Middle East and East Asia
Post Classical Era
Two dominant (hegemonic) powers, heirs to the classical heritage, dominant trade, ability otoadopt and adapt.
Middle East – Beginning
Early Post Classical Period (600 C.E.)
In 630 C.E. followers of Islam attacked and conquered Mecca.
They forced inhabitants to adopt Islam and destroyed all shrines.
They built mosques.
After his death, his advisors appointed Abu Bakr, a close friend, to serve as the caliph
or deputy.
The caliph became head of state and religious leader, commander of military, and chief
juror.
Middle East – Beginning
Early Post Classical Period (600 C.E.)
The Shia sect was formed by the 4th caliph, a cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad who
felt the position should be inherited from Muhammad’s descendants.
The Sunnis believed the position should be decided among the umma or Muhammad’s
followers.
Middle East – Beginning
Early Post Classical Period (600 C.E.)
The Umayyad caliphate was most interested in
conquest.
Conquered peoples could practice their faith, but
they were required to pay a tax or “jizya” in
order to do so.
Middle East – Beginning
Early Post Classical Period (600 C.E.)
When the Abbasids took control of the caliphate, religious officials and judges
administered public policy based the Quran and Sharia (the holy laws).
The Abbasids had a standing army and established a bureaucracy for
finances, taxation, coinage, and postal services.
They appointed regional governors and maintained excellent roads.
The Abbasids fell in 1258 at the hands of the Mongols.
Tang/Song Dynasty
Early Post Classical Period (600 C.E.)
After the fall of the Han, the
Sui dynasty established
centralized rule in China
through tight political
discipline.
Under the Sui, the Grand
Canal was established. It
allowed China to prosper
Tang Dynasty
Early Post Classical Period (600 C.E.)
The Tang Dynasty
transformed Chinese
society.
Emperior Tang Taizong was
ruthless.
He distributed land using the
equal field system.
He relied on the bureaucracy
of merit.
Confucianist principles.
Tang/Song Dynasty
Early Post Classical Period (600 C.E.)
The Tang was brought down by
military commanders who used
peasants to rebel.
The Song had a strong Confucian
government bureaucracy
based on merit.
Huge centralized government with
many peasant revolts.
Mongols attacked and brought
them down in 1279.
Middle East- Social
Post Classical Period (600 C.E.)
Agricultural growth spurred population growth with the development of huge
cities.
Before Muhammad, Arab women had many rights not seen in other regions
They could inherit property, divorce husbands, engage in business.
Women were equal in the eyes of Allah.
Veiling of women originated in Mesopotamian and Persian tradition.
East Asia Social
Post Classical Period (600 C.E.)
Increased agricultural output had a dramatic impact on population
growth, urbanization, and social structures.
Between 900 and 1200, China grew from 50 million to 115 million.
Increased ancestor reverence and footbinding were two dominant
practices.
Middle East Economic
Post Classical Period (600 C.E.)
Sugarcane, rice, wheat, vegetables, fruits, indigo, cotton, and
henna.
Textile industry emerged.
Gold and salt came from China
Slaves came from west Africa.
Amber and furs came from Eastern Europe
China Economic
Post Classical Period (600 C.E.)
“Flying cash” or letters of credit were accepted.
Tang developed a tribute relationship with Korea.
A vassal state, Korea gave gifts to Chinese emperors to avoid
occupation by the Tang.
Vietnamese adopted Chinese agricultural methods and irrigation
techniques.
Fast growing rice came to China from Vietnam.
Middle East Technological
Post Classical Period (600 C.E.)
New methods of farming – irrigation, fertilizer, crop rotation
Manufacture of paper came from the Chinese (Battle of Talas River)
Improvements in the camel saddle allowed more goods to travel the desert.
Lateen or triangular sail borrowed from Indian and Chinese ships allowed more
direct routes.
Astrolabe form the Hellenistic Mediterranean allowed them to calculate latitude.
East Asia Technological
Post Classical Period (600 C.E.)
Heavy iron plows, extensive irrigation systems, use of manure and organize materials to
fertilize the soil, terraced mountain farming.
Porcelain making
Gunpowder
Printing
Block printing and movable type
Naval technology—magnetic compass which was borrowed by seafarers throughout the
Indian Ocean basin.
East Asia Religious
Post Classical Period (600 C.E.)
Buddhism came to China via merchants traveling on the Silk Road.
Under the Tang and the Song, Buddhism took hold in China.
After the fall of the Han, support for Confucianism waned; several religions were
established in China, i.e. Christianity, Zoroastrianism, and Islam. These
religions of salvation were mostly followed by foreign merchants.
East Asia Religious
Post Classical Period (600 C.E.)
Buddhism found converts in the cities.
The Chinese were attracted to Buddhism because of its high moral standards, its
intellectual sophistication, and its promise of salvation.
Wealthy converts donated land which monks farmed and shared with nearby
peasants.
Confucianists disliked Buddhism because of his emphasis on celibacy and
monastic lifestyle, which was the opposite of the Confucian focus on family.
East Asia Religious
Post Classical Period (600 C.E.)
Neoconfucianism developed out of the Confucian
scholars’ appreciation for Buddhist interest in
individual cosmic issues.
Neoconfucianism spread into Vietnam, Korea, and
Japan.
After the lesson, I jotted these
down
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Both were centralized
Both maintained control over lucrative trade routes
Both were hegemonic
Both enhanced then restricted women’s roles
Both were bureaucratic
Both had strong militaries
Both were heirs to the classical world
Both were multi-ethnic empires
Both adopted and adapted ideas
Both developed agricultural techniques (population
boom)
Both developed advanced economic components
which facilitated trade.
Both fragmented due to insularity and
overexpansion and corruption
Both fell to Mongol Invaders
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Exclusive vs Inclusive
Meritocracy vs Theocracy
Intolerant of Buddhism vs Dhimmi
Favorable balance of trade vs no tribute (role of Islam)
Smoother transition from classicism vs Brnad new
culture
Items traded
Mandate of Heaven vs Caliphate succession
Arabic vs Chinese script