Mid Term Review

1.What is pre-history? Period in history before writing was invented

2.Where is the Great Rift Valley? Why is it an important location? Located in Africa. Believed to be the area where humans first appeared in Africa. Lucy discovered there. Mary & Louis Leakey- anthropologists.

3. What are the features/elements/characteristics of a civilization? 3. What are the features/elements/characteristics of a civilization? 1.Cities 2.Centralized Government 3.Public works 4.System of writing 5.Organized religion 6.Job specialization 7.Art & Architecture 8.Social Classes

4.What was the Neolithic Revolution? Change from hunting and gathering lifestyle (nomadic) to a farming lifestyle People learned to farm

5. What is subsistence agriculture? Producing just enough for basic needs and survival- for your own family (no surplus)

6. What is surplus agriculture? Producing extra amounts, allows population to grow.

7. What is produced in a traditional economic system? Agriculture, farming Generation after generation doing the same job Usually providing for yourself most of what you need

8.Why did civilizations begin in river valleys? Good soil- fertile Allows surplus crops- population grows Transportation, irrigation, etc.

9. What is cultural diffusion? Spread of ideas through trade, migration, and warfare

10. What does an archaeologist study? Studies artifacts to learn about cultures

11. What does a geographer study? Studies people and their interaction with environment.

12. What does an anthropologist study? Studies people and culture

13. What does an economist study? Studies how people use the resources available to them.

14. What are primary sources? First hand accounts of information. Examples: journal or diary entries.

15.Why were the ancient Egyptians successful in agriculture? Nile River Valley- good, fertile land Irrigation systems

16. What was the form of writing used by ancient Egyptians? Hieroglyphics

17. What two rivers provided resources for the people of Mesopotamia? Tigris and Euphrates Rivers

18. What was the form of writing used by ancient Mesopotamians called? Cuneiform- wedge-shaped writing on clay tablets

19. What was Hammurabi’s Code? First written set of laws Legal system with harsh punishments Fair for all

20. What was the Phoenician civilization know for? Carriers of Civilization- trade and travel around the Mediterranean Sea. Created alphabet, glass

21. What rivers provided for India’s first civilization? Indus River and Ganges River

22. How did seasonal monsoons affect India? Helped with agriculture. Hurt if caused flooding. Timing and amount mattered!

23. What was unique about the Indus valley cities of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro? Well-planned out: cities were formed in grid patterns sewage systems

24. What was the caste system in India? Social class system Can’t change your position in life until after reincarnation

25. What is a golden age? Time of peace and prosperity Many achievements

26. What were some of the achievements of the Gupta Golden Age in India? Gupta = Golden Age Decimal System Concept of Zero Vaccines Surgery Wrote Books Architectural Achievements

27. Who was Asoka and what was important about his rule? Ruler in India- conquered vast amounts of land Converted to Buddhism

28. Where were the earliest Chinese civilizations located? Huang He River (or Yellow River)

29. What geographic barriers led to China being more isolated than other civilizations? Isolated by: Mountains Ocean Jungles Desert

30. What is ethnocentrism? Why did this develop in China? Belief that your culture is superior to all other culture. Chinese were very isolated, believed for a long time that they were the only people on the earth.

31. What were the major beliefs of Confucius? 5 Relationships Son obeys father Younger brother obeys older brother Wife obeys her husband Subject obeys ruler Friend to friend Filial Piety Leaders must be well educated

32. What were the basic beliefs of Taoism/Daoism? Best government is no government Government is not natural, causes more problems than it helps

33.What were the basic beliefs of Legalism? Strict laws and harsh punishments are the only way to govern People are naturally evil, need to be governed

34.What was the dynastic cycle in China? Rise and fall of dynasties (ruling families) Dynasty ages and loses mandate of heaven New dynasty takes over

35.Why was the Silk Road important? Served as a trade route between China and the West Silk becomes a major export in China

Greece

36. What was similar about the Minoans and Mycenaean's? Sea trade and travel Earliest Greek civilizations

37.What geographic features isolated the city-states of ancient Greece? Mountains/islands isolated Harbors and seas promote trade

38. What occurred during the Golden Age of Greece? Advances in art, science, technology, architecture. Pericles was the leader

39. What kind of government did ancient Athens practice? Direct democracy- all citizens had the right to attend the Assembly All male citizens could vote

40. What was Sparta best known for? Warfare Highly trained military

41. What were the major long- term contributions of ancient Greece that are still used today in the United States? Democracy Use of architecture- columns

42. Why was Alexander the Great an important figure? Spread of Greek culture Conquered lands in Europe, Asia, Africa

43. What was the Hellenistic Civilization? Blend of Greek, Persian, Egyptian culture by Alex the Great

Rome

44. What culture did Rome borrow many beliefs and teachings from? Greek Civilization

45. What were the Twelve Tables of Rome? System of laws that were written down. Protected the rights of the accused.

46. What was Rome’s greatest contribution to western society? Legal System- 12 Tables of Rome

47. What were the types of government in the Roman Empire? Republic Empire

48. What happened to society after the fall of the Roman Empire? Chaos in Rome, disorder, the empire splits Dark Ages in Europe

49. What were the major reasons for the decline of the Roman Empire? Too large to rule over Corruption in the government Invasion

50. What cultural impact did Greece and Rome have on western civilization? Government System of Laws Architecture

51. What was the Pax Romana? Roman Peace- Golden Age

Americas

52. What were the major influences left by the Mayas? Polytheistic- rituals Scientific knowledge Advances in art and architecture

53. What were the major influences left by the Aztec? Polytheistic- rituals to please the gods Advances in science- farming: chinampas Adapted to their geography Skilled warriors

54. What were the major influences left by the Incas? Adapted to the geography- Andes Mountains (Terrace Farming) System of roads and communication Scientific knowledge Many gods- rituals to please them

55. What was similar about the civ of Americas? All developed in difficult terrain- NOT RIVER VALLEYS Advanced civilizations Polytheistic

56. What was the early belief of animism? Belief that all objects, people and animals had a spirit. Earliest spiritual beliefs, not a formal religion. Cave paintings, buried dead with care- first clues.

57. What is polytheism? Belief in many gods. Example: Hinduism

57. What is monotheism? Belief in only one god Ex: Judaism

58. What were the major beliefs of Judaism? Monotheistic Torah is the holy text 10 Commandments

59. What were the major beliefs of Hinduism? Polytheistic Dharma, Karma, Moksha Reincarnation Caste System Vedas and Upanishads are holy texts Meditation

60. What were the major beliefs of Buddhism? Siddhartha Gautama is the founder Meditation Peaceful 4 Noble Truths 8 Fold Path Reincarnation Nirvana

61. What were the major beliefs of Christianity? Monotheistic Believe Jesus is the Son of God Bible is the holy text 10 Commandments Can gain salvation

62. What were the similarities between Buddhism and Hinduism? Both emerge in India Idea of reincarnation Meditation

63. What were the similarities between Christianity and Judaism? Same god Monotheism 10 Commandments Heaven and Hell