If you could travel back in time to 1200, you would find a world much less interconnected than ours today. Travel was difficult and expensive, and some parts of the world were not in contact with each other at all. As a result, there was great diversity in the way people organized themselves. In Unit 1, you’ll see this diversity, mostly through the themes of culture and governance. You’ll explore how in each region, particular factors, histories, and ideas shaped how societies came to govern themselves. We’ll also investigate the deeply entwined relationship of government and culture. We'll explore how trade networks like the Silk Roads and Indian Ocean routes facilitated cultural exchange and economic growth, while religious developments and technological advancements transformed societies. How political structures evolved with the rise of empir ...