AP World History Notes: Periods 1 and 2 (up to 600 C.E.

5 Things to Know about Periods 1 & 2:

1. From the simplest barter system to long journeys along trade routes, the
exchange of goods and ideas shaped this period and led to further change
throughout the world. Important trade routes like the Silk Road, the Indian
Ocean, and the Mediterranean Sea shaped development.
2. Once people began to settle and gradually organize into early civilizations, the
discovery of agriculture began to change their lives at a more rapid pace.
3. As humans organized themselves in families, gender roles emerged. With the
development of agriculture, the division of labor further deepened these
divisions. These gender roles were reinforced by religious systems and
governmental systems.
4. During this period, major world religions developed and spread, shaping the
civilizations they encountered. Religions and belief systems, such as Hinduism,
Buddhism, Confucianism, and Daoism (Asia), and Christianity and Judaism
(Europe, Asia), influenced large numbers of people throughout the period.
5. Civilizations emerged that had organized governments, complex religions, social
structures, job specialization, public works, systems of writing, and arts and
architecture. These civilizations grew into larger and more complicated
governmental organizations, such as empires (e.g., Rome, Han, and Gupta).

Key Topics--Periods 1 and 2: Up to 600 C.E.

Remember that the AP World History exam tests you on the depth of your knowledge,
not just your ability to recall facts. While we have provided brief definitions for topics in
Periods 1 and 2 here, you will need to know these terms in even more depth for the AP
World History exam, including how terms connect to broader historical themes and
understandings.

Early Humans

● Paleolithic: ​Literally, “old stone.” The period from the appearance of the first
hominids (human-like creatures) to approximately 8000 B.C.E.
● Animism:​ Often found in primitive tribes, the belief that spirits can possess and
control natural things and forces.
Development of Agriculture

● Neolithic Revolution:​ Starting around 7000 B.C.E., this period marked the
beginnings of permanent settlements and sedentary farming, leading to longer
lives and higher populations.
● Pastoralism:​ The agricultural practice of domesticating animals for food or
other uses, beginning around 4000 B.C.E.
● Job specialization:​ As civilizations progressed and not everyone needed to
farm to live, skilled laborers like artisans were allowed to craft things that had
value. The trade that followed led to the growth of cities.
● Patriarchy:​ A society in which men hold power within the family, in
governance, and/or in economics.
● Metallurgy:​ The crafting of metallic ores into functional and/or valuable items,
beginning around 4500 B.C.E.
● Mesopotamia:​ Literally, “The Land Between the Rivers.” Geographic region
centered on the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, located in modern-day Iraq.
Considered one of the four major “cradles of civilization.”

The First Civilizations

● Assyria:​ Region in Southwest Asia spanning from modern-day Egypt to Iraq,

this region was founded by a Semitic people around 2000 B.C.E. and lasted into
the 600s B.C.E. Known for their fierce warrior spirit, the Assyrians were also
great builders, creating cities like Nineveh and Ashur.
● Shang:​ A people speaking a Sino-Tibetan language, they developed an ancient
civilization along the Huang He (Yellow) River in modern-day China. Along with
Mesopotamia, South Asia, and Egypt, it is a “cradle of civilization.”
● Cuneiform:​ The Sumerian system of writing and one of the oldest forms of
writing. Completed by pressing a wedge-shaped stylus into clay.
● Ziggurats:​ The hallmark of Sumerian architecture, these multitiered pyramids
served as temples to the gods.
● Hammurabi’s Code:​ Oldest known code of law. Issued by Hammurabi around
1800–1700 B.C.E. to unify his empire in Babylon, this code emphasized
retaliation as punishment—“an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.”
● Phoenicians:​ Phoenicia was founded around 2000 B.C.E. in modern-day
Lebanon, and this civilization based its livelihood on the sea. Skilled mariners,
the Phoenicians traded their famed murex shells (used for “royal purple” dye)
 and red cedar trees. Their alphabet inspired the Greek alphabet. Collapsed
around 600 B.C.E. with an Assyrian invasion.
● Egypt:​ Located in Northeast Africa on the fringe of the Sahara Desert and
centered on the Nile River, this nation is considered another one of the “cradles
of civilization.”
● Pictographs:​ Many forms of ancient writing were based on symbols that
represented a sound or a concept. Pictographic languages from this period
include Egyptian hieroglyphics, Sumerian cuneiform, the text of the Harappan
seals, and the text of the Chinese oracle bones.
● Roman Empire:​ The largest of the ancient world’s empires, it spanned across
the European continent and around the Mediterranean basin. Previously a
republic, the empire was noted for its strong military, achievements in academics,
and the spread of Christianity. Its peak was a 200-year period (about 20
B.C.E.–180 C.E.) known as the Pax Romana, or Roman Peace.
● Hebrews:​ Descendants of Abraham, considered the founder of Judaism, the
first monotheistic religion. They settled in modern-day Israel c. 1500 B.C.E., then
moved to Egypt.
● Harappa and Mohenjo-daro:​ The two key cities of the Indus River Valley
Civilization. Located in modern-day Pakistan, they represent another one of the
“cradles of civilization.”
● Vedas:​ A collection of hymns and chants, which would form the basis of
Hinduism. The Vedas were some of the few artifacts left behind by the Aryans,
nomads who took over the Indus Valley civilization c. 1500 B.C.E.
● Hinduism:​ The majority religion of India today and the spiritual successor of
Vedic thought. It emphasizes a cycle of reincarnation (rebirth), which can be
improved or even broken by acquiring good karma for following the dharma, or
rules, of one’s caste.
● Caste system:​ The system of social class division in Hinduism. From highest to
lowest were the priests, warriors, skilled workers and free men, bonded serfs, and
pariahs (untouchables).
● Mandate of Heaven:​ Ancient Chinese concept stating that the right to rule was
granted by the heavens. Used to explain the rise of every Chinese dynasty from
the Zhou in 1122 B.C.E. to the Qing in 1644 C.E.
● Qin dynasty:​ One of the earliest empires in Chinese history. From 221 to 206
B.C.E., the Qin dynasty was known for its use of iron and bronze, along with the
beginning of the Great Wall.
● Olmecs:​ Oldest known civilization in the Americas (c. 1000 B.C.E.). Centered in
modern-day Mexico, they were known for their active trade, scientific
developments, and giant stone heads.
 ● Chavin:​ Earliest known civilization in modern-day South America (c. 800
B.C.E.). Their mountain-based trade system helped the Andes Mountains become
a cradle of Mesoamerican Civilization.
● Maya empire:​ Peaking from about 250–900 C.E., the Maya empire, centered
on the Yucatan Peninsula of modern-day Mexico, was known for its massive cities
of Tikal and Chichen Itza. Trade in stone, shells, and cacao helped them thrive.
Collapsed c. 900 C.E. under mysterious circumstances.

Classical Societies

● Persia:​ Centered in modern-day Iran, they thrived around 500 B.C.E.–500 C.E.
Their greatest kings, Cyrus, Darius, and Xerxes, helped expand the empire into
Greece. In addition to being a great military power, Persia was remarkably
well-managed, with its Royal Road.
● Alexander the Great:​ Macedonian king of the fourth century B.C.E. whose
legendary conquests created an empire that included Greece, Persia, Southwest
Asia, and parts of India. Responsible for the creation of Hellenistic culture.
● Hellenistic:​ Culture that fused the ideas of Greece and Persia, particularly after
the conquests of Alexander the Great.
● Mauryan Empire:​ One of the first two empires of a unified India. The Mauryan
Dynasty (321–185 B.C.E.) saw the rise of Chandragupta and Ashoka, the spread
of Buddhism, and a well-organized economy.
● Ashoka:​ Great leader of the Mauryan Empire in India, he ruled around 250
B.C.E. Known for spreading Buddhism throughout India by sponsoring
missionaries and encouraging vegetarianism.
● Gupta Empire:​ One of the first two empires of a unified India. The Gupta
Dynasty (320–550 C.E.) revived Hinduism in India, delineated clear roles for
men and women, and made great contributions in both the arts and sciences.
● Daoism:​ Beliefs of Chinese philosopher Laozi (Lao Tsu), based on the Dao, or
“the Way,” in which people live in harmony with nature and believe in “less
government.”
● Han dynasty:​ One of the earliest empires in Chinese history. From 206 B.C.E.
to 220 C.E., the Han dynasty was known for its strong central government,
thriving Silk Road trade, state- sponsored education, and general peace and
prosperity.
● Silk Road:​ Network of land and sea routes facilitating trade between the Roman
Empire, the Persian Empires, and the Chinese Empires. In addition to valuables,
cultural ideas and new technologies traveled and spread along the routes.
● Filial piety:​ Confucian virtue emphasizing respect toward one’s elders.
 ● Republic:​ First formed in Rome in 509 B.C.E., a government system in which
the people elect their leaders and help create the laws. About 50 years later, the
Twelve Tables helped to formalize Roman law.
● Phoenicia:​ Founded around 2000 B.C.E. in modern-day Lebanon, this
civilization based its livelihood on the sea. Skilled mariners, the Phoenicians
traded their famed murex shells (used for “royal purple” dye) and red cedar trees.
Their alphabet inspired the Greek alphabet. Collapsed around 600 B.C.E. with an
Assyrian invasion.
● Diaspora:​ The mass spreading of the Ten Northern Tribes of Israel in 722
B.C.E., following an Assyrian invasion. This caused the loss of Hebrews’ cultural
identity. In the present, it can refer to the mass scattering of any group of people.
● Christianity:​ Emerging in the first century C.E., this system of religion taught
simplicity, love, compassion, and equality under one God. Based on the teachings
of Jesus Christ, which are recorded in the New Testament. Quickly spread
throughout the Mediterranean basin thanks to missionary activity, it is now the
world’s dominant religion.
● Monsoon winds:​ Seasonal winds that affect weather patterns (and therefore,
agriculture) in South Asia. Ancient mariners used these winds to carry them to
India, allowing for a thriving trade throughout the Indian Ocean.
● Indian Ocean trade:​ Archaeological evidence confirms that Egyptians,
Mesopotamians, Malays, Gupta Indians, and others utilized advanced marine
innovations to trade valuable goods across the Indian Ocean.

Development and Spread of Religion

● Shamanism:​ Often associated with indigenous tribes around the world, this
system of belief involves a shaman, or spiritual medium, treating the ill by
communicating with an unknown, unseen spirit world.
● Ancestor veneration:​ Often associated with the Chinese, this is the worship of
the spirits of one’s ancestors.
● Brahma:​ One of the three primary gods of Hinduism, he is regarded as the
creator.
● Buddha:​ Born Siddhartha Gautama, this Indian prince founded Buddhism as an
attempt to explain why there was suffering in the world. Buddhists today believe
in the Four Noble Truths: that life contains suffering, that suffering is caused by
desire, that desire can be rejected and nirvana (perfect peace) achieved, and that
nirvana can be achieved through the Eightfold Path (a system of right forms of
living).
● Confucius:​ Greatest of the Chinese philosophers (551–479 B.C.E.), his
philosophy of reverence of ancestors, good education, and wise governance
shaped the culture of China well into the twentieth century.
● Islam:​ The second most practiced religion in the world today. Founded in 622
C.E. by the Prophet Muhammad, it teaches the belief in Allah as the only god and
Muhammad as the only prophet. A core tenet is the Five Pillars of Islam:
declaration of faith, daily prayer, fasting during Ramadan, alms to the poor, and
pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj).
● Zoroastrianism:​ The religion of the Ancient Persians. Based on the teachings
of Zoroaster in the Avesta, it teaches that life is a constant struggle of good versus
evil in which good would always prevail.