Postclassical Period
New Faith and New Commerce
~Intensification of Exchange & the
Nomads Last Hurrah~
Periodization…up to interpretation
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610 CE
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661 CE
618 CE ________________
750 CE ________________
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800 CE
945 CE ________________
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1000 CE
1054 CE ________________
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1096 CE
1127 CE ________________
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1200s CE
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1300s CE
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1433 CE
1453 CE
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Demographics & Movement
Trade
Gender Roles
Belief Systems
Political organization
Themes to Consider
Compare the Umayyad & Abbasid
Caliphates.
 Analyze the changes and continuities in
the role of Christianity in Western Europe.
 Compare Byzantium & Tang-Song China.
 Analyze the changes and continuities in
the role of women.

Questions to Consider
…b/t 600 & 1450

Provide a good summary of period: How?
Population increased
from 250 mil to 450 mil
Demographic Trends

Migrations
Vikings
Mongols
Germanic
Tribes
Turkic
Groups
Chinese
Arabs
Bantu-Speaking
People of Africa
Demographic Trends
People of Oceania
Compare the Umayyad
& Abbasid Caliphates.
???
One of the defining developments of
Postclassical period
 Rooted in Judaism & Christianity
 Five Pillars, Quran

Islam

An “Arab Caliphate” & conquest state
◦ From bedouins to Arab garrison administrators

Umayyad

An “Islamic Caliphate”
◦ Inherit a large empire & seek to integrate society
through conversion to Islam

Government
◦ More bureaucratic – Vizir
◦ Yet, Political weakness = fragmentation after 945

Economy
◦ Trade revenue & exchange fostered scientific
advances
◦ Inclusion of Africa and South/SE Asia into more
global network
Abbasid
Similarities?
Differences?
Compare Umayyad & Abbasid?
Reasons for
Similarities?
Reasons for
Differences?
Compare Umayyad & Abbasid?
Analyze the changes and
continuities in the role of
Christianity in Western
Europe.
???

500-1000 = Early Middle Ages

1000-1300 = High Middle Ages

1300-1450 = Late Middle Ages
Periodization

Christianity acted as consolidating force
◦ Spread throughout Europe due to emotional
comforts
◦ Little central political control, so church
provided some leadership modeled after
Roman administration
 Charlemagne & crowning
◦ Intellectual beacon
Role of Christianity – Early Medieval

Western Europe transitions
◦ Moldboard plow & 3-field system
◦ Population growth
◦ Urbanization & interaction
c1000 CE

Christianity loses some political influence,
but maintains intellectual dominance
◦ Monarchies grow more powerful, yet church
calls for Crusades
◦ Scholasticism, Thomas Aquinas, & universities

Economy recovers – trade & urbanization
Role of Christianity – High Medieval
Changes?
Continuities?
CCOT of Christianity’s Role?
Reasons for CCOT?
Context?
CCOT of Christianity’s Role?
Compare Tang-Song
China & Byzantium.
???
Return China to era of greatness after Sui
restore order
 Tang:

◦ Politically powerful
◦ Buddhism to Neo-Confucian backlash

Song:
◦ Economic & cultural growth

Fostered spread of civilization in East Asia
& European exploration
Tang-Song China

Continuation of Eastern Roman Empire
blending Roman, Greek, & Christian
values
◦ Highly bureaucratic
◦ Centered on Constantinople & Silk Road trade

Fostered spread of civilization to Russia &
acted as bridge/barrier
Byzantium
Mongols
Similarities?
Differences?
Compare Tang-Song China & Byzantium?
Reasons for
Similarities?
Reasons for
Differences?
Compare Tang-Song China & Byzantium?
Analyze the changes and
continuities in the role of
women in Afro-Eurasia.
???

Spreading of belief systems often meant
decline in women’s status
◦ Middle East
 Bedouin -> Muhammad -> Abbasid
 North Africa, Spain – exception: West Africa
◦ East Asia
 Buddhism -> Neo-Confucianism
 Korea, Japan – exception: Vietnam
Role of Women
Changes?
Continuities?
CCOT of Women’s Role in Afro-Eurasia?
Context?

Aztecs & Incas?
CCOT of Women’s Role in Afro-Eurasia?
•Women enjoyed more freedom
•Importance in farming due to lack of draft
animals & wheel
Aztecs
 Tribute state
 Sacrifices
 Corn
Americas
Incas
 Incan socialism
 Sacrifices
 Potato
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Postclassical Period in Review
________________
610 CE
________________
661 CE
618 CE ________________
750 CE ________________
________________
800 CE
945 CE ________________
________________
1000 CE
1054 CE ________________
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1096 CE
1127 CE ________________
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________________
1200s CE
________________
1300s CE
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1433 CE
1453 CE
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