AP World History Masters Review: South & Southeast Asia 1.3

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AP World History Masters Review: South & Southeast Asia 1.3

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South Asia

Introduction

If there’s anything you need to know about these two regions between 1200 and 1450, it’s this:

  • Both are flourishing culturally unlike any other area in the world. You aren’t going to find nicer, more beautiful pieces of architecture and art anywhere else (excluding the Aztecs of course).
  • Both are also heavily involved in trade. Their connectivity at the moment is through the roof, and soon enough, as you’ll learn in unit 2, they’re gonna be making absolute bank and be raking in all the money; from every corner, angle, and space.

Besides that are the other particulars that you might also wanna familiarize yourself with for the final exam in May. Let’s get specific.

Thematic Focus + Historical Thinking Skill + Learning Objective

As described by the Collegeboard, the thematic scope of this subunit deals with “The development of ideas, beliefs, and religions illustrates how groups in society view themselves, and the interactions of societies and their beliefs often have political, social, and cultural implications” as well as “A variety of internal and external factors contribute to state formation, expansion, and decline. Governments maintain order through a variety of administrative institutions, policies, and procedures, and governments obtain, retain, and exercise power in different ways and for different purposes“.

And as you’re about to learn, the people in South and Southeast Asia did indeed support the development of ideas and beliefs (Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam), and the forming of new statements as a result of various internal and external factors (Delhi Sultanate to spread Islam, Viajayangara Empire to reject spread of Islam and instead support Hindu beliefs).

Historical Thinking Skill

The historical skill of this subunit is Claims and Evidence in Sources, meaning that you have to properly analyze arguments in primary and secondary sources. Now, when is this actually important? Let’s say that you’re writing the DBQ (Document Based Question), and need to properly and appropriately gather all the information inside of the documents and come up with a thesis that successfully emphasizes your argument and essay topic. To do that, you need to firstly learn how to analyze evidence in your essay and make something of it. You need to use the documents given to you, and assemble them into an arsenal of informative pieces that construct your essay.

Identify and describe a claim and/or argument in a text-based or non-text-based source

Learning Objectives

The learning objectives of this subunit are Cultural Developments and Interactions and Governance, with their definitions being:

  • Cultural Development and Interactions: The development of ideas, beliefs, and religions illustrates how groups in society view themselves, and the interactions of societies and their beliefs often have political, social, and cultural implications.
  • Governance: A variety of internal and external factors contribute to state formation, expansion, and decline. Governments maintain order through a variety of administrative institutions, policies, and procedures, and governments obtain, retain, and exercise power in different ways and for different purposes.

Context (Before 1200)

An important skill that you need to master for the final exam is contextualization. This is where we write the context to a large historical concept to make sense of it, and really to demonstrate our understanding.

South Asia

  1. 500-550 CE: The once-great Gupta Empire, known for its cultural and scientific achievements, faces internal decay and invasions by the Huns. This leads to fragmentation and the emergence of regional powers.
  2. 600-750 CE: The Chalukyas establish their dominance in the Deccan region, known for their patronage of art and architecture. The Pallavas, with their capital at Kanchipuram, become prominent, contributing significantly to South Indian architecture, as seen in the rock-cut temples at Mahabalipuram.
  3. 750-1000 CE: The Rashtrakutas rise as a powerful force in the Deccan. They are known for their support of diverse religions, including Hinduism and Jainism, and for the construction of the Kailasa temple at Ellora, a testament to their architectural innovation.
  4. 800-1200 CE: In eastern India, the Pala Dynasty becomes a significant patron of Buddhism, establishing major centers of learning like Nalanda and Vikramashila. The subsequent Sena Dynasty, although primarily Hindu, continues to influence the region’s culture and politics.
  5. 850-1279 CE: The Cholas, originating in the Tamil region, expand their empire through military conquests and naval expeditions. Their dominance in maritime trade helps them exert influence over parts of Southeast Asia. The Cholas are also known for their contributions to Tamil culture, literature, and architecture, with grand temples like the Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur.
  6. 1000-1200 CE: North India sees the rise of Rajput states, while the Deccan and southern regions continue to be dominated by Chola, Chalukya, and Hoysala powers. This period is marked by a synthesis of regional cultures and the flourishing of temple architecture and regional languages.

Southeast Asia

  1. 500-600 CE: Indian culture, religion, and political models continue to influence early Southeast Asian states. Local rulers adopt Hinduism and Buddhism, which become integral to their statecraft and societal organization.
  2. 650-1377 CE: Centered in Sumatra, Srivijaya emerges as a dominant maritime and commercial power. It controls key trade routes in the region and becomes a major hub for Buddhist learning and culture. The empire’s strategic location allows it to facilitate trade between China, India, and the Islamic world.
  3. 802-1431 CE: The Khmer Empire is established in Cambodia, with its capital at Angkor. The empire reaches its zenith under rulers like Jayavarman II and Suryavarman II, who construct monumental temples such as Angkor Wat and Bayon, reflecting a blend of Hindu and later Buddhist influences. The Khmer Empire’s sophisticated irrigation systems support a dense and prosperous population.
  4. 900-1200 CE: Southeast Asia’s strategic location in the Indian Ocean trade network facilitates extensive economic and cultural exchanges. Goods like spices, textiles, and precious metals are traded, bringing wealth to the region and fostering the growth of powerful states. This period sees the rise of other significant kingdoms like Pagan in Burma and Champa in Vietnam.

Why All This Matters

The context provided above (500-1200 CE) laid the groundwork for significant developments in South and Southeast Asia from 1200 to 1450 by establishing long-lasting cultural, religious, and economic foundations.

In South Asia, the rise and fragmentation of regional kingdoms after the Gupta Empire, along with the spread of Hinduism and Buddhism, set the stage for the Delhi Sultanate’s emergence and the cultural synthesis that followed.

In Southeast Asia, Indian cultural influences and established maritime trade networks, exemplified by the Srivijaya and Khmer empires, continued to shape the region’s political and economic landscape, leading to the rise of powerful states like the Majapahit Empire and the spread of Islam through trade interactions. These earlier developments provided the political stability, cultural richness, and economic integration that facilitated the dynamic transformations in both regions during 1200-1450.

Hinduism, Buddhism, & Islam

Hinduism/Buddhism (South Asia)

Hinduism, the most dominant religion in South Asia, was a polytheistic belief system (meaning that they believed in several gods; not one); and believed that the idea of life was to reunite with their individual souls to the world known as Brahman (involves cycling through death and rebirth to achieve); and it provided the conditions for a unified culture in India by structuring Indian society by the Caste System.

  • Under this system, you couldn’t move up. The only way to find out was to die and see if you had good karma

Alongside Hinduism, we also see another popular belief, Buddhism. Although the influence of Buddhism was waning down by this time (so much so that by 1200, it’s barely even in South Asia, with Islam being more evident), it proved to have an awfully similar system to Hinduism that we can’t overlook.

Comparing The Both

Similarly, both religions shared the cycle of birth, death, and reincarnation; with the ultimate goal being to dissolve into the oneness of the universe.

In contrast, Hinduism believed in the Caste System, which organized the people of society into a hierarchy. This hierarchy was based on unequal positions, in which no one could move up during their lifetime. Note how I said in their “lifetime”. The reality is, they could move up, but they had to die and then be reborn. This was based off a principle known as karma. Someone can have good or bad karma. You are probably already familiar with this. If you do something bad, and then something bad then happens to you, it’s considered bad karma. The same principle applies in good scenarios too (known as good karma).

  • Point is, if someone had good karma when they were reborn, they moved up in the hierarchy. If they had bad karma, they didn’t move up.

Additionally, Hinduism was an ethnic religion, meaning that it could only really be practiced by a a certain ethnic people. This is the precise reason why religions like Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism were able to spread so rapidly and vastly. Although the Khmer Empire may have been a contradiction to this, overall, this principle applied.

On the opposite end, Buddhism believed in equality and wasn’t based off a strict structure as seen from the Caste System.

Buddhism also was a universalizing religion, meaning that anyone could practice it.

Islam

The third belief system is Islam. In 2016, Turkic Muslim invaders came into South Asia and set up a Muslim empire known as the Delhi Sultanate.

  • This means that in India, while Buddhism was declining, Islam became the 2nd most important religion there.
    • One big support for this is because in large parts of India, Muslims were in charge, and because Islam was the faith of the elite

Changes In Religion

Hinduism endured the Bhakti Movement, which encouraged believers to worship one select God out of the Pantheon of Gods believed in, rejected the hierarchy of Hinduism, and encouraged spiritual experiences to all people regardless of social status.

Islam experienced the introduction of a new belief, Sufism, which was a more mystical, spiritual experience-based version of Islam

  • Comparison: Both Bhaktis and Sufis emphasized mystical experience, rejected elaborate doctrine and religious requirements of the elite, and emphasized access of spiritual experience to all people

Buddhism hadn’t gone through as much of a change in comparison to Islam and Hinduism, but it did emphasize access to the enlightenment for more exclusive people, rather than being open to everyone.

A Look Into The World

Islam Experiences Problems

The goal of many Muslim rulers alike is to spread Islam, its beliefs, and its influence to others (to help support conversions). However, what if they come across a people too deep into their beliefs and ideals to switch? Well, that’s exactly what happened here with the Hindus.

Muslim rulers in the Delhi sultanate had lots of trouble imposing Islam on South Asia because Hinduism was too entrenched socially and culturally, explaining why it stayed a minor religion in this region.

Newly Established States

  • Rajput Kingdoms – A form of resistance to Muslim rule; a collection of rival and warring Hindu kingdoms that existed before Muslim rule in Northern South Asia. Over time, some were conquered while others weren’t.
  • Vijayanagara Empire – Established in the 14th century; founded by two emissaries sent from the Delhi Sultanate to extend to its rule. However, it turns out that these two were Hindus that had converted to Islam, and after seeing a lot of their culture back in South Asia, they decided to convert back and establish a rival Hindu empire by the name of the Vijayanagara Empire
  • Srivijaya Empire – Ruled from the 7th to 11th centuries; were a Buddhist state that was also heavily influenced by Indian Hindu culture; main source of power was their control over a small waterway (strait of malacca), which was the best way for merchants to get anywhere through the Indian Ocean
    • The empire placed taxes on those that passed through this passageway, making them filthy rich
  • Majapahit – Initially was a Hindu kingdom, but experienced strong Buddhist influences as well; maintained power through a tributary (meaning that they held the most power and exerted control over states under their wing by demanding tribute, or goods and service) among the various state in the region
  • Sinhala Dynasties – Located in present-day Sri Lanka; lasted for -supposedly- around 200 years; were a land-based state despite being situated on an island because their power came from their land, not the sea.
  • Khmer Empire – Located above the Srivijaya Empire, but below China; were Hindus; became an extremely prosperous state and built a famous architecture known as Angkor Wat, which was meant to display the entire Hindu universe in a single building; however, they later converted to Buddhism, and thus added Buddhist statues and elements inside without destroying or removing anything previously; when two religions combine like this, it’s called syncretism

History of the Khmer Empire

Changes, Continuities, & Diffusion

These two regions were home to a multitude of changes, continuities and diffused (spread) ideas. We’re talking architecture, art, technologies, information, pretty much everything you can probably think of. The post classical period (1200-1450) is dominated by the Chinese, sure, but it also is by South and Southeast Asia more than anyone else. Alright, enough riding, let’s explain what and how.

Diffusion

Art/Architecture/Literature (South Asia)

  • Islamic Architecture: When the Delhi Sultanate came into power, they brought with them some distinctive Islamic architectural styles, like domes, arches, and minarets. You can see these in the iconic Qutub Minar in Delhi and the Alai Darwaza gate, which showcase a blend of Islamic and local architectural traditions. They used a lot of red sandstone and decorated buildings with intricate patterns, including arabesques and calligraphy.
  • Sculpture and Reliefs: Temples didn’t lose their artistic touch either and continued to feature detailed sculptures and reliefs. For instance, the stone carvings at the Hoysaleswara Temple and the Sun Temple at Konark are prime examples of the detailed and expressive artistry that was popular at the time.
  • Persian and Urdu Literature: The Delhi Sultanate also brought Persian literary traditions to South Asia. Poets like Amir Khusro wrote extensively in Persian, mixing Persian and Indian cultural elements. This period also saw the early development of Urdu as a literary language, blending Persian and local languages.
  • Sanskrit Literature: Sanskrit remained a major language for scholarly and literary works. Poetry, drama, and religious texts continued to be composed in Sanskrit, maintaining the classical traditions that had been established earlier.

Art/Architecture/Literature (Southeast Asia)

  • Khmer Empire: The Khmer Empire really shone during the reign of Jayavarman VII, especially with the construction of massive temple complexes like Angkor Wat and Bayon. Angkor Wat started off as a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu but later transformed into a Buddhist site. This place is grand with its huge bas-reliefs and towering spires that catch the eye.
  • Bas-Reliefs: One of the standout features of Khmer temples is their extensive bas-reliefs. These carvings tell stories of Hindu myths, historical events, and scenes from everyday life. Angkor Wat and Bayon are famous for their walls adorned with these detailed carvings.
  • Javanese Art: Over in Java, during the Majapahit period, art flourished with the creation of terracotta figurines and temple reliefs. These pieces often depicted scenes from Hindu and Buddhist mythology as well as everyday activities, showcasing a rich cultural life.
  • Epics and Chronicles: The Indian epics, like the Ramayana and Mahabharata, had a strong influence in Southeast Asia. These epic stories were adapted into local languages and became integral parts of Southeast Asian literature. Royal chronicles, such as Cambodia’s “Rajavali,” documented the history and achievements of the kingdoms, blending myth with history.

Agriculture/Astronomy/Mathematics (South Asia)

  • Irrigation Systems: During the Sultanate period, there was a big push to expand and improve irrigation systems. They introduced Persian wheel technology, which made water management and irrigation way more efficient. This tech helped them grow crops like rice, wheat, and sugarcane more intensively.
  • Crop Rotation: Farmers used crop rotation to keep the soil fertile and productive. They didn’t just stick to staple grains; they mixed in diverse crops like pulses, millets, and vegetables, rotating them to maintain the soil’s health.
  • Astronomy: Under the Delhi Sultanate, Islamic astronomical knowledge was introduced. Scholars studied and translated works by famous Islamic astronomers like Al-Biruni and Al-Khwarizmi. Tools like the astrolabe and advances in celestial observations became common, enhancing their understanding of the skies.
  • Mathematical Contributions: Indian scholars kept advancing mathematical concepts, building on earlier knowledge. They further refined the numeral system, including the concept of zero, and shared their insights through interactions with Islamic scholars, leading to even more mathematical progress.

Agriculture/Astronomy/Mathematics (Southeast Asia)

  • Baray Systems: The Khmer Empire was smart with water management, developing extensive baray (reservoir) systems for rice cultivation. These large reservoirs stored and distributed water, ensuring that agriculture thrived even during dry seasons.
  • Terrace Farming: In places with hilly terrain, like Bali, terrace farming was the go-to method. They created stepped terraces on slopes, which helped with water retention and reduced soil erosion. This way, they could successfully grow rice and other crops in challenging landscapes.
  • Astronomical Knowledge: Local astronomical understanding was greatly enriched by influences from India and China. They refined their calendrical systems, which were crucial for both agricultural and religious purposes. Temples like Angkor Wat were aligned with astronomical phenomena, showing just how sophisticated their knowledge of astronomy was.

Changes

Maritime Technologies (South & SE Asia) – MEMORIZE THIS!!

  • Dhows: The dhow was a common vessel used extensively in the Indian Ocean. Originating in the Arabian Peninsula, dhows were adopted and adapted by Indian shipbuilders. These ships were characterized by their sturdy wooden construction, lateen sails (triangular sails), and capacity to handle heavy cargoes and navigate through the monsoon winds.
  • Junks: Influences from Chinese maritime technology introduced the use of junks. These large, multi-sailed ships were known for their strong hulls and compartmentalized design, which provided greater stability and cargo capacity. Indian merchants and shipbuilders began to incorporate these design elements into their vessels.
  • Astrolabe: The astrolabe, an ancient tool refined by Islamic astronomers, was used for navigation. It allowed sailors to determine latitude by measuring the angle between the horizon and a celestial body, usually the sun or a star. This tool became essential for long-distance sea voyages.
  • Magnetic Compass: The magnetic compass, originally developed in China, was introduced to South Asia via maritime trade routes. Its ability to point north provided a reliable means of orientation, especially useful in open seas where landmarks were not visible.
  • Maps and Charts: While less common, the use of rudimentary maps and charts, influenced by Indian and Chinese techniques, began to appear, aiding navigation along well-established trade routes.

The ultimate impact of these technologies were (1) the expansion trade networks, (2) more regular and extensive trade voyages, (3) greater cultural exchange, (4) a rich intercultural dialogue, (5) the forming of cosmopolitan societies, (6) rise of port cities, trade hubs, and sea-based empires, (7) naval conflicts and the establishment of maritime alliances.

Or, if you prefer a list instead:

  1. The expansion trade networks (leading to increased economic prosperity). Ports in both regions flourished as international trading hubs, bringing wealth and fostering urban development
  2. More regular and extensive trade voyages as a result of the safety and efficiency provided by these new technologies (which increased the volume and diversity of the goods exchanged, interconnecting the economies of South and Southeast Asia more with global markets)
  3. Greater cultural exchange
  4. A rich intercultural dialogue due to the movement of traders, scholars, and artisans across the seas
  5. Cosmopolitan societies where diverse languages, customs, and traditions coexisted and influenced each other
  6. Rise of port cities, trade hubs, and sea-based empires, as we’ll analyze in Unit 2
  7. Naval conflicts and the establishment of maritime alliances, shaping the political landscape of the region

Art/Architecture/Literature

  • Islamic Influence in South Asia: When the Delhi Sultanate arrived, they brought along significant changes in architecture. They built new types of structures like mosques, madrasas, and tombs. The Qutub Minar and Alai Darwaza are prime examples of this new architectural style.
  • Buddhist and Hindu Temples: In Southeast Asia, especially in Cambodia under the Khmer Empire, there was a noticeable shift from Hindu to Buddhist architectural influences. Angkor Wat is a perfect example of this transition, as it started as a Hindu temple and was later converted into a Buddhist site.
  • Islamic Artistic Elements: In South Asia, Islamic art brought new decorative forms, such as geometric patterns, arabesques, and calligraphy. These elements were incorporated into the design of buildings and manuscripts, adding a unique artistic flair.
  • Shifts in Religious Themes: Southeast Asia experienced a transition in religious themes as Buddhism became more dominant over Hinduism. During the Majapahit Empire, for example, the art produced reflected a blend of these two religious traditions, showcasing the region’s evolving spiritual landscape.
  • Introduction of Persian Literature: The Delhi Sultanate also introduced Persian literary traditions to South Asia. Poets like Amir Khusro wrote extensively in Persian, creating a rich blend of Persian and Indian themes and styles in their works.

Information

  • Introduction of New Sciences: The arrival of Islamic scholars in South Asia led to significant advancements in astronomy, mathematics, and medicine. They translated Arabic texts into local languages, which enriched the intellectual landscape and introduced new scientific concepts and practices.
  • Influence of Chinese Knowledge: In Southeast Asia, Chinese knowledge, particularly in navigation and agricultural techniques, had a profound impact on local intellectual developments. This exchange of knowledge helped advance local practices and technologies, contributing to the region’s growth and innovation.

The Indian Ocean Trade

Continuities

Art/Architecture/Literature

  • Indigenous Styles – Even with new architectural influences coming in, traditional styles stuck around. In South Asia, they kept building Hindu and Jain temples with those intricate carvings and classic designs, like you see in the Hoysala temples. Over in Southeast Asia, they continued using local building techniques and materials, even as they blended in new influences.
  • Temple Architecture – The continuous construction of temples in both regions shows how important religion remained. Take the Brihadeeswarar Temple in South India and the Borobudur in Java, for instance. These grand structures are prime examples of the lasting tradition of temple architecture.
  • Traditional Art Forms – Traditional art forms didn’t just survive; they thrived alongside new styles. In South Asia, sculptures and carvings of Hindu deities were still everywhere. Meanwhile, in Southeast Asia, the intricate bas-reliefs of Angkor Wat kept the long tradition of detailed stone carvings alive.
  • Sanskrit Literature – Despite all the new influences, Sanskrit held its ground as a key literary language in South Asia. They kept producing religious and philosophical texts in Sanskrit, maintaining a rich literary tradition.
  • Oral Traditions – Oral storytelling and the passing down of epics and folklore stayed crucial in both regions. This preserved traditional narratives and cultural heritage, keeping the history and stories alive for future generations.

Information

  • Traditional Learning Centers – Places like Nalanda (until it declined) and other Buddhist monasteries were still key players in South Asia’s intellectual scene. In Southeast Asia, monastic education was at the heart of their intellectual life, too.
  • Religious and Philosophical Texts – Studying and passing down religious and philosophical texts stayed central to intellectual activity in both regions. They kept engaging with Hindu, Buddhist, and later Islamic texts, studying, commenting on, and teaching them.

State Building (How’d They Do It?)

States in South and Southeast Asia from 1200-1450 were built through military conquest, strategic alliances, and the blending of local and foreign traditions. They leveraged religion and trade to legitimize their rule and strengthen their power.

In South Asia, the Delhi Sultanate established its state through a series of military conquests, gradually expanding its territory. They maintained power by integrating Islamic governance with local administrative practices, creating a centralized bureaucracy that included both Muslim and Hindu officials. They also built a network of forts and used advanced military tactics to secure and control their realm.

In Southeast Asia, the Majapahit Empire used a tributary system to build and maintain its state. By demanding tribute from surrounding states in exchange for protection and trade advantages, Majapahit created a vast and prosperous network. This system allowed them to exert influence over a large region and control important trade routes, which brought wealth and stability to their empire. They also promoted Hindu-Buddhist syncretism, which helped unify their diverse population under a shared cultural and religious framework.

Why Did Governments Exercise Power Anyways?

Governments in both regions exercised power to maintain stability, control resources, legitimize their rule, and ensure economic prosperity. By using military strength and strategic administration, they kept their territories stable and secure. Controlling resources and trade routes allowed them to collect taxes and tributes, funding armies and public works. Aligning with dominant religions and cultural practices helped legitimize their authority, while securing trade networks facilitated economic growth and brought wealth, enhancing their influence and stability.

And if you get more specific, such as when dealing with empires like the Delhi Sultanate, then their reasons are more specific, regarding the spread of Islam, or Sufism as well.

Prompts

Instructions: Choose one learning objective prompt, and complete the historical thinking skill prompt. Complete both to ensure your mental progression and lock in your knowledge.

Learning Objective: Explain how the various belief systems and practices of South and Southeast Asia affected society over time.

  • Exemplar Answer: Hinduism, from South Asia, was responsible for unfairly organizing society based on a structured hierarchy, that was based on principles should as karma, the moksha, and the cycle of death and rebirth. People were unequal, and could only ever move up their rank if they firstly died and then discovered their karma to see if it was good or bad, after being reborn. Upon the arrival of Islam, some Hindus (although not many) decided to switch, either as a result of being an elite in government, or in order to seek better opportunity because of how poorly one’s life was if they were low class (Caste system). Southeast Asia endured the heavy spread of these two religions as well, alongside Buddhism; responsible for the many beautiful pieces of architecture and artwork seen during this period. Angkor Wat, a structure built by the Khmer Empire, although originally dedicated to Hinduism to depict the entire universe of the religion, was later dedicated towards Buddhism with new sculptures and artwork later being introduced inside.

Learning Objective #2: Explain how and why various states of South and Southeast Asia developed and maintained power over time.

  • Exemplar Answer: States in South and Southeast Asia would participate in state building activities during their reign for a multitude of reasons, with the most popular ones being economic prosperity, the spread of Islam, and for internal stability. Capital, being the main motivation for many empires (even outside of this period), was responsible for the many establishments of trade that were made along the land and sea-based routes that we’re introduced to in Unit 2, which was a major facilitator for the growth of empires in both of these regions, most notably the Vijayanagara Empire, Srivijaya, and Malacca. Outside of that reason, the spread Islam was a constant concern for empires in these regions, the most notable example being the Delhi Sultanate. Lastly, internal stability, responsible for the many continuities that take place, was too a reason for the state-building seen. After all, if a government wanted to exert power successfully, and ensure that everything was under control, empires needed to be heavily centralized; and better yet, use new government systems and structures, like the bureaucracy.

Historical Thinking Skill: Identify and describe a claim and/or argument in a text-based or non-text-based source.

  • Tip: You don’t need to know what the content is regarding. As long as your understand the focus, and what they’re writing about, then you can form a conclusion as for what the argument is.
    • From there, explain more regarding the argument. What exactly is it talking about? What’s the motivation? The purpose? The goal? These are all questions that you’re likely gonna need to learn how to answer in your essays.

Conclusion

Great! That’s topic 1.3 of AP World History: Modern. I understand that this post was a bit much, but it was for a good reason. You definitely don’t need to master the cultural side of things here (art, architecture, intellectual, ideologies) as much as it seems. So, don’t stress yourself. Prioritize religion, government, and state building for this subunit, and pretty much the entire unit as a whole, and you’ll be doing yourself a favor.

If you’re looking for posts on 1.2 and 1.1, be sure to check out our blog section dedicated to AP content!

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