Origins of Humans and World Civilizations

Comprehensive review flashcards covering prehistoric human evolution, early world civilizations, ancient Greece, Rome, the Islamic world, medieval Asia, feudal Europe, and early American societies.

What do the root words "paleo", "anthro", "meso", and "neo" mean?

"Paleo" means old, "anthro" means man, "meso" means middle, and "neo" means new.

How do the notes define anthropology, archaeo, and lithic?

Anthropology is the study of man, archaeo is the study of ancient society, and lithic means stone tools.

What are the key characteristics of the Paleolithic period (70,000 BC - 12,000 BC)?

People created cave wall paintings, hunted and gathered food, learned to make fire, developed language, and created simple tools.

What developments occurred during the Mesolithic period (10,000 BC - 8500 BC)?

People made pottery, hunted and gathered but stored food, settled in villages near water, and created better tools.

What major advancements characterized the Neolithic period (9000 BC - 1800 BC)?

People built shelters and tombs, began farming, built brick houses and places of worship, had specialized jobs, and developed more complex tools.

What were the dates, location, and key milestone of Austriolopithecine?

Dated from 4 million to 1 million BC in southern and eastern Africa, they were the first humanlike creature to walk upright.

What is HomoHabilis known for, and during what time period did they exist?

Existing from 2.5 million BC to 1.5 million BC, they were the first to make stone tools.

Where was Homoerectus found, and what was their time span?

Found in Africa, Asia, and Europe, living from 1.6 million to 30,000 BC.

What are the key facts regarding Cro Magnon (early homo sapien)?

Existing from 40,000 to 8,000 BC in Europe, they were full modern humans and created art.

Where were Neanderthals found, what was their time span, and what cultural milestone did they achieve?

Existed from 200,000 to 30,000 BC in southwest Asia and Europe, and were the first to have ritual burial.

What is the definition of a scientific theory according to the lecture?

A well substantial explanation of some aspect of the natural world that incorporates facts, laws, inferences, and tested hypotheses.

How does the text define race?

Groups of people who have differences and similarities in biological traits deemed by society to be socially significant, meaning that people treat other people differently because of them.

What is the definition of culture?

The sum total of the learned behavior of a group of people that are generally considered to be the tradition of that people and are transmitted from generation to generation.

How is pluralism defined, and what example is given?

Where people of all ethnicities and races remain distinct but have social equality; the United States is noted as exceptionally diverse but lacking in true pluralism.

What are the four sequential steps to a civilization?

1. Hunting and gathering (Nomadic Lifestyle), 2. Agricultural revolution, 3. Permanent Villages (Larger Villages), and 4. Civilization.

What are the five essential characteristics of a civilization?

Specialized workers, complex institutions, advanced cities, record keeping, and advanced technology.

What was identified as the #1 invention that moved society forward?

The wheel.

What were the three core problems of the first civilizations?

The nature of human relationships, the nature of the universe, and the role of divine forces in that universe.

In what order did the civilizations of Western Asia and East Africa arise?

Hittites to Israelites to Assyrians to Persians.

Why were the Persians so successful in maintaining control over conquered peoples?

Conquered peoples were less likely to revolt because the Persians allowed them to do what they wanted to do.

What were the five tiers of the Aryan Caste System in order from top to bottom?

1. Brahmins (priests), 2. Kshatriyas (warriors and rulers), 3. Vaisyas (skilled traders, merchants, and minor officials), 4. Sudras (skilled workers), and 5. Pariah ("Harijans", "outcasts", "untouchables").

What was the chronological sequence of the first three dynasties of Ancient China?

1. Shang Dynasty, 2. Zhou (Joe) Dynasty, 3. Qin (Chin) Dynasty.

What political concept did the Zhou Dynasty establish?

The Mandate of Heaven (divine right to rule).

How did direct democracy function in ancient Athens, and who was excluded?

All male citizens gathered, discussed issues, and voted; democracy was limited strictly to male citizens, excluding women, slaves, and foreigners.

What were the strengths of Athens and Sparta in the Peloponnesian War, and what was the outcome?

Athens had money, powerful allies, and a great navy; Sparta had a formidable land army and fearless fighters. Sparta won the war.

What was the lasting effect of the Peloponnesian War on Greek city-states?

Greek cities were weakened, leading to a Macedonian invasion led by King Philip II and the Greeks losing their freedom.

What primary contributions are associated with Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle?

Socrates gained knowledge by asking questions, Plato founded The Academy, and Aristotle founded the scientific method.

What was Alexander the Great's greatest flaw as a leader?

He was only good at conquering and was not good at administrative duties as a ruler.

What is the primary distinction between a republic and a democracy?

In a republic, elected representatives make the laws, whereas in a democracy, the people directly make the laws.

How did each of the three Punic Wars conclude between Rome and Carthage?

Rome won the first battle, Carthage won the second battle by running through Rome with elephants, and Rome won the third battle by bypassing the elephants and attacking Carthage.

In what year did the Roman Empire come to an end?

AD 476.

What is the meaning of "Islam", and what was the primary objective of the caliphs?

"Islam" means "peace through submission to the will of God", and the primary objective of the caliphs was to spread the religion.

Which groups sequentially took over the Islamic caliphate?

First the caliphs, next the Umayyads, then the Abbasids, and then the Mongols.

What two critical cultural tools did Muslims bring to trade networks between the Middle East and China?

A code of law and a written language.

Why is the Thanksgiving bird called a turkey?

It is indigenous to Mexico, but received the name from the Turkish merchants who distributed it to everyone else.

Why did salt and gold share equivalent value during early African trading empires?

Salt was needed to preserve foods, while gold was considered valuable simply because people found it fascinating.

What were the historical ways an individual could become enslaved?

As a war prisoner, through debt, by committing a crime, or through capture or force.

What was the chronological order of Chinese dynasties in the medieval Asian world?

Sui to Tong to Tang to Mongols to Ming.

What three elements formed the basis of Charlemagne's new European civilization?

Romans, German tribes, and the Christian church.

How was the feudal hierarchy organized in terms of obligations and land distribution?

The King granted land to nobles, nobles granted land to knights, and knights granted land to peasants; in exchange, peasants provided food and services, knights provided protection and military service, and nobles provided money and knights to the king.

Who won the Crusades, and what major historical shift did returning Christians spur?

The Muslims won the Crusades, and returning Christians spurred European exploration.

What was the chronological order of Mesoamerican civilizations?

Olmec to Zapotec to Maya to Aztec.

What was the chronological sequence of North American indigenous groups mentioned in the notes?

Inuits to Anasazi to Mound builder to Plain americans to Iroquois.

What were the two major issues faced by early civilizations of the Americas?

Isolation (which prevented them from gaining immunity to diseases like the bubonic plague) and lack of a sophisticated written language.