social studies flashcards grade 7

Question 1

Who was Constantine? What was he known for?

Answer 1

Constantine was the first emperor of the Byzantine Empire; known for moving the capital to Byzantium, which he renamed Constantinople.

Question 2

Where was Constantinople located?

Answer 2

The Bosporus Straight on a major trade route between Europe and Asia.

Question 3

How was Constantinople protected?

Answer 3

Surrounded by water on all three sides; heavy inner wall.

Question 4

How did trade benefit the Eastern Roman Empire?

Answer 4

Traders paid taxes which caused the empire to become wealthy.

Question 5

How did Justinian’s code affect the Byzantine empire?

Answer 5

The reorganization of Roman laws, decrees, and judges’ decisions
He was able to increase the size of the empire, causing later economic problems

Question 6

What was the Hagia Sophia?

Answer 6

A major accomplishment of Byzantine architecture (a Christian Church)

Question 7

What was the Great Schism?

Answer 7

The split between Christians in the Eastern Roman Empire and the Western Roman Empire

Question 8

What church had an influence on Byzantine culture? What language did they conduct services in?

Answer 8

Eastern Orthodox Church spoke Greek; Roman Catholic Church followed Western tradition of Christianity

Question 9

Describe the relationship between the Byzantine Emperor and the Pope?

Answer 9

The Byzantine Emperor held no authority over the Pope

Question 10

Describe the Nika Riots

Answer 10

Theodora addressed the court and encouraged her husband to fight the rioters.

Question 11

What did the North European plain provide Europe?

Answer 11

Flat, fertile farmland across the heart of the European continent

Question 12

The North Atlantic Drift had what kind of effect on the climate in Europe?

Answer 12

Created a warm, moist climate

Question 13

Describe how the location of the Ural Mountains affected life in Eastern Europe.

Answer 13

Divides Europe and Asia and is not affected by the North Atlantic Drift

Question 14

Which body of water separates Europe and England?

Answer 14

The English Channel

Question 15

List at least one effect of Pope Leo III crowning Charlemagne the Holy Roman Emperor.

Answer 15

It gave the pope the power to name future emperors

Question 16

How did we know Charlemagne valued education?

Answer 16

He started a school in his palace and allowed the sons of nobles and poor people to attend.

Question 17

What is Christendom?

Answer 17

The large community of Christians scattered across the world

Question 18

How did the Catholic Church maintain their authority?

Answer 18

controlled the sacraments

Question 19

A secluded area in which Monks lived and prayed is known as what?

Answer 19

monastery

Question 20

In medieval Europe who had the most power?

Answer 20

the pope

Question 21

Which group of people made sure that ancient books survived during the Dark Ages?

Answer 21

monks

Question 22

Which tech advancement helped the Vikings be such successful raiders?

Answer 22

Their longships were fast and could travel on rivers.

Question 23

What was the basis of Medieval European society? (Hierarchy)

Answer 23

Feudalism:
-kings
-nobles
-knights
-serfs

Question 24

What is a fief?

Answer 24

land that nobles received in exchange for loyalty to the king

Question 25

What role (what was their job) did Knights play in Medieval society?

Answer 25

protection; protect the lord

Question 26

Why was the Battle of Hastings fought?

Answer 26

Both William (Duke of Normandy) and Harold (Godwinson) claimed a right to be King of England

Question 27

Who was Pope Urban? Why is he important?

Answer 27

Called for the first crusade in 1095

Question 28

List at least one result of the Crusades.

Answer 28

there was an increase in trade and cultural exchange (diffusion) between Europe and the Middle East

Question 29

What was the reason for the Crusades?

Answer 29

win back control of the Holy Land

Question 30

Describe the relationship between King Richard I and Saladin.

Answer 30

They respected each other.

Question 31

Describe the conflict between Pope Gregory VII and Henry IV

Answer 31

Henry IV tried to remove Pope Gregory from his papal office. Pope Gregory punished Henry by forcing him to stand out in the snow.

Question 32

What is heresy? How does this relate to Christians during the Crusades?

Answer 32

Jews and Christians were accused of heresy and persecuted during the Crusades; not following rules of the Church

Question 33

What is common law?

Answer 33

based on custom and judges’ previous decisions

Question 34

What is habeas corpus?

Answer 34

prevents imprisoning someone without evidence

Question 35

When and why did representative government start in England?

Answer 35

Kings began seeking advice about taxes from their barons

Question 36

How did the growth of towns impact the power of feudal lords?

Answer 36

Feudal lords were required to ask the king for charters

Question 37

What impact did trade have on Kings during the 1100’s?

Answer 37

Kings became wealthier and politically stronger

Question 38

Why is the Magna Carta important?

Answer 38

important to democracy because it showed that the king was not above the law

Question 39

How did the Hundred Years’ War impact England and France?

Answer 39

it helped each nation unify and develop a sense of nationalism

Question 40

What was a result of the Hundred Years’ War?

Answer 40

loyalty to the king grew, causing the feudal system to weaken

Question 41

What was the Spanish Inquisition?

Answer 41

intended to promote Catholicism in Spain

Question 42

What was the Reconquista?

Answer 42

the movement to drive out the Muslims from Spain

Question 43

How was the Bubonic Plague spread?

Answer 43

through trading networks

Question 44

How did European society change because of the black death? How did this impact religion?

Answer 44

interest in Science and Medicine; created doubt in church leadership

Question 45

Describe the civil service exam. What was it based on, what topics did it cover, and who took it?

Answer 45

Confucianism influenced the Song government through the civil service exam; based on the teaching of Confucius.

Question 46

Which crop had the largest impact on China?

Answer 46

rice

Question 47

Describe merit? Why was it important?

Answer 47

Tang Dynasty’s bureaucracy was based on one’s ability

Question 48

What is a money economy?

Answer 48

people use currency to trade and exchange goods

Question 49

What was the Grand Canal?

Answer 49

large man-made waterway in China

Question 50

Who was Genghis Khan and why is he important?

Answer 50

known as a talented military ruler; united the Mongols

Question 51

Why were Mongol armies so successful?

Answer 51

they were quick to adapt their military tactics and technology

Question 52

The Mongols affected Asia in many ways, how did they impact trade?

Answer 52

improved the safety of the silk roads

Question 53

Why was the invention of Block printing important?

Answer 53

led to the creation of books

Question 54

What is Emperor Yongle known for?

Answer 54

built the Forbidden City

Question 55

How was the invention of the compass important?

Answer 55

helped European sailors navigate

Question 56

Where does most of the Japanese diet come from and why?

Answer 56

Comes from the ocean because mountains limit land in Japan for growing crops

Question 57

The same movement that created the volcanoes in Japan also causes what?

Answer 57

earthquakes, tsunamis

Question 58

Describe Japan’s geography

Answer 58

mountainous, little land available for farming, most settled along the coast

Question 59

Who defeated the Taira clan to become the first shogun?

Answer 59

Minamoto Yoritomo

Question 60

Make a connection between clans and the early Japanese government.

Answer 60

government based on the Clans

Question 61

Describe the importance of the Tale of Genji and who wrote it?

Answer 61

Lady Murasaki Shukubu; it gave a vivid description of life as a Japanese noble and time in court. Historians also say it is the first novel ever written.

Question 62

Describe Shinto.

Answer 62

native religion of Japan

Question 63

How did the Fujiwara rise to power?

Answer 63

had their daughters marry emperors

Question 64

What is animism?

Answer 64

The idea that plants and other objects have a soul

Question 65

Draw the social hierarchy of feudal Japan. Explain the role of the samurai.

Answer 65

Samurai reported to the daimyo (Shogun - Daimyo - Samurai - Peasants)

Question 66

Describe the focus of the Heian period of Japan.

Answer 66

art and romance