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Early Modern Cultures - Coggle Diagram
Early Modern Cultures
America's
Incan Empire
They adopted a strong central government ruled by an emperor, descended from god, Inti. Structural hierarchy - empire slits into four parts, each ruled by a governor. Then those parts were split into provinces ruled by governors as well.
The Emperor closely controlled the lives of common people. He owned all the land and carefully regulated the growing and distribution of food. The Incans were known for great works of architecture, building roads and bridges to link different parts of the empire.
In the 1300s the Incans were a small community in Cuzco, a city located in the mountains of southern Peru. In the 1440s Incans launched a campaigning of conquest eventually conquering all the way to modern day Ecuador and Chile.
Spanish
Led by Francisco Pizzaro the Spanish arrived in 1535 and upon coming in contact with the Incans, the smallpox they contracted from the Spanish completely decimated the entire civilization.
Many different expeditions were led by Spanish conquistadors caused many of the settlements were not accustomed to the diseases that the Europeans had already built immunity to.
A Spanish force lead by Hernan Cortes landed in the Gulf of Mexico, led a small force of of 550 soldiers and 16 horses. Eventually when meeting the Aztecs it will result in the destruction of the Aztecs mostly due to diseases.
Aztec Empire
The Aztec ruler supported these rulers in return for "tributes", which are taxes in the form of food, clothing, raw materials, prisoners for sacrifice, jewelry, military supplies, etc.
The Aztecs were ruled by a monarch claiming he was a descendant from god. He ruled over a population mostly made up of farmers, indentured servants, and slaves.
The Aztecs ruled over much of what is modern Mexico. The new kingdom was not centralized but a collection of territories rule by local lords. Aztecs believed in multiple gods based on a struggle between good and evil
India
Gupta Empire
An older empire that existed before Islam's moved to India
When it collapsed the area was divided into about 70 states, which fought each other constantly
This empire covered most of the Indian subcontinent and upon collapse there was no central authority to replace what had previously been instated
Vijayanagara Empire
Foreign trade in this area was thriving - especially along the western coast
An area in control by the Hindu states of southern India
Many wealthy merchants visited this area helping the port cities prosper
Delhi Sultanate
Over another 300 years different leaders conquered different amounts of land contributing to the Delhi Sultanate
With these leaders conquering towards the southern area of India, it caused many conflicts with the Hindu's that were settled in southern India
Muslim's took over power in the northern region of India, creating the new Muslim state
Islam
Abbasid Dynasty
There was much emphasis put on scholarly work like translating Greek works, astronomy, mathematics, and Medicine
There was still internal political fighting because the large Empire was broken into provinces, which began breaking away and establishing independent caliphates
The Islamic capital was moved further east to Baghdad, which was located on a major trade route from the Mediterranean into Asia
Bedouins
Abu Bakr, the first of the Caliphs, (father-in-law of Muhammad) began growing the Islamic faith even more, allowing for more common tasks for the Islamic community while on the verge of falling apart
Another caliph, Ali, (Muhammad's cousin/Son-in-law) was chosen last but only ruled for 5 years after being assassinated by people just like the 2 caliphs that ruled before him.
The Bedouins had superior military skills, honed from fighting each other for years to create a strong Islamic army Led by Abu Bakr and the other 3 caliphs
Umayyad Dynasty
There were mass amounts of expansion for the Arab empire, conquering the Berbers living in North Africa
They moved up to Spain converting almost all to a Muslim state, then trying to convert the area of Modern day France, but was stopped by Charles Martel and the Franks in the Battle of Tours
After Ali's assassination, a rival chief, Mu'awiyah became the caliph and moved the Islamic capital from Medina to Damascus also making the office of caliph Hereditary (meaning that the next leaders will run through his family)
Asia
Tang Dynasty
As Tang armies ventured into Vietnam, they encountered fast-ripening rice. This helped the Dynasty increase their populations because they could grow more rice throughout the year.
Chang’an (capital city) becomes “cosmopolitan” city for Muslims, Jews, and Christians. Grand Canal, roads facilitated growth in trade.
Agriculture (Rice) and trade (Porcelain and Silk) through the silk roads and Indian ocean trade network increased their economy greatly.
Sui Dynasty
Forced labor, high taxes, lead to revolt; Sui emperor is assassinated in 618.
The Great Canal was one of the world’s largest waterworks projects before modern times. It was built to facilitate trade between northern and southern China.
Sui Dynasty, established by Wendi, lasts from 581 to 618. Main accomplishment include completing the Grand Canal, which expands trade.
Song Dynasty
During the Song Dynasty, the capital of Hangzhou had over a million residents. Heavy iron plows, Harnessed oxen and water buffaloes, and Extensive irrigation systems were new agricultural techniques
After collapse of the Han Dynasty, China suffered through decentralization.
Civil Service Exams were introduced into Asian areas which were theoretically, exams are open to all men, even commoners. Practically, only rich can afford necessary education to take exam.
Europe
Vikings
The goals of their invasions differed. In some areas they simply raided monasteries and towns and carried off the treasure, food, women and slaves they needed.
Due to overpopulation and the harshness of their rocky and cold environment they set out on a series of raids.
Once Charlemagne died in 814 the Vikings invasions began from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. The brutality and speed of their attacks made them the most feared threat of Western Europe.
Medieval Church
The leader of church, the Pope, became a symbol of unity in times of great disruption.
The church successfully sent missionaries to the Germanic tribes to help make peace with them and transition them to Christianity
The church was the main source of continuity of Roman to Medieval times which was named the Roman Catholic Church
Carolingian Empire
starting in 774 to embark on over 50 military campaigns to unite the different kingdoms. When the Pope was driven out by angry Romans, Charlemagne sent troops to protect the Pope which got the him the title "head of the holy roman empire"
Charlemagne's Carolingian Empire was the largest empire since the Roman Empire which provided some unity in Europe
A prince of a German tribe called the franks, was named Charlemagne whose goal was to unite the different kingdoms of Europe.
Africa
Mali
Mansa Musa ruled in Mali and doubled the size of Mali becoming one of the richest and most powerful kings to ever live
Mansa Musa took a pilgrimage to Mecca with a huge caravan of thousands of servants, soldiers, slaves, and supplies and a lot Gold (caused some inflation in cities for putting too much gold in them)
Extended from Atlantic coast all the way to the trading city of Timbuktu, becoming wealthy from gold and salt trade
Zimbabwe
The ruins of its capital show a town surrounded by stone walls that used no mortar
Many artifacts of household tools, gold and copper ornaments, and porcelain from China have been found
Lasting for a little over 100 years, Zimbabwe was the wealthiest and most powerful kingdom in the region prospering from gold trade with Swahili trading cities
Ghana
There was an abundance of Gold in the region which they traded for Salt and other products in North Africa
Ghana flourished for a couple hundred years, by eventually was weakened by wars, and collapsed in the 1100s
Much was traded across the desert carried by Berbers, nomadic people whose camel caravans were well-known