World History Flashcards
Civilization (definition)
- use metal tools and weapons
- written language
- defined territorial state
- use a calendar
Earliest Civilizations locations
- Nile River Valley
- Mesopotamia (Tigris Euphrates River)
- Indus River
- Hwang Ho (China)
Fertile Crescent
Modern day Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Israel/Palestine, and Jordan. Where earliest civilizations arose.
Egyptians
- advanced construction methods (pyramids)
- complex religion, mummification
- paper (papyrus)
- advanced knowledge of arithmetic and geometry
Babylonians
Code of Hammurabi - code of law for the whole state
Assyrians
horse drawn chariots and organized military
Hebrew/Ancient Israelites
Developed the monotheistic religion that developed into modern Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
Persians
Conquerors but tolerant of other cultures. . Had influence on modern religious practice. Developed an alphabet.
Minoans
Island of Crete (greece)
- Syllabic writing system
- Colorful palaces and advanced architecture
- Linear Script A
- depended on trade
- disrupted by earthquakes and volcanoes
- supplanted by Mycenaeans
Mycenaeans
- First major civilization in Europe
- Depended on conquest (rather than trade like the Minoans)
- States include Sparta, Metropolis, and Corinth
- History recorded by Homer (including the Trojan War)
- Religion that grew into the Greek pantheon (zeus, olympian gods)
- Linear Script B (ancient form of classical greek)
Phoenicians
- Seafarers, used the stars to navigate
- Purple dye, glass, metals
- Phonetic alphabet
Indus Valley/Ancient India
- Developed the concept of zero
- early Hinduism and Buddhism
- caste system
- ancient literature including Mahabharata (Bhagavad Gita), Ramayana, Arthashastra, the Vedas
- Indo - european languages such as English find their beginning in ancient languages
Ancient China
Developed along Yangzte River 500,00 years ago
Oldest uninterrupted civilization
- ancient literature includes works by Confucius, Analects, Tao Te Ching, and poetry
- Silk, millet, Longshan black pottery
Civilizations of Mesopotamia
- Sumerians
- Amorites
- Hittites
- Assyrians
- Chaldeans
- Persians
All autocratic
Sumer
Cultural Legacies:
- Invention of writing
- Invention of the wheel
- First library (Assyria, Ashurbanipal)
- Hanging Gardens of Babylon
- First written laws (Ur Nammu’s Codes and Code of Hammurabi)
- First epic story in history (Epic of Gilgamesh)
- invented the wheel and irrigation
- timekeeping system still in use
Kushite
South of Ancient Egypt, at one point larger than Egypt. Matrilineal descent of kings (like Egypt). Kerma (capitol) major trade center. Polytheistic religion included Egyptian and African gods.
Norte Chico
In modern day Peru, oldest civilization in the Americas.
Started 5,000 years ago
Agricultural
Anasazi (Ancient Pueblo)
Southwest U.S.
Adobe homes
Maya
Mexico and Central America
2600 BCE
Written language and complex calendar
Dorian Invasion
Hypothetical invasion of the Mycenaeans. around 1200 BCE, at the same time as the destruction of the Hittite civilization
Spartans and Athenians
Powerful city states
Spartans (Peloponnesus): Oligarchy, military state, farming, strongest military force
Athens (Attica): Democracy, art, theater, philosophy
Fought each other in the Peloponnesian War (431 - 404 BCE)
Ancient Greece
Cultural Contributions:
Theater - Aristophanes
Alphabet - derived from Phoenician alphabet
Geometry - Pythagoras and Euclid, Archimedes discovered Pi
Historical Writing - ancient history and mythology
Philosophy - Socrates, Plato, Aristotle “Fathers of Western Philosophy”
Alphabet development
Phoenician, Greek, Roman, Modern Day
Alexander the Great
One of the greatest conquerors in history. Conquered Egypt and Achaemenid/Persian Empire - an empire founded by Cyrus the Great that spanned 3 continents. Spread Greek culture and Hellenistic traditions into the “east.” Increased trade between eastern and western civilizations
Persian Wars
Persian empire ruled by Cyrus the Great. Persians v. Greeks 499 - 448 BCE Battle of Marathon Battle of Thermopylae (v. Spartans) Battle of Salamis Battle of Plataea
Maurya Empire
Powerful Empire in Indian subcontinent
322 - 185BCE
Ruled by Chandragupta
Highly developed - standardized economic system, waterworks, private corporations.
Traded with Greeks - silk, foods, spices
Protected rights of people and animals
Rise of Buddhism and Jainism, peaceful empire
Accomplishments of Chinese Empires
- Great Wall of China
- Invention of paper, paper money, printing, and gunpowder
- Artistic developments
- Silk production
Byzantine Empire
Eastern portion of the Roman Empire. Constantine founded Constantinople - center of the empire. Influenced by Mesopotamia and Persia.
Famous for:
- lavish art and architecture
- Code of Justinian, collected Roman Law into a clear system
Nicene Creed
First unified doctrine of Christianity
325 First Council of Nicaea
451 Council of Chaldeon said any rejection of the Trinity was blasphemy
Fall of Roman Empire
Increasing size of empire made it hard to manage
Germanic tribes refused to follow the Nicene Creed and opposed Roman Empire, eventually took control of the empire
Roman Catholic v. Easter Orthodox Churches
Emperor Leo III of the Byzantine Empire ordered the destruction of all icons - made images of holy figures blasphemy
Pope Gregory II called a synod who decided this was heretical.
Leo III tried to kidnap Pope Gregory but his plan failed
European Feudalism
Arose as a way to ensure rulers would be able to quickly raise an army when necessary.
Vassals swore their military service to lords in exchange for a “fief” - a parcel of land. Vassals had the land worked by serfs.
Vassals gave a portion of their income to lords, who in turn gave a portion to the king.
Similar to manorialism (the same system but in one manor)
Roman Catholic Church in Medieval Society
Church supplied education, filled power void - lots of political and economic power. Controlled a lot of land and influenced Kings.
Black Death/Bubonic Plague
Came from fleas on rats from sailing vessels. Killed over 1/3 of the population of Europe. Ended feudalism, serfs became skilled laborers. Nation states rise and for some religion declines.
Crusades
11th and 12 centuries. Goal was to slow progression of Muslim forces into Europe and to take control of Jerusalem and Palestine. Led by Eastern Emperor Alexius I and Pope Urban II. Captured Jerusalem, but it changed hands many times over time. 2nd crusade failed to take Damascus. 3rd failed to capture Jerusalem. 4th under Pope Innocent III went through Egypt.
Gupta Dynasty
After Mauryan Dynasty
Invented decimal system and the concept of 0
Produced cotton and Calico to trade
Complex system of medicine
Ended with Muslim invasions in 11th century - sultans
Famous Sultans
Tamerlane expanded India's borders, founding Mogul Dynast Gradson Akbar (the great) promoted freedom of religion and built buildings throughout the country
Isolationist China
Mongols led by Genghis Khan and grandson Kublai Khan (not isolationist) Isolationist Ming (porcelain) and Manchu (farming and roads) dynasties right after These two dynasties ended China's interaction with other countries until the 18th century
Japan before 1800
Borrowed elements of Chinese society - Buddhism, writing system, etc.
Rule by divine emperor, feudal system led by Daimyos and samurai.
Isolationist until 1800s.
African Trade Centers
Important areas are:
Egypt
Ghana - important trade center 9th - 12th cent. Traded gold for Saharan Salt.
Mali - later, trade center of Timbuktu. Exported iron, leather, tin and agriculture.
African Cultures
Defined largely through migration. Arab merchants settled on the east coast. Scholars from Muslim nations traveled to Timbuktu - also a center known for education.
Islam in Arabian Peninsula
570 CE Prophet Mohammed born. Before Mohammed, Arabian Peninsula was inhabited by Bedouins. After his death most of the area is Muslim. Islam gave the formerly tribal people a sense of unity and helped them conquer territory and start an empire. They made advances in literature (Arabian Nights, the Rubaiyat), art and science that surpassed Europe during the era of the Bubonic Plague.
Mecca
Mohammed conquered Mecca and declared it the holy city. He declared the temple Kaaba sacred. Writings became the Q’uran
Ottoman Empire
1400 - Had grown in Anatolia and after several attempts conquered the Byzantine capital of Constantinople in 1453. Renamed it Istanbul. Major strength was their ability to unite people through religious tolerance. United by the Islamic belief that Muslims, Christians, and Jews are related as “People of the Book.” Sultan - monarchical government.
Renaissance
“rebirth” after Black Death and Dark Ages. Interest in beliefs and politics of Ancient Greece and Rome. Art, science, philosophy burgeoned.
Began in Florence Italy with the Medici Family.
Education expanded to upper classes.
Realism in art and literature.
Significant people in the Renaissance
Artists - Leonardo da Vinci, Michelango
Humanist authors - Petrarch, Erasmus, Sirt Thomas More, Boccacio (focus on reality rather than the ethereal)
Shakespeare, Cervantes, and Dante followed in their footsteps.
Scientists - Copernicus, Galileo, and Kepler who challenged geocentric philosophies of the church
Protestant Revolution (Reformation)
Martin Luther protested abuses of the Catholic Church. John Calvin led the movement in Switzerland. King Henry VIII supported the movement in England for political gain.
Catholic Reformation (Reformation)
In response to the Protestant Revolution. Changes in the Catholic Church - in some ways increased tolerance, but in other ways actually increased persecution of heretics.
Reasons for Reformation
- abuses of power by Catholic Church
- Monarchs want power for themselves instead of the church
- Rulers don’t like papal taxes and the Church’s wealth
Scientific Revolution
Church doctrine governed scientific belief. Scientific Revolution challenged this doctrine.
Nicolaus Copernicus
Wrote Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres, which said the Earth revolves around the sun.
Tycho Brahe
catalogued astronomical observations
Johannes Kepler
Developed Laws of Planetary Motions
Galileo Galilei
Defended Kepler and Copernicus’ heliocentric theories.
Discovered 4 moons of Jupiter
Died under house arrest and charged with heresy by the Church
Isaac Newton
Discovered gravity
Studied optics, calculus and physics
Believed the workings/laws of nature could be observed, studied, and proven through observation
Enlightenment
Philosophers and Scientists rely increasingly on observation to support ideas rather than building on past beliefs (particularly those of the Church).
Focus on ethics and logic.
Rene Descartes
“I think, therefore I am.” Logic and rules of observation.
David Hume
Pioneered empiricism and skepticism, believed that truth was found through direct experience, and what others say should always be suspect
Immanuel Kant
Believed in self - examination and observation.
The root of morality lies in human beings. Human reason is the source of morality.
The world “in - itself” is independent from our conception of it.
Jean - Jacques Rousseau
Social Contract - government exists by the agreement of the people, government is obligated to protect people and their rights.
Influenced John Locke and Thomas Jefferson.
American and French Revolutions
Both were protests against excesses and control of monarchies, and led to the development of republics in place of monarchical government.
American Revolution
Colonies were self - governing for many years until British monarchy began to increase control. Colonies revolted against this new government interference.
French Revolution pt 1
Excesses of the nobility created increasingly difficult economic conditions - inflation, heavy taxes, food shortages.
1789 King Louis XVI facing huge national debt convened parliament. The 3rd Estate felt underrepresented and take the Tennis Court oath to change the government and institute a constitution. Call themselves the National Assembly.
King resists National Assembly, which leads to the storming of Bastille prison.
National Assembly institutes a constitutional monarchy.
King LouisXVI and Marie Antoinette attempted to flee France and were executed.
French Revolution pt 2 (post National Assembly)
1793 - 1794 Robespierre and Jacobins Reign of Terror - thousands of executions
After the Directory rules but is incompetent and corrupt
1799 Napoleon Bonaparte comes to power, first as a dictator then as an emperor
Russian Revolution of 1905
Feudalistic social structures with czars at the top, then wealthy landowners, then peasants and serfs. Russo - Japanese War (1904 - 1905) made economic conditions much worse for the lowest classes.
Peasants demonstrated outside of the Czars Winter Palace, led by a trade union leader. Guard fired on the crowd. After this violent response to the protest, unions and political parties flourished and many strikes occurred.
October Manifesto
After the demonstration outside the Czar’s Winter Palace, the economy ground to a halt, Czar Nicholas II signed the October Manifesto which established a constitutional monarchy and gave legislative power to parliament. But he violated it soon after, leading to the Bolshevik Revolution.
Reasons for Bolshevik Revolution of 1917
Russia lagged behind other countries in development and lost many military conflicts. Czars were tyrannical. The feudal system, harsh conditions, and size of Russia led to food shortages and poor living conditions for most of the country. Increasing poverty, decreasing supplies and the Czar’s violation of the October Manifesto all led to the Bolshevik Revolution
Events of Bolshevik Revolution
Worker’s strike in Petrograd 1917
Army sided with the workers, and workers and army formed their own governmental system known as the “soviets”- made up of local councils elected by the people. Political chaos meant formerly exiled leaders Lenin, Stalin, and Trotsky moved in and gained popular support and the support of the Red Guard. They overthrew parliament and created a communist state. This led to the spread of Communism in Eastern Europe and elsewhere.
Industrial Revolution (first phase)
1750 - 1830. Textile industry becomes mechanized. Mining advanced due to the invention of the steam engine. Transportation became easier and more available via improved waterways and railroads.
Industrial Revolution (second phase)
1830 - 1910. Increased industry efficiency and new industries develop as photography, chemical processes, and electricity became more widely available to produce new goods.
Petroleum and hydroelectric power become major sources of energy. Industrial revolution spread out of Western Europe and into the U.S. and Japan.
Effects of Industrial Revolution
Industrial Revolution led to
Widespread education
A wider franchise (for businesses?)
Mass communication in the political arena
Conflicts arose between companies and their employees - struggles for fair treatment and fair wages.
Tensions between government regulations and businesses wanting free enterprise
Populations increased and centered in cities - centers of industry.
Scientific advancements led to more efficient agriculture, greater supply of goods, and increased knowledge of medicine and sanitation.
WWI
1914 Began with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand heir to throne in Austria - Hungary by a resident of Serbia. This led to a conflict between the two nations.
Other countries took sides and Europe split into the Allies and Central Powers.
War left Europe deeply in debt, especially Germany. Worldwide Great Depression - economic devastation opened the door for Communist, Fascist and Socialist governments to gain power.
WWI Allied Powers and Central Powers
Allies: Britain, France, Russia - later Italy, Japan, and the US
Central: Austria - Hungary, Germany, and Turkey
Trench Warfare WWI
Built along Eastern and Western fronts - about 24,000 miles.
Allies used open air trenches with a front line, supporting lines, and communications lines.
Germans/central powers’ trenches sometimes included well - equipped underground living spaces.
Communism and Socialism
Both focus on public ownership and distribution of goods and services.
Communism works toward revolution based on class antagonism (according to this view, antagonism is inevitable). And seeks to overthrow the upper classes and capitalist systems.
Socialism uses democratic processes to build on the existing social order.
Utopian - Socialists saw industrial capitalism as oppressive and thought it did not allow workers to prosper.
Socialism struggled between the two world wars, but Communism took hold especially in Eastern Europe.
Rise of Nazi Party
Great Depression had devastating effect on Germany’s economy, U.S. couldn’t supply reconstruction loans because they were suffering as well.
Unemployment rising, increasing dissatisfaction with the government led to rise of Fascist and Communist parties who promised change.
Hitler and Nazi Party
Hitler led the Fascist Nazi Party. The party gained power in Parliament on the votes of German workers. Then Hitler became Chancellor and launched expansionist policies that violated the peace treaties that had ended WWI. Sparked the aggression that led to WWII.
Blitzkrieg
Lightening War - fast and powerful surprise attacks that disrupted communication and made it difficult to retaliate.
The “blitz” - aerial bombing of England in 1940 for 57 nights in a row.
The Battle of Britain 1940 - 1941
Intense air raids by German air force (Luftwaffe). Targeted ports and British air force bases. British air force eventually blocked Luftwaffe which ended Germany’s attempts to conquer Britain.
Battle of the Bulge
After D - Day allied forces gained ground and began a major campaign to push through Europe.
December 1944 Hitler launched a counteroffensive to retake Antwerp (important port). This was the Battle of Ardennes/the Battle of the Bulge. The largest land battle on the Western Front of the war.
Dec. 16 1944 - Jan 28 1945.
Germans advanced into Allied lines but Allies pushed them back. Massive losses on both sides - especially crippling to Germany.
Holocaust
Jewish people were made scapegoats for the economic problems of Germany. Drew on already existing anti - Semitism.
Holocaust
Jewish people were made scapegoats for the economic problems of Germany. Drew on already existing anti - Semitism.
Millions of Jews, Gypsies, Gay people, Communists, Catholics, the mentally ill, and others were transported to concentration camp such as Auschwitz during the war. At least 6 million people were killed.
Allied forces heard some about the camps but many discounted the reports until troops freed the prisoners and saw the camps.
Because the genocide targeted specific ethnic/cultural groups, many traditions/histories and other cultural elements were lost especially among Jewish and Gypsy populations.
Nazi war criminals faced justice in the Nuremberg Trials - individuals rather than governments were held accountable for war crimes.
UN declarations post WWII
After WWII the UN recognized genocide as a “crime against humanity.” They passed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to further specify the rights that the UN protects.
Rise of Communism post WWII
Post WWII - millions of military and civilian deaths and 12+million people displaced. Large regions of Europe and Asia in disarray. In many places, Communist governments moved in with promises of renewed economic prosperity and stability.
The Soviet Union backed Communist regimes in Eastern Europe.
In China, Mao Zedong overthrew the Chinese Nationalist Party and instituted a Communist government in 1949.
Communist governments brought some stability, but also opened the door for dictatorial governments with oppressive police forces.
Cold War
Spread of Communism led to tension between Communist countries and the democratic “west” - the “democratic west” sought to slow the spread of communist regimes.
Both sides were in possession of nuclear weapons, each side feared the other would resort to a nuclear attack.
Standoff lasted until 1989 when the Berlin Wall fell. Soviet Union dissolved two years after (1991).
United Nations Formation
Formed toward the end of WWII, a successor to the League of Nations which had formed after WWI and was less successful.
UN works to bring countries together for diplomatic solutions to international problems. Can call for sanctions (restrictions.. military, economic, environmental, sports) to force cooperation with international law, contain conflict, or condemn actions.
It can also call for military action, asking peacekeeping troops from member countries to move against countries violating UN policies.
Korean war is the first war in which the UN was actively involved.
Decolonization
Rise of nationalism in European colonies, led to many colonies declaring their independence. India and Pakistan gained independence in 1945, and many other colonies in African and Asia.
Period of decolonization lasted through the 1960s.
Some were very successful, other struggled to create stable governments and economies, and suffered from ethnic and religious conflicts. Some still struggle from colonial influence today.
Korean War
1910 Japan annexed Korea and maintained control until 1945, when Soviet and US forces overtook the country.
Soviet Union controlled North Korea, US controlled South Korea.
1947 UN ordered elections in Korea to unify the country, but Soviet Union refused to allow them.
1950 the US withdrew troops and North Korean troops invaded South Korea starting the Korean War.
This was the first war in which the UN played a major role. The US, Australia, Canada, France, Netherlands, Great Britain, Turkey, China, USSR + more countries sent troops at various times for both sides throughout the war.
1953 the war ended in a truce with North and South Korea divided.
French Indochina War
Vietnam was a French colony called French Indochina.
War 1946 - 1954 where France battled the Democratic Republic of Vietnam ruled by Ho Chi Minh.
1954 Siege at Dien Bien Phu ended in Vietnamese victory. Vietnam was divided into North and South.
Vietnam War
Vietname divided north and south. North controlled by Communist forces and South by South Vietnamese forces supported by the U.S.
War was contested in the U.S., with many U.S. citizens protesting U.S. involvement in Vietnam.
War lasted until 1976 South Vietnam became the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
Globalism
The idea that all people and nations are interdependent - for the production of and markets for goods, and income generation. Ease of international travel and communication has heightened interdependence. Many of today’s issues require the cooperation of many countries. Internet is a major contributing factor to increased globalization.
Effects of Globalization
Economic: Non - renewable resources are in high demand as countries worldwide have access to and seek the same resources. This has led to price fluctuations, especially oil and natural gas.
Health: Advances in travel and communication allow diseases to be treated in remote locations, but also allow them to be spread easily and globally via travelers.
Middle East in international relations and economics
Area is easily accessible to Europe and Asia. Has many oil deposits- making it central to many international economies and politics.
Area has been a hotbed for violence since the beginning of recorded history - with conflicts over land, resources, religious and political power.
Armenian Genocide
1915 - 1917 Young Turks, heirs to the Ottoman Empire, slaughtered over a million Armenians - almost half the Armenian population.
Russia under Stalin
1921 - 1953. Deaths estimated between 3 - 60 million (many say 20 million) due directly or indirectly to the policies and edicts of Joseph Stalin.
Rwandan Genocide
- Hundreds of thousands of Tutsi and Hutu sympathizers were killed during the Rwandan Civil War. UN did not authorize intervention during this war.
