history precomp review

Social mobility

The ability of individuals to change their social status within a society.

Agricultural Revolution

The transition from hunter-gatherer lifestyles to settled agriculture, marked by the domestication of plants and animals.

Patriarchy

A social system in which men hold primary power and authority in family, society, and government.

Pastoralism

A way of life based on herding domesticated animals.

Civilization

A complex society with characteristics such as urban centers, organized government, social classes, specialized labor, art, architecture, and writing.

Mesopotamia

The "land between two rivers" (Tigris and Euphrates) in present-day Iraq, considered the cradle of civilization.

Cuneiform

A writing system developed in Mesopotamia using wedge-shaped marks pressed into clay tablets.

Polytheistic

Belief in multiple gods.

Ziggurat

A massive stepped platform built in ancient Mesopotamia to support a temple.

State

A politically organized territory with a government, defined borders, and a population.

Hammurabi's Code

A Babylonian legal code from the 18th century BCE, famous for its "eye for an eye" principle.

Epic of Gilgamesh

An ancient Mesopotamian epic poem about the legendary King Gilgamesh.

Nile River Valley

The fertile land along the Nile River in Egypt, where ancient Egyptian civilization developed.

Hieroglyphs

An ancient Egyptian writing system using picture symbols.

Indus River Valley

The location of an early civilization in present-day Pakistan and northwest India.

Yellow River Valley

The location of early Chinese civilization in northern China.

Oracle bones

Animal bones used for divination in ancient China.

Olmec

The earliest known major civilization in Mesoamerica (present-day Mexico).

Norte Chico

A complex pre-Columbian society in present-day Peru.

Quipu

A system of knotted strings used for record-keeping in the Andes.

Punic Wars

A series of three wars fought between Rome and Carthage (a Phoenician city-state) for control of the Mediterranean.

Qin

A Chinese dynasty that unified China and began construction of the Great Wall.

Han

A Chinese dynasty known for its golden age of expansion, prosperity, and cultural achievements.

Mauryan

An Indian empire that unified much of the Indian subcontinent.

Gupta

An Indian empire known for its golden age of science, mathematics, and art.

Cahokia

A large pre-Columbian city in present-day Illinois, known for its massive earthen mounds.

Chaco

A complex of ancient Puebloan settlements in present-day New Mexico.

Moche

A pre-Columbian civilization in present-day Peru, known for its elaborate pottery and irrigation systems.

Teotihuacan

A large pre-Columbian city in Mesoamerica, known for its massive pyramids.

Maya

A Mesoamerican civilization known for its sophisticated writing system, calendar, and mathematics.

Meroe

The capital of the Kingdom of Kush in ancient Nubia (present-day Sudan).

Axum

An ancient kingdom in present-day Ethiopia, known for its trade and Christianity.

Bantu

A group of related languages and peoples who migrated across Africa, spreading agriculture and ironworking.

Zoroastrianism

An ancient Persian religion emphasizing a struggle between good and evil.

Judaism

A monotheistic religion originating with the ancient Hebrews.

Vedics

Relating to the Vedas, ancient Hindu scriptures.

Hinduism

A diverse religion originating in India, with beliefs in reincarnation, karma, and dharma.

Buddhism

A religion founded by Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha), emphasizing the path to enlightenment.

Mahayana

A branch of Buddhism emphasizing the role of bodhisattvas (enlightened beings who postpone their own enlightenment to help others).

Legalism

A Chinese philosophy emphasizing strict laws and harsh punishments.

Daoism

A Chinese philosophy emphasizing living in harmony with the Dao (the natural order of the universe).

Confucianism

A Chinese philosophy emphasizing social harmony, filial piety, and good government.

Christianity

A monotheistic religion based on the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Greek philosophy

The philosophical traditions of ancient Greece, including thinkers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle.

Hellenism

The spread of Greek culture and influence throughout the Mediterranean and beyond.

Persian Empire

A series of empires based in Persia (present-day Iran), known for their large size and efficient administration.

Greek City-States

Independent city-states in ancient Greece, such as Athens and Sparta.

Peloponnesian War

A war fought between Athens and Sparta and their allies.

Greco-Persian Wars

A series of wars between the Greek city-states and the Persian Empire.

Roman Empire

An empire that dominated the Mediterranean world for centuries, known for its law, engineering, and military power.

Significance, location of trade routes

The importance and geographical routes of major trade networks.

Migration/diffusion of Bantu and Polynesia

The movement and spread of Bantu peoples in Africa and Polynesians in the Pacific.

Trade technology and economic influence

The technologies that facilitated trade and their impact on economies.

Trans-Saharan caravan routes

Trade routes across the Sahara Desert in Africa.

Mediterranean Sea lanes

Sea routes used for trade and transportation in the Mediterranean Sea.

Lateen sail/dhow ship

A triangular sail and a type of ship used extensively in the Indian Ocean trade.

Qanat system

A system of underground tunnels used for irrigation in Persia and other arid regions.

Cities

Urban centers as hubs of trade, culture, and administration.

Empire

A large political unit controlling multiple territories and peoples.

City-state

An independent city and its surrounding territory.

Persepolis

The ceremonial capital of the Persian Empire.

Chang'an

The capital of several Chinese dynasties, including the Han and Tang.

Pataliputra

The capital of the Mauryan and Gupta empires in India.

Corvée labor

Unpaid labor required by a government or ruler.

Tribute

Payments or goods given by one state or ruler to another as a sign of submission or alliance.

Trade Routes

Networks of trade connecting different regions.

Medieval Europe

The period in European history between the fall of the Roman Empire and the Renaissance.

Byzantine Empire

The eastern Roman Empire, which continued after the fall of the western Roman Empire.

Islam

A monotheistic religion founded by the Prophet Muhammad.

Crusades

A series of religious wars fought between Christians and Muslims for control of the Holy Land.

Sudanic Empires

Empires that arose in the Sudan region of Africa, such as Ghana, Mali, and Songhai.

China (Sui-Ming)

Dynasties that ruled China during this period, including the Sui, Tang, Song, Yuan (Mongol), and Ming.

Pastoralism

Continued importance of herding in certain regions.

Mongols

A nomadic group from Central Asia who created a vast empire.

Americas

Civilizations that developed in the Americas, such as the Maya, Aztec, and Inca.

Factors for revival and decline of urbanization

Reasons for the growth and decline of cities.

Catholicism vs. Orthodox

The division between the Roman Catholic Church in the West and the Eastern Orthodox Church in the East.

Islamic split

The division within Islam between Sunni and Shia Muslims.

Islamic spread

The expansion of Islam through conquest and trade.

little to no rights

The role and status of women in Islamic societies.

Medieval Europe: political, social, economic

Characteristics of medieval European society.

Feudalism in Europe and Japan

A social and political system based on land ownership and obligations.

Byzantine vs. W. Europe

Differences and interactions between the Byzantine Empire and Western Europe.