AP World History: Modern · Lesson 6 of 7 · Unit 1

Comparison of state formation, c. 1200 to c. 1450, and making a defensible claim

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Comparing how states built and kept power between c. 1200 and c. 1450 ties all of Unit 1 together, while mastering the thesis statement (Skill 6: Argumentation) unlocks the most foundational point on both the DBQ and the LEQ. On the exam, you will compare governance across regions in multiple-choice sets and short-answer questions, and you will write defensible, reasoning-driven claims in Section II.

By the end you’ll be able to

Explain the similarities and differences in the processes of state formation from c. 1200 to c. 1450, for example among Song China, the new Islamic states, Hindu and Buddhist states, American and African states and decentralized Europe.
Describe similarities and differences between historical developments and explain the relative historical significance of those similarities and differences.
Make a historically defensible claim that responds to the prompt and establishes a line of reasoning, rather than restating or rephrasing the prompt.

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Core ideas (continued)
Worked examples
Exam technique
Common mistakes
Quick recap
Check your understanding (3 questions)

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What the exam asks

Multiple choice (Section I, Part A): Stimulus sets (especially paired texts or maps) often ask you to identify a similarity or difference between the governance of a state in the stimulus and another state from c. 1200 to c. 1450.
Short answer (Section I, Part B): Parts (a), (b), or (c) frequently use task verbs like describe or explain to test how two regions used belief systems, bureaucracy, or tribute to govern.
Essays (Section II, DBQ and LEQ): The first rubric point on both the 7-point DBQ and 6-point LEQ is the Thesis/Claim (1 point). To earn it, you must make a historically defensible claim that answers the prompt and sets up a line of reasoning.

Core ideas

Comparing state formation (c. 1200 to c. 1450)

Across Afro-Eurasia and the Americas, rulers faced the same core challenge: how to centralize authority, collect revenue, and unify diverse populations under the theme of Governance (GOV).

Region / State	Centralization & Administration	Source of Legitimacy (CDI / GOV)	Revenue & Labor Systems (ECN)
East Asia (Song China)	Highly centralized imperial bureaucracy staffed via the civil service exam.	Confucianism and Neo-Confucianism; Mandate of Heaven.	Taxes on agriculture and trade; state monopolies.
Dar al-Islam (Seljuk, Mamluk, Delhi Sultanates)	Military-led sultanates replacing the fragmented Abbasid Caliphate.	Islam (sharia law, patronage of ulama and Sufi orders).	Jizya (tax on non-Muslims) and land revenue assignments (iqta).
South & SE Asia (Vijayanagara, Majapahit, Khmer)	Mix of centralized river-valley states and decentralized tributary networks.	Hinduism and Buddhism (god-kings, monumental temples like Angkor Wat).	Maritime trade tariffs and agricultural tribute.
The Americas (Mexica/Aztec, Inca)	Mexica: decentralized tributary empire. Inca: centralized bureaucracy (suyu).	Religious rituals, human sacrifice (Mexica), and ancestor veneration (Inca).	Mexica tribute lists; Inca mit’a (mandatory public labor service).
Africa (Mali, Great Zimbabwe, Ethiopia)	Monarchies and confederations situated at key trade bottlenecks.	Islam (Mali), Christianity (Ethiopia), and indigenous ancestral traditions.	Taxing gold, salt, and Indian Ocean trade; agricultural tribute.
Europe (Feudal monarchies)	Decentralized feudalism; gradual centralization under monarchs in England and France.	Roman Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox Church.	Manorialism (serf labor owed to local lords).