1 st Semester Review ~ AP World History: 40 Questions

Period 1: FOUNDATIONS OF CIVILIZATIONTechnological and Environmental Transformation, to c. 600 B.C.E.

1. Explain the reasons for human migrations during the Paleolithic period and the patterns of those migrations.

o Anthropologists and historians theorize that humans beings originated in Africa and migrated to other parts of the world over the course of a thousand years. Until approximately 8000 B.C.E. almost all humans lived in small monadic communities defined by marriage and kinship that relied on hunting and gathering to meet their needs. This foraging lifestyle did not support large numbers of people and it required all members to participate in food gathering and caused people to migrate from place to place, gradually expanding the region of human settlement. If the population became too dense in one area, or if the climate shifted, they might be pushed to move. Other times, they might be pulled to a new region with new sources of food or fresh water. As people encountered new climates and environments, they developed new cultural patterns and new forms of technology. These early Paleolithic people migrated out of Africa to areas in Eurasia, and eventually the Americas and Ocean (TICKLER)

2. Describe life in a hunter-forager society? (Kyle Graham) o Hunter Gatherer lifestyles, especially prior to 600 C.E., were heavily nomadic. These peoples

seasonally migrated to new areas when their current area was stripped of resources. There was clear division of labor in these societies; men handled physically demanding jobs while women focused on other things such as gathering nuts and berries, as well as cooking and raising children. Interestingly, though, there was a sense of general equality that did not exist in the societies they later formed. This lifestyle also provided a much wider diet than what was available in sedentary, agricultural, societies; however the food supply was notably less stable. These societies were dominant for much of human history prior to 600 C.E., but fell from popularity in Africa and Eurasia as agriculture developed. In the Americas, on the other hand, most tribes in North America lived hunter gatherer lifestyles until European contact. While being hunter gatherers, they were not in large groups, they traveled in small bands around, and there was generally conflict between clans/families.

3. To what extent was the Neolithic Revolution a turning point in world history? o The Neolithic Revolution was the adaptation and change from a hunter-gatherer society to an

agricultural one, which had many consequences both good and bad. The change from the Paleolithic time period to a Neolithic one caused many changes in social division, living situations, diet habits, the development of religion, and how people spent their time. Whether for better or for worse, the Neolithic Revolution caused many changes to their current societies. Paleolithic societies had the tendencies of being mostly egalitarian, but the Neolithic Revolution increased the social division between men and women, who adapted to more specialized jobs that increased gender stratification. Additionally, people also began to settle into more permanent structures, and became less dependent on the plants and animals around them, with agriculture becoming their primary source of food. This supported a larger population than ever before due to a more definite and permanent supply of food and water. However, larger populations meant more labor required to have enough food for a whole society, while also increasing the possibility of disease transmission because of higher density between peoples. While labor became more intensive, people were

allowed more free time and the ability to specialize types of labor. Through these more permanent societies, the formation of religious entities began along with society-specific culture.

o These changes affected life in Paleolithic society, and could arguably be the most important change to ever occur.  For many other important events, if they had not happened, the world would be very different, but we would still have a working society, created in an organized fashion.  Were it not for the Neolithic revolution, there would have been no permanent society to begin with.  In Paleolithic times, life would remain the same for millennia, and would still continue that way if nothing had changed.  This single advancement of agriculture spawned a whirlwind of innovation, accomplishing more in 2,000 years than the past 500,000 years combined.  While stratification, additional work, and many other unfavorable things for society, the fact that the Neolithic revolution happened is the reason why we can even work to try and change those things.

4. Compare the river valley civilizations of Mesopotamia and Egypt. (Nick Rodriguez) o The river valley civilizations of Mesopotamia and Egypt both depended on their respective rivers to

sustain their agriculture. Both civilizations engaged in long distance trade. Egypt did not have to make an irrigation system for their crops as the predictable flooding of the Nile irrigated the crops. On the other hand, in Mesopotamia, the Tigris and Euphrates rivers flooded unpredictably, leading to the creation of an intrusive irrigation system to water their crops which eventually resulted in soil erosion. While Egypt was naturally protected from attackers by seas, deserts, mountains and cataracts, Mesopotamia was completely open to attack making it a more militarized society. Egypt was a unified territory, but Mesopotamia was comprised of constantly warring city-states. The environmental, geographical and political differences between the two civilizations led to each having their own outlook on life, with the chaos of Mesopotamia influencing their belief that the world they lived in was disorderly and at the whim of the gods, and Egypt’s relative security influencing their positive and hopeful aspect on life. Both of these civilizations were essential to the development of future civilizations due to their innovations in agriculture, introduction of trade, and political improvements.

5. Compare the river valley civilizations of India and China. (Angela Gomez)o Both the Indus River Valley civilizations of India and the Yellow River Valley civilizations of China

created agricultural based economies that relied on the surrounding environment. While these two civilizations had similarities within agricultural based living, they differed within their political structure and religious philosophies. The Indus River Valley civilization was located on a fertile floodplain, allowing agriculture to flourish through crops such as wheat, barley, and millet.  Their success in agriculture contributing to the development of urban life. This floodplain made wells and underground drainage systems common. Politically, the Indus River Valley was divided by a series of republics; each being ruled over by a priest, a man who had great knowledge of the world, as well as an immense amount of power over the people. Hinduism was the primary religion of the people of the Indus River Valley, and stayed that way even with the rise of Buddhism. The Yellow River Valley civilization began around 2200-2000 B.C.E. The Chinese had a strong belief in a centralized state, one emperor ruling over the rest. By China’s second dynasty, the Zhou, emperors were using the Mandate of Heaven. They were seen as the mediator between the people of China and Heaven. The Yellow River Valley civilization relied heavily on farming; farmers made up the majority of the population. The Chinese people believed in Confucian ideas and morals. While other religions coexisted in China, Confucianism was the main religion that the Chinese people came back to.

6. Analyze the factors that contributed to the rise of permanent civilizations prior to 600 B.C.E. (Sophia Berry)

o Civilizations were able to rise due to specialization of society and the agricultural revolution; these factors led to an increase in population and major environmental transformations such as grasslands changing into cultivated fields and grazing lands. People in ancient civilizations prior to 6th century BCE needed to gain better control over the environment and of the people. Mankind needed to collaborate in order to specialize labor within their societies. Another catalyst for the rise of permanent civilizations was the agricultural revolution.  This movement of hunting and gathering, or nomadic living, allowed for crops to be grown in mass amounts in order to feed the growing populations.  Since populations worldwide were gradually increasing, government needed to be introduced to control the masses. By the arrival of the classical period, these governing styles increased to the point where hierarchy and religion had the opportunity to emerge and have a widespread effect on the citizens of these classical kingdoms.  

7. To what extent is 600 B.C.E. a turning point in world history?o Historians today often use 600 B.C.E. to mark the end of the early period in human history because

it reflects a global perspective on the past, not a focus on one particular region. By that date, core foundational civilizations had developed in several parts of the world and they established regional and interregional trade routes. Soon after 600 B.C.E., revolutionary developments in religion and thought would occur in China, India, and Greece. However, historians in the past usually focused more on their own cultures than on the entire world. As a reflection of this focus, they often selected other dates as turning points based on which events were most important in that culture’s history. For example, European historians often use 753 B.C.E. as a turning point in history because it marked the founding of the Roman Kingdom. Chinese historians traditionally organize histories around dynasties of emperors, so 600 B.C.E. was not as significant as 1046 B.C.E., the founding of the Zhou dynasty, or 256 B.C.E., the end of that dynasty. (TICKLER)

Period 2: CLASSICAL CIVILIZATIONSOrganization and Reorganization of Human Societies, c. 600 B.C.E. to c. 600 C.E.

8. Identify the main features of an empire as a type of state as well as the idea during the classical period. (Lindsey Beaman)

o During the classical period many civilizations created empires from their existing populations and ever growing wealth, with many of the same foundations that helped build their empire. All of the empires had a ruler or rulers whether having many rulers in city-states or a centralized government. Although not all had the same type of government, they had similar perspectives put in from a government on what was proper within their empire. An empire was usually protected by army that was funded from their government to protect their empire; army would typically protect from foreign invaders during the classical time period. Many of these empires were in the positions so they were able to get resources to survive but, if not trade was used to gain the resources they needed or wanted; trade created many of the major changes in the world by increasing a trade of ideas. Another main trait that almost all empires had was a common ideology or overlying culture that most citizens followed; the common ideology was sometimes but not always a religion. The idea of having a common ideology helps empires stay away from rebellions that during the classical period ended dynasties of even whole empires. Later in the post-classical periods many civilizations declined due to overreach, thus causing an evolution in political structures to unite and control

empires better in the future. Many of the classical civilizations ultimately declined due to overreach, thus states and empires in the post classical would need to evolve and adapt these political structures to better unite and control empires in the future.

Leader A collection of nations/people

ruled by an emperor or other type of strong government, usually an area of land bigger than a kingdom

Citizens

government/law codes Transportations Military Resources (food, water, etc.) Wealth Ideology/ overlying culture

9. Summarize the ways in which the origins and tenets of various classical philosophies and religions are similar and different. (Sonny Mirza)

o Origins of classical philosophies and religions are similar and different through the sharing of practices and the continuities of morals and different through the founder of the religions and often the cultures from which they emerge. These religions often unified people under a shared ideology and offered a unified moral code and values. Classical philosophies and religions spread throughout Afro-Eurasia during the Classical Period. Hinduism, a polytheistic religion based on karma and reaching the ultimate bliss of Nirvana, originated in India in approximately 1500 BCE. This branched out to become Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism, which all spread throughout much of Asia in the Classical era. Confucianism focuses on the main principles of morality and “filial piety”, centralizing family values in Chinese culture. Daoism, developed by Laozi, emphasizes the belief that withdrawal into the world of nature and encouragement of spontaneity, alluding to the “Dao” as the notion of withdrawal from life. Siddhartha Gautama was the founder of Buddhism, acknowledging the idea of suffering and reaching Nirvana, relating to its origin of Hinduism. These religions similarly spread and each originated with a story in the beginning of humankind. Islam originated under the Prophet Muhammad, affecting trade and economic systems with the importance of Mecca, posing as a large trade center. The spread of Christianity led to competition between Islamic and Christian power in Afro-Eurasia. These differences ultimately led to the Crusades, to which military forces between Christians and Muslims battled over land significant to the origins of both religions, bringing patriotism and unification to each side. Overall, religions as a whole combine and unify peoples of all culture simultaneously to create an atmosphere of community and oneness even though they are not all analogous. Not all agree, and not all began exactly the same yet that is what creates the uniqueness and compatibility of religions intertwining and existing together.

10. Compare the development and ideology of Confucian, Daoism, and Legalism.(Rachel Colwell)o The philosophy of Legalism was what originally brought together the ‘warring states’ of China. Its

harsh and strict laws as well as punitive nature gave the government full control over the people. The ideology of Legalism allows for easy centralization and helped create a basic bureaucracy in the Qin Dynasty. It also taught that all must be treated the same way, no matter age or gender. Daoism, on the other hand, is much more lax. Daoist’s taught that there are two sides to everything— good and evil— and that all people start out as good, and that we must be one with nature in order to stay good. Daoist philosophy affected governments and political matters much differently than Legalism— it called for the government to play little to no part in keeping order. Daoism also promoted more equality, though not much, for women. It allowed for women to become priests, and there were female gods and spirits.

o Confucianism fell somewhere in between Daoism and Legalism. It gave the father (or eldest man) complete control of the family household. The idea of ‘filial piety’ made Confucianism based largely around family structure. When it came to the government, it held a bit more control than Daoism, but not to an extreme amount that Legalism did. It taught that morals and karma were the most important things to base your life on. The father, or whoever was in charge, would lead by example, and would trust the rest of the family would follow. Over all, Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism, were all native philosophies to China, and were distinct in their rituals and differed in core beliefs. Over all, regardless of the effects on policy, all three of these philosophies brought people together in a way that was sorely needed at the time to keep Chinese society moving forward.

11. Summarize the social organization and significance of India’s Caste System. (Chase Keir)o The caste system of India was originally used to tell apart the Aryan (light skinned) and the dark-

hued native people. The use of the caste system changed over time as India got more involved with South Asia, which also helped increase India’s culture and economic growth. The caste system appeared around 500 BCE and had a total of 4 ranks, Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Sudra. The top three ranks were known as the pure Aryans. Once born into a class, you lived in that specific class for your whole life. It was a common belief that the four divisions were created by Brahma, the Hindu god of creation. Also if a high ranking class member like a Brahmin ever came in contact with a  lower class known as the untouchables they were in danger of becoming impure and pausing their journey to nirvana. The caste system also had strict rules that each individual class had to follow for example, the Brahmins were not allowed to consume meat or foods that were grown in the ground like onions and potatoes. There was also another ‘caste system’ within the India’s caste system called Jati. Jati caste system was more focused on the loyalties of the people within their own class. However in the Jati caste system, people could hope to be reborn in a higher class if they were faithful, selfless and did their acquired duties.

12. Compare the origins and characteristics of Hinduism and Buddhism. (Yazzy Roundtree)o Hinduism and Buddhism both have shared beliefs that have had a lasting impact in many empires

during the classical period. Though there are plenty of similarities including the originated country of India, the unity they both brought, and the main belief of reincarnation, overall Buddhism and Hinduism have more distinct differences than similarities. Hinduism and Buddhism have different rules that one must follow; Hinduism believes in the idea that good deeds will be rewarded with better and higher classes in their afterlife. In the strict caste system in India, many looked to Hinduism for a way to outgrow their circumstances. Buddhism, being an ideology rather than a religion, believes in the four noble truths; identifying suffering, determining the cause, planning the end of suffering, and attaining the solution. This ideology brought peace and harmony to many empires in a time of war and disunity. Though less, Buddhism and Hinduism’s similarities included the lack of missionary work. Incredibly, they both grew rapidly with the help of many trading routes. The silk, sand, and sea routes were a main source for the success of Hinduism and Buddhism.

13. Identify key people, events, and developments associated with the Qin and Han dynasties in China. (Ashley Johnson)

o The Qin Dynasty was established by Qin Shihuangdi, China’s first emperor, in 221 BCE. Qin Shi Huangdi incorporated a legalist philosophy, emphasizing strong military and harsh laws, to unify the people and increase China’s global power. The Qin dynasty fell in 202 BCE to the Han during The Battle of Gaixia. From the Qin to Han in China the continuation of dynastic, centralized government developed to meet the needs of the growing empire. Both created systems of bureaucracy and standardized economic and cultural structures. A major change from the Qin to the Han dynasty was a shift in culture/philosophy from Legalism to Confucianism. The opening of China to The West via the Silk Road, in the Han dynasty, brought change and increased wealth to China allowing it to further cement its role as a major power in the Classical world. The Han became an age of economic prosperity and advancements in science, technology, and mathematics.

14. Compare the Persian Empire and the Greek city-states. (Sophia Migliaccio)o While Greek was expanding, so was Persia, which lead to Persia’s conquering of Greek territory. In

result, the Greeks fought the Persians back to reclaim their land which the Greeks won. The win was a big deal for the Greeks, leading to their realization that their military was powerful. The Greeks recognition of a powerful military lead to conflict within their own reign. The city-states were not sure which state should be in power over all the other states, leading to battles between each state for power. On the other hand, the Persian Empire was united under one monarch government. Under this unified empire, Persia maintained its economic status by having a system of satraps and having each individual governor collect taxes for the large empire. As a result, this fiscally sustained the Persian Empire. One key difference, however, is that some Greek city states had put in place a democratic system in which the people became deciders of political moves and local governing. This, unfortunately, was reserved for only the land owning white men. Along with the difference of government, the Greek’s city states main economic activity was agriculture of olives, and crops of that same manner, as well as fish.

15. Trace the political development of the Roman Empire. (Kate Hudson)o Rome began with an oligarchy where the rich and powerful governed cities from the Senate, similar

to the Greek city-state of Athens.  Each year the Assembly and the equities (men who own land) would vote in the governors.  The scholars of Rome learned most of their knowledge from Greek texts and writings which helped them develop their own state further. The Greeks basically layed down the base for the Roman empire as a whole.  Rome’s transfer from a Democracy to a centralized Republic began around 100 BC.  Although this form of government in Rome is primarily described as a Republic it showed many aspects of an Oligarchy.  The officials elected in Rome were meant to merely advise power in Rome however they proved to hold more power and influence than the emperor.  For instance it was very hard to accomplish anything against the collective will of the senate.  Also Julius Caesar who became emperor during Rome's civil war was murdered by his advisors when his power threatened that of the senate. The senate was only viable in power during the Roman Republic, which was the relative start of Rome. Midway into Rome's rule, the Senate fell from power when the Roman Republic failed and Rome became an Empire, ruled by the sole emperor. The first emperor, Augustus, cut the senate from 900 members to 600, and all of the actions of the senate became negligible. Although the senate held no power this time, it held up from the beginning of the Roman Republic through the split of the Roman Empire and through the barbaric rule of Rome through the fifth sixth and seventh centuries.

16. Describe the characteristics of the Mauryan and Gupta empires. (Seth Zehra-London)o Both the Mauryan and Gupta Empires had experienced the same issues that led to its demise,

stagnation, and later collapse -- that being strong regionalism and a decentralized and divided India. The caste system also played a huge role in the social atmosphere of India, dividing the populace further by economic and social class. Given these factors, the fact that the Mauryan and Gupta empires were even able to briefly and barely unify India is fantastic in its own right. The Empires on the Indian sub-continent both devoutly practiced Hinduism to a large extent, with both Empires as well diffusing with Buddhism to a large extent. Buddhism had adapted many ideas and beliefs from the Hindu system however it rejected the caste system as a whole. The Buddhist religion and philosophy had later died out in India, but later spread to China but remained its strong Indian characteristics, that being the idea of reincarnation and an end to suffering, which formed in opposition to the Indian caste system. Buddhism however was generally accepted in India with the leadership but had further stratified and divided Indian population for the time it remained.   

17. Identify the development and primary features of Christianity. (Alex Hanneman)o Christianity originated in the Middle East from the rigidities in the Jewish priesthood that persisted

centuries before the birth of Jesus. As believed by Christians, Jesus was the son of God who was sent to Earth to be the savior of the humans. Jesus preached in front of large crowds in Israel and began gaining followers known as disciples. After the crucifixion of Jesus, the disciples began to travel westward in effort to spread the message of Jesus and gain converts in various parts of the Roman Empire. As the classical period came to a close and the Roman Empire’s control weakened, Christianity began to take a firmer shape and spread across the Mediterranean region. As political structures were in danger, rulers, such as Constantine of the Byzantine Empire (312-337), endorsed this religion to unify the lands under their control, furthering the expansion of the young faith. Since Western Europe did not have a unified government, religion took its place as the main centripetal force, and the Church became the superior power. Christianity emphasized the importance of devotion and divine power and offered hope for salvation after life on Earth, making it attractive to those suffering from the growing unrest and poverty that characterized this time of political decline. Unlike religions prominent during the majority of the classical era, Christianity emphasized the importance of church organization and structures as well as the use of missionaries that actively sought to gain followers which in turn contributed to the spread of this new religion. As well as differences in structure, Christian culture also promoted ideas very different from that of classical civilizations. Christianity promoted spiritual equality and sexual restraint as well as loyalty to God over loyalty to the state, and these new ideals made the faith even more appealing to the people of the collapsing empires. As Christianity began to take shape, it supplied unity and hope for the people of Europe and began to take a stronger hold in society, leading to changes in the infrastructures of social and political institutions as seen in classical era.

18. Analyze the various factors that contributed to the decline of major empires in the classical period. (Jenny Kroeger)

o The major empires that originated and grew in the Classical Period all fell due to similar factors, as their large size and overreach created various issues that led to the inevitable decline. The size of the empires lead to the weakening of social unity, political corruption, challenges from religious authority, and the decline of economy; these various factors contributed to the decline of the major empires in the Classical Period. As empires dominated neighboring societies, they absorbed their people who had their own cultures and ways of life. As the various cultures came into contact, issues regarding authority of religious and cultural leadership arose, causing large majorities of the citizens to disassociate from the original empire. In addition to the weakening of societal unity, the large populations caused a great strain on the production and acquisition of resources necessary to support an empire. As natural disasters devastated crops and water supplies, and conflicts with trading societies occurred, many empires faced large population loss and social unrest to find food and resources. This also affected the overall economy, as agriculture and trade were declining. Another contributor to population loss was disease, as many different people from different places were forced to interact, which meant foreign diseases were presented to the masses that had little to no immunity. The empires faced invasions and corruption within the government, bringing decentralization of the government and a loss of control over the empire. As expansion was one of the greatest goals of empires of the Classical Period, it created many unexpected effects. As empires became too large, overreach meant social disunity, population decline due to disease and resource loss, and inability to unify the empire as a whole. The decline of empires is largely due to these factors that were the result of major expansion and overreach.

19. Compare the techniques of imperial administration used by various Classical empires. (Caley Gallardo) o Techniques of imperial administration used by various Classical empires include the construction

of imperial cities, improved empires and state structures, divine right, and military might, while also created problems that led to its collapse. The rulers of the Classical empires used the concept of divine right to justify their rule. The Classical Empire’s growth and prosperity increased on a massive scale through military conquest. While the Persians, the Greeks, the Romans, the Chinese, and the Indians controlled large areas and peoples, each civilization had different political organizations based on earlier successful political forms. The Persian Empire was ruled by a supreme king and satraps were appointed to each province in order to govern the expansive empire. The Greeks had small independent city-states and established a form of demography. Although people could make decisions for the state, it was not a true democracy as it was limited only to citizen men. Similarly, the Roman Empire established a republic, but voters had no role in proposing legislation in any assembly. In reality, the magistrates and the tribunes were the only ones who could place legislation before the voters. In the Han Dynasty, an elaborate bureaucracy was developed to hold the empire together. A civil service system, complete with examinations and selection by merit, was established and linked the state and society. The Han Dynasty adopted Confucian ideology that emphasized moral betterment, filial piety, and virtue, which masked the enforcement of strict obedience. The Mauryan Empire had an impressive political structure that was equal to the Persian, Chinese, and Roman empires, but not as long-lasting. A civilian bureaucracy consisted of various ministries and a large group of spies to provide rulers with local information. The state also operated many industries—shipbuilding, armaments, spinning, and mining—which were financed by taxes. Although these classical empires developed new techniques to help govern their empires, the empires could not manage the political and administrative difficulties created. This led to their decline and transformation into successor empires.

20. To what extent is 600 C.E. a turning point in world history? (Joseph DG , Kyle G, Ethan G, Danny S, Jonah S , Evan W)

o 600 C.E. was a major turning point in history because it marks the start of the Post-Classical Time Period. During this Time Period, trade flourished, Empires grew, Islam was growing at an extraordinary pace,  and major technological advances were discovered. Civilizations were now more connected due to water transport, which included sailing enhancements that allowed boats to travel greater distances in a short period of time. Along with the plethora of positive changes, there were a handful of negative ones. Events such as the collapse of the Roman Empire, the crusades, the dark ages, disease spread, and the further development of the slave trade all hindered the progress of certain civilizations and groups during this time period. As we move into the Classical time period, the Middle East continues to grow and flourish, Asia continues to flourish, while Europe falls into the Dark Ages. This transition was marked by the fall of the Western Roman Empire and the rise of the Eastern Roman Empire and the Islamic Empire.

Period 3: POST CLASSICAL PERIOD Regional and Transregional Interactions, c. 600 C.E. to c. 1450

21. Identify the origins and primary features of Islam. (Jonah Bernstein)o Islam was started by a man by the name of Muhammad Ibn Abdullah, who was born in 570 C.E.

Muhammad states an angel appeared before him and was told to tell his people the world is Monotheistic with one God, Allah.  This made Muhammad Ibn Abdullah a prophet.  In Islam, there became a unity of classes where everyone is equal, with one person, the caliph, whom is closest to Allah.    Therefore, Muhammad was claimed to be the first caliph of Islam.  His people started to hate him and wanted to kill Muhammad because he never did any heroic acts to become a prophet. He was also hated because he ended up destroying many of the idols in the Ka’aba. They used a Ka’aba to have peace. Ka’aba was a major religious building, shaped as a cube that contained various deities from the many religions peppered across pre-Islamic Arabia.  The religious nature of the Ka’aba allowed for easy and safe trading between the tribes that were often constantly at war with each other. After Muhammad destroyed the idols that resided in the Ka’aba, it continued to become what is one of the most sacred sites in all of Islam.  People also hated Muhammad due to his vast variations on religion as compared to other popular religions such as, Judaism and Christianity.

o From Muhammad’s venerable acts and the written scriptures of the Qur’an, Islam grew to be one of the most popular monotheistic religions which still remain to this day. The attractiveness of Islam was due to its ability to benefit and unite communities through outlined traditions and scriptures for preferred Muslim activity. One example of these traditions is the Five Pillars of Islam, each outlining expected activities those who follow Islam should partake in. The Five Pillars of Islam were Zakat, or almsgiving; Sawm, or fasting; Salat, or prayer; Hajj, or pilgrimage; and Shahada, or faith. All of these provide a sense of community instead of violence, and they help convert others while also benefiting society and the economy.

22. Analyze the reasons for the rapid spread of the Arab empire and its effects on conquered regions. (Ryan Goh)

o The rapid spread of the Arab Empire was due to the exclusive practice of Islam and extensive connectivity through trade routes. Since Islam spread at an extremely high rate throughout the Middle East, nearly all political leaders, soldiers, and citizens were culturally united as Muslims. This unity made the empire strong because religion was a common ground where many people believed the same things and could look past their differences, allowing for less fragmentation and less opportunities for division. The Islamic empire was also central to many trade routes, connecting Chinese traders to Sub-Saharan traders spreading Islam throughout the region. Widespread connection allowed Islam to spread like wildfire and spill into developed countries. The main effect of the Arab Empire on its conquered people was the introduction of a new religion where conversion was heavily incentivized despite a policy of tolerance. Scientific and technological advances developed under the Arabic Empire were introduced into conquered countries, improving the lives of many. Finally, Muslim emphasis on patriarchy and social equality became the norm in the conquered territories. The gap between classes lessened, but women’s rights were further suppressed due to ambiguities in the Qur’an and hadith.

23. Compare the political and economic structures of West and East Africa. (Nick Rodriguez)o West and East Africa were both influenced by other cultures as they became more involved in trade.

The Sea routes connected the Arabian Peninsula and India connected regions that were isolated which led to the rise of many trading cities on the eastern coast of Africa. Politically, the competition between families and regions created stateless societies throughout northern Africa. As the Islamic empire began trading with Western and Eastern Africa, formal government structures were established. For example, the trade within West Africa led to the creation of a series of empires, states, and city-states. These governments were monarchies, each varying in administrative complexity and military force, while the East African government had politically independent cities ruled by a king. Economically, trade with Asia stimulated trade routes that brought wealth, goods and diffusion of many cultures from regions like Arabia. For example, West Africa traded cloth, glassware, weapons, books, copper, and dates, and East Africa exported gold, ivory, quartz, leopard skins, slaves, iron and timber. East Africa becomes a center of commerce that exchanges goods from interior Africa with distant goods brought by Arab traders

24. Identify the main features of the Silk Roads network of exchange. (Angela Gomez)o The Silk Roads were a network of trade routes that began around 120 B.C.E, but peaked in 500 CE

to 800 CE and remained for more than a millenium. While not a singular road, but a series of 4,000 miles of paths across the mountains, deserts, and plains of Asia. In order to travel through the Silk Roads, merchants carried their goods in large camel caravans through the dangerous paths, but eventually were revitalized by the Mongols who brought safety and security to the trade routes. Silk trade was a main factor in terms of motivation and was greatly sought after, but was not the only product traded. Other goods included olives, olive oil, silver, iron, cotton textiles, and spices. It contributed to the spread of Buddhism, disease such as measles, smallpox, the bubonic plague, and the interaction of Africa and Eurasia as well the linking of East Asia and the Middle East.

25. Compare the primary features of the Indian Ocean and Trans-Saharan networks of exchange. (Sophia Berry)

o While the Indian Ocean and Trans-Saharan trade networks linked various parts of the world and facilitated the diffusion of ideas and religion, the overall technological processes and goods exchanged across these trade routes varied greatly. The Indian Ocean trade route linked China and Southeast Asia to the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. These trade networks were made possible by obtaining knowledge about monsoons and how they altered wind patterns, resulting in navigational skills and shipbuilding techniques. In comparison, the Trans-Saharan trade networks linked Sub-Saharan Africa and the Mediterranean with West Africa. Camels facilitated Trans-Saharan trade networks, in which caravans would primarily trade gold, salt and slaves. Both the Indian Ocean and Trans-Saharan networks of exchange stimulated cultural diffusion, spreading Islamic, and Buddhist, Christian and Hindu ideas. Ultimately, the Indian Ocean and Trans-Saharan trade routes boosted economic activity and resulted in a greater connected world, emerging globalization.

26. Compare the experiences and impact of traveler such as Ibn Battuta, Marco Polo, and Xuanzang. (TICKLER)

o Much of what historians know and understand of the various trade routes and cultural exchange of the Post-Classical periods comes from the journals and stories of successful explorers and traders. Not only were these explorers important for modern historians, but at the time their stories and knowledge when brought back to their homelands spread throughout the known world at the time and acted as a great motivator for others to explore.

o Ibn Battuta: Was a Moroccan explorer who is recognized as one of the greatest travelers in history. During his travels, he recorded the insights and observations he made about his surroundings in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia during the 14th century. The records indicated the social, political, economic and cultural context of these places. For example, his account of Cairo tells us that there was a dictatorship (no democracy) due to centralized authority held by the Pharaoh. Ibn provided an account of his travels, which are analyzed and interpreted even to this day to help us understand the working of early civilizations. He also contributed to the movement of “Dar al Islam”, and helped preserve Islamic influences around the world.

o Marco Polo: Was a Venetian merchant and explorers who traveled from Europe to Asia. His self-written book describes his adventures and heavily influenced the who came latter. His account of the Orient provided the Western world with its first clear picture of the East’s geography and Ethnic culture/customs. Kublai Khan employed Marco as a special envoy, and as a result, he was sent to isolated areas never seen before by Europeans. His detailed accounts provided a glimpse into a foreign and advanced world.

o Xuanzang: Was a Chinese Buddhist monk, translator, scholar, and traveler who was the first to accurately describe the interaction and communication between India and China during the early Tang Dynasty. He is famous for his 17 year long journey to India, which he recorded in detail. Though his main quest during his travels was to obtain books and knowledge of Buddhism while in India, he ended up preserving records of social, cultural and political aspects of his visited lands, which are still used nowadays to help historians understand early civilizations.

27. Discuss the improved commercial practices that supported the expansion of trade networks. (Lindsey Beaman)

o The growth and expansion of trade networks made a substantial commercial webwork that connected empires together. New technology such as the improvement of ships and navigation helped the world of trade and explorations grow across the seas. The inventions of the caravan helped the merchant class to grow and earn more respect for the commerce that helped empires sustain their wealth. Playing off of the caravans, the domestication of other animals improved not only transportation but also a new food supply to exchange and helped them conquer new lands. Missionary work was used gain land which came with new trade networks. Also converting other people opened up valuable resources because of their familiarity with  their land and traders. The merchant class opened up new religions as well due to the constant travel and the opening of the Silk Road which provided an innovation in the protection of the trading merchants.

Navigation technology Bigger ships Rising of the merchant class Caravan Exploration Sea, sand

Silk Road- innovation of protection of trade

Domestication (camels, horses, etc.)

Missionary

28. Identify the main characteristics of the Byzantine Empire. (Sonny Mirza)o The Byzantine Empire, which rose after the eastern half of the Roman Empire became wealthier

and more important than the west, was nowhere near the size of its predecessor, but it helped to continue and spread the ideas of the Roman Empire. Geographically, it covered parts of the Mediterranean including North Africa, Spain, Italy, southwest Asia, the Middle East, and the newly conquered Greece. It had an aristocratic, highly centralized government in Constantinople that focused on taxes and keeping order and peace. As for religion, there was little separation between Eastern Orthodoxy and the state; the emperor was the head of both the church and state. They also used Greek philosophy to aid scientists and theologians in connecting science with faith. In a global perspective, Byzantium (specifically Constantinople) was heavily involved in long distance trade with much of Eurasia. They traded luxury items, silk, and basic necessities and had a common gold coin currency used as money.

29. Analyze the role of the Catholic Church in Western Europe. (Ashley Johnson)o The Catholic Church played a key role in the development of Western Europe in the post classical

period, with the power to influence not only religious practices, but the ability to intertwine the development of politics, economy and culture. Ultimately "the West" emerged as a Christian centered society bringing unity and order to a previously disjointed region. Although the Catholic Church was separate from the state in Western Europe, the pope was seen as more influential and powerful than the emperor. One example of this was the Pope’s right to crown the emperor. This religious influence caused the people of Western Europe to be more loyal to their families and the church rather than the state. Not only did this bring cultural unity to the West, but also gave the church a powerful influence in political and economic affairs, such as the Crusades. The Church also provided education and a new way of thinking for Western Europe through the growing desire to read the Bible and the application of Greek rationalism to religious philosophy. These educational benefits to society provided a basis for the Catholic faith.

30. To what extent was the time period between 400 and 1400 C.E. a Dark Ages for Europe? (Chase Keir)o The Dark Ages was given its title as a result of the multiple unfortunate events throughout this time

period. The Dark Ages has a negative connotation; however there were a variety of beneficial factors as a result of this time. The dark ages were a period of barbarism, followed by a lack of government and learning. When the Roman Empire fell in 476 CE, and barbarians took control, they began to spread into Europe. Because of barbarians monitoring the land, it was dangerous to travel. It was also difficult to fix anything because there was no enforcing party when someone did something bad. Later on when there were consequences for bad actions, the punishments became very barbaric (cutting off hands, sixty lashes) and this brought them back from being a highly developed society. The Dark Ages played a very dynamic role in Europe’s development and, despite the negative impacts of the Dark Ages, they also brought immense amount of trade which helped increase population. A result of this overpopulation, however, was the introduction of the Black Death which proceeded to eliminate nearly 60% of Europe’s population. Throughout urban societies the plague spread rapidly, while in rural societies people were surviving the plague. This is a result of the varying concentration of people in a particular area. People residing within urban societies suffered due to close proximity with one another. On the other hand, those in rural areas had more isolation resulting in a smaller chance of catching the plague.

31. Compare the Aztec and Inca. (Yazzy Roundtree)o The Aztec and Inca empires both existed at similar times and shared similar characteristics. The

empires shared religious and government beliefs, but their societies differed. In region, both empires supported sacrifice and polytheistic beliefs. Religion is the empires help grater connect the people. Both of the governments were a monarchy. However, the Aztec empire had a strong military thus improving the control the government has on the people. The Aztec empire thrived because of the diversity the working class provided. In the Inca empire non merchant class existed thus preventing greater connections between the people.

32. Analyze the revival of empire in China under the Sui, Tang, Song dynasties. (Seth Zehra-London)o The Sui, Tang, and Song era’s in China followed a period of roughly 400 years (after the collapse of

the Han) of general anarchy. This period in China’s history, 581 CE to 1279) is most remembered as a Golden Age in which China enjoyed great wealth, political stability, artistic expression, and intellectual achievements. The idea of empires was revived in China through the establishment of a government under a single emperor, the use of a bureaucracy to govern the empire, and through the belief in the ideals of Confucius. There was also a revival of culture in the invention of the printing press, allowing for literature to be reproduced and wide spread. There was also a boost in iron and rice production, leading to a better economy. The government created a government issued currency, and established a tax system. They gained connections with Japan, Korea, and Vietnam in order to obtain more resources and money through the tribute system.  Women also had advances to the rights they were allowed under the reign of Empress Wu Zhao of the Tang Dynasty. Foreign religions like Buddhism and Islam started to gain influence in Chinese life. However, the government drove out Buddhism in favor of Confucianism and Daoism. Through the establishment of a new government and advances in technology and rights, the Chinese revived the concept of an empire under the Sui, Tang, and Song Dynasties.

33. Examine the causes and effects of China’s relationship with Korea, Japan, and Vietnam. (Sinification) . (Sophia Migliaccio)

o Due to China’s size, influence, and want for more power, Chinese traditions and ideologies had decisively shaped the countries which surrounded it through a process called Sinification; where non-Chinese societies come under the influence of Chinese culture. Korea, Vietnam, and Japan, were seen by China as lesser peoples deserving to be below them and forced to pay tribute to China when traveling there through the tribute system.

o Through this Sinification, Korea became the most of China’s neighbors to adopt Chinese characteristics. They strived to follow in the Chinese culture, style, and way of life. China gave Korea legitimacy in their power, and China’s religions and ideals, Confucianism, Buddhism, and some Daoism, was shared with Korea.

o Like the Koreans, the Vietnamese underwent much change due to influence from Chinese culture, but not as much change as Korea. Vietnam did not leave any influence on Chinese culture, but Vietnam transformed as China attempted to absorb their territory into their own state. Vietnamese agriculture benefited from China’s irrigation plans, and their educational systems adopted the Chinese examination system which led to the forming of a merit-based scholar-gentry class.

o Japan's Sinification was the least significant, for Japan wished for isolation. However, a Japanese price traveled to China on multiple occasions and brought back from China Buddhism, Confucianism, Daoism, and other cultural ideals. Along with those philosophies, Japan pulled structure of Chinese government as well as some of the Confucian social hierarchy.

34. Analyze the reason for the development of the Mongol Empire and compare the different khanates. (Kate Hudson)

o The Mongol Empire developed because of a combination of a strong leadership, military and tactical superiority, and a general tolerance for the people they conquered. Genghis Khan led the Mongols both militarily and politically, and kept the empire together and functioning with his political views and charisma. He united the formerly separate Khanates by promising conquest and expansion. The Mongols were able to conquer such a large area and maintain this land by utilizing military tactics like horse archery and . By swiftly conquering and razing villages they entered, any opposition was disposed of. The final reason for the Mongol’s success was their views towards the subjects they conquered. Religiously, Mongols were very open towards other beliefs and allowed people to continue practicing. For example, when they expanded south into China, they not only allowed the Chinese to continue practicing both Buddhism and Confucianism, but they also adopted certain parts of the two practices for themselves. This increased satisfaction that the subjects had with their new rulers, leading them to continue working under the Mongols.

35. Trace the effects of the Mongol Empire on Afro-Eurasia. (Caley Gallardo)o The Mongol Empire brought stability and revitalization of trade to Afro-Eurasia, but it also opened

up other empires to disease and violence and led to an influence on the development of China, Russia and the Middle East. Ultimately though, the Mongol Empire had little long-lasting effects on these empires due to cultural assimilation. The most notable of these impacts was the new phase of the Silk Roads and the opening up of trade routes which stimulated cross-cultural contact; as a result, the Black Plague was spread to Europe and the Middle East through ports and sea trade, causing an extreme decrease in population. Mongol policy forcibly moved skilled workers and educated people across the empire; this cultural exchange of people and ideas between China, Europe and Africa resulted in a spike in new crops and technology. New military tactics created by the Mongols, such as horseback riding began to circulate, benefiting other civilizations and increasing conquest. Specifically in China, Mongol rule was seen by some as granted by the mandate

of Heaven, because it brought unification to a divided China. In the Persian Empire, the Mongols initially brought violence and destruction to the agriculture and landscape, however in the end, the Mongol population became assimilated into the Muslim culture. The Mongols had the most long-lasting effects on Russia and influenced their court practice, taxation systems, weapons, and their military.

36. Analyze the causes and effects of the Crusades. (Alex Hanneman)o Causes: The Crusades were a series of religious wars between the Christians and Muslims to secure

holy sites. At the end of the 11th century, Western Europe had created a large civilization but still lagged behind in development compared to others such as the Byzantine Empire. After Byzantium lost control to the invading Turks general Alexius Comnenus seized the Byzantine throne in 1801, took control of the Byzantine Empire and renamed himself Emperor Alexius I. Alexius sent a request for Pope Urban II to ask that he would send troops from the West to aid against attacking Turks. One cause of the Crusades was to increase power and development of Islamic Empires as well as Western Europe. Even though relations between the West and the East weren’t the best, Pope Urban II still sent troops as it benefited him as well. The Pope (Pope Urban II) called on Western Christians to aid the Byzantines in recapturing the Holy City in 1095 which marked the beginning of the Crusades. Another reason the Crusades started was not only for religious conquest but also to control the major trade cities and ports on the Mediterranean and Black Seas.

o Effects: After numerous Crusades and much military conflict between Christians and Muslims, conflict between the two groups continued as well as several religious orders such as the Knights Templar, the Teutonic Knights, and the Hospitallers were created in order to help defend the Holy Land. During the fall of Jerusalem, hundreds of men, women, and children were slaughtered by the Crusaders despite Tancred’s promise of protection. In 1198, power struggles between Europe and Byzantium caused the Crusaders to divert their mission to overthrow the reigning Byzantine Emperor Alexius III for his nephew who eventually became Alexius IV. Alexius IV attempted to submit the Byzantine church to Rome was met by revolt and caused him to be strangled to death. As a result, the Crusaders declared war on Constantinople and the fourth Crusade ended with the fall of Constantinople as well as bloody conquest, looting, and almost complete destruction of the Byzantine capital. After the Crusades, there was better political organization of the once fragmented Western Europe, and more political authority over the monarchies. The movement of people throughout Europe and the Middle East further diffused cultures and stimulated more desire for increasing trade.

37. To what extent is 1450 C.E. a turning point in world history? (Jenny Kroeger)o It was a turning point in world history when the city of Constantinople, the capital of what was once

the Roman Empire and now the Byzantine Empire, was conquered by the Ottoman Turks who renamed the city Istanbul. This event was significant to world history to the extent that it initiated the rise of a new and powerful empire; however, it was unfortunate to the Byzantine Empire as the era of the Romans had ended.  It was also the turning point in naval travel from the Old World to the New World. It also marked the rise of Europe as a dominant superpower in the Old World. Europe had passed China who had long been in the lead in economic and political power. This is because China did not take to sea voyage as the “West”. Europe started to gain new wealth and crops from the New World. This lead to a whole new idea of Global Trade. No longer was the world isolated to one continent. It connected the whole world and lead to the diffusion of ideas, religions, and goods.

Period 4: EARLY MODERN PERIODGlobal Interactions, c. 1450 to c. 1750

38. Analyze the factors that contributed to discovery of the new world. .(Rachel Colwell)o The Age of Exploration in the 15th Century was able to occur because Europeans had the motivation and the

means to discover new lands to conquer. Europeans wanted to find places to trade because the Ottoman Empire had cut off Europe from trading on The Silk Roads, which had led to explorers wanting to discover new lands to conquer and/or trade with. With advanced naval technology that the Europeans took from Asia, they were able to get to The Americas and conquer these new lands. During this time period, Europe became decentralized and had many different kingdoms that wanted to conquer each other and gain power. To gain this power, explorers hoped to find riches wherever they went so that they could bring back gold, other precious metals or new ideas regarding technology and religion for their country. Another reason the Europeans wanted to explore new territories was to spread Christianity so that it would globalize, thus giving the church more power.

39. Describe the consequences of the Columbian Exchange. (Ryan Goh)o When Columbus first landed in the islands of Hispaniola, he did not realize the lasting

repercussions of his voyage, such as the introduction of new unintended organisms, the spread of new diseases, and the exchange of products and technologies between the New and Old World. These invasive species introduced to the new ecosystem included European livestock, which served as a reliable food source to the Natives. However, the European cattle and sheep overpopulated the area and ate much of the native plant life, destroying the food source and shelter for many of the native animal populations. Invasive scale insects from Africa destroyed the settlers agriculture, and provided a surplus of food for fire ants, which terrorized the Spanish missionaries. Another harmful effect of the Columbian Exchange included the introduction of new diseases to the New World. The Native Americans, never having experienced these diseases, had little to no immunity to these common European diseases, leading to mass epidemics responsible for killing an estimated “a few hundred thousand” Taino natives. These diseases included cholera, influenza, and smallpox. The final and main impact of the Columbian exchange was the exchange of foreign products between the New and Old Worlds. The Spanish explorers brought sugar cane, bananas, and coffee to grow in large plantations, and later bringing many African slaves to work these plantations. In exchange, the Spaniards shipped tomatoes, potatoes, corn, and peanuts, fostering an export-based economy, resulting in a new economic system known as mercantilism.

40. Compare the methods of conquest and colonization enacted by the Spanish and Portuguese. (TICKLER)o While the Spanish conquered territories in North and South America the Portuguese created planter colonies,

each resulting in varying degrees of success for their mother nation and a profound impact on the native populations and resulting diversity of the Americas. The foundations of both the colonies were laid down in the first stage of conquests from 1492-1570, when the main lines of administration and economy were set out in the Americas. Spanish expansion was driven by land conquest, exploitation, and Catholicism, which was its major religion. Portuguese expansion was largely driven by sea expansion and trade to areas such as the spice-rich countries of Asia. The Spanish were developing a large land-based army developed by their leader Castile. While conquering, the Spaniards were very focused on their economy and trade. In the Caribbean, encomiendas were granted to Spaniards which let them use Native Indians for labor, but they eventually were overcome with disease. Both Spain and Portugal created large colonial empires in the Americas that provided a basis of power. Territorial conquest was their main objective, but they reorganized the native populations around silver and farm production centers to then be progressively replaced by African slaves in the Caribbean colonies. The Spaniards based their tactics in small groups of highly trained, heavily armored nobleman usually in groups of 100 to 400 men. From there, they would ally with local tribes to rival with the main regional power, thus forming armies consisting of 10,000 highly organized troops.