Unit 1 Study Guide: Ancient River Valley Civilizations/Religion of Islam

Be able to list the similarities Ancient River Valley Civilizations possess AND know the River Valley Civilizations we covered in class.

-Four Civilizations:  1). Mesopotamia. 2). Ancient China. 3). Indus River Valley. 4). Nile River Valley 

-Characteristics: 

Job specialization: Different people do different jobs to increase productivity 

Social Hierarchy: Social scale which tells citizens who is where in society 

 Government: Sets of rules and regulations for people to follow. Consequences for those who don’t follow said rules

Organized religion: A common faith can build more community. Doing things for a higher power might increase morality in these civilizations. Common goals 

Urban: Cities need monuments, relics, or other structures to replicate a city

Understand why Ancient Civilizations started near bodies of water. Why was it beneficial?

Water provides: Access to a water source for drinking, animals drink water which can be hunted for food, provides water for crops to feed the population, transportation up and down the rivers, can also fish for another source of food. 

Be able to describe why the Nile River was so important to Ancient Egyptian society during this time

→ What did it provide to Ancient Egyptians?

The Nile River provided fertile soil, water irrigation, and transportation of materials for building projects. The Nile flooding was able to produce a surplus of crops and types of farming (basin irrigation) was important to help support the growing of these crops

Be able to explain how transporting items on the Nile River contributed to the true identity of Ancient Egypt as we know it today

The Nile River played an important role in how Egypt is viewed, including the transportation of materials to build the pyramids, which are part of the identity of Egypt. They were also able to create boats/ships in surplus knowing they could transport materials via the Nile.

Understand what the “Dynastic Cycle is”

→ Be able to fill out a chart describing it 

Dynastic Cycle: Step 1: New Dynasty comes into power. Under this new dynasty there is peace, infrastructure is being rebuilt, land is given to peasants, and people are protected. Once time goes by (decades-centuries), it becomes a: 2). Old Dynasty. This taxes people too much, stops protecting people, lets infrastructure decay, and treats people poorly. After the Old Dynasty loses the “Mandate of Heaven”, that's when problems arise such as: 3). Floods, earthquakes, and other natural disasters. Peasants revolt, and invaders attack the cities.

→ After the problems arise, a new dynasty takes over and the cycle starts over again. 

Be able to explain the concept of “The Mandate of Heaven”

God gives you the right to rule. If good things are happening (peace, economic prosperity, surplus of food, lack of disease, good infrastructure), then that is God's way of saying good job ruling. When things go bad (economic disaster, natural disasters, disease, riots, poor weather, bad harvest, etc.) then its time for that dynasty to get overthrown 

Understand what Hammurabi’s Code was. What did they value in society based on these laws? What was the overall goal of the code?

Hammurabi’s Code was the first known law code. It was put in place by King Hammurabi: “eye for an eye”. There were punishments for lack of attention to crops, or taking poor care of one’s land. The punishment for harming slaves or women was less than someone who is an upper-class male.  

-They valued their farms, equal protection for MEN, and religion

-The goal was to destroy evil, bring peace, and not harm the weak

Be able to explain the social status of women and lower class citizens according to Hammurabi’s Code

Women could not leave their husbands without their permission first. If husbands did not want them to leave, they could legally divorce them and they would stay on as a maid. Women were not treated fairly, especially if they did not produce children for husbands. 

Lower class citizens had no rights as well. If harm was done to a slave or a slave-equivalent, the punishment would be half of what it would be if someone harmed a man of the same class. Shows who matters socially in this civilization.

What were the two cities that developed in the Indus River Valley Civilizations? What modern inventions did they have to support them?

1). Harrappa and Mohenjo-Daro

2). Indoor plumbing, creation/development of a modern city with modern structures, writing system, and cultural artifacts such as clay pots and beads that are represented to honor the dead

Be able to list and describe the “Five Pillars of Islam” and how they impact the Islamic religion and daily life

1). Profession of Faith (Shahada): “There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger to Allah.” This is the acknowledgement that Islam is monotheistic (one God) and that Muhammad is the prophet to Allah.

2). Prayer (Salat): Praying 5 times a day facing Mecca

3). Alms giving (Zakat): Giving back to the less fortunate. If you have a stable income, then it is recommended that 2.5% of your salary goes to the less fortunate. If you cannot afford this, then food, clothing, or other physical objects are okay to provide.

4). Ramadan (Sawm): During the holy month of Ramadan (lunar calendar), you fast from sun up to sun down for 29-30 days. No eating, drinking, or smoking during daytime hours.

5). Pilgrimage (Hajj): If physically and financially able, travel to Mecca in Saudi Arabia

Fill out the Venn Diagram accordingly that outlines the differences between Sunni and Shi’a Muslims

Sunni: Believes Abu Bakr as rightful Caliph to Muhammad. 85-90% of Muslims in the world. Believe that a successor should be chosen by the population 

Shi’a: Believes Ali is the rightful Caliph to Muhammad. 10-15% of Muslims in the world. Believe that a successor should be related to the Prophet. 

Both: Read the Qur’an. Practice 5 pillars of Islam. Believe Muhammad is the rightful Prophet to Allah. Similar prayer structures. 

Understand similarities between the religion of Islam compared to Christianity and Judaism

All monotheistic

All Abrahamic religions

All have a holy book and a place of worship

Each have Holy Days  

All started in the Middle East