Chapter 1 - Before 1200 Flashcards
Q: By 1200 BCE, where had humans spread?
A: By 1200 BCE, humans had spread to nearly every major landmass excluding Antarctica.
Q: Compare how Chinese and Indian civilizations structured their societies.
A: Chinese civilization prioritized education and bureaucratic merit, while Indian society was structured by religious status and caste.
Q: How did Christianity develop from Jesus of Nazareth’s teachings?
A: Christianity emerged from Jesus’ teachings about a personal deity, social justice, and spiritual renewal, evolving into a separate religion with a hierarchical church structure.
Q: How did civilizations change social structures and occupations?
A: Civilizations introduced various occupations like scholars, merchants, priests, and officials, with complex social hierarchies.
Q: How did civilizations impact their environments?
A: Intensive agriculture led to environmental changes like deforestation, soil erosion, and irrigation impacts.
Q: How did gender equality change with the rise of civilizations?
A: Gender equality generally worsened as patriarchy became more entrenched.
Q: How did the Agricultural Revolution impact population and settlement?
A: It led to growing populations, settled villages, and a boom in technological innovation.
Q: Name some technological and scientific innovations from early civilizations.
A: Innovations include Chinese bureaucracy, silk products, gunpowder, Islamic advances in mathematics, medicine, and astronomy.
Q: What are pastoral societies, and where were they commonly found?
A: Pastoral societies relied on domesticated animals for food, transport, and warfare, and were commonly found in Asia and parts of Africa.
Q: What are the main beliefs of Hinduism?
A: Hinduism includes beliefs in a vast array of gods, reincarnation, karma, and the ultimate goal of union with Brahman.
Q: What characterized Paleolithic societies?
A: Paleolithic societies were small-scale, mobile, nomadic groups of 25-50 people who depended on wild plants and animals.
Q: What cultural expressions were prominent during the Paleolithic era?
A: Cultural creativity was reflected in cave paintings and sculptures.
Q: What defines a civilization?
A: Civilizations are societies based in cities and governed by states, a product of the Agricultural Revolution.
Q: What does Daoism emphasize?
A: Daoism emphasizes simplicity, nature, and spontaneity, often contrasting with Confucian ideals.
Q: What does the Paleolithic era represent in terms of human history?
A: The Paleolithic era, or Old Stone Age, represents 95% of the time humans have occupied the planet.
Q: What is the difference between Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism?
A: Theravada Buddhism views the Buddha as a wise teacher, while Mahayana Buddhism offers a more accessible spiritual path and emphasizes universal enlightenment.
Q: What marks the beginning of the Agricultural Revolution?
A: The Agricultural Revolution marks the transition to deliberate cultivation of plants and the taming and breeding of animals.
Q: What role did the bhakti movement play in Hinduism?
A: The bhakti movement emphasized devotion to deities like Vishnu and Shiva, and sought salvation through devotion and good deeds. Challenged the caste hierarchy
Q: What was a common conflict between pastoral and agricultural societies?
A: There was often conflict over access to rich farming lands, though there was also peaceful exchange of ideas.
Q: What was Confucianism’s main focus?
A: Confucianism focused on social harmony through respect for unequal relationships, education, and ritual.
Q: What was the typical life expectancy during the Paleolithic era?
A: Life expectancy was around 35 years.
Q: What were the main branches of Islam, and what caused the split?
A: Islam split into Sunni and Shia branches over disagreements about Muhammad’s rightful successor.
Q: What were the Silk Roads, Sea Roads, and Sand Roads?
A: The Silk Roads linked China and the Mediterranean, the Sea Roads connected the Indian Ocean and South China Sea, and the Sand Roads linked North Africa with West Africa.
Q: When did Homo sapiens first emerge, and where?
A: Homo sapiens emerged about 300,000 years ago in Africa.