APWH Ch. 1 Before 1200: Patterns in World History

Paleolithic Era
The Old Stone Age

≈ 2.5 million years ago - 10,000 BCE
95% Of overall human existence
Small bands of nomadic kinfolk with distinct societies and individual cultures that sustained itself by foraging: gathering, scavenging, hunting, and fishing.
- Egalitarian
-Low life expectancy
Significance: Established process of hunting and gathering which has supported humans for most of their time on Earth

Cheifdom

The political structure of some agricultural village societies in which leaders ruled through means other than force

Pastoral Society

A social system that focuses on the breeding and herding of animals for subsistence
- Areas where farming is difficult or impossible
- Central Asia, Arabian Peninsula, Sahara, E & S Africa
-Seasonal migration
Significance: Sustained life and introduced nomadic lifestyle that would later be useful in military and unification

Patriarchy

3500/3000 BCE - 1000 CE The idea that males are superior and should lead society
Replaced egalitarian values with the development of civilizations in the Agricultural Revolution
Significance: Set origins for most social interactions and organization in societies as well as sexism and inequality

Hinduism

Oldest Indian religion that evolved through many influences
- No founder
- Polytheistic
- Originally associated with a distinct people (ex. Judaism)
Significance:

Upanishads

800 - 400 BCE
A collection of sacred texts composed by anonymous thinkers . Elaborated the idea of Brahman, the World Soul and primal unitary energy infusing all things
Significance: Preserved Hindu beliefs and contributed to the expansion and understanding of the religion

Siddhartha Gautama

566 - 486 BCE A sheltered prince who is said to have founded Buddhism through enlightenment from suffering
- First Buddha
Significance: Developed the first religion to spread outside homeland - to Central Asia, China, Japan, Korea, SE Asia, +

Theravada Buddhism
Teaching of the Elders

One form of a religion that focused on the Teachings of Buddha and the withdrawal from life to focus on meditation
- Buddha was not divine
Significance: Early version of Buddhism set requirements for how to be enlightened

Mahayana Buddhism

Early centuries of Common Era Offered greater accessibility to a spiritual path for ordinary people rather than monks in a monastery
- Enlightenment could be achieved within the context of ordinary life
- Stressed compassion
Significance: Adaption to society from Theravada Buddhism, helped other people practice and the religion spread

Bhakti Movement

7th Century Onward Form of Hindu expression that revered numerous gods and goddesses
Significance: Dissolved Buddhism into this Hindu movement and made worship of Hindu gods more accessible, thus spreading the religion more

Confucianism

Originated 551 - 479 BCE A philosophy centered on the power of education and a moral structure
Significance: Basis for China's political life, social hierarchy, and governance

Daoism

Originated 6th Century BCE A philosophy centered on the power of the natural world and its enduring principles
Significance: Beliefs of the power of the Dao shaped parts of Chinese culture including magic, fortune telling, and immortality; Outlook influenced home life and lifestyles of even confucian officials

Judaism

Monotheistic religion of the Hebrew Jews. God was more accessible and divine
Significance: Provided foundation for later and more far spread Abrahamic faiths of Christianity and Islam

Jesus of Nazareth

4 BCE- 29 CE Wisdom Teacher who challenged Jewish values and sought to reform, not to create christianity
Significance: Became the basis of the world' s most widely practiced religion

Saint Paul

6 - 67 CE First popularizer of Christianity that offered Jesus's good news to more than just Jews
Significance: Transformed small Jewish sect to a world religion

Muhammad Ibn Abdullah

570-632 CE The Prophet of Islam
- Last messenger of god "Sealer of the Prophets"
Significance: Unified Arabia with his army by 630 CE under Islam beliefs which converted Arabs, Persians, and others today

Quran

The sacred writings of Islam revealed by God to the prophet Muhammad during his life at Mecca and Medina
Significance: Sacred scriptures of Islam which to this day most Muslims regard as the very words of God and the core of their faith

Umma

The just and moral society of Islam, the community of all believers, replacing tribal, ethnic, or racial identities.
Significance: New community that gave equality and peace in warring Arab society; it represented the alternative to the materialistic world that confronted Muhammad and other Arabs

Ulama

Muslim scholars who were educators of sharia (Islamic Law) as well as religious leaders.
Significance: Preserved the religion through education and communicated to keep beliefs consistent; critical to the regulation of Islamic society in social and commercial matters such as wills, marriage, and trade.

Sufism

1000 - 1800 CE A branch of islam that focuses on spirituality, mysticism, and a renunciation of worldly achievements. Pursued an interior life, seeking to tame the ego and achieve spiritual union with Allah
Significance: Focus on personal experience allowed Sufis to accommodate with growth in the frontier regions of Islam when following conquering armies/traders into Central and SE Asia, India, Anatolia, Africa +

Han Dynasty

202 BCE-220 CE This dynasty reunified China 200 BCE and instilled Confucianism
Significance: Use of confucianism in their government remained until the 20th century

Silk Roads

Began 200 BCE A system of ancient caravan routes across Central Asia, along which traders carried silk and other trade goods.
Significance: This early commercial network connected most land routes and civilizations of afro-eurasia, diffusion

Sea Roads

Began 200 BCE Exchange across Indian ocean and S China Sea connected everyone between China and E Africa (India)
Significance: This early commercial network connected most sea routes and civilizations of afro-eurasia, diffusion

Sand Roads

Began 200 BCE A term used to describe the routes of the trans-Sahara trade in Africa.
Significance: This early commercial network connected desert routes and civilizations of N Africa and Mediterranean with W Africa, diffusion