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Period: Jan 1, 600 to Jan 1, 1450
Theme: Political
During the postclassical era, there was constantly control and some type of government, but over time there were shifts from empires, to regional kingdoms, to city-states, and then back to empires. -
Jan 1, 750
The Abbasid Dynasty begins
The Abbasid Dynasty was fonded by Abu al-Abbas after he slaughtered the Ummayds and ended their dynasty. The Abbasids were the principal source of authority in the dar al-Islam until 1258 when the Mongols toppled it. This dynasty spread Islam even futher, which ecouraged the development of a large-scale trade/communication network. Also, the Abassids clashed with the Tang dynasty at the battle of the Talas River and won, opening the door for Islam among Turkish peoples. -
Jan 1, 1050
Swahili City-States emerge
By controlling and taxing trade within their jurisdictions, local cheifs strengthened their own authority and increased the lnfluence of their communities. Examples: Lamu, Kilwa, and the best known: Zimbabwe. These African trading ports competed with each other, but had no interest in territorial conquest. Rulers of these ports became rich from taxes on goods and acted more as business managers then rulers. Was an imporant global trade site and also led to a spread of Islam in these areas. -
Jan 1, 1095
Beginning of the Crusades
Pope Urban II launched the crusades. A preacher named Peter the Hermit traveled throughout Europe gaining soilders for the Crusade, but it turned ot to be a disaster. The crusaders eventually caputred Jerusalem, but Saladin captured it back. These holy wars were intended to reestablish Roman Catholic Christianity in the eastern Mediterranean basin and they were wars of military and political expansion. Yet they also lead to western Europe again entering the economy of the eastern hemishphere. -
Jan 1, 1206
Chinggis Khan unites Mongol tribes
Chinggis Khan laid the foundation of a vast and mighty empire. He had united the Mongols and established Mongol supremacy in Central Asia. His successors extended Mongol control even further. The Mongol armies under Khan were among the most mobile forces of their time, and they understood the pyschological dimensios of warfare. Khan assigned Mongol overlords to supervise and extract tribute. He laid the foundation for the largest empire in history. -
Jan 1, 1312
Start of Mansu Musa's reign of Mali empire
Mansa Musa tripled trade and doubled the land area of Mali, larger than any kingdom in Europe at the time. Also, the cities of Mali became imporant rading centers for all of West Africa as well as famous centers of wealth, culture, and learning. Timbuktu became one of the major cultural centers of the world. Also, Musa made a lavish pilgramage to Mecca, and after returning made Islam a much more imporant part of life in Mali. -
Nov 1, 1438
Inca Pachacuti's regin begins
Pachacuti extended Inca control over the southern and northern highlands and then the coastal kingdom of Chimu. He ruled as a military and administrative elite and led an army mostly of conquered peoples, and staffed the bureaucraxy that managed the empire's politcal affairs. Main example of how in the Americas they also built imperial states that oraganized public affairs on a large scale. Also helped to build an impressive road system. -
Start of Tang Dynasty
The Tang dynasty resembled the resurgence of empire in East Asia. Many of its policies influenced the later empires that followed it. One of these being the Bureaucracy of Merit, meaning that most officeholders won their posts because of intellectual ability. Another focus was Military expansion which led the Tang empire to rank among the largest in Chinese history. Also, the Tang's style of maintaining relationships between China and its neighbors fostered trade and cultural exchanges. -
Byzantine empire uses theme system
The Byzantine rulers responded to the challenge of Islam with an imporant innovation; the theme system. This system placed an imperial province under a general who assumed responsibility for its military and government and who received their postions from the imperial government. This system enabled forces to mobilize quickly and resist Islamic advances. Also, under this, Byzantium vastly expanded its influence and led to Byzantium dominating the eastern Mediterranean sea. -
Emerence of Regional Monarchies in France and England
In the abscense of an effective imperial power, France in England witnessed princes establishing regional monarchies on the basis of relationships betweeen lords and retainers. In France, the Capetian kings centralized power and authority. The English monarchy grew from the Normans who emered as the political and military leaders throughout Europe. Both of these maintained order and provided good government. Resembled an alternative to a centralized empire. -
Charlemagne's regin begins
The Frankish realm reached its high point under him. Extended his authority to NE Spai, Bavaria, and Rome. Relied on aristocratic deputies who held authority in local jurisdictions. Institued the missi dominci who traveled to local jurisdictions and reviewed the accounts of thhe local authorities. Charlemagne oversaw decentralized political institutions which influenced European politics for a millennium and more. Also made a firm alliance with the western Catholic church.