Unit 1: The Global Tapestry

Question 1

Describe the Abbasid Caliphate.

Answer 1

May be considered the Song of the South; fell in 1258 C.E. (when the Mongols arrived); oversaw a golden age beginning in the 9th century of arts and sciences

Question 2

What’s the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate? Why is it important?

Answer 2

The capital of the Abbasid Caliphate is Baghdad. It preserved Greco-Roman classical knowledge and was home to advancements to mathematics and medicine (e.g., the Canon of Medicine).

Question 3

What was the Islamic Empire built on?

Answer 3

The Islamic Empire was built on trade; credit and itemized receipts and bills (for recording transactions and debt) was introduced by merchants

Question 4

List reasons why the Abbasid Caliphate fell.

Answer 4

• internal rivalries arose (i.e., Sunni and Shia [the latter believing that the Islamic Empire should’ve been a dynasty])
• differences between ethnic groups
• rise of rival factions, like the Seljuk Turks (a Sunni nomadic group from Central Asia)
• rivalry with Byzantium, Western Europe, and the Persians
• absolute fatality dealt with the conquest of the Mongols in 1258

Question 5

List reasons why the Abbasid Caliphate fell.

Answer 5

• internal rivalries arose (i.e., Sunni and Shia [the latter believing that the Islamic Empire should’ve been a dynasty])
• differences between ethnic groups
• rise of rival factions, like the Seljuk Turks (a Sunni nomadic group from Central Asia)
• rivalry with Byzantium, Western Europe, and the Persians
• absolute fatality dealt with the conquest of the Mongols in 1258

Question 6

Who were the Mamluks?

Answer 6

An Egyptian, Muslim group that managed to defeat the Mongols and retreated to Egpty to establish a sultanate that lasted until the 16th century; helped preserve Islam

Question 7

Give context for Europe’s situation before and during this time period.

Answer 7

It was in the Middle Ages.
The eastern Roman Empire became Byzantium.
The fall of the western Roman Empire divided the area.
Both regions practiced different forms of Christianity.

Question 8

The time period of the Middle Ages?

Answer 8

The fall of the Roman Empire to the advent of the Renaissance.

Question 9

What is SCP-EET?

Answer 9

Social
Cultural
Political
Economic
Environmental
Technology

Question 10

What is feudalism?

Answer 10

A sociopolitical system that arises in decentralized societies that has a strict hierarchy.

Question 11

Describe the hierarchy of fuedalism.

Answer 11

King
Nobles (who would give loyalty and military service in exchange for land)
Vassals (would give loyalty and military service for fiefs/manors)
(Positions continue)
Peasants (who worked the land)
You are also required to serve those of all levels higher than yourself.

Question 12

Why were manors self-sufficient?

Answer 12

Because advancements such as the three-field-system (one field for spring, another for winter, and the last for fallow harvest) were made.
Peasants were also not allowed to leave the manor without their lord’s permission so they often developed the skills required to live on the land independently.

Question 13

Would fights occur between the lords of the manors?

Answer 13

Yes, but they abides by the code of chivalry, which heavily condemns betrayal and made these feuds pretty refined.

Question 14

Were women given a role in the feudal system?

Answer 14

No, because it was male-dominanted and land was inherited via primogeniture; noblewomen were trophy wives

Question 15

Was Western Europe engaging widely with the world during this time?

Answer 15

No, especially because the feudal system allowed for self-sufficiency but also because they were cut off from major trading networks because of Byzantium

Question 16

By the 11th century, Europe was engaging with the wider world. How?

Answer 16

As servants and peasants became more skilled at various crafts, trade began occuring and towns and cities began being tended to by these skilled workers for income. This chipped away at the feudal system.

Question 17

Give some context for the emergence of nation states in Europe.

Answer 17

People who spoke a language identified with the origin of that language (i.e., Germans grouping with Germans).

Question 18

How were Germany and Italy?

Answer 18

By the 13th century, Germany became decentralized in a period of interregnum with no successor when the monarch passed. Italy was also divided into competitive city-states. In such an environment, merchants and tradespeople were more powerful than the government.

Question 19

How was England?

Answer 19

England unified rather quickly as it had followed a strict monarchy since the reign of William the Conqueror. However, during King John’s rule (with pressure from the nobles), the Magna Carta was signed (1215) to give feudal rights to nobles and burghers (middle class). An assembly was made for nobles from different parts of the country; this later on came to be the Parliament. It was split into the House of Lords (nobles and clergy) and the House of Commoners (burghers).

Question 20

How was France?

Answer 20

King Hugh Capet’s descendants expanded his French territory, but England wanted more territory. Joan of Arc was inspired to liberate France from English rule and helped in the Hundred Years’ War (1347-1453). England eventually backed off, and under the Bourbons, a series of monarchs, France was centralized.

Question 21

How was Spain?

Answer 21

Queen Isabella of Castile (in Central Spain) unified the region by marrying Christian hier to the Kingdom of Aragon, King Ferdinand. The couple made an allyship with the Church, thereby starting Spanish Inquisition as non-Christians (Muslims) were exiled or forced into Christianity.

Question 22

How was Russia?

Answer 22

In 1242, Russia succumbed to the Tatars (Mongols); their rule solidified the rift between Eastern and Western Europe. Ivan III expanded Muscovy territory and called himself a czar in the late 1400s, when Mongol rule was declining. By 1450, Ivan the Terrible centralized power in Russia.

Question 23

What were the two golden ages of China?

Answer 23

The Song dynasty (ended in 1279, also was the age of Neo-Confucianism with prevalent foot-binding)
The Ming dynasty (ended in 1644)

Question 24

What countries did China directly influence?

Answer 24

Korea, Vietnam, and Cambodia

Question 25

When and how did Mahayana and Zen Buddhism thrive in China?

Answer 25

After the fall of the Han dynasty; Mahayana was appealing because it promotes a life detached from worlds values, and Zen was appealing because of it’s appreciate of beauty, so it appealed to Confucian practitioners.

Question 26

Describe Japan during this time period.

Answer 26

• consists of four main islands off the coast of East Asia
• was isolated so exchange with the rest of the world was slowed
• the Japanese consider birth to be more important than outside influences/education
• Shintoism remained prevalent

Question 27

Describe the Japanese feudal system.

Answer 27

In the early 12th century, Yoritomo Minamoto became a shogun by the emperor, though the emperor doesn't really have the power.
The hierarchy is as:
Emperor
Shogun
Diamond (warrior/noble)
Lesser samurai (vassals)
(Continues until...)
Peasants and Artisans

Question 28

What is the Japanese version of the code of chivalry?

Answer 28

Code of Bushido (Way of the Warrior)

Question 29

Name the two main differences between European and Japanese feudalism.

Answer 29

Japanese feudalism was harsher to women and feudal arrangements were based on group hierarchy and loyalty in Japan.

Question 30

When was Islam introduced to India?

Answer 30

Islam was introduced in the 10th century.

Question 31

Describe the Dehli Sultanate.

Answer 31

The Dehli Sultanate was started up by Turkic Islamic invaders and lasted for three centuries. They are named Dehli because they set up shop at Dehli. Through them, Islam spread throughout northern India beginning at around 1206

Question 32

Describe the Dehli Sultanate Part Two.

Answer 32

The non-Muslims/Hindus we’re put under jizya, and the sultans were offended at Hindiusm and tried to convert its adherents. Hindu temples were even sometimes destroyed. But, progress did occur under their rule since colleges were founded and irrigation systems were created.

Question 33

Describe the Rajput Kingdoms.

Answer 33

Consisted of independent, Hindu principalities; had to be somewhat united to combat Muslim forces but were overtaken by Mughal forces

Question 34

Describe the Khmer Empire.

Answer 34

• founded in the 9th century and ended at around 1431
• was a Hindu Empire encompassing Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand
• Hinduism was carried here through trade
• were skilled architects as they built the Angkor Wat, meant to represent the Hindu universe
• were religiously tolerant because of large Buddhist population

Question 35

Who was the productive economy of the Khmer Empire controlled by?

Answer 35

Women.

Question 36

How did the Khmer Empire reach its downfall?

Answer 36

They fought with the Thais, who came from southern China and migrated to the region when Mongol forces took over, leading to it’s downfall in 1431

Question 37

When did Islam spread throughout northern Africa?

Answer 37

7th-8th centuries

Question 38

What happened to Africa as Islam spread?

Answer 38

It traded with the larger Mediterranean economy, and Islamic traders crossed the Sahara to go southward.

Question 39

Just a noteworthy fact.

Answer 39

West Africa had a ton of gold, but they needed salt.

Question 40

What were the Hausa Kingdoms?

Answer 40

• located off the Niger River
• created state systems in western central Africa
• became solidly Islamic by the 15th century and achieved power and influence through long-distance trade
• engaged in the salt and leather trade
• fell due to internal wars amongst the kingdoms in the 18th century

Question 41

Name the three major civilizations before European arrival in the Americas.

Answer 41

The Mayas, Aztecs, and Inca. The Aztecs and Incas were taken over when Europeans arrived in 1450.

Question 42

Describe the Aztec Empire.

Answer 42

• arrived in central Mexico in the 12th century
• capital city was Tenochititlan
• allowed their conquered states to rule themselves as long as tribute was paid
• warriors were the elite class as there was a military focus

Question 43

Describe the Aztec Empire Part Two.

Answer 43

• majority of people were enslaved and peasants
• roads were built, allowing inner trade to flourish
• gender parallelism was practiced
• the Aztec religious system tied in with their military since the Aztecs believed that their gods required human blood to continue fighting darkness

Question 44

Describe the Inca Empire.

Answer 44

• set in Peru and the Andes Mountains
• had an establish bureaucracy
• capital city at Cuzvo
• no large animals (hence why no wheels) so human labor was practiced
• tribute was usually labor but a portion of harvest was to be put forth
• majority were peasants who worked in labor

Question 45

Describe the Inca Empire Part Two.

Answer 45

• gender parallelism was practiced
• were polytheistic but believed their Sun god to be the most important
• sacrifice of goods and animals occured
• rulers were mummified and acted as divine intermediaries
• the Incas has a strong moral compass, so human sacrifice wasn’t prevalent
• concept of private property didn’t really exist since it was believed that the Inca rulers owned every land on Earth

Question 46

Just another noteworthy fact.

Answer 46

The Incas built the Temple of the Sun and Machu Picchu (the former is located within the latter).