Middle East Flashcards

What are the 5 major regions in the Middle East?

Northern tier, Arabian Peninsula, Fertile Crescent, Nile River Valley, Maghreb.

What are the differences between the Anatolian and Iranian Plateaus?

The Anatolian Plateau has more farmland and people than the Iranian Plateau; they are located in present-day Turkey and Iran, respectively.

What are the three major bodies of water surrounding the Arabian Peninsula?

The Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and the Persian Gulf.

How does the Middle East overcome its water resource problems?

Through desalination, removing salt from saltwater to make freshwater.

What does the Fertile Crescent lack?

Natural boundaries or barriers, making it vulnerable to attacks.

Why does the Fertile Crescent experience so much international activity?

It is a valuable land with no natural boundaries, making it vulnerable to invasions.

Why was the Nile River Valley a center of trade?

The water allowed for easier transport of goods and connected Africa and Asia.

What does the term 'Mesopotamia' mean?

The land between the rivers.

What does the term 'Maghreb' mean and which countries are in this region?

It means 'western isle'; countries include Algeria and Chad.

What are the languages and main resources in the Middle East?

Languages include Arabic, Turkish, Hebrew, Farsi; main resources are salt, copper, and oil.

Why is there an uneven distribution of resources in the Middle East?

Some areas are drier while others have more oil or water due to geography.

Why can it be said that the Middle East is characterized by scarcity?

It has a scarcity of water, with large areas lacking it and not supporting human habitation.

What did both Sumer and Persia heavily rely on?

Agriculture, trade, and unified law codes.

What was the law code that became the foundation for law codes in a society?

Hammurabi's code.

What are Persia’s attitudes towards foreign ideas?

They adopt good ideas while maintaining an ethnocentric view of superiority.

Where is the Kingdom of Israel located?

Between Mesopotamia and Egypt.

What was the Roman Jewish Diaspora?

Jews revolted against Roman rule but were defeated and scattered outside Jerusalem.

What are the main beliefs of the Jewish faith?

Founder - Abraham; Text: Torah; Monotheism, moral/ethical code (Ten Commandments).

What are similarities and differences among the three major ethical monotheistic religions?

All believe in one God and have moral codes; Islam lacks the concept of a Messiah, unlike Judaism and Christianity.

Why did Christianity spread and become popular throughout the Roman Empire?

It taught that everyone was equal, appealing to the lower class.

What are the 5 pillars of Islam?

Monotheism, charity, prayer five times daily, Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca), fasting during Ramadan.

What are the 3 books associated with Islam?

Qu’ran, Hadith, Sunnah

What was the Hejira?

The migration of Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina.

Who were the Bedouin and their role in Arabian Peninsula life?

Nomadic herders who provided goods, technology, information, acting as merchants and the backbone of society.

What is the difference between Sunni and Shiite Muslims?

Sunni - any devout Muslim can be a successor; Shiite - only Muhammad’s descendants (members of his family) can be his successor.

What are the differences between the Abbasid and Umayyad Dynasties?

Umayyad: 661-750 AD, capital Damascus, only ethnic Arabs held positions; Abbasids: 751-1258, capital Baghdad, any Muslim could hold high positions.

Who are the Ottomans?

A powerful empire from 1300-1918, originating in modern-day Turkey, known for leaders like Suleiman the Magnificent.

What are Janissaries?

Elite soldiers made up of foreigners who were taken and converted to Islam.

Why are the battles of Constantinople, Vienna, and Lepanto important?

These battles marked key conflicts that shaped the power dynamics and territorial control in the region.

Who are the Safavids?

An empire from 1500-1700s located in Persia (modern-day Iran), known for being Shiite and led by rulers like Shah Ismail.

How are Safavid and Ottoman empires alike or unlike?

Structures were similar; both respected art and literature and achieved relative artistic parity.