9th Grade Final History Exam Study Guide 2025-2026 (Greiner)

Why is it difficult to classify Hinduism as either monotheistic or polytheistic?

Polytheistic view: Hindus worship many Gods and Goddesses

Monotheistic view: All of these Gods are manifestations of one supreme spiritual reality called Brahman.

What is the atman?

The true, innermost essence of “Self” of a living being. It is the eternal, unchanging spark of divine consciousness that resides within everyone.

What is the Brahman?

The ultimate, infinite reality where all the gods are manifestations of Brahman.

What are Devas?

Devas are celestial beings or deities in Hinduism that are associated with various aspects of the natural world and life. They are often worshiped and invoked in rituals.

What is Dharma?

The moral and cosmic laws that uphold order in the universe. It encompasses duty, righteousness, and the "right way of living". Ultimately, living in alignment with dharma maintains balance in one's life and brings the soul closer to spiritual liberation.

What is Karma?

The Hindu belief that every action has consequences. Good actions lead to positive outcomes, while bad actions lead to negative outcomes, either in this life or a future life. Following your dharma, creates good karma whereas ignoring your dharma creates negative outcomes.

What is Moksha?

Moksha is the ultimate spiritual goal in Hinduism, representing liberation from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara). It is the realization of one's true self (atman) and unity with the ultimate reality (Brahman). Achieving moksha leads to eternal peace and freedom.

What is Samsara?

In Hinduism, samsara is the continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. Driven by the universal law of cause and effect (karma), the soul (atman) passes through countless lifetimes until it achieves ultimate spiritual liberation (moksha).

What was the Caste System

A hereditary social hierarchy that divides followers into distinct groups based on their past karma and dharma (duty).

Who were the “untouchables?”

People who were traditionally placed outside the Hindu caste system and faced discrimination because they were considered socially impure.

What were the Four Noble Truths? (what causes suffering?)

1. Life involves suffering

2. Suffering is caused by desire and attachment

3. Suffering can end

4. The Eightfold path ends suffering

What was the Eightfold path?

The Eightfold Path is the fourth of Buddhism's Four Noble Truths. It is a practical, step-by-step guide to overcoming suffering and achieving Nirvana.

Siddhartha Gautama

Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha, was a spiritual teacher and the founder of Buddhism.

1. Siddhartha Gautama abandoned a life of royal luxury to practice extreme self-starvation, only to find that neither extreme led to spiritual peace.

2. By rejecting both indulgence and deprivation, he discovered the "Middle Way.”

Nirvana

Nirvana is the absolute spiritual goal. It is the state of absolute peace and enlightenment, achieved when an individual completely extinguishes desire, hatred, and delusion. Achieved by realizing the Four Noble Truths and discovering the Eightfold path.

The Middle Way

The path taught by the Buddha that avoids extremes of self-indulgence and self-denial. It leads to balance, wisdom, and ultimately enlightenment.

Where did Ashoka rule?

Ashoka ruled over nearly the entire Indian subcontinent.

What was Ashoka’s rule in spreading Buddhism?

An Indian emperor who converted to Buddhism after war and helped spread it by sending missionaries, building monuments, and carving Buddhist teachings on pillars and rocks, turning Buddhism into a major world religion.

When did Confucius try to spread his ideas?

In the fifth century, specifically between between 530 and 470 BCE>

What was social harmony?

The belief in Confucianism that society works best when people follow their proper roles, respect authority, practice morality, and maintain strong relationships based on duty and respect, creating order and social harmony.

What was filial piety?

Filial piety is the foundational virtue in Confucianism that emphasizes love, respect, and duty to one's parents, elders, and ancestors.

What were Confucian analects?

The Analects are a foundational collection of sayings, conversations, and philosophical teachings attributed to the Chinese philosopher Confucius. It is the most vital source for understanding Confucianism and its core values of morality, filial piety, and proper social order

How did Confucius and Confucian scholars explain the causes for the moments when China did not achieve social harmony?

Confucius and Confucian scholars believed that China failed to achieve social harmony when people did not follow proper roles and moral behavior, especially when rulers were unjust or failed in their duties. They argued that disorder happened when people ignored virtues like respect, duty, and righteousness.

How do the Daoists believe that one can live a long and flourishing life?

By aligning themself with the Dao.

Who was Laozi?

The founder of Daoism.

What is the Dao?

The flow of the universe. The natural order of the universe that guides all things. Taoists believe people should live in harmony with the Dao by being simple, balanced, and going with the natural flow of life.

Wu-wei

Aligning your actions with the flow of the universe (the Dao), going with the flow, and acting by non-acting.

Yin and Yang

In Taoism, the belief that opposite forces (such as light and dark, male and female, or active and passive) are interconnected and dependent on each other, and that balance between them creates harmony in the universe.

What is the Dao de Jing?

A classic text and work of Taoism written by Laozi.

What does monotheism mean?

The belief in a single, all-powerful God who is the ultimate source of all moral standards. God expects ethical behavior and rewards people for meeting that behavior. The reward: The community recieves His blessing: a fruitful land, peace, and justice, etc. The punishment: Exile from God

What is a prophet?

Divinely chosen messangers conveying God’s will and sacred knowledge to humanity.

What are the Abrahamic Religions?

Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

Why do Abrahamic religions look to Abraham as a foundational prophet?

He was the first covenant, a historic patriarch, established strict monotheism, and made a covenant with God.

Who was Abraham in Judaism?

Abraham was the father/patriarch of Judaism who made a covenant with God. He was spoken to by God to become a prophet and spread His word. The Jews believed that God promised Abraham his descendants would become a great nation. He is the ancestor of the Jewish people.

What is a covenant?

An sacred agreement between God and the Jewish people where He expects ethical behavior and rewards people for meeting that behavior.

The Reward: The community receives His blessing, a fruitful land, peace, justice, etc.

The Punishment: Exile from God.

What is the Hebrew Bible?

The foundational sacred text of Judaism. It consists of the Torah and 2 other books. It is a collection of 24 books written in Hebrew that chronicles the history of the Israelites and their covenant with God.

Torah

The first five books of the Hebrew Bible (Five books of Moses) . It contains the core laws, teachings, and stories given to the Israelites.

Moses

A prophet and leader in Judaism who led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and received the Torah, including the Ten Commandments (a new covenant), from God on Mount Sinai.

Exodus

The journey in which Moses led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and toward the Promised Land. It is a central event in Judaism that symbolizes freedom and God's guidance.

The Jewish Diaspora

Time period: 70 CE

Roman Empire puts down Jewish rebellion in 70 CE and destroys the second temple. This was the center of Jewish worship which set the rules and expectations to being Jewish. With refugees, depopulations, and forced relationships, Jews are forced to live outside of their homeland for centuries, creating a Diaspora.

Who was Abraham in Christianity?

Abraham is the foundational patriarch of Christianity. He is celebrated for his complete trust and obedience to God. Through the Abrahamic Covenant, God promised him a multitude of descendants and the land of Canaan, making him the spiritual and physical ancestor of the faithful.

Parables

A short metaphorical story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. Jesus used these as a primary teaching method in the New Testament.

Ressurection

The foundational Christian belief that God raised Jesus from the dead on the third day of his crucifixion.

Sin

In Christianity, sin is any thought, word, or deed that goes against God's law or falls short of His moral standard. It is ultimately a failure to love God and others, which damages a person's relationship with the divine

Salvation

In Christianity, the saving of a person’s soul from sin and its consequences, believed to come through faith in God and Jesus Christ, leading to eternal life.

The Apostles

In Christianity, the Apostles are the primary messengers and early followers of Jesus Christ

Who was Paul of Tarsus?

An early convert to Christianity (after Jesus), he believes that Jesus is for ALL people and that the requirements for conversion and basically nothing. He writes letters to Greek to early Christian churches and explains this religion. His writing are about ½ of the New Testament. He says that one only needs faith to go to Heaven.

Who was Constantine?

Before the battle that would make him emperor, he claimed a sign had been given to him (a cross). After winning, he credited God for his success. He is best known for his transformation of Christianity from a persecuted minority sect to a favored religion of the Roman empire.

New Testament vs. Old Testament

Old Testament: The first part of the Christian Bible, shared with Judaism, containing the sacred texts, laws, history, and teachings of the ancient Israelites.

New Testament: The second part of the Christian Bible that focuses on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and the early Christian Church.

Who was Muhammad?

The final prophet in Islam, believed to have received revelations from Allah that were recorded in the Qur’an, and the founder of the Islamic faith. After his death in 632 CE, the community needed to decide the plan for succession as Muslims controlled Arabia. Leaders were those who fought with Muhammad. There was no formalized Qu’ran or legal/religious system.

Who is Allah?

In Islam, the one, supreme, and singular creator of the universe. Allah is Arabic for God.

What is the Qur’an?

The holy book of Islam, believed to be the word of Allah as revealed to the prophet Muhammad through the angel Gabriel, and the central guide for Muslim faith and practice.

What are the 5 Pillars?

Muhammad taught that every Muslim regardless of his or her race, ethnicity, or social background, or gender should accept and observe.

1. The first pillar is the affirmation of faith. If a person makes the statement “There is no Allah but Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet” three times in succession, he or she becomes Muslim.

2. The second pillar is to pray five times a day at set times. Some are personal others are the same for everyone. Everyone faces the Ka’aba in Mecca.

3. The third pillar requires each person to give alms to the poor. Muslims are expected to give one-fourtieth of their wealth each year. Muslims were taught to support the “brotherhood of all believers.”

4. The fourth pillar is to observe a month long fast during the month of Ramadan. This pillar commemorates the period when the Qur’an was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad.

5. The fifth pillar is to make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once if possible. This is called a hajj and reenacts the trials and sacrifices endured by the prophet Abraham.

What is the hegira?

Because Muhammad’s revelations offended some rich and powerful individuals, and his emphasis on monotheism threatened the brisk pilgrimage trade around the Ka’ba, Meccan aristocrats united against Muhammad and his followers. In 622, when a delegation from Yathrib invited Muhammad to come and try to pacify feuding tribes in that city, he and his followers slipped away from Mecca to Yathrib. This migration, known as as the hegira, was the origin of the Muslim community.

What is the hadith?

Accounts about the Prophet, Muhammad, which were compiled by his companions and later scholars to provide historical context, explain verses, and offer practical examples of how to live an Islamic life.

What is a caliph?

The leader of the Muslim community. The concept originated after the death of Muhammad. They serve as both a political and spiritual leader in Islamic tradition and successor to Muhammad. They are NOT a prophet or religious leader with divine spiritual authority, makes religious law.

What is the Umma?

Every Muslim across the globe, united by shared religious beliefs and values, regardless of race, language, or geographical borders.

What was the Qin dynasty known for?

It was the first Imperial dynasty of China that unified China under a strong, centralized government.

Who was the first emperor of China?

Qin Shi Huangdi

What is the significance of Qin Shi Huang?

He unified China, standardized laws, currency, weights, and built major infrastructure like the Great Wall.

What does “carrot and stick” mean in government?

A system of control using rewards (carrot) and harsh punishments (stick) to maintain order.

Which philosophy is associated with harsh laws and strict punishments?

Legalism

Why did the Qin use harsh punishments?

To control the population and ensure obedience to the emperor’s laws.

Who was Han Feizi?

A Chinese philosopher who developed Legalism.

What did Han Feizi believe about human nature?

He believed people are naturally selfish and need strict laws and punishment to behave properly.

How did Han Feizi influence the Qin Dynasty?

His ideas of Legalism became the foundation for Qin government policies.

Why was the Great Wall built during the Qin Dynasty?

To protect China from northern invasions, especially from nomadic groups.

What was the purpose of the Grand Canal?

To connect northern and southern China for trade and transportation.

Why was the Grand Canal important?

It helped unify China economically by linking agricultural south with political north.

What was the Sui Dynasty known for?

Reunifying China after chaos and beginning major construction projects like the Grand Canal.

Why did the Sui Dynasty fall?

Heavy taxes and forced labor for huge projects (like the Grand Canal and military campaigns).

What were the Chinese civil service exams?

A system of standardized exams on Confucius’ teachings used to select government officials in Imperial China based on merit rather than birth.

Why were the civil service exams extremely competitive?

Because very few people passed compared to the huge number of candidates.

What motivated so many people to take the exams?

Passing the exams was one of the only ways to gain wealth, power, and social status.

What role did scholar-officials play in society?

They served as government administrators who helped run the empire.

Why are the Tang and Song dynasties called a “Golden Age”?

Because China experienced major economic growth, cultural achievements, technological innovation, and political stability.

Why did Buddhism flourish during the early Tang Dynasty?

It was supported by emperors, appealed to people during times of change, and offered comfort through teachings about suffering and rebirth.

Why did government support for Buddhism decline by the end of the Tang Dynasty?

Because the state saw Buddhist monasteries as too powerful and wealthy, and Confucian officials criticized Buddhism as foreign.

What economic reason caused Buddhism to lose support?

Buddhist monasteries controlled land and wealth but did not pay taxes.

What is the Qingming Scroll?

A famous Song Dynasty painting that shows everyday life in a busy city during the Golden Age.

What does the Qingming Scroll teach us?

It shows the wealth, urbanization, trade activity, and social complexity of Song China.

How did the Song economy contribute to technological innovation?

Rapid economic growth created demand for better tools, trade systems, and communication methods.

How did a strong centralized government help innovation in the Song Dynasty?

It provided stability, funding, and organization for large-scale production and scientific development.

How was gunpowder used during the Song Dynasty?

It was used for military weapons like bombs, rockets, and early firearms that could be used against northern invaders.

Why was the compass important in the Song Dynasty?

It improved sea navigation, expanding trade across the Indian Ocean.

How did printing technology develop in the Song Dynasty?

Woodblock printing and later movable type allowed books to be produced more quickly and cheaply.

Why did printing matter for society?

It increased literacy, spread knowledge, and strengthened government communication.

What were the Silk Roads?

A network of trade routes that connected Asia, the Middle East, and Europe for trade and cultural exchange.

What regions did the Silk Roads connect?

East Asia (especially China), Central Asia, South Asia (India), the Middle East, and parts of Europe.

Why was Central Asia important to the Silk Roads?

It acted as a “middle zone” where traders, goods, and ideas were exchanged between East and West.

What were major goods traded from China?

Silk, tea, porcelain, paper, and gunpowder.

What goods came into China from other regions?

Horses, glass, wool, spices, precious metals, and textiles.

Why was silk so important in Silk Road trade?

It was highly valuable, lightweight, and in demand across Europe and the Middle East.

What ideas spread along the Silk Roads?

Religions like Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity, as well as scientific and technological knowledge.

How did Buddhism spread along the Silk Roads?

Monks and traders carried Buddhist teachings from India into China and East Asia.

What major disease spread along the Silk Roads?

The bubonic plague (Black Death).

How did diseases spread along the Silk Roads?

Through trade routes, merchants, travelers, and animals moving between regions.

What impact did disease have on Silk Road societies?

It caused population decline, economic disruption, and social instability.

How did a leader demonstrate political legitimacy under the Mandate of Heaven?

By ruling justly and effectively—maintaining order, protecting the people, ensuring economic stability, and responding to disasters successfully.

What did “good rule” look like in the eyes of the Mandate of Heaven?

Low taxes, peace, food security, strong laws, and a stable government.

What role did success or failure in government play in legitimacy?

If the empire was prosperous and stable, it was seen as proof the emperor still had Heaven’s approval.