The best strategy is always to be very strong; first in general, then at the decisive point.... There is no higher and simpler law of strategy than that of keeping one's forces concentrated.... In short the first principle is: act with the utmost concentration.
On War, Carl von Clausewitz, 1780-1831
No one represents this better than James Rothschild, the son who established himself in Paris. In his lifetime James witnessed the defeat of Napoleon, the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy, the bourgeois monarchy of Orleans, the return to a republic, and finally the enthronement of Napoleon III. French styles and fashions changed at a relentless pace, James steered his family as if the ghetto lived on the within them. He kept alive his clan's inner cohesion and strength. Only through such an anchoring in the past was the family able to thrive amidst such chaos. Concentration was the foundation of the Rothschild's power, wealth, and stability.
Interpretation
The Rothschilds were born in strange times. They came from a place that had not changed in centuries, but lived in an age that gave birth to the Industrial Revolution, the French Revolution, and an endless series of upheavals. The Rothschilds kept the past alive, resisted the patterns of dispersion of their era and for this are emblematic of the law of concentration.
I will be going to France this summer.
It will be snowing in the mountains.
They will be eating dinner in the city tonight.
She will be taking the metro to go to the market.
He will be camping in the forest.
It will be raining when I am in Madrid.
Mary will be packing her luggage later today.
I will be reading a book on the beach.
It will be getting dark around 7 pm.
John will be taking a nap on the airplane.
I will be sending an email to my boss later today.
I can't forget my password for my phone.
I need to print out my homework.
I own a smartphone.
We need Wi-fi to open a website.
I downloaded the Facebook app today.
Her screen is broken.
I am writing on a keyboard.
Use this form to create a typing test with the text of your choice. Each paragraph of the text will be a separate typing test. Once a paragraph is completed, the next paragraph will be used.
A dog dashed across the garden to dig a deep hole, dragging an old rag along the ground. Quickly, he grabbed a small bag of seeds, but forgot to guard it properly, as a quail darted down and grabbed the bag. Although the dog was agitated, he decided to abandon the chase.
O protos katagegrammenos eortasmos ton Olympiakon Agonon itan stin Olympia, to 776 pX. Einai schedon sigouro oti afti den itan kai i proti fora pou ginontan oi agones. Tote oi agones itan mono topikoi kai diexagotan mono ena agonisma, i koursa tou stadiou.
Ο πρωτος καταγεγραμμενος εορτασμος των Ολυμπιακων Αγωνων ηταν στην Ολυμπια, το 776 π.Χ. Ειναι σχεδον σιγουρο οτι αυτη δεν ηταν και η πρωτη φορα που γινονταν οι Αγωνες. Τοτε οι Αγωνες ηταν μονο τοπικοι και διεξαγοταν μόνο ενα αγωνισμα, η κουρσα του σταδιου.
O protos katagegrammenos eortasmos ton Olympiakon Agonon itan stin Olympia, to 776 pX. Einai schedon sigouro oti afti den itan kai i proti fora pou ginontan oi Agones. Tote oi Agones itan mono topikoi kai diexagotan mono ena agonisma, i koursa tou stadiou.
O protos katagegrammenos eortasmos ton Olympiakon Agonon itan stin Olympia, to 776 pX. Einai schedon sigouro oti afti den itan kai i proti fora pou ginontan oi Agones. Tote oi Agones itan mono topikoi kai diexagotan mono ena agonisma, i koursa tou stadiou.
Ο πρώτος καταγεγραμμένος εορτασμός των Ολυμπιακών Αγώνων ήταν στην Ολυμπία, το 776 π.Χ. Είναι σχεδόν σίγουρο ότι αυτή δεν ήταν και η πρώτη φορά που γίνονταν οι Αγώνες. Τότε οι Αγώνες ήταν μόνο τοπικοί και διεξαγόταν μόνο ένα αγώνισμα, η κούρσα του σταδίου.
Bill Gates congratulates Donald Trump, JD Vance after reported Harris support: ‘I hope we can…' Big names in the tech industry rushed to congratulate Donald Trump on his victory in the US presidential election over Kamala Harris. Bill Gates is the latest tech mogul to enter that list. He shared his congratulatory message on several social media platforms, including Threads, Instagram, and X. Bill Gates reportedly donated $50 million to Donald Trump's rival, Kamala Harris, during the US election campaign. (AFP, Reuters) What did Bill Gates post? "Congratulations to President Trump and VP-elect Vance," the Microsoft co-founder wrote. He then expressed his hope of working with the president in the future to improve the lives of US citizens.
A candle is an ignitable wick embedded in wax, or another flammable solid substance such as tallow, that provides light, and in some cases, a fragrance. A candle can also provide heat or a method of keeping time. Candles have been used for over two millennia around the world, and were a significant form of indoor lighting until the invention of other types of light sources. Although electric light has largely made candle use nonessential for illumination, candles are still commonly used for functional, symbolic and aesthetic purposes and in specific cultural and religious settings. A variety of different materials have been developed in the modern era for making candles, including paraffin wax, which together with efficient production techniques, made candles affordable for the masses. Various devices can be used to hold candles, such as candlesticks, or candelabras, chandeliers, lanterns and sconces. A person who makes candles is traditionally known as a chandler.
A transcription service is a business which converts speech into a written or electronic text document. Transcription services are often provided for business, legal, or medical purposes. The most common type of transcription is from a spoken-language source into text such as a computer file suitable for printing as a document. Common examples are the proceedings of a court hearing such as a criminal trial by a court reporter or a physician's recorded voice notes (medical transcription). Some transcription businesses can send staff to events, speeches, or seminars, who then convert the spoken content into text. Some companies also accept recorded speech, either on cassette, CD, VHS, or as sound files. For a transcription service, various individuals and organizations have different rates and methods of pricing. Transcription companies primarily serve private law firms, local, state, and federal government agencies and courts, trade associations, meeting planners, and nonprofits.
A freelancer is a term commonly used for a person who is self-employed and is not necessarily committed to a particular employer long-term. Freelance workers are sometimes represented by a company or a temporary agency that resells freelance labor to clients. Others work independently or use professional associations or websites to get work. While the term "independent contractor" would be used in a higher register of English to designate the tax and employment classes of this type of worker, the term freelancing is most common in culture and creative industries and this term specifically motions to participation therein. Fields, professions, and industries where freelancing is predominant includes music, writing, acting, computer programming, web design, graphic design, translating and illustrating, film and video production and other forms of piece work which some cultural theorists consider as central to the cognitive-cultural economy.
The spread of religion, aided by the increase in trade, often acted as a unifying social force. Throughout East Asia, the development of Neo-Confucianism solidified a cultural identity. Islam created a new cultural world known as Dar al-Islam, which transcended political and linguistic boundaries in Asia and Africa. Christianity and the Catholic Church served as unifying forces in Europe.
Centralized empires like the Arab Caliphates and the Song Dynasty built on the successful models of the past, while decentralized areas (Western Europe and Japan) developed political organization to more effectively deal with their unique issues. The peoples of the Americas saw new, large-scale political structures develop, such as the Inca Empire in the Andes and the Mississippian culture in North America.
The movement of people greatly altered the world politically and demographically. Traveling groups, such as the Turks and Mongols, disrupted much of Asia’s existing political structure. Turkic peoples founded the Mumluk and Delhi Sultanates. The recovery from the Mongol period introduced political structures that defined many areas for centuries to follow.
There was tremendous growth in long-distance trade. Technological developments such as the compass improved shipbuilding technology, and gunpowder shaped the development of the world. Trade through the Silk Road, the Indian Ocean, the trans-Saharan routes, and the Mediterranean Sea led to the spread of ideas, religions, and technology. Interregional cultural exchanges, represented by early world travelers like Ibn Battuta and Marco Polo, increased due to the Mongol Conquests.
War, disease, and famine caused massive social and political upheaval throughout Eurasia. The Black Death killed over a third of the European population, and the resulting labor shortfall increased the bargaining power of peasants, diminishing the system of feudalism. The Mongol Conquests led to a massive death toll from Korea to Russia to the Middle East, weakening many regions for centuries to come as European powers expanded outward.
Western Europe and China saw significant economic and political recoveries. The Italian city-states grew prosperous enough to support the burgeoning Renaissance, which was partly inspired by ancient Greek works recovered from Islamic scholars. The Ming Dynasty experienced a cultural flowering that resulted in great works of art. The Ming also supported major naval expeditions by Zheng He.
Key Terms: Period 1 (1200-1450)
Remember that the AP World History exam tests you on the depth of your knowledge, not just your ability to recall facts. While we have provided brief definitions here, you will need to know these terms in even more depth for the AP exam, including how terms connect to broader historical themes and understandings.
Cultural Developments and Belief Systems
Neo-Confucianism: Popular during the Tang Dynasty; fused elements of Buddhism and Confucianism.
Catholic Church: The largest of the three main branches of Christianity; centered in Rome and led by the pope; found most often in Europe, the Americas, sub-Saharan Africa, and parts of East Asia.
Eastern Orthodox Church: The third largest of the three main branches of Christianity; originally based in the Byzantine Empire; found most often in Russia, Eastern Europe, the Balkans, and parts of Central Asia.
Shi’a: One of the two main branches of Islam; rejects the first three Sunni caliphs and regards Ali, the fourth caliph, as Muhammad’s first true successor; most commonly found in Iran, but otherwise constitutes 10 to 15 percent of Muslims worldwide.
Sunni: One of the two main branches of Islam; commonly described as orthodox and differs from Shi’a in its understanding of the Sunnah and in its acceptance of the first three caliphs; is by far the most common branch of Islam worldwide.
Civilizations in the Americas
Chinampa: A form of Mesoamerican agriculture in which farmers cultivated crops in rectangular plots of land on lake beds; hosted corns, beans, chilis, squash, tomatoes, and more; provided up to seven harvests per year.
Mit’a: A mandatory public service system in the Inca Empire requiring all people below the age of 50 to serve for two months out of the year; not to be confused with the mita, a forced labor system practiced by conquistadors in the former Inca Empire.
Civilizations in East Asia
Mandate of Heaven: Ancient Chinese concept stating that the right to rule was granted by the heavens; used to explain the rise of every Chinese dynasty, including the Qing in 1644.
Grand Canal: World’s longest canal, connecting the fertile Huang He River to the highly populated cities in the north; allowed grain to be shipped easily.
Champa rice: Introduced to China from Vietnam; allowed the Chinese to have two harvests per year, dramatically improving output; combined with an improved infrastructure, led to a significant growth of the Chinese population.
Islamic Golden Age
Al-Andalus: Islamic state located in modern-day Spain; led by the Berbers; renowned for its achievements in science, mathematics, and trade.
Astrolabe: Introduced to the Islamic world in the 700s, where it was perfected by mathematicians; used by astronomers and navigators to determine latitude through inclination.
Trans-Saharan trade: Trade network starting in the 400s and 500s; thrived due to an organized network of camel caravans carrying gold, salt, cloth, slaves, and other valuables; allowed the kingdoms of Ghana and Mali to thrive, and as Islam spread to Africa, allowed its teachings to impact the lives of kings and traders.
Europe during the Late Middle Ages
Feudalism: Political and economic system that developed as a result of the decentralization and collapse of the Western Roman Empire; lords, usually noblemen, protected vassals in exchange for mandatory labor or military service; vassals received a fief, or grant of land.
Bills of exchange: Written guarantees of payment that were essentially the forerunners of modern-day bank checks; helped facilitate trade; known as sakk in the Islamic world; also used in China during this period.
Crusades: Holy wars launched by Pope Urban II in 1095 that called for Christians to reclaim the Holy Land of Israel from Muslims; its four campaigns, lasting over 100 years, were unsuccessful; stimulated European-Muslim trade and reintroduced Europeans to wisdom that had been last taught during the Classical period.
Nomadic and Traveling Empires
Ottomans: Group of Anatolian Turks who, in their dedication to Islam, attacked the weakening Byzantine Empire and captured Constantinople in 1453; expanded to create an empire in the Middle East and Southeast Europe; collapsed after World War I.
Mongols: Group of Central Asian nomads from Mongolia who, under the leadership of Genghis Khan, conquered large portions of the Asian continent; four empires, centered on Russia, China, Persia, and the Central Asian steppes, were led by Khan’s successors until the Mongol Empire collapsed into disunity and civil war.
Genghis Khan: Mongol clan leader who united the clans and made the Mongols the most feared force in Asia; under his leadership, the Mongol Empire expanded greatly into China, Persia, Central Asia, and Tibet; sons ruled the Four Khanates that followed; grandson, Kublai Khan, became leader of the Yuan Dynasty in 1271.
Civilizations in Africa
Mansa Musa: Ruling from 1312 to 1337, he was the most famous of the Mali emperors; capital city, Timbuktu, was a center of trade, culture, and education; most famous for going on pilgrimage to Mecca (a practice that few Muslims in his time actually did) carrying a large caravan with satchels of gold, which he used to fund schools and mosques across North Africa.
Swahili city-states: Cities in East Africa (present- day Somalia, Kenya, and Tanzania) that became bustling ports due to interchanges between Bantu and Arab mariners; in an effort to facilitate trade, the Bantus created a hybrid language, Swahili, that allowed them to communicate with the Arabs (a language that is still spoken by over 80 million East Africans).
Interregional Economic and Cultural Exchange
Melaka: Located in modern-day Malaysia; port city that became a waystation for sea traders from China and India in the fourteenth century.
Bubonic plague: Disease that spread from China to Europe through rats and decimated Europe’s population; ended the feudal system and led many people to question religion; also known as the Black Plague or the Black Death.
Ibn Battuta: Islamic traveler who, in the four- teenth century, visited the kingdom of Mansa Musa in the Mali Empire; his writings stimulated an interest in African trade.
Marco Polo: Venetian merchant who spent over 20 years traveling the Silk Road through the Mongol Empire, where he actually served on the court of its ruler, Kublai Khan; his efforts stimulated interest in trade with China.
Recovery and Renaissance in Asia and Europe
Renaissance: A period of artistic and scien- tific self-discovery and relearning of Classi- cal wisdom, particularly from the fourteenth through the sixteenth centuries; stimulated by the Crusades and soldiers’ exposure to Muslim advances in math, science, and the arts; also led to questioning of the nature of religion and natural phenomena.
In matters of principal, stand like a rock; in matters of taste, swim with the current. Give up money, give up fame, give up science, give up earth itself and all it contains, rather than do an immoral act. And never suppose that in any situation, or under any circumstances, it is best for you to do a dishonorable thing. Whenever you are to do a thing, though it can never be known but to yourself, ask yourself how you would act were all the world looking at you, and act accordingly.
Duty, honor, country: Those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be. They are your rallying point to build courage when courage seems to fail, to regain faith when there seems to be little cause for faith, to create hope when hope becomes forlorn.
Article 5 of the Code of Conduct: When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give name, rank, Service number, and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the upmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country and its allies or harmful to their cause.
Article 6 of the Code of Conduct: I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of America.
Sadness, a universal yet deeply personal emotion, often arrives unexpectedly, lingering as a shadow in life’s bright moments. It may arise from – loss, unmet expectations, or the inevitable passage of time, each adding a unique shade to its depth. Unlike fleeting happiness, sadness encourages pause, inviting introspection, and a profound connection to oneself. In a world that often prioritizes joy, sadness teaches us essential lessons in empathy, patience, and resilience. It reminds us of what truly matters, revealing people, and memories that hold genuine value. Through sadness, we gain a capacity for compassion, learning not only to heal ourselves, but also to support others in their silent battles. Embracing sadness, rather than dismissing it, we grow, finding it to be a fundamental thread in life’s tapestry that adds - richness, meaning, and depth to our understanding of joy.
"We are like the mechanism of a watch: Each part is essential," said brother Salomon. As in a watch, every part of the business moved in concert with every other, and the inner workings were invisible to the world, which only saw the movement of the hands. While other rich and powerful families suffered irrecoverable downturns during the tumultous first half of the nineteenth century, the tight-knit Rothschilds managed not only to preserve but to expand their unprecedented wealth.
In 1824 James Rothschild decided it was time to get married. This presented a problem for the Rothschild, since it meant incorporating an outsider into the Rothschild clan, an outsider who could betray its secrets. James therefore decided to marry within the family, and chose the daughter of his brother Salomon. The brothers were ecstatic this was the perfect solution to their marriage problems. James's choice now became the family policy: Two years later, Nathan married off his daughter to Salomon's son. In the years to come, the five brothers arranged eighteen matches among their children, sixteen of these being contracted between first cousins.
