Topics Covered
AP World History
A. The Global Tapestry (c. 1200–1450)
1 Major empires and states around 1200 CE
2 Developments in East Asia (Song Dynasty, Confucianism, Buddhism)
3 Islamic empires and expansion
4 South and Southeast Asian states and societies
5 State-building in Africa and the Americas (Mali, Aztecs, Incas)
6 Developments in Europe: feudalism, monarchies, Catholic Church
7 Comparing state-building methods
B. Networks of Exchange (c. 1200–1450)
1 The Silk Roads: trade routes, goods, technology, culture
2 Indian Ocean trade network: maritime exchanges
3 Trans-Saharan trade and African empires
4 Effects of trade: growth of cities, spread of religions, new technologies
5 Travelers' accounts: Marco Polo, Ibn Battuta, Margery Kempe
C. Land-Based Empires (c. 1450–1750)
1 Rise and consolidation of land empires: Ottoman, Mughal, Safavid, Ming/Qing, Russian
2 Administration and military tactics of empires
3 Religious and cultural changes under empires
4 Art and architecture as displays of power (Taj Mahal, Versailles)
D. Transoceanic Interconnections (c. 1450–1750)
1 European exploration: motivations and technologies
2 The Columbian Exchange: biological and cultural exchanges
3 Maritime empires: Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, British, French
4 Labor systems: encomienda, slavery, indentured servitude
5 Effects of European colonization on indigenous populations
E. Revolutions (c. 1750–1900)
1 The Enlightenment and political thought
2 American, French, Haitian, and Latin American Revolutions
3 Nationalism and formation of nation-states
4 Industrialization: causes and major innovations
5 Social and economic effects of industrialization
6 Labor movements and reform efforts
F. Consequences of Industrialization (c. 1750–1900)
1 Global economic systems (capitalism, socialism, communism)
2 Imperialism: motives and justifications (Social Darwinism, civilizing mission)
3 Imperialism in Africa, Asia, and Oceania
4 Resistance to imperialism (Sepoy Rebellion, Zulu Kingdom)
5 Cultural, religious, and racial impacts of imperialism
G. Global Conflict (c. 1900–present)
1 Causes and effects of World War I
2 Interwar period: economic depression, rise of fascism and communism
3 Causes and effects of World War II
4 Holocaust and other atrocities
5 Decolonization in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East
6 The Cold War: global tensions and proxy wars
H. Cold War and Contemporary World (c. 1900–present)
1 Globalization and new technologies
2 Environmental changes and challenges
3 Movements for civil rights, gender equality, decolonization
4 Economic globalization and regional trade agreements (NAFTA, EU, ASEAN)
5 Shifts in power after the Cold War (rise of China, U.S. global leadership)
I. AP Exam Practice Skills
1 Developing historical arguments (thesis writing)
2 Using evidence: sourcing, contextualization, corroboration
3 Writing Document-Based Questions (DBQs)
4 Long Essay Questions (LEQs) strategies
5 Comparison, causation, continuity and change over time
6 Multiple-choice and short-answer question practice
