, technological
innovations spread globally
Trans-Saharan Trade Trade routes across Sahara Established networks of
Desert connecting North exchange that influenced
and Sub-Saharan Africa African kingdoms, spread
Islam, connected to global
trade
Unit 1 Regional Summary Tables
1.1 East Asia Summary Table
Dates Dynasty/System Social Political Economic/Technological
Cultural
Structure Features Developments Impact
960-1279 Song Scholar- Centralized Paper Neo-
CE Dynasty gentry class, bureaucracy, money, Confucianism,
civil service merit-based movable landscape
exams, foot government, type, painting,
binding examination compass, poetry,
begins system iron porcelain
production,
commercial
revolution
1271-1368 Yuan Four-class Foreign rule, Grand Canal Drama,
CE (Mongol) system khanates, expansion, novel
Dynasty (Mongols, integration Silk Road development,
Central into Mongol protection, cultural
Asians, Empire international exchange
Northern trade with West
Chinese,
Southern
Chinese)
1368-1644 Ming Return to Restoration Maritime Confucian
CE Dynasty traditional of Chinese expeditions revival,
Chinese rule, (Zheng He), encyclopedia
hierarchy, centralized silver trade, projects,
examination government, porcelain Forbidden
system, clan eunuch production City
organizations power
1644-1912 Qing Manchu Foreign Tea trade Neo-
CE Dynasty minority conquest with Confucian
rule, banner dynasty, Europe, orthodoxy,
system, foot imperial population literary
binding expansion, growth, inquisitions,
entrenched tribute internal traditional
system trade arts
1.2 Dar-al-Islam Summary Table
Empire/Caliphate Dates Trade/Trade Sociopolitical Scientific/Cultur
Routes Structure Contributions
Umayyad 661-750 CE Mediterranean, Arab military Dome of the
Caliphate Indian Ocean, aristocracy, Rock,
Silk Road provincial administrative
governors, Arabic, coinage
dhimmi system standardization
Abbasid 750-1258 CE House of Persian Algebra (Al-
Caliphate Wisdom, paper administration, Khwarizmi),
trade, Indian viziers, slave medicine (Ibn
Ocean soldiers Sina),
networks (mamluks) astronomy,
philosophy
Al-Andalus 711-1492 CE Trans-Saharan Convivencia Translation
(Spain) gold, (religious movement,
Mediterranean, tolerance), philosophy
Atlantic taifa kingdoms, (Averroes),
Berber architecture
dynasties (Alhambra)
Ottoman 1299-1922 CE Silk Road, Devshirme Architecture
Empire Mediterranean, system, (Hagia Sophia),
Black Sea janissaries, calligraphy,
millet system coffee culture
Safavid 1501-1736 CE Persian Gulf, Shi'a Islam as Persian
Empire Silk Road, state religion, miniatures,
carpet trade qizilbash carpet
warriors, royal weaving,
workshops
Isfahan
architecture
Mughal 1526-1857 CE Indian Ocean, Akbar's Taj Mahal,
Empire overland to religious miniature
Central Asia tolerance, painting, Urdu
mansabdari language
system, development
zamindar
landholders
1.3 South/Southeast Asia Summary Table
Kingdom/EmpireDates Location Religious Economic/Trade
Architectural/
Influence Role
Srivijaya 7th-13th c. Sumatra, Buddhist Control of Buddhist
Java, Malay Mahayana, Malacca monuments
Peninsula Hinduism Strait, spice (Borobudur),
trade maritime
empire
Khmer 802-1431 Cambodia, Hinduism Rice Angkor Wat
Empire CE Angkor (Shiva/Vishnu), cultivation, temple
region later international complex,
Buddhism trade hydraulic
engineering
Sinhala 543 BCE- Sri Lanka Theravada Cinnamon Tooth Relic
Kingdoms 1815 CE Buddhism trade, gem Temple,
dominant mining, irrigation
Indian systems,
Ocean Buddhist art
networks
Pagan 849-1287 Myanmar Theravada Rice Thousands
Kingdom CE (Burma) Buddhism cultivation, of Buddhist
patronage overland temples,
trade pagodas
Vietnam 939-1945 Red River Buddhism, Rice Temple of
(Dai Viet) CE Delta Confucianism, cultivation, Literature,
ancestor maritime water
worship trade puppetry,
ceramics
1.4 Americas Summary Table
Civilization Dates Location Political Agricultural/Technological
Religious/Cul
Structure Achievements Practices
Maya 200-900 CE Yucatan City-states Maize Ball game,
Peninsula, ruled by cultivation, human
Guatemala, god-kings, terracing, sacrifice,
Belize hieroglyphic astronomy, calendar
writing mathematics systems,
(zero) pyramid-
temples
Aztec 1325-1521 Central Triple Chinampas Human
(Mexica) CE Mexico, Alliance (floating sacrifice,
Tenochtitlan empire, gardens), sun worship,
tribute irrigation, featherwork,
system, terracing poetry
military
expansion
Inca 1438-1533 Andes Centralized Terrace Sun god
CE Mountains empire, mita farming, worship,
(Peru to labor potato ancestor
Chile) system, cultivation, mummies,
quipu road textiles, oral
record- system, traditions
keeping masonry
Mississippian 800-1600 Mississippi Chiefdoms, Maize Earth/fertility
CE River Valley mound- cultivation, religions,
building, trade burial
Cahokia networks, mounds,
metropolis copper shell
working artifacts
Ancestral 100-1600 Southwest Village Dry farming, Kachina
Pueblo CE US (Four councils, corn/beans/squash,
spirits, kivas
Corners) cliff pottery, ceremonies,
dwellings, basketry petroglyphs
irrigation
communities
1.5 Africa Summary Table
Kingdom/EmpireDates Location Trade Social Religious/Cul
Structure Influence
Ghana 4th-13th c. West Africa Gold-salt King Introduction
CE (modern trade, trans- controlled of Islam via
Mali/Mauritania) Saharan trade, trade,
caravans warrior indigenous
aristocracy, religions
iron working
Mali 1230-1600 West Africa Gold trade, Mansa Islam
CE (Niger Timbuktu (king) spread
River) center, absolute through
trans- ruler, griots, trade,
Saharan caste mosque
networks system building,
Mansa
Musa's
pilgrimage
Songhai 1430-1591 West Africa Gold-salt Askiya Islamic
CE (Niger trade, dynasty, scholarship
River) Timbuktu/Jenneprovincial (Timbuktu),
centers, governors, syncretic
trans- military beliefs
Saharan expansion
Great 1100-1500 Southeastern Gold trade, King Indigenous
Zimbabwe CE Africa Indian controlled religions,
Ocean trade, stone trade
networks, architecture, connections
Swahili cattle with Islamic
coast herding world
Ethiopian 1270-1974 Horn of Red Sea Solomonic Coptic
Empire CE Africa trade, dynasty, Christianity,
Indian feudal rock-hewn
Ocean system, churches,
networks, Christian Ge'ez script
coffee kingdom
exports
Swahili 1000-1500 East African Indian City-state Islam
City-States CE coast Ocean governments, adoption,
trade, merchant Swahili
monsoon aristocracy, language
networks, mixed (Bantu-
ivory/gold populations Arabic),
coral
architecture
1.6 Europe Summary Table
Period/Event Dates Social Political Economic/Agricultural
Cultural/Scho
Hierarchy Development Changes Impact
High 1000-1300 Three Feudal Three-field Gothic
Middle CE estates monarchy, system, cathedrals,
Ages (clergy, rise of agricultural scholasticism,
nobility, parliaments, revolution, university
commoners), crusades town revival founding
manorial
system
Late Middle 1300-1450 Social Hundred Black Death Humanism
Ages Crisis CE tensions, Years' War, (1/3 begins,
peasant decline of population), vernacular
revolts, feudalism agricultural literature,
flagellants depression artistic
innovation
Renaissance 1300-1600 Urban City-states Banking Humanism,
CE merchant (Italy), development, artistic
class, nation- commercial techniques,
patronage states capitalism, printing
system, forming, price press,
secularization new revolution scientific
monarchies method
Reformation 1517-1648 Religious Religious Capital Vernacular
CE divisions, wars, state accumulation, Bibles,
middle class churches, trade literacy
growth, divine right expansion, spread,
education of kings price religious
expansion revolution wars
Age of 1415-1600 Merchant Nation- Columbian Cartography,
Exploration CE princes, states, Exchange, chronometers
colonial colonial silver botanical
administrators, empires, inflation, knowledge
conquistadors mercantilism plantation exchange
slavery
