AWH S2 Finals SAQ

List and explain the issues that led to the division between the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church.

The Great Schism began in 1054 when the Pope and Patriarch excommunicated each other. Tensions between the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches had been growing, and this event was the breaking point. One major issue was religious disagreement: Catholics believe the Holy Spirit comes from both God and Jesus. On the other hand, Orthodox believe it only comes from God. Catholics believe Mary was sinless, but Orthodox believe she was human and born with sin. Finally, Catholics don’t allow divorce, while the Orthodox does.

Explain what life was like in a Monastic house in the Early Christian Church

Life in a monastic house was centered around prayer, work, and study. Monks followed a strict schedule that began early in the morning with prayer services. They spent much of the day copying manuscripts, farming, or performing other labor to support the monastery. Meals were simple and often eaten in silence, and monks lived communally under vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. The monastic life was disciplined and aimed at spiritual growth and service

How does the story, One thousand and One Nights, reveal what culture was like in the Arab Empires

One Thousand and One Nights reveals the rich and diverse culture of the Arab Empires, blending Persian, Indian, and Arab influences. The stories reflect values such as cleverness, hospitality, and justice. They also reveal a fascination with adventure and the supernatural. They depict a society with distinct classes and powerful rulers. The story served as both entertainment and moral lessons.

What beliefs and ways of  life shape the religious traditions of Islam

Islam is shaped by the belief in one God (Allah) and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad. The Five Pillars of Islam—faith, prayer, fasting, charity, and pilgrimage—guide the daily lives of Muslims. Muslims are encouraged to live justly, help those in need, and maintain strong family and community ties. The Qur’an, Islam’s holy book, provides spiritual guidance and a code of ethics. Islamic traditions also emphasize modesty, discipline, and respect for knowledge

Describe the role of the church in Medieval times. Explain ways you think this was or was not a healthy Christian church

The Church played a huge role in medieval life. It influenced not only religion, but also education and daily routines. It offered spiritual guidance, ran schools and hospitals, and collected the tithes from the people. Bishops and popes had significant influence over kings. The Church eventually became corrupt, focusing on wealth and power.

What is the Magna Carta? Why would the King sign it? Why did this become important later

The Magna Carta was a document signed in 1215 by King John of England, forced by rebellious barons who wanted to limit the king’s power. It established that the king was not above the law and granted basic rights, such as protection from unfair imprisonment. The king signed it to avoid civil war and maintain peace with the nobles. Over time, it became a symbol of individual rights and influenced later democratic ideas, including the U.S. Constitution. It marked a turning point in limiting government power

Is Genghis Khan more of a brutal murderer or a powerful uniter? Why?

In my opinion, Genghis Khan was more of a powerful uniter. This is seen by the fact that he created the largest land empire in history. He also supported religious tolerance, allowing people from different faiths to live together in his empire. He also opened up the Silk Road, which improved the exchange of culture and communication across Europe and Asia. Finally, he brought order and structure to an enormous region

What is a civil-service examination? Why was it important in Chinese Dynasties?

A civil-service examination was a test used in Chinese dynasties to select government officials based on their knowledge of Confucian teachings and other scholarly subjects. It was important because it allowed talented individuals, regardless of their social class, to earn government positions through merit. This helped create a more educated and capable bureaucracy. The system encouraged learning and stability by promoting values like loyalty, respect, and duty. It also reduced the influence of nobility in government by focusing on ability rather than birthright.

List at least three main reasons Europeans during the Middle Ages joined the crusades? Make sure to specify by class

Nobles joined the Crusades seeking land, wealth, and titles. Knights went to gain glory in battle and to fulfill religious duty, believing their sins would be forgiven. Peasants and serfs joined hoping to escape their hard lives, find freedom, or achieve spiritual salvation. Many believed fighting for the Church would guarantee them a place in heaven. The promise of rewards both on earth and in the afterlife motivated people from all classes.

Explain the spread of the Black Plague, and initial European response. 

The Black Death began in Asia and spread to Europe via trade routes, especially through ships carrying infected rats and fleas. It first entered Europe through port cities, and spread rapidly due to poor hygiene. People thought the plague was a punishment from God. They turned to prayer and religious rituals, while some blamed Jews, which sometimes led to violence. Some doctors tried bloodletting or other animal remedies.

Describe Mansa Musa’s pilgrimage to Mecca and the impact it had on Mali and the countries through which he traveled

Mansa Musa, the emperor of Mali, made a pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324. He set out to fulfill one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Traveling with a massive caravan displaying his wealth, he gave away so much gold it caused inflation to the point that local economies were hurt for years. His pilgrimage gained Mali international attention and strengthened ties to the Muslim world. His invitation to Islamic scholars led to Timbuktu becoming a center of Islamic learning

Describe how the Kingdoms of Africa were affected by the physical geography of the region

Rivers like the Nile facilitated trade and communication. Kingdoms like Mali and Ghana thrived because of their control over these trade routes. The Sahara Desert was also a huge barrier. It limited the interaction between North and Sub-Saharan Africa. Fertile regions like the Nile Valley supported agriculture, allowing Ancient Egypt to thrive. Harsh climates such as the arid Sahel also influenced settlement patterns

What is Humanism? How did it influence the Renaissance?

Humanism is the belief that the world was created to be enjoyed by humans. This led to a more secular approach to knowledge, and a step away from the Church. Humanism led to a focus on the human figure in art. Artists studied the human body in order to create realistic, lifelike representations of man. It also led to a rise in portraits, because of the increased importance of the individual.

List and describe some effects of Martin Luther's posting of the 95 theses.

Martin Luther’s 95 theses lead to a new formation of Christians who were separated from the Catholic Church. He challenged the Catholic Church's authority, especially in selling indulgences. As more people started asking questions and finding problems, it weakened the Catholic Church. It sparked the Protestant Reformation, helped by inventions such as the printing press, which helped the spread of literacy. Another effect was the rise of religious wars, which erupted when different factions fought over religious beliefs and power.