3Name: _________________________________________________________________________ Date: __________Period: _______

AP World History Summer Assignment

Early Major Religions / Belief Systems Graphic Organizer
Confucianism Daoism

General time/place of 6th-5th century BCE, Ancient China 6th century BCE. Eastern Chinese province
founding of Henan

Deity(s) doesn’t focus on any deity Lao Tzu, Yu-huang, the Jade Emperor

Founder/Leaders Confucius Laozi

(if known)
Key Texts Includes Analects, Mencius, Xunzi, Great Learning and Doctrine Tao-Te-Ching
of the Mean.

Basic Beliefs & The basic beliefs are social harmony, social order, moral values, Live in balance with Tao
Practices education, filial piety and loyalty. The practices are rituals for
honoring ancestors, engaging in community service, and Spiritual immortality
participating in educational pursuits to cultivate virtue.

Expansion/Influence Han Dynasty (Modern day China), East Asia Tang Dynasty (Modern day China), China,
South East Asia
(Where did it spread by
the end of 1200 C.E.?)

Political & Social Role What is Neoconfucianism? Daoism affected the people because it was
beliefs that opposed authority and
How was this religion/belief A movement in philosophy that emerged from Confucianism in
system utilized to assert governments. Daoism regarded nature and
China around AD 1000, developed as a response to the ideas of creation as divine rather than governments
political authority and/or
reinforce social hierarchies? Daoism and Buddhism. and authority.
Role of the Civil Service Exam:

To select viable candidates to be appointed as imperial officials.

Role of the five relationships:

To strengthen and protect philo relationships between one

 another as a social norm.

Hinduism Buddhism
General time/place of 2300 BC and 1500 BC, Indus River Valley 500 BCE, India
founding

Deity(s) Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Saraswati Maitreya, Buddha’s, Avalokiteśvara, Manjushri

Founder/Leaders N/A Siddhartha Gautama

(if known)
Key Texts The four books are the Rig Veda, the Yajur Veda, the Tripitaka (Tipitaka)
Sama Veda, and the Atharva Veda

Basic Beliefs & The basic beliefs are dharma, karma, samsara, moksha, The basic beliefs are the four noble truths, the eightfold
Practices brahman, atman and divinity. The practices are puja, path, anatta (Non-Self), anicca (Impermanence), karma
meditation and yoga, rituals and festivals, scriptural and rebirth, nirvana, and compassion and loving-
study, pilgrimage, caste system and community. kindness. The practices are meditation, ethical conduct,
rituals and devotion, community (Sangha) and study of
scriptures.

Expansion/Influence South and Southeast Asia East and Southeast Asia

(Where did it spread
by the end of 1200
C.E.?)

Political & Social Role of the caste system in South Asian society: Role of Buddhist monastic communities/monks:
Role
It determines the social status, career, and access to Practice dharma, attain nirvana, guiding the lay people,
How was this resources and opportunities. helps others gain enlightenment and the spread of
religion/belief system
utilized to assert political Buddhist teachings to others.
authority and/or reinforce
social hierarchies? Mahayana vs. Theravada Buddhism:

Thervada Buddhists strive to become arhats and

gainfreedom from suffering. Mahayana Buddhists strive
to free all beings and assist them to achieve Nirvana.
 Judaism Christianity

General time/place 2,000 BC, Israel Jerusalem in the 1st Century

of founding

Deity(s) God God, Jesus, Holy Spirit

Founder/Leaders Moses Jesus

(if known)
Key Texts The Tanakh The Bible

Beliefs/ Practices/ The basic beliefs are monotheism, covenant, The basic beliefs are monotheism, Jesus Christ, salvation and
Rituals Messiah and ethical living. The practices are scripture. The practices are worship, prayer, baptism and
Sabbath (Shabbat), prayer, dietary laws communion (eucharist). The rituals are baptism, confirmation,
(Kashrut), holidays, and life cycle events. The marriage and funeral rites.
rituals are brit milah, bar/bat mitzvah, weddings
and mourning practices.

Expansion/ Europe, North Africa, Middle East and Part of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East
Influence(Where did it Asia
spread by the end of 1200
C.E.?)

Political & Social Used to assert political authority and social Christianity in the Roman Empire:
Role hierarchy by placing labels/political roles over
people like king, warrior and judge which spread United the parts of the Roman EMpire because of promised
How was this liberation, safe communities, and was equal to us regardless of
religion/belief system to many aspects of judaism life.
utilized to assert political our race, wealth and more
authority and/or
reinforce social Role of the Catholic Church in medieval Europe:
hierarchies?
Took up the leadership role at that type and influenced the
growth of medieval europe in politics, economics and education

Role of missionaries:

To spread the religion and try to convert as many people as

 possible to Christianity.

Role of monasteries:

Monks provided service to the church by copying

manuscripts,creating art, educating ministries and working as
missionaries

Islam
Christianity Islam
General time/place of 7th Century CE, Mecca
founding

Deity(s) Allah

Founder/Leaders Mohammed
(if known)
Key Texts Quran Hadith

Basic Beliefs & The basic beliefs are monotheism (tawhid),

Practices prophets, revealed scriptures, angels, day of
judgment and divine decree (qadar). The
practices are the Five pillars of Islam: Shahada,
Salah, Zakat, Sawm and Hajj, community and
Christianity: The concept of God is Trinity: Father, Son (Jesus), Holy Spirit. Jesus is the Son of God, divine and
brotherhood and Islamic law (sharia). the savior. The salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ and grace. The scripture is The Bible (Old and New
Testaments). The religious practices are prayer, worship services, sacraments (e.g., baptism, communion) and
holidays (e.g., Christmas, Easter). The revelation is revealed through the Old and New Testaments. The afterlife
is eternal life in heaven or in hell.

Expansion/ Middle East, North Africa, Southern Spain and Similarities: They both believe in one God. They both recognize prophets. They both have sacred texts that
guide their faith. They both emphasize ethical living, charity, and social justice. They both believe in a form of life
InfluenceWhere did it Portugal after death and a Day of Judgment.

spread by the end of 1200

Islam: The concept of God is strict monotheism (Tawhid). Jesus (Isa) is a prophet and he is not divine. Muslims
C.E.? don’t believe in his crucifixion or resurrection. The salvation is through faith in Allah and good deeds. The
scripture is The Quran it is considered as the literal word of God. The religious practices are the Five Pillars:
Shahada (faith), Salah (prayer), Zakat (charity), Sawm (fasting during Ramadan) and Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca).
Political & Social The two main groups are the Sunni and the Shia. The revelation culminates in the Quran correcting the previous texts. The afterlife is the Day of Judgment which
Role They conquered the Middle East, fought to
leads to paradise or punishment.

How was this reclaim Mecca, and established a network of

religion/belief system institutions and strong beliefs. This not only
utilized to assert political granted them significant religious authority but
authority and/or reinforce also substantial political power, including a
social hierarchies?
formidable army used to conquer many regions
 Confucianis Buddhism
m

Confucianism: Their foundational figures are based on the teachings of Confucius (Kong Fuzi). Their views
of the divine are generally secular, focusing on human relationships and ethics over the divine which is less
emphasis on gods or a creator. Their ultimate goal is achieving a harmonious society through moral cultivation,
proper relationships and social order. Their key concepts are Ren (benevolence), Li (ritual propriety), and Xiao
(filial piety). Their role in rituals is a strong emphasis on rituals and traditions to maintain social order and
relationships. Their community vs. individual focus is primarily focused on the individual’s role within the family
and society.

Similarities: They both focus on ethical living. They both have traditions that value social harmony and the
well-being of the community. They both place a high value on education and self-cultivation. They both offer
philosophical frameworks for understanding human nature and relationships.

Buddhism: Their foundational figures are founded by Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha). Their views of the
divine are non-theistic which does not focus on a creator god and it focuses on personal spiritual development
and enlightenment. Their ultimate goal is attaining Nirvana, the liberation from the cycle of rebirth (samsara) and
suffering. Their key concepts are the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, and concepts like karma and rebirth.
Their role in rituals is less emphasis on rituals which focuses on meditation and mindfulness practices. Their
community vs. individual focus is emphasizing individual enlightenment and personal spiritual journeys.