Ryken Freshmen World History Midterm Study Guide

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key concepts from early civilizations to the Renaissance, designed for review before the midterm exam.

What are the characteristics of a civilization?

A civilization is characterized by cities, social classes, organized government, complex religions, job specialization, arts and architecture, public works, and writing.

What occurred when nomadic societies settled down?

When nomadic societies settled, they began to form agricultural communities and eventually complex societies or civilizations.

What is the Mandate of Heaven?

The Mandate of Heaven is a Chinese political and spiritual doctrine used to justify the rule of the emperor; it asserts that heaven grants emperors the right to rule based on their ability to govern well and fairly.

Describe India's caste-system.

India's caste system is a hierarchical social structure that divides people into different groups based on their karma and dharma, impacting occupation, social interactions, and marriage.

How did Siddhartha Gautama become known as 'The Enlightened One'?

Siddhartha Gautama became known as 'The Enlightened One' after achieving enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, where he attained deep insight into the nature of life, suffering, and liberation.

What is reincarnation?

Reincarnation is the belief that after death, a person's soul is reborn into a new body, continuing the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth until achieving liberation.

What did Siddhartha Gautama encourage his followers to follow and achieve?

Siddhartha Gautama encouraged his followers to follow the Eightfold Path to achieve Nirvana, which is the ultimate state of enlightenment and liberation from suffering.

What was the significance of the Body of Civil Law?

The Body of Civil Law, created by Emperor Justinian, played a crucial role in the development of legal systems in Europe, influencing the basis of modern law.

What were the Five Pillars of Islam?

The Five Pillars of Islam are fundamental acts of worship that structure a Muslim's faith and practice: declaration of faith (Shahada), prayer (Salah), almsgiving (Zakat), fasting during Ramadan (Sawm), and pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj).

Who was Mansa Musa and why was his pilgrimage significant?

Mansa Musa was the Emperor of the Mali Empire; his pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324 significantly showcased the wealth of Mali and established important trade links between Africa and the Muslim world.

What was the code that knights lived by during the medieval period?

The code that knights lived by was known as Chivalry, which emphasized virtues such as bravery, honor, and respect for women.

Why was the Silk Road important?

The Silk Road was important because it facilitated trade, cultural exchanges, and the spread of ideas between the East and the West.

Explain how the Crusades contributed to the collapse of Feudalism.

The Crusades contributed to the collapse of Feudalism by promoting trade, increasing the power of monarchs, and fostering a sense of nationalism that diminished the feudal lords' authority.

What was the significance of the Medici Family in the Renaissance?

The Medici Family was significant in the Renaissance as powerful patrons of the arts, supporting artists, architects, and scholars, which led to cultural flowering in Florence.

What sparked the Protestant Reformation?

The Protestant Reformation was sparked by Martin Luther's 95 Theses, which criticized the Catholic Church's practices, particularly the sale of indulgences.

What were the motivations for European expansion in the 1400s?

The motivations for European expansion included the desire for new trade routes, the spread of Christianity, and the pursuit of wealth and glory.

What was the Scientific Method?

The Scientific Method is a systematic way of learning about the world through observation, experimentation, and analysis to draw conclusions.