Copy of Honors World History SS131 Semester 1 Cumulative Exam Review Sheet 2025

What does the term 'Renaissance' signify?

The rebirth of science, art, and literature.

What were the effects of the printing press during the Renaissance?

Allowed books to be sold at a cheaper price and enabled people to vocalize their thoughts and opinions more.

Who was Henry VIII?

King of England from 1509, a devoted Catholic who had six wives but no male heir, and he established the Church of England.

What was the Reformation?

A religious movement that created a branch of Christianity called Protestantism.

What were indulgences in the context of the Catholic Church?

The pope excused sins if a person paid a certain amount of money.

Who was Shah Jahan?

The Mughal emperor who built the Taj Mahal in honor of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, after her death.

What was the significance of the Taj Mahal?

A mausoleum built by Shah Jahan for his wife, reflecting Mughal architecture and art.

What contributed to the decline of the Ottoman and Safavid Empires?

Resource depletion under Aurangzeb's rule and subsequent internal conflicts among his successors.

Who was Isma’il?

The first shah of Safavid, who became shah at 12 and was known for his religious tyranny.

What was Suleyman known for?

He was an Ottoman sultan during whose reign the empire reached its peak.

What elite force did Suleyman create?

The Janissaries, an elite military group trained to be loyal to the sultan.

What was the Closed Country Policy of Japan?

A policy that restricted foreign influence and trade by closing Japan's borders.

What were the main causes for European exploration?

The desire for money, new land, new opportunities, and the spread of Christianity.

What was the Encomienda System?

A system rewarding Spanish conquerors with the labor of non-Christian people, often exploited Native Americans.

Who were the Boyars in Russia?

Land-owning nobles who held significant power in Russian society.

What is the Heliocentric Theory?

The belief that the sun is the center of the universe, proposed by Nicolaus Copernicus.

What was the law of universal gravitation?

Isaac Newton's law explaining the force attracting objects towards one another.

What did Montesquieu contribute to political thought?

He introduced the idea of separation of powers in government through judicial, legislative, and executive branches.

What was Voltaire known for?

He was a philosopher who believed in the importance of freedom of speech.

What was the Reign of Terror?

A period during the French Revolution marked by mass executions led by Maximilien Robespierre.

What was the Old Regime in France?

The political and social system in France before the French Revolution.

What is nationalism?

Loyalty to one's country or social class rather than to a king.

What is Realpolitik?

A political philosophy that prioritizes practical and realistic approaches over idealism.

Who was Napoleon Bonaparte?

A French military leader who rose to prominence during the French Revolution and became emperor.