Comparison in the Period
1200 – 1450
Master the skill of historical comparison by analyzing similarities and differences across civilizations, empires, and trade networks of the post-classical era.
What Is Historical Comparison?
Historical comparison is the analytical skill of identifying similarities and differences between two or more historical developments, societies, or processes. On the AP exam, you must go beyond listing facts: you need to explain why those similarities or differences existed.
Why Comparison Matters
The Period 1200 – 1450 at a Glance
The Comparison Framework
Categories of Comparison
Similarity vs. Difference
| Similarity | Difference | |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A shared trait, cause, or outcome between two societies | A distinct trait, cause, or outcome that sets them apart |
| Signal Words | Both, similarly, likewise, in the same way | However, in contrast, whereas, unlike |
| AP Tip | Explain why the similarity exists | Explain why the difference exists |
| Example | Both Mongols and Mali used trade to build wealth | Mongols relied on conquest; Mali relied on gold-salt trade |
How to Write a Comparison
Example: Mongol vs. Mali Empires
Song China vs. Abbasid Caliphate
Aztec vs. Inca Empires
Comparing Trade Networks
| Feature | Silk Road | Indian Ocean | Trans-Saharan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mode | Overland caravans | Maritime (dhows, junks) | Camel caravans |
| Key Goods | Silk, spices, paper | Spices, textiles, porcelain | Gold, salt, slaves |
| Cultural Spread | Buddhism, Islam | Islam, Hinduism | Islam |
| Key Empires | Mongol, Song/Yuan | Swahili city-states | Mali, Songhai |
| Geography | Central Asian steppes | Monsoon winds | Sahara Desert |
State Building Across Regions
Every state in this period justified its authority differently, yet all shared the need for legitimacy: whether through divine mandate, religious law, military dominance, or hereditary lineage.
Explaining the "Why"
The AP exam rewards you for explaining causation behind similarities and differences. Here are the most common explanatory factors for 1200–1450:
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Summary of Key Comparisons
| Comparison | Key Similarity | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Mongol vs. Mali | Both facilitated long-distance trade | Expansion by conquest vs. commerce |
| Song vs. Abbasid | Both centers of intellectual innovation | Confucian meritocracy vs. Islamic scholarship |
| Aztec vs. Inca | Both relied on coerced labor | Tribute system vs. centralized mit'a |
| Silk Road vs. Indian Ocean | Both spread Islam and luxury goods | Overland caravans vs. maritime monsoon routes |
| European feudalism vs. Japanese feudalism | Both decentralized with warrior elites | Christian vs. Shinto/Buddhist legitimacy |
Question 1 of 5
Which of the following is a similarity between the Mongol Empire and the Mali Empire during the period 1200–1450?
Question 2 of 5
A key difference between the Aztec and Inca empires was that:
Question 3 of 5
Historian A: "The spread of Islam across the Indian Ocean trade network was primarily the result of merchant activity and cultural exchange. Muslim traders established communities in port cities from East Africa to Southeast Asia, creating a shared commercial language and set of business practices."
Historian B: "The spread of Islam along the Silk Road was driven largely by political patronage and conquest. The Abbasid Caliphate and later the Mongol Empire created conditions in which Islamic scholars and administrators gained influence in conquered territories."
The two historians' accounts together best illustrate which comparison skill?
Question 4 of 5
Which factor best explains why Song China and the Abbasid Caliphate were both centers of intellectual innovation during the period 1200–1450?
Question 5 of 5
A student writes: "The Mongol Empire was powerful. The Mali Empire was also powerful." Why does this fail as a historical comparison?