Global Tapestry 1.1

How did the context of regional trade influence the emergence of large empires between 1200 and 1450?

• It led to the isolation of empires and limited their growth.

• It encouraged the development of new technologies but not new states.

• It shaped the rise of empires by increasing interactions and the exchange of goods, ideas, and innovations.

• It caused the decline of most empires due to competition.

Analyze how the revival of earlier empires influenced the development of new states in different regions between 1200 and 1450.

• New states ignored previous empires and developed independently.

• Earlier empires provided models for governance, trade, and culture, which new states adapted and modified.

• The revival of earlier empires led to the destruction of all new states.

• New states only copied military tactics from earlier empires.

Evaluate the impact of the Mongol Empire’s expansion on global interactions and trade during the period 1200–1450.

• The Mongol Empire’s expansion led to the complete isolation of Eurasian regions.

• The Mongol Empire’s unity allowed for increased trade, the spread of ideas and technology, and set the stage for intensified global interactions.

• The Mongol Empire only affected Central Asia and had no impact on global trade.

• The Mongol Empire discouraged any form of cultural or technological exchange.

Using evidence from the period 1200–1450, explain how intellectual achievements in Baghdad and Spain reflected broader trends in the Islamic world.

• Intellectual achievements in these regions were isolated and had no connection to broader trends.

• Baghdad and Spain’s achievements reflected the Islamic world’s emphasis on learning and knowledge, which influenced other regions.

• The Islamic world discouraged intellectual pursuits during this period.

• Intellectual achievements were only valued in Europe, not in the Islamic world.

Assess the role of regional trade in shaping the political and economic landscape of West Africa and Southeast Asia between 1200 and 1450.

• Regional trade had little to no impact on these regions.

• Regional trade led to the rise of powerful states and complex societies, such as Ghana, Mali, and states in Southeast Asia.

• Regional trade caused the collapse of all major states in these regions.

• Regional trade was only important in Europe, not in Africa or Asia.

Analyze how the Song Dynasty’s approach to bureaucracy and the civil service exam system contributed to both continuity and innovation in Chinese government during its rule.

• The Song Dynasty abandoned previous bureaucratic systems and relied solely on hereditary positions.

• The Song Dynasty’s bureaucracy was based on Confucian knowledge and expanded educational opportunities, maintaining continuity with earlier dynasties while innovating through merit-based advancement.

• The Song Dynasty eliminated the civil service exam and replaced it with military appointments.

• The Song Dynasty’s bureaucracy was only open to the aristocracy, with no changes from previous dynasties.

Evaluate the impact of Neo-Confucian teachings on the social and political structure of Song Dynasty China, using evidence from the text.

• Neo-Confucian teachings led to the complete rejection of traditional family systems and social classes.

• Neo-Confucian teachings shaped government policies, social classes, and the family system, reinforcing stability and continuity in Chinese society.

• Neo-Confucian teachings were only influential in the arts and had little effect on government or society.

• Neo-Confucian teachings caused widespread instability and the collapse of the Song Dynasty.

Using reasoning and evidence, explain why the Song Dynasty is considered a leading example of diversity and innovation in Afro-Eurasia during the 13th century.

• The Song Dynasty isolated itself from the rest of the world and discouraged innovation.

• The Song Dynasty achieved great wealth, political stability, artistic and intellectual achievements, and developed the greatest manufacturing capability in the world.

• The Song Dynasty only focused on military expansion and ignored economic and cultural development.

• The Song Dynasty was known for its lack of technological progress and weak government.

Analyze the impact of the Grand Canal on the economic development of China during the Song Dynasty. Which of the following best explains how the Grand Canal contributed to China's prosperity?

• It provided an efficient internal waterway transportation system, enabling the movement of goods and people over 30,000 miles, which helped China become the most populous trading area in the world.

• It served as a defensive barrier against northern invasions, protecting the Song Dynasty from external threats.

• It was primarily used for military campaigns, allowing rapid deployment of troops across the empire.

• It was a religious pilgrimage route that attracted visitors from across Asia, increasing cultural exchange.

Evaluate the significance of technological innovations during the Song Dynasty. How did the invention and spread of gunpowder influence global history?

• The technology of making gunpowder and guns spread from China to all parts of Eurasia via traders on the Silk Roads, revolutionizing warfare worldwide.

• Gunpowder was only used for fireworks and had little impact outside of China.

• The invention of gunpowder led to the immediate collapse of the Song Dynasty due to internal explosions.

• Gunpowder was primarily used for agricultural purposes, such as clearing land for farming.