Semester 2 History

What bodies of water surround Ancient Rome?

The Mediterranean Sea, Tyrrhenian Sea, and the Adriatic Sea.

What natural feature served as a border to the north of Ancient Rome?

The Alps.

Who were the mythical founders of Rome?

Romulus and Remus.

What significant political change occurred in Rome in 509 BCE?

Rome transitioned from a monarchy to a republic after the overthrow of Tarquin the Proud.

What were the Punic Wars?

A series of three wars between Rome and Carthage from 264 BCE to 146 BCE, resulting in Roman victory and expanded dominance.

What event marked the end of the Roman Republic?

The assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 BCE.

Who was Julius Caesar?

A general who became consul and later dictator of Rome, pivotal in the transition to the Roman Empire.

What was the Pax Romana?

A 150-year period of peace and stability in the Roman Empire initiated by Caesar Augustus.

What infrastructure developments occurred during the Golden Age of Rome?

Expansion of the empire, improvement in taxation systems, and construction of aqueducts and public buildings.

How did Christianity spread in the Roman Empire?

Jesus of Nazareth preached love and forgiveness; after his execution, Christianity spread despite persecution and became the official religion under Constantine.

What were some reasons for the decline of Rome?

Economic troubles, inflation, overexpansion, reliance on mercenaries, and weak leadership.

What geographic features characterize Feudal Japan?

Japan comprises over 4,000 islands, with the four main ones being Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu.

What was the role of the shogun in Feudal Japan?

The shogun held real power, while the emperor was revered but had no political authority.

Who were the daimyos in Feudal Japan?

Landowners responsible for vast areas of land, serving under the shogun.

What is the Bushido Code?

A code of honor and loyalty followed by samurai in Feudal Japan.

What happens to samurai who lose their masters?

They become ronin, living as mercenaries or seeking new employment.

What cultural practices flourished in Feudal Japan?

Haiku poetry, woodblock printing, and Noh theatre.

What are the main religious beliefs in Feudal Japan?

Indigenous Shintoism, which respects nature, and Zen Buddhism, which emphasizes meditation and discipline.

What numeral system did Islamic scholars adopt and disseminate?

The Hindu-Arabic numeral system, which included the concept of zero.

What significant contributions did Islamic scholars make in algebra and chemistry?

Methods to solve linear and quadratic equations and the discovery of compounds in chemistry.

What are two key features of Islamic art?

Islamic art is characterized by geometric and floral patterns, avoiding depictions of living beings.

What is a notable literary work from Islamic culture?

The Arabian Nights.

How did innovations in navigation during the Islamic period impact maritime activities?

Improvements like the astrolabe helped sailors determine direction and location accurately.

What architectural features are prominent in Islamic architecture?

Beautiful mosques and palaces with dome structures, intricate tile work, and geometric designs.

What motivated European nations during the Age of Exploration?

The necessity for new trade routes, desire for Asian goods, spreading Christianity, and national pride.

What event in 1453 affected trade routes to Asia?

The fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks, making overland routes less accessible.

Who was Prince Henry the Navigator and what was his contribution?

He established navigation schools to train explorers in seamanship, cartography, and celestial navigation.

What was Vasco da Gama's achievement in 1497?

He became the first European to reach India by sailing around Africa's Cape of Good Hope.

What did Christopher Columbus discover in 1492?

He discovered the Caribbean islands, mistakenly believing he had reached India.

Who was Amerigo Vespucci and what is he known for?

An Italian navigator who recognized that Columbus had discovered a new continent, later named America.

What was Ferdinand Magellan's notable expedition?

His expedition became the first to circumnavigate the globe.

What did Juan Ponce de Leon search for and what did he discover?

He searched for the mythical Fountain of Youth and discovered Florida.

What significant geographical feature did Hernando de Soto discover?

The Mississippi River.

What claim did John Cabot make for England?

He claimed what is now the northeastern United States, leading to the establishment of the 13 colonies.

What did Henry Hudson explore and discover?

He explored present-day Canada and discovered Hudson Bay while searching for a Northwest Passage to Asia.

Who navigated the Mississippi River and claimed territories for France?

Sieur de La Salle, who named the region Louisiana after King Louis XIV.

What empire did Hernán Cortés conquer?

The Aztec Empire in present-day Mexico.

Which empire was defeated by Francisco Pizarro?

The Incan Empire in modern-day Peru.

What was the Encomienda System?

A system implemented by the Spanish crown to regulate Native American labor and autonomy, leading to a social hierarchy in the New World.

Who were the Encomenderos in the social structure of the Encomienda System?

Spanish landowners at the top of the social hierarchy.

What role did Creoles play in the Encomienda System?

Creoles, Spanish born in the Americas, managed colonial administrations.

What groups occupied the lower tiers of the social hierarchy in the Encomienda System?

Mestizos (mixed Native American and white ancestry) and Mulattoes (mixed Black and white ancestry).

Who was at the bottom of the social hierarchy in the Encomienda System?

Enslaved Native Americans, who were forced into labor on plantations or in mines.

What transformative period is characterized by maritime adventures and the establishment of European colonial empires?

The Age of Exploration.

What is the world's second-largest continent?

Africa.

How many diverse ethnic groups are found in Africa?

Over 1,000 diverse ethnic groups.

What percentage of the world's population resides in Africa?

10% of the world's population.

What is the largest desert in the world?

The Sahara Desert, covering about one-third of Africa.

What challenges does the Sahara Desert present?

It is nearly impossible to traverse due to its immense area of sand dunes.

Which region does the Savanna dominate?

Central Africa, located south of the Sahara.

What type of climate characterizes the Savanna?

A hot and dry climate with enough rainfall to support the growth of grains.

What is significant about the Congo River?

It is the second-largest river in Africa and flows through a region with impressive biodiversity.

What is the longest river in the world?

The Nile River, extending over 4,000 miles.

What is Lake Victoria known for?

It is the largest lake in Africa and the second-largest freshwater lake globally.

What distinguishes the Kalahari Desert from the Sahara?

The Kalahari receives significantly more rainfall, allowing a wider variety of plants and animals to survive.

How were early African societies organized?

They were clan-based, with each clan sharing a common ancestry.

What lifestyle did many early African societies follow?

Many were nomadic, following animal migrations and seasonal weather patterns.

What belief system attributes spirits to elements of nature?

Animism

Who served as historians and passed down stories orally in African cultures?

Griots

What is the significance of the Nok culture in Sub-Saharan Africa?

The Nok culture, existing around 250 BCE, was the earliest to domesticate iron smelting.

Where was the Kingdom of Aksum located?

In what is now Ethiopia.

What time period did the Kingdom of Aksum flourish?

From around 400 BCE to the 900s CE.

Who ruled the Kingdom of Aksum?

King Ezana.

What trade routes did Aksum dominate?

The Red Sea trade routes.

With which ancient civilizations did Aksum engage in commerce?

Greece, Rome, India, Egypt, and Israel.

What was the time frame of the Ghana Empire's rule?

800-1076 CE.

What was the primary economic activity of the Ghana Empire?

Involvement in the gold and salt trade.

What empire succeeded the Ghana Empire?

The Mali Empire.

During which years did the Mali Empire rise to prominence?

1235-1400 CE.

What was the capital city of the Mali Empire?

Timbuktu.

Who was the notable leader of the Mali Empire known for his pilgrimage to Mecca?

Mansa Musa.

What significant event occurred during Mansa Musa's pilgrimage in 1324 CE?

He distributed gold, leading to economic inflation in regions he passed through.

What empire replaced the Mali Empire?

The Songhai Empire.

What marked the decline of the Songhai Empire?

The introduction of firearms.

What civilization ruled from the 11th to the 15th century in southeastern Africa?

Great Zimbabwe.

What does the name 'Zimbabwe' mean?

Houses made of stone.

What led to the decline of Great Zimbabwe?

Soil degradation and migration westward to establish the Mutapa Empire.

What was the Enlightenment also known as?

The Age of Reason.

What was a key belief of Enlightenment thinkers regarding human behavior?

The power of reason and logic.

What is Natural Law according to Enlightenment philosophers?

A universal moral law that can be understood through reason.

What did Thomas Hobbes argue in his work 'Leviathan'?

Individuals are naturally cruel, greedy, and selfish, necessitating a social contract.

What natural rights did John Locke believe individuals possess?

Life, liberty, and property.

What is the primary role of government according to John Locke?

To protect individual rights, and if it fails, people have the right to overthrow it.

What concept did Montesquieu advocate for in 'The Spirit of Laws'?

The separation of powers into three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial.

What freedoms did Voltaire champion?

Freedom of speech and freedom of religion.

What is the Social Contract according to Jean-Jacques Rousseau?

A legitimate government must be based on the general will of the people.

What reform did Cesare Beccaria advocate in the criminal justice system?

He argued against torture and cruel punishments.

What did Mary Wollstonecraft argue for in 'A Vindication of the Rights of Woman'?

Equal educational opportunities for women and their right to act independently.

What role did salons play during the Enlightenment?

They served as social venues for the exchange of Enlightenment ideas among intellectuals.

What was Denis Diderot's contribution to the Enlightenment?

He compiled ideas into the 'Encyclopedia', a collection of articles and essays.

How did artistic styles change during the Enlightenment?

Art transitioned from the ornate Baroque style to simpler, elegant Neoclassicism.

Which composers gained prominence during the Enlightenment?

Wolfgang Mozart and Beethoven.

What were the key beliefs that emerged from the Enlightenment?

Belief in progress, a secular outlook, and the importance of the individual.

How did Enlightenment ideas influence the American Revolution?

They shaped the ideological foundation, emphasizing social contract and separation of powers.

Who primarily authored the Declaration of Independence?

Thomas Jefferson.

What are the main principles embodied in the U.S. Constitution?

Federalism, republicanism, checks and balances, and the Bill of Rights.

What does the federal system in the U.S. Constitution represent?

Power-sharing between federal and state governments.

What is republicanism in the context of the U.S. Constitution?

A government elected by citizens, reflecting Rousseau's ideas.

What is the purpose of checks and balances in the U.S. government?

To ensure that no single branch becomes too powerful, reflecting Montesquieu's separation of powers.

What does the Bill of Rights protect?

Fundamental rights, reflecting Locke's natural rights and Voltaire's advocacy for freedom.