Global History & Geography Regents Review

Flashcards for Global History & Geography Regents Review

Historians

Study written records of past events. Causes: Curiosity about the past, desire to learn from history. Effects: Understanding of historical trends, interpretation of past events.

Geographers

Study the Earth’s surface and its impact on humans. Causes: Understanding spatial relationships, interest in environmental patterns. Effects: Urban planning, resource management.

Economists

Study how societies use available resources. Causes: Scarcity of resources, desire to understand economic systems. Effects: Economic policy-making, financial analysis.

Anthropologists

Study past and present human cultures. Causes: Interest in cultural diversity, understanding societal norms. Effects: Cultural preservation, cross-cultural understanding.

Primary Source

A firsthand record of a historical event created by an eyewitness who actually experienced the event. Causes: Direct observation, personal involvement. Effects: Provides authentic insights, may contain biases.

Secondary Source

A secondhand record of a historical event created by a person who did NOT actually experience the event. Causes: Compilation of information, analysis of primary sources. Effects: Broad interpretation, potential for misinterpretation.

Neolithic Age Key Development 1

Humans first discovered how to perform agriculture (farm) and domesticate (raise) animals for food and drink. Causes: Climate change, population pressure. Effects: Sedentary lifestyle, food surplus.

Neolithic Age Key Development 2

Humans switched from being nomads (people who wander from place to place hunting and gathering for food) to being settled farmers who lived in permanent villages. Causes: Reliable food source, safety. Effects: Community development, social organization.

Neolithic Age Key Development 3

Farming created a steady food supply (called a food surplus). Causes: Agricultural techniques, fertile land. Effects: Population growth, job specialization.

Neolithic Age Key Development 4

The permanent villages created during the Neolithic Age eventually turned into civilizations. Causes: Food surplus, social organization. Effects: Complex societies, government formation.

Neolithic Age Key Development 5

The development of farming during this period was so important for humans that it is often called the “Neolithic Revolution. Causes: Discovery of farming, reliable food source. Effects: Shift from nomadic to sedentary lifestyle, rise of civilizations.

Civilization

A complex and highly organized society that includes a government, social classes, job specialization, a food surplus, writing, and religious beliefs. Causes: Social organization, food surplus. Effects: Cultural achievements, societal advancement.

Hieroglyphics

Writing using picture symbols of the Egyptian civilization. Causes: Need for record-keeping, cultural expression. Effects: Preserved history, facilitated communication.

Code of Hammurabi

Oldest written set of laws in the world that is known for its strict (harsh) punishments of crimes (i.e.- “an eye for an eye”) of the Mesopotamian civilization. Causes: Need for social order, standardization of justice. Effects: Established legal principles, influenced future law codes.

Monsoons

Winds that brought rain needed to farm (but too much rain caused dangerous flooding) of the Harappan civilization. Causes: Seasonal weather patterns, geographical location. Effects: Agricultural success, devastation from flooding.

Barter

Trade without using money. Causes: Lack of currency, local exchange. Effects: Direct exchange of goods, limited trade scope.

Subsistence agriculture

Farming in which the crops are used only to feed the farmer and his family. Food is not usually sold for a profit. Causes: Self-sufficiency, lack of market access. Effects: Limited economic growth, food security.

Golden Age

A period of great achievements in art, literature, math, and science. Causes: Economic prosperity, political stability. Effects: Cultural legacy, advancements in various fields.

Sparta

A military society where men spent almost all of their lives training for warfare. Causes: Security concerns, territorial ambitions. Effects: Military strength, limited personal freedom.

Athens

Known for having the first democracy in the world. A democracy is a form of government in which people can vote. Causes: Desire for political participation, rejection of aristocracy. Effects: Citizen involvement, political debate.

Hellenistic Culture

Alexander spread Greek (Hellenic) culture to all of the areas that he conquered. Causes: Conquest and expansion, cultural influence. Effects: Blend of cultures, spread of Greek ideas.

Twelve Tables of Rome

Written set of laws that stated the rules of behavior for members of Roman society. Causes: Need for codified laws, social order. Effects: Legal foundation, standardization of laws.

Pax Romana

Means “Roman Peace.” This was the 200-year Golden Age of Rome in which there was extensive trade and great achievements in art, literature, math, and science. Causes: Political stability, economic growth. Effects: Expansion of trade, cultural achievements.

Asoka

Famous ruler of India who wrote the laws of India on tall rock pillars (columns) that were displayed throughout India. Causes: Desire for just rule, promotion of Buddhist principles. Effects: Moral guidelines, societal reform.

Caste System

The social hierarchy of India in which people were born into a social class (called a caste) and remained in that class for the remainder of their lives. Causes: Social stratification, hereditary roles. Effects: Limited social mobility, reinforced social inequality.

Legalism

Believes that humans are evil and that harsh punishments are needed to keep order in society. Causes: Distrust in human nature, need for social control. Effects: Strict laws, harsh penalties.

Civil Service System

System in which government positions were given only to skilled people who passed difficult exams. Causes: Desire for competent officials, reduction of nepotism. Effects: Meritocracy, efficient governance.

Silk Road

A long trade route that extended about 4,000 miles from China in the East to the Mediterranean Sea in the West, connecting different classical civilizations. Causes: Demand for goods, trade opportunities. Effects: Exchange of goods and ideas, economic growth.

Cultural Diffusion

The exchange of goods and ideas between societies. Causes: Trade, migration, conquest. Effects: Cultural enrichment, technological advancements.

Monotheistic Religions

Religions that believe in only one God. Causes: Religious revelation, philosophical thought. Effects: Unified religious belief, moral codes.

Five Pillars

Religious and moral/ethical duties and obligations that are required of all Muslims. Causes: Religious doctrine, moral guidance. Effects: Community solidarity, ethical behavior.

Reincarnation

The idea that after humans die, their souls are reborn into another body. Causes: Belief in spiritual continuity, cycle of life. Effects: Moral behavior, spiritual seeking.

Karma

Refers to all of the good and bad deeds that one does during their lifetime. Causes: Moral accountability, ethical conduct. Effects: Influence on future lives, spiritual progress.

Moksha

Ending reincarnation and stopping the cycle of death and rebirth. Causes: Desire for spiritual liberation, detachment from worldly desires. Effects: Spiritual peace, union with the divine.

Nirvana

Ending reincarnation and stopping the cycle of death and rebirth (similar to Hindu concept of Moksha). Causes: Spiritual enlightenment, detachment from worldly desires. Effects: Spiritual peace, union with the divine.

The Five Relationships

The idea that every single person has specific roles and obligations that must be followed in order to keep order and stability (calmness) in society. Causes: Societal harmony, hierarchical structure. Effects: Social stability, defined roles and responsibilities.

Filial Piety

The idea that people must honor and respect the elders of their family (i.e.- children must be loyal and obedient to their parents). Causes: Family values, ancestral respect. Effects: Family unity, social stability.

Nature Religions

Believe that both living and non-living things in nature (i.e.- trees, mountains, rivers, rain, rocks, animals, etc.) have a spirit. Causes: Connection to the natural world, belief in animism. Effects: Respect for nature, environmental conservation.

Eastern Orthodox Religion

The branch of Christianity that was practiced by the people of the Byzantine Empire. Causes: Political division, cultural differences. Effects: Distinct religious practices, cultural identity.

Justinian Code

Written system of laws created by Emperor Justinian that was later adopted by various European civilizations. It was largely based on laws of the Roman Empire. Causes: Legal reform, codification of laws. Effects: Influenced legal systems, standardization of justice.

Feudalism

Political system of the Middle Ages in which kings throughout Europe gave land away to nobles in return for their loyalty and military service. Causes: Decentralized power, need for defense. Effects: Social hierarchy, land-based economy.

Manors

Areas of land owned by a noble where most people lived during the Middle Ages. Causes: Land ownership, agricultural economy. Effects: Localized governance, agricultural production.

Crusades

The religious wars of the Middle Ages in which Christians from Europe fought to regain control of the Holy Land from Muslims. Causes: Religious zeal, territorial ambitions. Effects: Cultural exchange, religious conflict.

Archipelago

A country that consists of a group of islands. Causes: Geographical formation, tectonic activity. Effects: Unique biodiversity, maritime culture.

Terrace Farming

In order to farm in the mountains, the Japanese had to dig and carve flat areas into the sides of mountains. Causes: Limited arable land, mountainous terrain. Effects: Maximized land use, soil conservation.

Samurai

Warriors of Japanese society that pledged loyalty to the Daimyo and had to fight when necessary. Causes: Feudal system, need for military strength. Effects: Social hierarchy, military prowess.

Bushido

Code of behavior of the Samurai which required them to be loyal to the Daimyo and to fight bravely in battle. Causes: Loyalty, bravery, honor. Effects: Ethical framework, military effectiveness.

Desertification

The spreading of desert lands. Causes: Deforestation, climate change. Effects: Loss of arable land, displacement of populations.

Nomadic Pastoralists

They raised animals and migrated frequently in search of grazing lands for their animals. Causes: Scarcity of resources, environmental adaptation. Effects: Nomadic lifestyle, dependence on animals.

Tribute System

Areas taken over by the Mongols were required to give the Mongols money each year. Causes: Domination, extraction of resources. Effects: Economic burden, political control.

Black Death

The major disease (called bubonic plague) that killed 25 million people in Europe during the late Middle Ages. Causes: Disease transmission, unsanitary conditions. Effects: Population decline, social disruption.

Renaissance

The Golden Age of Western Europe. Causes: Economic growth, cultural revival. Effects: Artistic and intellectual achievements, societal change.

Humanism

There was a focus on humans and life on earth instead of on God and Heaven. Causes: Shift in worldview, questioning of religious authority. Effects: Emphasis on human potential, secularism.

Indulgences

Reductions in punishment that were sold by the Catholic Church. Causes: Church corruption, financial needs. Effects: Religious dissent, moral outrage.

Printing Press

This helped spread new ideas quickly and increased literacy. Causes: Technological innovation, demand for information. Effects: Increased literacy, spread of knowledge.

Pre-Columbian Civilizations

The societies that developed in the Americas before the arrival of Europeans. Causes: Independent development, unique cultural adaptations. Effects: Distinct civilizations, complex societies.

Chinampas

“floating gardens” that the Aztecs built in lakes in order to farm since there was a shortage of fertile land. Causes: Limited arable land, ingenuity. Effects: Increased agricultural output, sustainable farming.

Age of Exploration and Encounter

The period in history when the Europeans began sea voyages of exploration. Causes: Desire for trade, new routes to Asia. Effects: Global trade, cultural exchange.

Encomienda System

A labor system in which the Native Americans were forced to work on Spanish farming plantations and in Spanish mines. Causes: Colonial exploitation, demand for labor. Effects: Forced labor, demographic decline.

Mercantilism

Colonies exist only to make the Mother Country (i.e.- Spain and Portugal) wealthy. Causes: Economic exploitation, trade control. Effects: Colonial dependence, unequal trade relationships.

Columbian Exchange

Term used to describe the exchange of people, plants, animals, ideas and technology between the “Old World” (Europe) and the “New World” (North and South America). Causes: Transatlantic travel, exploration. Effects: Cultural exchange, agricultural shifts.

Commercial Revolution

New forms of business that were introduced during the Age of Exploration. Causes: Expanding trade, need for capital. Effects: Business innovation, increased investment.

Joint-stock companies

Investors would combine money to help pay for trading projects. Causes: Funding large ventures, spreading risk. Effects: Increased investment, trade growth.

Capitalism

Form of business in which profits from one project are reinvested in other projects in order to make more money. Causes: Profit maximization, economic expansion. Effects: Business growth, economic development.

Age of Absolutism

Period in European history when nations were governed by absolute monarchs. Causes: Centralized power, decline of feudalism. Effects: Royal authority, national unity.

Absolute Monarchs

Kings who had total control over the nations that they ruled. Causes: Centralized authority, claim to divine right. Effects: Royal power, limited individual rights.

Divine Right

Idea that kings received their power to rule directly from God. Causes: Justification of power, undermining church authority. Effects: Royal legitimacy, limited dissent.

Westernized

Imitated the customs and traditions of countries in Western Europe in order to strengthen his nation. Causes: Desire for modernization, adoption of Western culture. Effects: Cultural transformation, economic development.

Scientific Revolution

Sudden and dramatic change in how people viewed the world. Causes: Scientific discoveries, questioning of traditional beliefs. Effects: New worldview, scientific advancements.

Heliocentric Theory

The idea that the planets revolve around the sun. Causes: Scientific observation, revised understanding of the cosmos. Effects: Revised scientific theory, challenging old ideas.

Enlightenment

Period in European history when reason (logic) was used to understand and improve society. Causes: Emphasis on human reason, questioning of authority. Effects: Social reform, new ideologies.

Natural Law

Universal rules that are always true. Causes: Belief in universal truth, rational thought. Effects: Moral framework, philosophical principles.

Social Contract

An agreement in which all people agree to work for the common good of society. Causes: Social order, mutual benefit. Effects: Civil society, organized governance.

Enlightened Despots

European kings and queens who believed in Enlightenment ideas and ruled using Enlightenment principles (ideas). Causes: Adoption of Enlightenment ideals, desire for social reform. Effects: Social improvements, reformed policies.

Political Revolution

An event in which the people of a country overthrow an existing government and create a new government. Causes: Social discontent, political oppression. Effects: Government change, social upheaval.

Limited Monarchy

A form of government in which the power of monarchs (kings) is limited (decreased) by written laws. Causes: Desire to limit the power of the monarchs, new ideas of individual liberites Effects: Balance of power, protected rights.

Nationalism

Pride in their country. Causes: Common identity, shared beliefs. Effects: National unity, political mobilization.

Industrial Revolution

Change from producing goods by hand to producing goods with machines in factories. Causes: Technological innovation, demand for goods. Effects: Economic transformation, urbanization.

Urbanization

The growth of cities. Causes: Migration from rural areas, industrial opportunities. Effects: Social problems, economic concentrations.

Labor Unions

Organizations of workers that fought to improve the pay and working conditions of workers. Causes: Worker exploitation, demand for better conditions. Effects: Improved working conditions, collective bargaining.

Laissez Faire Capitalism (Market Economy)

Businesses and factories should be owned by individuals (NOT the government). Causes: Emphasis on individual enterprise, freedom to make profit. Effects: Economic efficiency, competition.

Command (or Communist) economy

The government (instead of individuals) owns businesses, makes business decisions, and sets prices. Causes: Government control, planned economy. Effects: Centralized control, potential inefficiencies.

Nationalism

A feeling of love, loyalty, and devotion to one’s country. Causes: Common identity, shared beliefs. Effects: National unity, political mobilization.

Potato Famine

About 1 million Irish people died of famine (starvation) when the potato crop failed to grow. Causes: Potato blight, British policy. Effects: Mass starvation, emigration.

Imperialism

A strong country conquers and takes over a weaker country. Causes: Economic interests, geopolitical strategy. Effects: Colonial exploitation, cultural assimilation.

White Man's Burden

A racist poem that encouraged Europeans to civilize the people that they took over. Causes: Racism, to exploit natural and human resources. Effects: Colonial justification, cultural dominance.

Social Darwinism

Idea that it was natural for strong countries (like the European nations) to take over weaker countries (like nations in Africa and Asia). Causes: Social inequality, exploitation. Effects: Colonial subjugation, resource extraction.

Scramble for Africa

Over 90% of Africa was taken over by European countries that scrambled (raced) to take over the continent. Causes: Imperial ambitions, competition for resources. Effects: Colonial rule, exploitation.

Spheres of Influence

Areas where trade was controlled by different European nations. Causes: Economic dominance, trade control. Effects: Trade privileges, economic exploitation.

Meiji Restoration

Period in Japanese history when Japan was ruled by Emperor Meiji. Causes: Desire for modernization, imperial leadership. Effects: Rapid industrialization, Westernization.

Modernization

Japan industrialized (built factories, machines, roads, communications). Causes: Desire for strength, technological innovation. Effects: Economic growth, social change.

Westernization

Japan adopted the customs and techniques of Western countries. Causes: To compete with other countries, gain global standing. Effects: Cultural change, economic alignment.

M.A.I.N.

The war took place for several important reasons: Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, and Nationalism. Causes: Complex global forces, intense nationalism. Effects: Global conflict, geopolitical shifts.

Treaty of Versailles Effect

This provided the people of Eastern Europe with self-determination. Causes: WWI, nationalism. Effects: National independence, redrawn borders.

Armenian Massacre

During World War I, the Turks of the Ottoman Empire attempted to kill all of the Armenians that lived in their territory. Causes: Ethnic tensions, political instability. Effects: Mass genocide, demographic shift.

Genocide

The attempted extermination of an entire ethnic group. Causes: Ethnic animosities, political oppression. Effects: Mass murder, demographic change.

Suffrage

The right to vote. Causes: Demand for representation, democratic ideals. Effects: Political participation, changing governments.

World War I Impact on Russia

Russia suffered many casualties (injuries and death) in the war. World War I also created food shortages at home (people were starving). Causes: War, food shortages. Effects: Social discontent, political instability.

Kemal Ataturk

He was the first president of Turkey. He is considered a nationalist because he made many changes in order to strengthen Turkey. Causes: Post-war reform, national reconstruction. Effects: Modernization, secularization.

Zionism

Nationalist movement of Jews. Causes: Persecution, desire for homeland. Effects: Creation of Israel, ongoing conflict.