World History Modern AP Edition - Prologue and Classical/Postclassical Overview Flashcards

Flashcards cover key people, places, beliefs, and structures from the Prologue and Classical/Postclassical eras, including origins of humanity, early civilizations, major empires, religions, trade networks, and notable cultural achievements.

When and where did modern Homo sapiens first appear?

In East Africa between 200,000 and 100,000 BCE.

What was animism?

A system of religious beliefs that reveres deities associated with nature and natural features.

What did the Agricultural Revolution commence, and where did it begin?

Around 8000 BCE (about 10,000 years ago) in the Middle East; farming and animal domestication led to surplus and specialization.

Define a city-state.

An independent political unit consisting of a city and its surrounding territory.

Which civilization invented cuneiform?

Sumer in southern Mesopotamia.

How was ancient Egypt’s government organized and what structures reflected its power?

A highly centralized system ruled by a pharaoh; monumental architecture like pyramids and the use of hieroglyphics.

What is known about the Indus Civilization’s language?

Their script (the Indus script) remains undeciphered, so less is known about their language and institutions.

Name two non-river valley civilizations in the Americas.

The Olmec (Mesoamerica) and the Chavin (Andes).

What religious trend began to develop alongside growing cities in early civilizations?

Animism evolving toward more abstract monotheistic and polytheistic beliefs; also the rise of organized religions.

Who were the Aryans and what key concepts did they bring to South Asia?

Aryans from north of the Himalayan region brought the Vedas, the belief in many deities, reincarnation, and the caste system.

What is Hinduism’s concept of the soul’s journey called, and what social structure did the Vedas promote?

Reincarnation (samsara) and the caste system (jati) with limited social mobility.

What is Zoroastrianism known for in terms of monotheism?

An early monotheistic faith from Persia focusing on the struggle between good and evil and human free will.

What is Judaism, and where did it develop?

Monotheistic religion based on Abraham’s covenant with Yahweh; developed in and around the land now Israel.

Who founded Buddhism and when did he live?

Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, around 530 BCE.

What are the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path aimed at achieving?

Ending suffering and achieving enlightenment (nirvana) through the Eightfold Path.

What is nirvana in Buddhist belief?

Enlightenment and release from the cycle of reincarnation.

Which empire unified much of India under Ashoka and promoted Buddhism?

The Mauryan Empire; Ashoka expanded prosperity, built roads, and inscribed edicts promoting Buddhist knowledge.

What is the Gupta Empire renowned for in Indian history?

A Golden Age marked by centralized governance, advances in medicine, and the concept of zero/place value; strong Hindu support.

What is Confucianism’s core emphasis?

Education, benevolence, virtue, respect for authority, and filial piety.

What is Daoism?

A philosophy emphasizing living in harmony with nature and inner reflection.

What were key achievements of the Qin and Han dynasties in China?

Qin: standardized script, weights/measures, and roads/canals; Han: civil service exams, paper, compass, sternpost rudder, and a Silk Road expansion.

What is the civil service exam?

A merit-based examination used to select government officials in Han and later dynasties.

Who built Hagia Sophia and why was it significant?

Justinian the Great; it symbolized imperial power and architectural achievement in Byzantium.

What is the Justinian Code?

A consolidated set of Roman laws that influenced European legal tradition for centuries.

What is the Jewish diaspora?

The dispersion of Jews from their homeland to communities throughout the Mediterranean and Europe.

What is the House of Islam (Dar al-Islam)?

The region under Islamic rule where Muslim communities and cultures spread across the Middle East, North Africa, and beyond.

What was the Abbasid Caliphate known for?

Islamic Golden Age centered in Baghdad; advances in medicine, science, algebra, and the diffusion of ideas and goods; relative religious toleration with jizya on non-Muslims.

What is jizya?

A tax on non-Muslims living in Islamic states.

What was the Grand Canal and why was it important?

A vast canal built by the Sui to connect the agricultural south with northern centers, fostering economic and political unity.

What role did the Silk Roads play in Afro-Eurasia?

A major network for long-distance trade and cultural exchange across Eurasia, aided by monsoon wind patterns and maritime routes.

Who were the Vikings and what impact did they have on Europe?

Norse seafarers whose raids and settlements contributed to the decentralization and cultural exchanges across Europe.

What was Teotihuacan known for?

A major multicultural urban center in Mesoamerica with grid-street layout and monumental temples; an influential city by 6th century CE.

What were the Mayans known for historically?

A sophisticated Mesoamerican civilization with a complex written language and calendar; mastery of zero concept; peaked around 250–900 CE.

What was Cahokia and why is it significant?

A Mississippian urban center near present-day St. Louis; a major trade hub with a large population.

Who were the Toltecs and what was their influence?

A Mesoamerican civilization that followed Mayans and influenced the later Aztecs with a polytheistic/animistic religion.

What was Great Zimbabwe and what happened to it?

A powerful southeastern African kingdom (12th–15th centuries) that dominated gold trade in the region; declined likely due to reduced gold output.