SAQ questions

Question 1

Describe the Big picture from 1200-1450 CE

Answer 1

Major civilizations are growing larger while world religions continue to influence culture and life. Additionally, new technology like gunpowder and paper is developed. However, small states, local religions, and old technologies continue to decline.

Question 2

Define a State

Answer 2

An organized political community under one government

Question 3

What innovations continued the Golden Age for China, kept it an economic powerhouse, and helped unify China in this time period?

Answer 3

Paper, Gunpowder & expansion of the Grand Canal which was started in the Sui Dynasty. The Grand Canal boosted trade between regions and kept culture more consistent.

Question 4

Why was the introduction of Champa Rice important for the Song Dynasty?

Answer 4

It was a drought-resistant crop that matured early, increasing the amount of food available in the empire, and therefore increasing the population.

Question 5

What continuities existed in Chinese culture and government during the Song dynasty?

Answer 5

The revival of Confucianism and the expansion of the Civil Service Exam helped to bring order and stability to society while continuing the meritocracy within the imperial bureaucracy.

Question 6

Describe the condition of the Abbasid caliphate as the Song dynasty thrived.

Answer 6

From the 9th to the 12th century, the Abbasids were fractured by invaders and falling apart.

Question 7

Which other Muslim states were growing popular as the Abbasids declined?

Answer 7

The Delhi Sultanate in India (1206- 1526). The Mamluk Sultanate in North Africa (1250-1517).

Question 8

Who were the Mamluks?

Answer 8

Non-Muslims who were enslaved, forcibly converted to Islam, and became soldiers. They eventually overthrew an Egyptian sultanate to form their own sultanate.

Question 9

Compare the Song Dynasty and the Abbasid Dynasty in this era.

Answer 9

The Song Dynasty is flourishing politically, socially, and economically while the Abbasid Caliphate is dying politically, socially, and economically.

Question 10

In South Asia, what new states emerged that used trade to expand their influence in this period?

Answer 10

The Vijayanagara Empire (1336 CE1646 CE) and the Chola Kingdom (300s BCE to 1279 CE)

Question 11

How did the rulers of Mali increase their power?

Answer 11

Greater centralization than the Ghana Empire that preceded it. This was exemplified by their leader Mansa Musa.

Question 12

How did the Aztecs maintain control of their empire?

Answer 12

Conquered people were forced to pay tribute in goods or labor. This system was enforced by a strong military.

Question 13

How did the Inca improve and maintain their state?

Answer 13

The Mita system (mandatory public service/ labor tax)

Question 14

What was feudalism?

Answer 14

A rigid hierarchy of a social system existed in medieval Europe in which people worked and fought for nobles who gave them protection and land in return.

Question 15

How did Europe change through this time period and create more powerful states?

Answer 15

Lords lost their power to increasingly centralized monarchs who created more powerful states.

Question 16

What was the significance of Islam to state building in Afro-Eurasia?

Answer 16

Islam united people with shared beliefs and language (Arabic)

Question 17

What was the significance of Confucianism to state building in China?

Answer 17

Rulers used the principles of Confucianism to justify their rule. Additionally, bureaucratic officials took to the Civil Service Exam, based on the beliefs and values of Confucianism

Question 18

How were Hinduism and Buddhism significant in state building in S/SE Asia?

Answer 18

Both were used to consolidate power. Hinduism’s caste system was particularly useful for this.

Question 19

How was Catholicism significant to state building in Europe?

Answer 19

The Roman Catholic Church helped to provide structure in weak European states, but as states grew in power - they began to struggle to break away from the power of the Church in order to increase the power of secular authorities.

Question 20

What did all major world religions have in common in this era and what effect did they have?

Answer 20

They all spread. Christianity, Islam & Buddhism were conversionist religions. They all sent missionaries to different parts of the globe. This weakened local more indigenous religions.

Question 21

How did the creation the Delhi sultanate and the expansion of trade help to spread Islam?

Answer 21

In the Delhi Sultanate social conversions for opportunity and avoidance of the jizya eventually led to 25% of the population of India converting to Islam. Merchants, who traveled everywhere, brought more than goods with them. Those they interacted with learned about Islam, and the religion spread.

Question 22

What innovation from China helped to improve education as it spread west?

Answer 22

As paper-making technology spread it led to increased literacy in Europe, Southwest Asia, and North Africa.

Question 23

What was the Abbasid Dynasty’s house of wisdom in Baghdad?

Answer 23

It was a place where scholars gathered to study and translate important texts from Europe and Asia.

Question 24

What was the importance of the Mongols during this time period?

Answer 24

They controlled a vast territory across Afro-Eurasia increasing political stability and providing a safe environment that encouraged trade along the Silk Road. Their vast empire also led to increased cross-cultural interactions.

Question 25

How did the role of nomadic pastoralists change in this time period?

Answer 25

They were no longer the transmitters of culture and technology between peoples and empires. Instead, organized groups of merchants took on this role.