POD Quiz 7 Flashcards
Why were the Crusades first launched, and what was their main purpose?
Why Were the Crusades Launched?
The Crusades were called for by Pope Urban II in 1095 to reclaim Jerusalem and the Holy Land from Muslim control.
Christians were motivated by the belief that Jerusalem, the site of Jesus’s life and resurrection, was their sacred land.
Main Purpose of the Crusades
To protect Christian pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land who faced dangers on their journey.
To unite European Christians under a common cause, strengthening the Church’s power.
To expand Christian territory and reclaim Jerusalem which had come under Muslim control.
What motivated different groups, including the Pope, knights, nobles, and common people, to join the First Crusade?
Pope Urban II
The Pope wanted to reclaim Jerusalem from Muslim control, strengthen the power of the Church, and unite Christians.
Knights
Knights joined seeking glory, adventure, and the chance to use their combat skills and gain wealth and land while fulfilling their religious duty.
Nobles
Nobles hoped to expand their influence, gain territory, and increase their political power through the Crusade.
Common People
Commoners joined believing they would be forgiven for their sins and rewarded spiritually and possibly gain wealth and to escape feudal life.
What was the Kings’ Crusade and its outcome?
What Was the Kings’ Crusade?
The Kings’ Crusade, also called the Third Crusade (1189-1192), was led by King Richard I of England, King Philip II of France, and Emperor
Frederick Barbarossa of the Holy Roman Empire.
Its goal was to recapture Jerusalem from
Muslim leader Saladin, after his victory in the Battle of Hattin.
Outcome of the Kings’ Crusade
The Crusaders regained some coastal cities but failed to recapture Jerusalem.
A peace treaty between Richard and Saladin allowed Christian pilgrims to visit the Holy Land safely, though it remained under Muslim control.
What were the long-term effects of the Crusades on Europe and the Muslim world?
Increased Trade and Cultural Exchange
The Crusades boosted trade between Europe and the Middle East, introducing goods like spices, silk, and new technologies.
Cultural ideas, including scientific knowledge from the Islamic world, spread to Europe.
Political Changes
Kings gained more power as nobles died in battle, weakening the feudal system.
The Pope’s authority shifted as conflicts between religious and political power grew.
Religious Tensions
The Crusades caused long-lasting conflict between Christians & Muslims.
Relations with Jewish communities also worsened due to persecution.
Explain why Africa is referred to as the “mother continent.”
Origin of Humanity
Africa is considered the birthplace of humanity, with fossil evidence suggesting our earliest ancestors originated here over 6 million years ago.
This significant anthropological heritage makes Africa central to human history.
Rich Cultural History
Africa gave rise to some of the first and most influential empires in the world, like the kingdoms of Mali and Egypt, which were centers for learning, art, and architecture.
These cultures shared their knowledge with the world, creating a legacy in fields like writing, government, and trade that we can still see influences from today.
List and describe Africa’s six main climate zones.
Desert
Very dry with extreme temperatures
Highlands
Cooler climate with more rain
Savanna
Warm all year with some rain; grasslands
Tropical Rainforest
Hot, humid, and rainy; dense forest
Humid Subtropical
Hot, wet summers and cooler, dry winters; vegetation
Semi-Arid
More rain than deserts but still dry, with grasses, and shrubs
Explain the key characteristics of the African savanna.
Serengeti Plains in Tanzania and the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya are the two most well known savannas
Seasonal Patterns
The savanna is known for its two main seasons: a long dry season and a short wet season.
Diverse Wildlife
Home to a rich variety of wildlife, including zebras and elephants, and predators like lions and cheetahs
Sparse Vegetation
Grasslands with scattered trees which adapted to survive in the savanna’s dry climate and store water during dry periods.
Known for its iconic baobab and acacia trees
How do Africa’s semi-arid regions compare to its deserts in terms of climate, vegetation, and how people live there?
Climate
Deserts: Extremely hot during the day, cold at night, and receive less than 10 inches of rain annually.
Semi-Arid Regions:
Slightly more rainfall than deserts, but still dry with long periods of drought. Temperatures are less extreme than in deserts.
Vegetation
Deserts: Sparse vegetation like cacti and small shrubs that can survive with little water.
Semi-Arid Regions: Grasslands, bushes, and scattered trees, which provide more plant cover than deserts.
How People Live
Deserts: People rely on oasis farming, trade routes, and nomadic herding to survive. Water is scarce, and life is difficult.
Semi-Arid Regions: People farm drought-resistant crops, and they raise livestock. There is more opportunity for farming than in deserts, but droughts can still cause hardship.
