APWH Unit 1.5 & 1.6

Front: What language did most people speak in Africa before 1200, and what did the Bantu migration spread?

Most people spoke the Bantu language. The Bantu migration began 5,000 years ago and spread both the Bantu language and knowledge of metalwork and agriculture throughout Africa.

 Front: What was the political structure of most societies in Sub-Saharan Africa before 1200?

 Most Sub-Saharan African societies did not have centralized power or a central government. Many were stateless and lacked organized governance, tax systems, or large building projects.

 Front: What type of political systems developed in African states after 1200?

African states developed a wide variety of political systems, ranging from powerful centralized kingdoms to decentralized kin-based networks.

Front: What were the symbols of political authority in the Great Zimbabwe?

The Great Zimbabwe relied on trade-based wealth and monumental architecture, such as stone walls and enclosures, as symbols of political authority.

 Front: Who were the prominent leaders of the Mali Empire?

 The Mali Empire rose to prominence under leaders like Sundiata and Mansa Musa.

Front: How did the Mali Empire use its wealth from the gold-salt trade?

 The Mali Empire used wealth from the gold-salt trade to consolidate power, sponsor Islamic institutions, and display authority.

Front: Why was salt so important in Africa?

Salt was crucial because it preserved food.

Front: What religious influence did Ethiopia (Axum's successor) maintain?

The Ethiopian Kingdom maintained a Christian monarchy that blended African traditions with global religious connections.

Front: How did global warming affect Africa during this period?

Global warming affected the world, including Africa, and influenced agricultural and environmental conditions.

 Front: How did African societies adopt Islamic architecture and education?

Africans adopted Islamic architectural and educational models, such as mosques in Timbuktu and libraries and universities.

Front: What was significant about the University of Timbuktu?

 Timbuktu housed the largest university in Africa until the 13th-16th century.

Front: What maritime and trade innovations came from the Swahili coast?

Maritime and trade innovations included the Dhow ship, and interactions with Arab merchants influenced trade along the Swahili coast.

Front: What were the main exports from Africa in the global trade networks?
 

Gold, salt, and ivory were major exports, linking Africa to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

Front: What role did the Swahili city-states play in trade?
 

The Swahili city-states (e.g., Kilwa, Mombasa, Zanzibar) prospered as intermediaries in Indian Ocean trade, blending Bantu, Arab, and Persian influences.

Front: How did Islam spread in Africa, and what impact did it have?

 Islam spread quickly in West Africa and the Swahili coast, shaping law, education, and architecture (e.g., mosques, madrasas). Merchants played a crucial role in this spread.

Front: What is Sharia law?

Sharia is the sacred religious law of Islam, regulating all aspects of life, from prayer and finance to family and personal conduct, derived from the Quran.

Front: What impact did Christianity have on Ethiopia?

Christianity remained strong in Ethiopia, influencing literature, monumental churches (like rock-hewn churches at Lalibela), and diplomacy.

Front: Which two African regions were not colonized?
 

The two areas of Africa that were not colonized were Liberia and Ethiopia.

Front: What is syncretism in the context of African religions?
 

Syncretism developed as Islam and Christianity adapted to African traditions, blending indigenous beliefs with global religions.

Chattel slavery:

People were legal property of owners.

• Domestic slavery: 

People served as cooks, cleaners, or household workers.

• Debt bondage: 

People became enslaved to repay a debt, sometimes by mutual agreement.

Front: How was social hierarchy structured in African societies?
 

 Social hierarchy was often based on lineage, age grades, and gender roles. Women had varying levels of influence depending on the region, with some West African societies allowing female rulers like Queen Nzinga.

Front: How did Queen Nzinga resist European colonialism?
 

Queen Nzinga resisted Europeans and the slave trade, standing as a powerful symbol of resistance.

Front: How did slavery and the slave trade grow in Africa?
 

 Enslavement and the slave trade grew particularly within Africa and the Islamic world, foreshadowing the later trans-Atlantic slave trade.

Front: What is Feudalism?

Back: A social and political system in medieval Europe where land was granted by a ruler (king) to nobles (vassals) in exchange for military service and loyalty.

Front: Why did the Roman Empire split into the Western and Eastern Roman Empires?
 

Back: The Roman Empire split because it had grown too large, with a population of 60 million, making it difficult to govern efficiently.

Front: What was the Great Schism of 1054?
 

Back: The Great Schism was the split between the Western (Latin-speaking) and Eastern (Greek-speaking) parts of the Roman Empire.

 Front: What is Eastern Orthodox Christianity?

 Back: The Greek (Eastern) half of the Roman Empire that became the Eastern Orthodox Church after the split.

 Front: What is Roman Catholicism?

 Back: The Latin (Western) half of the Roman Empire that became the Roman Catholic Church after the split.

 Front: When did the Roman Republic last, and what were some of its key features?

 Back: The Roman Republic lasted from 509 BCE to 27 BCE. Key features included the Twelve Tables, Senate, two consuls, and a period of great expansion under Julius Caesar.

Front: What led to the downfall of the Roman Republic?

 Back: Julius Caesar’s rise to power as a dictator led to his assassination by senators, marking the end of the Republic.

Front: What was the Roman Empire?

 Back: The Roman Empire was established under Augustus and lasted for centuries, focusing on expansion, laws, engineering, and the spread of Christianity.

 Front: What does "overextended" mean in the context of the Roman Empire?

 Back: "Overextended" refers to when an empire or country goes beyond its means, often leading to problems like overexpansion, loss of resources, and instability.

Front: What happened after the fall of the Roman Empire?

 Back: Western Europe became decentralized and fragmented, while Eastern Europe (Byzantine Empire) thrived.

Front: What were the Middle Ages known for?

 Back: The Middle Ages (also known as the Dark Ages, 476-1000) were marked by weak governments, slow learning, and backwardness compared to other parts of the world.

Front: Why was Christianity illegal in early Roman Empire?

 Back: It was illegal because the emperor was worshipped as a god, and Christians and Jews refused to worship him.

Front: What is "Dar al-Islam"?

 Back: "Dar al-Islam" refers to lands where Islam was dominant, such as in Spain during the medieval period.

Front: What was the Jewish Diaspora?

 Back: The Jewish Diaspora occurred after Roman conquests when Jews were displaced from their homeland and settled in small pockets in Western Europe.

 Front: What were the teachings of Jesus?

 Back: Jesus taught love for God and neighbor, forgiveness, peace, justice, obedience to God, and care for the weak and poor.

Front: Why did Jews and Christians disagree?

 Back: Jews and Christians disagreed on whether Jesus was the Son of God and whether he was resurrected.

 Front: When did Christianity become legal?

 Back: Christianity became legal after the Edict of Milan in 313 CE, issued by Emperor Constantine, ending the persecution of Christians.

Front: How did Christianity spread quickly in the Roman Empire?

 Back: The Romans built over 50,000 miles of roads, which allowed for the spread of Christianity, communication, and writings.

Front: Why was the Pope significant?

 Back: The Pope became an influential figure in Europe, often competing with kings for power and becoming central to the spread of Christianity.

Front: Why did the Vikings leave Scandinavia around the year 900?

 Back: The Vikings left due to global cooling (the Mini Ice Age) and needed new land for their growing population.

Front: Who were the Rus?

 Back: The Rus were Viking explorers who settled in what is now modern-day Russia. The name "Russia" comes from the Viking term "Rus."

Front: How did the Vikings navigate?

 Back: Vikings used longships with shallow drafts, allowing them to travel to almost any destination, including as far as Canada.

Front: What is significant about the Viking god Odin?

 Back: Odin was the father of Thor, and Viking symbols like the Celtic cross were often merged with Christian symbols to help convert them.

Front: What is Gothic architecture?

 Back: Gothic architecture, associated with the Middle Ages, features pointed arches, flying buttresses, and large windows, often seen in cathedrals.

Front: Who was William the Conqueror?

 Back: William the Conqueror was the first Norman king of England, known for his conquest of England in 1066.

 Front: What are Normans?

 Back: The Normans were people from Normandy (in northern France), originally descended from Vikings, and they played a key role in European history.

 Front: What was the result of the First Crusade?

 Back: The First Crusade was a success for Christians, and they captured Jerusalem.

What is Manorialism and when did it exist?

Manorialism existed during a time of decentralization in Europe. It was characterized by crime, lack of long-distance trade, and people rarely traveling more than 5 miles from their homes. The poor turned to elites for protection.

What was the relationship between Lords and Serfs under Manorialism?

 Landowners (Lords) had peasants (serfs) work and live on their land. In exchange, the Lord provided protection to the serf. This created a reciprocal relationship: work for protection.

Why were manors vulnerable to Viking raids?

 Manors were isolated, with low levels of production and technology, making them easy targets for Viking raids.

 What was the structure of the European Feudal System?

Peasants → Knights → Nobles → King
The Pope held more power than kings in this system.

 What is the Code of Chivalry?

 The Code of Chivalry was a set of rules that promoted protection and aid to lesser lords (vassals), similar to Confucianism, where respect for others was emphasized.

 How did a feudal monarchy evolve over time?

 Feudal monarchies grew over time as manors were absorbed into larger kingdoms. Feudalism gradually transformed into a monarchy, with movements to limit the power of both the Catholic Church and the feudal system.

How did kings exert control over nobles?

 Kings exerted control by creating a bureaucracy (taxing nobles) and a standing army (also requiring taxation of nobles).

 What sparked the Renaissance in Europe?

 The Renaissance was sparked by the expansion of trade, growth of an agricultural surplus, and the rise of a middle class (boosted by the Black Death) that could patronize artists. It also involved a revival of classical Greek and Roman culture.

What was the High Middle Ages known for?

 The High Middle Ages marked the decline of feudalism and the rise of industrialization, which led to increased education and urbanization. Agricultural improvements, like the three-field system, also emerged.

What was the impact of Johannes Gutenburg’s printing press?

 The printing press made books affordable and accessible, promoting literacy and the rapid spread of ideas. It also played a key role in cultural changes during the Renaissance.

 What was the role of the guilds in medieval society?

 Guilds were medieval associations of craftsmen or merchants, often holding significant power in their local economies.