Before 1200: Patterns in World History Flashcards
Describe some aspects of the Paleolithic Era.
The Paleolithic people lived in small, close-knit groups and frequently moved to gather resources and to hunt. These groups lacked gender and social inequality, yet thrived in cultural aspects- as seen in cave paintings and sculptures.
Why did the Paleolithic people begin to live in settled villages?
Agricultural villages allowed stability for those who lived in them. They provided shelter, food, and protection, and everyone within them worked together- allowing more time for cultural creativity and innovation.
Describe Pastoral societies.
Pastoral societies were people who depended on animals in places where farming was impractical. They moved with the seasons to feed their animals who were used for their meat, hides, and milk.
How did Agricultural and Pastoral societies interact?
Pastoral people would seek access to the grazing lands, crops, and products of the Agricultural people- resulting in conflict. Pastoral peoples and those of Agricultural societies would also exchange ideas, products, and people- resulting in innovation.
Describe a chiefdom.
A chief (often male) came to power through inheritance and compelled obedience by gift giving, generosity, status, or personality. The role of the chief was to conduct rituals and ceremonies and resolve conflicts. Tribute was given from the people in various forms, and some would be distributed to the warriors and craftsmen.
Why might the Eastern Hemisphere have a larger number of civilizations compared to the Western Hemisphere?
The Western Hemisphere is bordered by oceans. A land bridge between the two existed for only a short time, and therefore the population of the Western Hemisphere was never as great as the Eastern Hemisphere.
How did Agricultural Villages come to form civilizations?
A productive agricultural economy would support a great deal of people who did not produce their own food. These villages became the first civilizations, and rural cities became a feature. These civilizations generated states and governing structures.
List at least five (5) major civilizations.
- Meso-American
- Andean
- Western Christendom
- Eastern Christendom
- Islamic
- Indian
- Chinese
- Southeast Asian
How did large civilizations impact the environment?
Large populations would turn the soil white (accumulation of salt) from rigorous irrigation. Deforestation, erosion, drained swamps, and terracing were also consequences.
What led to the downfall of the Maya civilization?
Rapid population growth (5 million+), deforestation, and the erosion of hillsides led to prolonged droughts and their eventual collapse by 900 C.E. .
Compare and contrast pre-1200 civilizations.
Civilizations differed in their geographical limitations, social structure, and range and extent of influence. They all consisted of slaves and a form of patriarchy.
The Chinese, Roman, Persian, and many other empires expanded over a large area, while the Greek and Maya were organized in competitive city-states. The Chinese civilization determined government officials using an examination system. India determined the elite by religious status and ritual purity. The Roman civilization dominated the Mediterranean between 500 BCE and 500 CE while the Chinese directly influenced the culture of Asia and indirectly influenced the economy of Eurasia for far longer.
List four (4) characteristics of Hinduism.
- The Upanishads is a collection of philosophical ideas provided by anonymous authors.
- Atman, or the human soul, is part of Brahman, the final and ultimate reality.
- The goal of humankind is moksha, or achieving union with Brahman.
- Samsara is the notion of rebirth, as moksha is thought to take many lifetimes to achieve.
- The law of karma determines a persons status in the next life based on the purity of their actions.
Atman, Brahman, moksha, samsara, karma.
List four (4) characteristics of Buddhism.
- Suffering is the result of human desire.
- Following the eight-fold path will result in nirvana, a state of enlightenment in which personal identity is extinguished.
- One must overcome the ego.
- Karma.
List three (3) differences and (3) similarities in the teachings of Hinduism and Buddhism.
- Life is an illusion.
- Karma and rebirth.
- The practice of meditation.
- Overcome the ego.
- The Buddha argued the caste system as a barrier to enlightenment.
- Hindus believe in the assistance of gods throughout ones spiritual development.
- Hindus sought to reach moksha, Buddhists sought to seek nirvana.
Contrast Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism.
Theravada Buddhism advertised time-consuming meditation, withdraw from ordinary life, and the absence of supernatural figures (though never completely denied their existence).
Mahayana Buddhism expressed compassion, followed supernatural beings (such as the Buddha) and Bodhisattvas (enlightened beings who remained to assist humanity), and promoted religious merit (protective force that accumulate from good acts and thoughts). It was more accessible and allowed the possibility of enlightenment within a single lifetime.
Describe the bhakti movement.
This involved devotion to one of India’s gods or goddesses and identification with him/her through songs, prayers, and rituals- pushing against the containment of caste, gender, and hierarchy. It allowed one to find salvation through simple living and fulfilling rituals of devotion.
What does Confucianism teach?
Human society is organized in unequal relationships (father to son, husband to wife, ruler to subject), but if the superior party treats the lesser with sincerity, kindness, and genuine concern then the lesser will obey and harmony will prevail. It promoted education in language, literature, history, philosophy, and ethics to maintain moral qualities, and the family became a model for political life. The most senior family members were treated with the utmost respect and children obeyed with unquestioning obedience.
How does Daoism differ Confucianism?
Daoists saw efforts for moral improvement as futile and pointless. It urged spontaneous and individualistic behavior.
Where Confucianism focused on human relationships, Daoism urged withdraw into nature and its mysterious patterns.
How does the yin yang symbol represent the Chinese attitude towards differing philosophies?
Although Daoism and Confucianism went against each other, the Chinese elite viewed them as complementing (such as male and female). For example, one may practice Confucianism during the day, return home and pursue simplicity, meditation, and other peaceful activities as taught by Daoism.
Compare and contrast the monotheistic religions.
Judaism began among the Hebrews and promote the idea of a jealous yet righteous and moral god.
Christianity began with Jesus of Nazarath who sought to revitalize Judaism. He taught of love and compassion.
Islam began with Muhammad, who wrote the Quran, and demanded social justice and a unified society.
All of these are intolerant to other religions, but are universally available.
How do the teachings of the Buddha and Jesus compare, and it what ways did the religions evolve?
Buddhism and Christianity both teach of suffering, oppression, and exploitation. Against this they promote love, compassion, and empathy. Instead of seeking wealth and power one should seek to better ones character and appreciate life.
Both Buddhism and Christianity branched into subsets of their religion- such as Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism, as well as Orthodox Christianity and Catholicism. Buddhism took hold in Asia, and Christianity took hold in Europe.
List four (4) factors that may lead to division within a religion.
- Geography (Christianity).
- Availability/inclusiveness (Buddhism).
- Fulfillment and comfort (Buddhism, bhakti movement).
- Differences in language, culture, and political regime (Christianity).
How does power influence religion? Provide examples.
Those with power have the ability to spread a religion, such as Emperor Constantine’s proclamation of Christianity as the state religion, but they also have the ability to persecute a religion, as seen in the execution of Jesus of Nazareth and Muhammad’s forced leave of Mecca.
How did Muhammad’s profession as a merchant influence the early years of Islam?
As a merchant, Muhammad was in a position to see the hoarding of wealth, exploitation of the poor, corrupt businesses, and neglect of widows and orphans. However, as he began conquering Arabia, he was no longer in a position to truly see those social injustices.
