AP World Studies!!

AP World Studies Unit 1
Notes to Study

Mauryans vs. Guptas
Differences
M: Buddhism
M: More land
M: Lasted longer
G: Hinduism
Similarities
Classical India
Began in Magadha
Caste System

Mesopotamia vs. Olmecs
Differences
Similarities
M: City-states
M: Polytheistic and then monotheistic
M: Invented writing and cuneiform
M: Stories & poems [Epic of Gilgamesh]
O: Polytheistic
O: Developed numeric system
O: Carved jade
Based on agriculture
Patriarchal
Ruled by kings
Distinct social classes
Priests and temples; elaborate rituals
Believed in astronomical and supernatural events

Rome vs. Han Dynasty
Differences
R: Didn’t retain identity
R: Small city-states
R: Law of 12 Tables
R: Julius Caesar
R: Senate [republic]
R: Invented engineering
H: Divided into areas
H: Bureaucracy
H: Invented everything else
Similarities
Emperors
Social class [elites are better]
Attacked by nomadic groups
Diseases
Difficult trade routes
Women manhandled

Athens vs. Rome
Differences
Similarities
Gods’ and goddesses’ names
R: Military based
R: Agricultural
R: Empire
A: Less invasion from Nomads
A: Culture bases more on the arts
Gods and goddesses
Patriarchy
Slavery
Located in present-day Europe
Traded through Mediterranean

Buddhism vs. Christianity
Differences
Similarities
B: Four Noble Truths and Eight – Fold Path
B: Nirvana
B: Leader is a man
B: Meditates
B: Divisions: Theravada and Mahayana
C: Leader is God
C: Prays
C: Leader’s death allowed salvation
Soul lives on after death
Egalitarian – everyone is equal
Spread through trade
Monotheistic
Single founder

Hinduism vs. Confucianism
Differences
Similarities
H: World’s largest ethnic religion
H: No particular founder
C: Superior/non-superior relationship
C: Founded by Confucius
C: No particular god
Believed in social hierarchies
Supported superiors
Had guidelines to live life
Many people follow the religion/philosophy

Classical India vs. Classical China
Differences
Similarities
Different religions
C: Politically controlled by non-hereditary bureaucracy [have to take test to receive power]
C: Ruled by dynasty
I: Politically fragmented into separate kinship groups
I: Ruled by empire Ashoka
Invaded by nomads
Unified by a religion
Located in Asia
Distinct social classes
Had higher powers [emperors/rulers]

River Valley Civilizations vs. Classical Civilizations
Differences
Similarities
C: More numerous and better written records
C: More communication because of trade
C: Larger cities and capitals
C: Stronger government and military works
C: More contact with nomadic people
C:Cultural characteristics still around
C: More disease is spread
R: Less complex writing systems
R: Wider division of labor
Complex, long distance trade
Writing systems
Complex government
Clear social classes
Gradually developing cities
New religions developing
New Law Codes
Agriculture is important

Judaism vs. Christianity
Differences
Similarities
J: Founded by Abraham
J: Spread by diaspora [scattering of peoples by conquerors]
J: Originated in Middle East
C: Founded by Jesus of Nazareth
C: Spread by 12 disciples
C: Official religion of Rome
C: Originated in Judea
C: Paul responsible for spreading Christianity to Rome
Sacred text
Promise a better life
Monotheistic
Have a place of worship
Believe in an afterlife
Viewed God as a superior being
Must live a moral life to have a good afterlife

Words to Define for Extra Credit
China
Shi
forbidden city
scholar-gentry
India
Varna
jati
Brahmins
Kshatriya
Vaishya
Shudra
Vedas
Upanishads
atman
Ashoka
theater state [pg. 104 gray book]

REMEMBER!

Consider “Why?” for T- chart comparisons.
These aren’t all the notes you should study! They’re only to help with the essay part of the test.
Tell me if any of the info is wrong so I can fix it. It should all be pretty accurate, though. 

Good luck !
LOL. This is just for laughs xD