Comparison in the Period from c. 1200 to c. 1450
The world is divided into men who have wit and no religion
and men who have religion and no wit.
—Ibn Sīnā (Avicenna) (980–1037), Persian philosopher and physician
Learning Objectives
- N: Explain the similarities and differences in the processes of state formation from c. 1200 to c. 1450.
Between c. 1200 and c. 1450, states in core areas of civilization grew larger
while smaller states declined. In this way, much of the world followed the same trend of building more centralized, more powerful states. However, the process varied from place to place. In most of Asia, the military strength of the Mongols created the largest land-based empire in world history. In West Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia, the religion of Islam was a key part of state-building. In Europe, trade, both internal and with the more advanced civilizations of the Middle East, had greater impact.
Sections
State-Building and New Empires
The Role of Religion in State-Building
State-Building Through Trade
The Impact of Nomadic Peoples
Patriarchy and Religion
Reflect
REFLECT ON THE ESSENTIAL QUESTION
1. Comparison Create a chart comparing continuities, innovations, and diversity in six regions covered in Unit 1.
2. In one to three paragraphs, explain the similarities and differences in the process of state-building in various parts of the world between c. 1200 and c. 1450.