Foundations of the Human Experience and the Global System

These practice flashcards cover the timeline of human development, the rise of major civilizations (China, India, Mediterranean), the emergence and spread of Islam and Christianity, and the global interactions between regional traditions up to approximately $$1200-1450\,CE$$.

What are the two factors in the Neolithic 'starter kit' that distinguish humans from other animals?

The utilization of fire and eating a variety of food.

According to the lecture, where did humans first emerge and when did they reach the Americas?

Humans emerged from Eastern Africa and reached Asia & Americas in $25,000\,BCE$.

What was the 'initial economy' of the Neolithic era and who introduced most of its innovations?

Agriculture was the initial economy, and innovations were introduced by women.

What specific disadvantage of agriculture led to increased conflict in early societies?

Agriculture encouraged war, harder work (especially for women), and greater inequality.

What was the first system of writing, where did it begin, and around what date?

It was the cuneiform system, which began near the Euphrates around $3500\,BCE$.

Who was the King of Babylon that united Mesopotamia and created an early law code around $1800\,BCE$?

Hamurabi.

What were the two central features of China's Han Dynasty ($200\,BCE$ to $220\,CE$)?

An Emperor known as the 'Son of Heaven' with a large bureaucracy, and the secular philosophy of Confucianism.

In the Hindu caste system, which groups belong to the highest and lowest social tiers?

Brahmins (priests) are at the highest tier, and Untouchables are at the lowest tier.

What significant religious event occurred in $1054\,CE$ within European civilization?

The Schism, which divided Christian Europe into the East (Byzantine influence/Orthodox) and West (Roman Pope/Catholic).

What are the primary differences between the Eastern and Western branches of the Christian church after the split?

Eastern priests could marry and had a role in the state, while Western priests were celibate and independent from the state.

What technological advancement allowed Arab 'dhows' to be the main bearers of commerce in the Indian Ocean?

Triangular sails, which provided speed and the ability to tack against the wind.

In the Song Dynasty, who were the 'Mandarins'?

The scholar/gentry group who were well-educated officials.

Which ruler of the Mali Empire was known as the 'lion prince' and was the subject of songs by griots?

Sundiata.

What was the primary trade exchange in the savanna state of Ghana?

Gold was exchanged for salt and dates along trans-Saharan routes.

What language developed in East Africa by combining Arabic and Bantu influences?

Swahili.

Which Byzantine ruler converted his subjects to Christianity and adopted Byzantine architecture and rituals in Kievan Rus?

Vladimir I.

What were three specific technological innovations from the Song Dynasty?

Rudders, acupuncture, and the seismograph.

What agricultural system in Western Europe involved leaving one field fallow each year to increase fertility?

The 3-field system.

What group captured Baghdad in $1258\,CE$, putting the final Abbasid caliph to death?

The Mongols under the leadership of Hulegu.

What was the 'Abbasid Paradox' described in the lecture?

It was a period of political decline and loss of territory alongside a renaissance in learning, science, and the arts.

How did the Bhakti movement in India respond to the challenge of Islam?

By emphasizing devotional cults open to all (including women and untouchables) and using songs and poems to minimize religious differences.

Which city was the capital of the Aztec Empire, featuring a population of $100,000+$, canals, and bridges?

Tenochtitlan.

What was the name of the Turkish slave dynasty that defeated the Delhi Sultanate during the second wave of Muslim conquests?

Timur-i-lang.

What is 'Scholasticism' associated with in the context of late medieval Europe?

The study of Aristotle's writings and the flourishment of cities like Paris, symbolized by figures like Thomas Aquinas.