1. Chapter 5 The Classical Period: Directions, Diversities, and Declines by 500 C.E.
Chapter Objective:
Define history and the concepts of cause and effect, time, change and continuity and perspective across the global historical periods covered in this course

2. Cultural Diffusion or Independent invention
A major theme of AP World is cultural diffusion vs. independent invention
It can be argued many of the most important aspects of civilization may have been exported from the core civilizations rather then reinvented at different times
Think of this in terms of how each culture developed in relation to religion government and family
Also how their culture traits compare to those of the classical civilizations

3. Crisis of Late Antiquity
Chapter 5 deals with the collapse of empires and civilizations in the classical world and the emergence of new cultures
Be especially alerted to the influences of religion ( Buddhism, Christianity and Hinduism) on these new empires

4. Basic Themes
Basic theme of the 3 great civilizations of China, India and the Mediterranean involved expansion and integration
Throughout the classical world, these themes faltered between 200 and 500 CE
This lose of strength signaled the end of that era
The response of major religions to political decline formed a leading direction in the next phase of world history
Meanwhile, developments outside of the classical world gained new importance

5. Evaluate the effect on societies of the fall of the classical civilizations
Several institutions were affected when gov. collapsed
Religion, the family, education, trade and the transference of technology
The most devastating effect was on western Europe after the demise of Rome
China’s society was the least affected
India’s experience was in between Rome and China

6. Compare the rise of civilizations in the Americas and Polynesia
Rise of agriculture was significant in the Americas but less so in Polynesia
Governments were headed by kings in both areas
A lack of large domesticated animals was a mutual experience
Writing systems were nonexistent in both places
Polytheism was the common choice of religion
Both systems developed civilizations later than China, India, or the Middle East