Unit 0 Study Guide Flashcards
What was the Agricultural Revolution? How did it start?
The Agricultural Revolution, also known as the Neolithic Revolution, began around 8000 BCE. The climate was warming from an Ice Age. As it did, humans began to plant crops and raise livestock for food.
What were the lasting effects of the Agricultural Revolution?
Since one part of the population produced enough food to feed everyone, the other parts of the population could specialize in non-food producing activities. 1. The population grew. People lived in larger settlements that eventually developed into cities. 2. People became highly skilled in one job. Ex: artisans, merchants, priests, etc. 3. People developed new technology. They learned how to improve irrigation systems, make use of the wheel in transportation, and replace stone with metals for making art and tools. 4. People created more extensive government and taxation. The desire to keep records about trade and taxes led to the development of writing. 5. Competition for resources and the accumulation of wealth increased group conflicts. 6. People became more sharply divided into social classes by wealth and occupation. The status of women declined.
What is considered to be the “first civilization?” Describe characteristics of this civilization.
Mesopotamia. Located near the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Several cultures emerged from this region, many based on city-states. All city-states were highly patriarchal, built monumental architecture such as religious temples called ziggurats, and engaged in long-distance trade. The people were polytheistic. As taxes and trade became more advanced, the Sumerians developed cuneiform, the first written language. They used cuneiform to record the first written laws. Participated in state expansion and empire building.
What is a centralized power? What specific examples of civilizations did we study that would be considered centralized governments?
A centralized power system refers to a form of governance where all decision-making powers are concentrated in a central authority. This type of government concentrates executive and legislative power at a higher level, rather than distributing it among lower-level governments. Persian Empire, Qin Dynasty, Han Dynasty, Maurya and Gupta Empires,
What characteristics do the classical civilizations share?
The classical civilizations were mainly polytheistic. They each had their own unique written language they developed. They all had a belief in social hierarchy. They relied on a complex economic system.They developed complex art and architecture.
Compare/Contrast. Buddhism and Hinduism. Founders. Sacred Texts Deities.
Hinduism founder = N/A. Buddhism founder = Siddhartha Gautama (the Budha). Hinduism Sacred Text = The Vedas and Upanishads. Buddhism Sacred Text = Tripitaka. Hinduism = Polytheistic. Buddhism = Non-theistic (believed in gods but not as creator gods). Both Buddhism and Hinduism believed in reincarnation and the goal to eventually end the cycle through spiritual advancement. Hinduism embraced a caste system, while Buddhism did not
Compare/Contrast. Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Founders. Sacred Texts. Deities.
Christianity, Judaism, and Islam are all Abrahamic religions and monotheistic. Judaism founder = Abraham. Christianity Founder = Jesus. Islam founder = Muhammad. Judaism Sacred Text = Torah. Christianity Sacred Text = Bible. Islam Sacred Text = Qur’an and Hadith. Judaism Deity = Yahweh. Christianity Deity = Jesus. Islam Deity = Allah.
What is Zoroastrianism? What are its main tenets?
One of the first monotheistic religions, particularly one with a wide following. It was central to the political and religious culture of ancient Persia. Humans have free will and must make an important choice in life. If they follow the righteous path of Asha, practicing good thoughts, good words, and good deeds, and will spend their afterlife in paradise.
What was the Civil Service Exam and what impact did it have on Han China?
In the Civil Service exam, students analyzed Confucian teachings. Those who scored well received prestigious jobs in the government bureaucracy. This produced a government of well-educated individuals and allowed for some social mobility.
Describe the Five Pillars of Islam.
The Five Pillars of Islam are professions of faith (belief in one god called Allah), ritual prayer, almsgiving (giving money or food to the poor), fasting, and a pilgrimage to Mecca.
How did Muhammad’s death impact Islam?
After Muhammad’s death, the Sunni and Shi’a emerged from the beliefs of Islam. Sunni believed that Muhammad had no rightful heir and that religious leaders should be voted. Shi’a believed that only Muhammad and his descendants of blood should be the right religious leaders. This caused mass conflict.
