World History Flashcards
The turning point in human history from the hunter-gatherer model for sustenance to an agrarian lifestyle
Neolithic/Agricultural Revolution
Where do scientists believe the Agricultural Revolution happened, and why?
In Mesopotamia around 9000 BC because of a gradual warming pattern of the Earth
What are the main effects of the Neolithic Revolution?
Groups became more densely populated settlements, which led to specialization, division of labor, and increased trade. This sparked the formation of tools, writing, art, technology, and religion.
Loosely formed societies; followed animal migratory patterns; no governmental organization
Hunter-gatherer societies
Societies that formed the beginning of modern civilization; stationary civilizations that grew crops and domesticated animals; formed government, laws, and economic systems
Agriculture-based societies
Name the four main regions responsible for the advancements of the Neolithic Revolution (AKA the Riverine Civilizations)
Mesopotamia (Tigris-Euphrates river system)
Egypt (Nile River Valley)
Indus Valley Civilization (Indus River/Pakistan)
China (Yellow River)
The site of the earliest developments of the Neolithic Revolution
Civilizations of Mesopotamia/The Fertile Crescent
What is the most significant development of ancient Mesopotamia?
Cuneiform writing which triggered the recording of history
Where is Mesopotamia?
in Western Asia, situated in the fertile valleys between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, the region is now home to modern-day Iraq, Kuwait, Turkey and Syria.
People of the earliest known civilization in the historical region of southern Mesopotamia (5000 BC-1750 BC). These people lived in cities, created the written language called cuneiform, and spoke complex languages.
Sumerians
A complex civilization in Mesopotamia (2000 BC - 900 BC). They built businesses, formed religions, and waged wars. They evolved through the Bronze Age and into the Iron Age. Remembered for their military prowess, advances in weaponry, and meticulously recorded conquests.
Assyrians
People of the capital of the state of Babylonia in Mesopotamia. Their state was one of the largest ancient civilizations. They created large, complex buildings and created the Code of Hammurabi, which was a system of law and order.
Babylonians
A series of symbols used to indicate ones, tens, and hundreds similar to a decimal system.
The Babylonian Numerals
The Sumer, Assyrian, and Babylonian civilizations used sophisticated systems of government and rule of ____.
law
The most significant piece of literature born in Mesopotamia, influenced the Bible
The Epic of Gilgamesh
First civilization to develop their language into a codified form of writing; known as Hieroglyphics. The central purpose of writing was to bring certain concepts or events into existence.
Egyptians
First civilization to develop their language into a codified form of writing; known as Hieroglyphics. The central purpose of their writing was to bring certain concepts or events into existence.
Egyptians
True or False: Ancient Egyptian art was purely aesthetic
False; Ancient Egyptian art served a practical and functional purpose, such as pottery, sculpture to hold the spirits of the deceased, and charms to protect one from harm
One of the most famous architects and builders during Ancient Egyptian times, engineered the corbelled arch which helped in the construction of pyramids
Pharaoh Ramesses the Great
Which civilization is credited with inventing paper and ink
Ancient Egyptians
Civilization located in the northwest region of India, known for urban planning (a technical and political process concerned with the use of land and design of the urban environment). They are also noted for their baked brick houses, elaborate drainage systems, water supply systems, and clusters of large, nonresidential buildings.
The Indus Valley Civilization
The ancient Chinese civilization that existed from the Neolithic period to the Bronze Age.
The Yellow River Civilization
____ was the Greek city-state center for ideas and thought
____ was the Greek city-state center for the military
Athens; Sparta
What were the major contributions of the Ancient Greeks?
Democracy, philosophy, developments in science & math, art, architecture, literature, and theater
Who started the Hellenistic (Greek cultural influencce and power era) by defeating the Persians?
Alexander the Great
What were the major contributions of the Roman Empire?
Architecture, arches, concrete, and plumbing. They perfected aqueducts. They conquered the Greeks.
What are the major two religions originating in India?
Hinduism and Buddhism
What is the main difference between Confucianism and Taoism?
Confucianism is focused on social responsibilities and relationships while Taoism focuses on the meaning of life or search for meaning (beyond social harmony, more focused on the intangible).
What were the major characteristics of the Byzantine Empire?
Located in Athens, Constantinople (now Istanbul), and Southern Italy.
Was the continuation of the Roman Empire primarily in its eastern provinces during Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, when its capital city was Constantinople.
Art, literature, and education.
Known for Diversity, Being an Epicenter for trade, the Orthodox Church, and serving as a connection between Europe and India.
Who conquered the Byzantine Empire in 1453?
The Ottoman Empire
What were the major characteristics of the Ottoman Empire?
Conquered and ended the Byzantine Empire
Controlled much of Western Europe
Known as the Turkish Empire
Replaced by the Turkish Republic in 1922
(So they were there a Really long time; lasted for over 1100 years)
What were the major characteristics of early Africa (1000BC-1500AD)?
African kingdom of Kush in Northern Sudan- known for Gold and Extreme wealth
Had a wealth of resources including iron, incense, ivory, wheat, barley, and cotton
Trans-Sahara trading
What were the major characteristics of the Central and South American Empires?
Resources included corn, beans, squash, and paper
Mathematics and astronomy
Compass, writing, water management
and Medicines
Built great pyramids
Who invented the first moving assembly line and what did it do?
Henry Ford; it dramatically reduced the time it took to build an automobile and allowed for mass production of many kinds of consumer products
Who invented the incandescent lightbulb for commercial use and why was it significant?
Thomas Edison; it was significant because it allowed people to work longer hours in the factories during WWI and WWII.
What was the Bessemer steel process and why was it important?
It allowed steel to be mass-produced; was used by Andrew Carnegie to create railroad tracks in the U.S.
What triggered the space race between the Soviet Union and the U.S.?
Sputnik; the first satellite launched into space by the Russians.
Transition from faith-based reasoning of the Medieval era to rational reasoning (based on facts) during the 17th century
The Age of Reason and the Enlightenment
Intellectual movement for freedom, democracy, and reason during the 18th century
The Enlightenment
Considered the father of modern philosophy; a major figure in the philosophical movement known as rationalism, a view that our actons should be based on reason and knowledge
René Descartes
Political scientist who advocated for the social contract theory (the belief that there are political and moral obligations between a government and its people). He proposed that when the government fails in its moral obligations, the people have the right to revolt. Had a major influence on Jefferson and his framing of the Declaration of Independence.
John Locke
Author of the famous anti-church texts: Common Sense, The Age of Reason, and Rights of Man. His writing had a profound influence on the framing of the American government, specifically the separation of church and state
Thomas Paine
English philosopher, wrote Leviathan;
He proposed that the natural basic state of humankind is one of anarchy, with the strong dominating the weak & our one natural right is of self-preservation.
Thomas Hobbes
Irish philosopher of immaterialism. Part of the Enlightenment. Wrote A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge.
Bishop George Berkeley
Part of the Enlightenment; French writer and philosopher. Criticized Christianity. Wrote Candide.
Voltaire
Part of the Enlightenment; French philosopher and influencer. Wrote The Social Contract.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Part of the Enlightenment; Economist. Wrote The Wealth of Nations.
Adam Smith
Part of the Enlightenment; German philosopher. Wrote Critique of Pure Reason.
Immanuel Kant
Part of the Enlightenment; Irish statesman. Criticized British colonialism. Wrote A Vindication of Natural Society.
Edmund Burke
An era that led to the “discovery” and conquer of the Americas. It was a time when European nations explored and conquered lands throughout the world. Began in the early 15th century and lasted through the 20th century.
The Age of Exploration
The routes European Colonials used to transport slaves from Africa to the Americas and Europe
The Triangular Slave Trade/Trade Triangle
The part of the slave trade where African captives were packed into ships and sent from Africa to the West Indies (part of the Caribbean)
The Middle Passage
The period of time between 1760-1830 when significant social uprisings occurred in response to tyrannical government control.
The Age of Revolution
Which Battle of the American Revolutionary War resulted in the final surrender of the British forces? Who was it led by?
The Battle of Yorktown; General George Washington and Comte de Rochambeau
What were the causes of the French Revolution?
1) Political Conflict (between the monarchy and the nobility over the tax system)
2) The Enlightenment (people no longer satisfied with monarchical rule)
3) Social class tensions
4) Ineffective leadership (Louis the 16th was like 20 years old); left France on the verge of bankruptcy
5) Economic Hardship/food shortages
What event signaled the start of the French Revolution?
The storming of the political prison known as the Bastille
The revolutions, or a revolutionary wave, that took place during the late 18th and early 19th centuries and resulted in the creation of a number of independent countries in Latin America
The Latin American Wars of Independence
What was the first Latin American state to break from Spanish rule and become independent?
Hispaniola
What did the Battle at Ayacucho result in?
Peru’s independence from Spain
Venezuelan military and political leader who led the secession of Venezuela, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Panama from the Spanish Empire. Nicknamed “El Libertador” (the liberator)
Simón Bolívar
The president of Mexico (1861-1872) who fought against foreign occupation
Benito Juárez
A time during the 1800s to early 1900s where 14 countries, including the US, mapped out the region of Africa and divided the continent into colonies. They engaged in conflicts with existing African communities and seized their land.
Scramble for Africa
After WWI, which two major continents began to revolt against European rule and colonization?
Africa and Asia
European Exploration took place during the ___ century
15th
European colonization of the American took place during the ___ and ___ century
16th and 17th
American colonies revolted during the ___ century
18th
European colonization of Africa and Asia took place during the ___ century
19th
African and Asian colonies revolted during the ___ century
20th
the Olmec built (which pyramids)
La Venta
the Teotihuacan built (which pyramids)
Pyramid of the Sun
the Mayans built (which pyramids)
Yucatan
the Aztec built (which pyramids)
Tenochtitlan
the Moche and Inca built (which pyramids)
South America
