APWH Strayers Ch. 1-14 Questions

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What was the Paleolithic Era?

The Paleolithic Era was the first and biggest era of human history where people survived off of hunting and gathering.

In what ways did a gathering and hunting economy shape other aspects of Paleolithic societies?

A gathering and hunting economy led to people living in small groups or larger settlements with a variety of cultures and identities. This variety of culture led to inventions (pottery, baskets, etc.), oral stories, and cave paintings.

What was the Agricultural Revolution?

The Agricultural Revolution was the domestication of animals and plants for food. Because of the increased amount of food from farming and raising animals, the human population increased dramatically, leading to civilizations, the spread of diseases, and new innovations.

What are Pastoral Societies?

Pastoral Societies are societies that mainly raise domesticated animals instead of growing crops due to the difficulty of growing agriculture in one place in their region. This means that they move around seasonally and are heavily dependent on their animals for food and travel.

Describe the relationship between Agricultural Societies and Pastoral Societies.

Agricultural and pastoral societies had almost a love-hate relationship. Conflict arose due to pastoral people wanting the wealth and lands agricultural people had. However, there were also peaceful exchanges between the two, like exchanging products, ideas, and technology.

What was the “Big Man” society?

The “Big Man” society was an agricultural village society with a political authority known as a chief/“big man” that used charisma, religion, or generosity to be able to rule over their people. These chiefs led the village in many aspects and collected tribute for distribution.

In what ways did the Agricultural Revolution transform human life?

The Agricultural Revolution transformed human life by allowing a new and easier way to obtain food, increasing the population of humans all over the world and opening a new world of opportunities and possibilities. Through this breakthrough, more people gathered together, and eventually civilizations formed, leading to more innovations and ideas in the future like writing.

What is a historian’s definition of “civilization”?

A historian's definition of “civilization” is a society based in a city.

Why are cities important to civilizations?

Cities are important to civilizations because they are the central area or hub of the civilization, housing people, politics, culture, arts, literature, religion and markets.

How did civilizations affect the environment? Provide examples.

Civilizations negatively impacted the environment as they grew. For example, in Europe, trees were destroyed for farmland, reducing the land with trees to 20%. Similarly in China, deforestation occurred due to migration and agricultural reasons, which also pushed elephants out of the area.

Explain the “way of the king”. Compare and contrast China’s and India’s “way of the king”.

The “way of the king” is explaining how a leader with enough power will use weaker (lower status) people and the land for their own gain. China and India’s “way of the king” are both similar and different in their own ways. The two civilizations both had set social classes at birth with little chance to move up or down, religion that determined that the hierarchy was normal, and inequalities between people of different classes. In China, mainly wealthy landlord families, supported by exploited peasants, got into government jobs due to the difficulty of the civil service exam. The civilization also had fewer, broader social classes. In India, people were at the top of the social hierarchy depending on the caste system of Hinduism, which increased the number of classes and made the classes very clear and rigid.

What is distinctive about civilizations compared to other forms of societies? How did particular civilizations differ from one another?

Compared to other forms of societies, civilizations were bigger in size and more populated, making them more powerful than societies that came before. They were based on agriculture and became the perfect place for an explosion of cultures, technologies, innovations, and new job careers. These new civilizations had things in common with each other, but were also vastly different. For example, writing became very important in civilizations like the Chinese and the Egyptians, but not so much in West African or Peruvian civilizations. Social structure also differed in different places, with some like India relying heavily on their religion, Hinduism, to separate classes, while others like China determined it by wealth.

Map of the following civilizations: Meso-American, Andrean, Western Christendom, Eastern Christendom, West African, Egyptian, Axum/Ethiopian, Swahili, Islamic, Indian, Chinese, and Southeast Asian.

South Asian Cultural Traditions: Hinduism

Hinduism is the most popular religion in India and the oldest of the region. The religion is polytheistic, believing in many gods that come in many forms. Many sacred and philosophical ideas from scholars were collected in the Upanishads, which talked about the Brahman/World Soul, the primal energy of everything. It said that human souls, or atmans, were part of Brahman, and we had to break out, known as moksha, of our illusion of another reality. To break out, people had to be reincarnated, known as samsara, and have good karma, which depended on people’s actions. During the first millennium CE, the bhakti movement, a new style of Hinduism, became popular. This new variation included intense adoration of a particular deity, like Vishnu and Shiva, through prayers and songs. It attracted ordinary people as it allowed them to reach salvation without doing as much.

South Asian Cultural Traditions: Buddhism

Buddhism was started by Siddhartha Gautama, a prince who left his rich lifestyle to find out the cause of suffering. Now the Buddha, he figured out suffering was caused by desire and could be “cured” through the eightfold path. Through this path, people could reach nirvana, or enlightenment. Theravada Buddhism is an early version of the religion that believed Buddha wasn’t a divine figure and focused heavily on meditation and a monastery life. However, this wasn’t appealing to the general public, which led to the adaptation of Mahayana Buddhism. This version allowed everyday people to practice the religion as just being dedicated to the religion could lead to salvation, and the new version essentially made Buddha into a “god.” Another form of Buddhism arose in Tibet, named Tibetan Buddhism. This variation was led by teachers named Lamas, was recorded down in texts, and Tibetan culture was mixed into the religion. Buddha became part of the Hindu gods as it was considered the ninth incarnation of Vishnu.

Chinese Cultural Traditions: Confucianism

Confucianism originated in the Warring States period of China and was started by Confucius, whose ideas were written down in The Analects. These beliefs were endorsed and became popular in the Han Dynasty that followed the Warring States period. Confucius believed in patriarchal relationships and that if a man behaved well, then the latter would behave well too, leading to harmony. He also believed in filial piety, which means to honor your ancestors; he thought if you honored your family, you would also honor the emperor. Confucius also believed in education and ceremonies to bring peace. Confucianism was used in the Han and other following dynasties in civil service exams, which determined if people got a job in the government. If emperors didn’t follow moral ways, they broke the Mandate of Heaven, the mandate that made emperors legit, meaning that China was going to be struck with natural disasters or famine. Confucianism became popular in different countries near China, like Vietnam, Korea, and Japan.

Chinese Cultural Traditions: Daoism

Daoism was started by Laozi, who wrote the Daodejing, and is basically the opposite of Confucianism. Instead of caring about human morals, which Laozi thought was worse, Daoism looked away from that and instead focused on connecting with nature. Dao is how nature doesn’t change and controls everything. In China, Daoism went right along with Confucianism due to the belief of yin (female) and yang (male). Yin & yang refers to the unity of opposites, which Daoism and Confucianism fit perfectly into.

Middle Eastern Cultural Traditions: Judaism and Christianity

Judaism and Christianity are both monotheistic religions, meaning that people only believe in one god. The oldest religion out of the two is Judaism, which was believed by the Hebrews/Jews. These people saw their god with holiness and as a divine person. Some saw him as a god of war, while others saw him as a god of compassion. The Divine was seen as one, demanding social justice over rituals, and engaged in history. From a Jewish town, a man named Jesus taught his wisdom and was killed for it. His teachings became popular, and Christianity was born. Saint Paul, an early convert, popularized the religion by going on missionaries and spreading it around to both Jews and non-Jews. As it spread throughout the Roman Empire, it was illegal, and people were persecuted for it. One of the most famous martyrs, or people that were executed for religion, was Perpetua. She was very dedicated to Christianity, refusing to give it up after her dad and the governor tried to convince her to. She was executed and was seen as brave, which led more people to be interested and convert to Christianity. The religion gained the most popularity when Emperor Constantine made Christianity legal and endorsed it in the Roman Empire. Eventually, the religion split into two churches, with the Roman Catholic Church in the west and the Greek Orthodox Church in the east.

Middle Eastern Cultural Traditions: Islam

Islam is the newest of the world’s biggest religions, starting in the seventh century CE. It was spread in a giant empire and beyond, which was known as Dar al-Islam, or the Islamic world. The religion was started in the Arabian Peninsula, a pastoral land, in the city of Mecca by the Prophet Muhammed. Muhammed had revelations from Allah, which is the Arabic word for god, that were recorded in the Quran, the scriptures for Islam today. The umma, or the community of believers, replaced the tribal/clan structure of the Arab world. Muhammed was kicked out of Mecca and started his own empire, which grew and grew as the religion became more popular. After his death, Islam split into two, Sunni and Shi’a, over disagreements on who should rule after Muhammed. Ulama were Islamic scholars that taught and spread sharia, or Islamic law. Colleges called madrassas started to teach about Islam and other subjects to people. A new type of Islam called Sufism emerged around the year 1000 that saw the Islamic world as a distraction and instead focused on spirituality and mystical aspects.

What similarities and differences can you identify among the major religious traditions that emerged in the Afro-Eurasian world before 1200 CE?

Some similarities between the major religions that emerged before 1200 are that they all have religious texts and had different variations appear over time. Most of the religions had promises of the afterlife, like Christianity, Buddhism, and Hinduism, but others didn’t, like Confucianism and Daoism. The religions also originated around the same place of another religion, with Confucianism starting near Daoism, Hinduism starting near Buddhism, and Christianity, Judaism, and Islam starting near each other. Some differences include the belief of gods, with Hinduism having a polytheistic system, a variation of Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam having monotheistic beliefs, and Confucianism and Daoism not having to do with a god at all. The religions also have different beliefs that they focus on. Hinduism believes in multiple reincarnations and the caste system, Buddhism believes in suffering due to desire, Confucianism believes in social order, Daoism believes in nature, Judaism believes in social justice, Christianity believes in love, and Islam believes in social justice like Judaism.

What was the Silk Road, Sea Road, & Sand Roads? Provide a brief history.

Starting around 200 BCE, the Silk Roads were land routes connecting Eurasia together for trade. The Sea Roads were trade routes in the ocean that connected southern China to the east of Africa. The Sand Roads in the Sahara Desert connected West Africa to North Africa and Eurasia. These three trade routes connected all of Afro-Eurasia, leading to exchanges of religion, innovations, and materials.

How did cultural and religious traditions spread across regions before 1200 CE.?

Cultural and religious traditions spread across regions through empires and commercial exchanges. Empires connected many people together, which led to many exchanges of traditions between people of different backgrounds. Commercial exchanges like the Silk, Sea, and Sand Roads allowed people to meet others from around Afro-Eurasia. Through this, people learned about other places, cultures, and religions, which allowed these traditions to spread all over.

What problems or tensions can arise when historians study the religious experiences of humans around the world?

There are many problems that can arise when historians study religious experiences. One problem is the fact that religion is “timeless.” It is shown throughout history that religion and its beliefs change with humans through variations. Another problem is the fact that people have had a divine reality or that god(s) have influenced human history. Although we have no proof that these cases actually happened, these beliefs have impacted our history and will continue to affect it for generations. Last but not least, it is hard to decide what is the most “real” or accurate representation of a religion. Due to this, conflicts have arisen, as seen with Sunni and Shi’a Muslims. Pushing these problems aside, religion has helped many societies and people survive and thrive.

What was China’s bureaucracy’s examination system (civil service exams) and why was it important?

China’s bureaucracy’s examination system, or the civil service exams, was started by the Han dynasty and allowed people to work in government jobs. It was important because it provided the government with the best people for the job, and it allowed people of any social status to take the exam, helping many lower class citizens have social mobility.

If the Song Dynasty ruled over most of China, what group of people ruled over northern China?

The Jin people ruled other northern China.

Describe Song China’s Golden Age (industrial production and technological innovations).

During the Song Dynasty, China had a Golden Age of production, technology, and trade. Industrial production boomed during this time, with factories producing many metal goods like armor, tools, arrowheads, and coins. Coal was significant during this time, providing energy to homes for millions of people. A technological innovation during this time was printing, leading to the spread of information through books to the general public. One of the most important inventions during this time was gunpowder, being used for military purposes. To make transporting people and goods easier and cheaper, waterways were created that connected China’s rivers. The government charged taxes in cash to people, leading to the increased usage of paper money around the dynasty.

What was the role of women in Song China?

In China, women were seen as weak and treated as less than due to the long established Confucian beliefs. In textile factories, men took over women’s jobs of weaving, which decreased women's opportunities. During this time, footbinding became normal, with mothers breaking their daughter’s feet and forcing them into tiny shoes just so they could appeal to higher class men. Although they had many negatives, women also had a few positives during this time. They were allowed to inherit and control property, and some government officials encouraged women’s education.

Describe China’s influences on Korea.

China had many influences on Korea as they neighbored each other. Korea had to pay tribute to China as they were the superior nation. Confucian beliefs were brought over that took over the existing, flexible culture of Korea, with women’s rights decreasing and the restrictions on their rights going beyond what China had. The Chinese also brought Buddhism to Korea.

Describe China’s influences on Japan.

China had a big influence on Japan, even though they were hundreds of miles apart. Chinese political structures were borrowed, Buddhism spread throughout society, and China’s writing system proved to be popular with the elite.

What were the similarities and differences in the influence China had on Korea and Japan?

The influence China had on Korea and Japan was both similar and different. They were similar as they both learned about Buddhism from China and paid tribute to China during this time period for political independence. A difference was that Korea adopted Confucian beliefs, while Japan borrowed other areas of Chinese culture like writing.

How did Korea and Japan develop their own distinct national identity while under Chinese influence?

While under Chinese influence, Korea and Japan developed their own national identity. In Korea, people began opting for Hangul compared to Chinese characters. They also didn’t adopt the civil service exam and had aristocratic people rule over the nation. In Japan, the bureaucratic structure from China did not stand, and, like Korea, aristocrats were the most powerful. The religion in Japan also remained relatively the same even with Buddhist influence. Because Japan didn’t borrow Confucian beliefs from China, women held more power than their neighboring countries.

Identify the difference between Mainland Southeast Asia and Maritime Southeast Asia.

The difference between Mainland Southeast Asia and Maritime Southeast Asia is that the mainland has countries that are connected to other countries in South and East Asia, while the maritime region contains countries that aren’t connected (islands).

Which THREE religions were introduced to Southeast Asia? How were these three religions introduced to Southeast Asia?

Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism were introduced to Southeast Asia through sailors and traders from the Indian Ocean Trade Network.

Describe China’s influence on Vietnam.

In Vietnam, the elite borrowed Daoism, Confucianism, Buddhism, and artistic styles from China. The region was part of China for over 1000 years before gaining independence. After gaining independence, the rulers mirrored China’s government system, having emperors, the Mandate of Heaven, court rituals, and the civil service exam.

Describe how Vietnam developed its own national identity while under Chinese influence.

Like Korea and Japan, Vietnam paid China tribute to stay politically independent. The nation was unique as it had its own language, had rooster fighting, and chewed betel nuts. The women in Vietnam had more rights compared to Chinese women, and female deities and a female Buddha were popular with the Vietnamese.

Describe the development of the Malay kingdom of Srivijaya and how they were able to incorporate outside peoples and ideas.

The kingdom of Srivijaya was located in modern day Malaysia/Indonesia and controlled the Melaka Strait, a sea route used for trading. They had access to a lot of resources and earned income by taxing people going through the strait. Due to its location, Srivijaya had influences from India, adopting Buddhism and Indian political ideas.

Besides the Malay kingdom of Srivijaya, how did Hindu Indians influence other parts of Southeast Asia?

Hindu Indians influenced the kingdom of Majapahit on the island of Java by spreading religious ideas and inspiring shadow puppet performances based on stories from India. In the Champa kingdom in modern day southern Vietnam, cows were honored, the Shiva was worshiped, and Hinduism was dominant. Hinduism was displayed in the Khmer kingdoms through Angkor Wat, the biggest religious structure in the world.

To what extent did Ibn Battuta rely upon established long-distance trade routes during his travels? At what point in his journeys did he travel far beyond the borders of the world of Islam?

Ibn Battula mostly relied on the established long-distance trade routes during his travels, especially in Africa. He travels far beyond the borders of the world of Islam when he ventures into India and China.

How did nomadic Turkic people change because of the rise of Islam?

Nomadic Turkish people converted to Islam when the religion rose, and when the Abbasid Caliphate was weakening, some took over as Muslim leaders and made the Seljuk Turkic Empire. This in turn led to more Turks converting and spreading Islam.

Explain the role of the Ottoman Empire as a champion of Islam and successor state to the Abbasid Caliphate.

The Ottoman Empire came in after the Mongols ended the Abbasid Caliphate. They acquired a lot of land, including the city of Constantinople, throughout their history, and as an Islamic state, spread the religion. The empire lasted for many centuries and was one of the greatest empires of all time, with a lot of power, wealth, control, and unity.

Describe Islam’s influence on India

Early influence of Islam started with invaders destroying and stealing from Hindu and Buddhist temples. In 1206, the Delhi Sultanate was born under Turkish rule, who were Muslims, in Northern India. Many communities emerged in this region that attracted lower class citizens and people who wanted to avoid the jizya, or tax to practice a different religion. Although it wasn’t the most popular faith, 20-25% of the Indian population were Muslims during this time.

Describe Islam’s influence on Spain

Spain, also known as al-Andalus to Muslims, was conquered by Islamic forces and had a population of Muslims, Christians, and Jews. It prospered with its agricultural economy and had a grand capital city, Córdoba. Areas of study like medicine, astronomy, architecture, arts, and literature exploded in popularity, and people got along well, especially in the upper classes. 75% of the population converted to Islam, people of other religions learned Arabic, and people in general respected Islam and Arabic culture. Under Abd al-Rahman III, the freedom to believe in any religion was passed, and the ability for anyone to work in the state bureaucracy was given. This freedom period didn’t last long as conflict arose between different religions due to intolerance and infidels.

What happened to Spain after Christians reconquered it from Muslim rule?

After Christians reconquered Spain, they made Islam illegal in some areas and forced Muslims to convert or leave. This led to the migration of hundreds of thousands of Muslims and Jews to different places around Northern Africa and the Ottoman Empire. Later, Muslim converts were banned as well, and mosques were converted for Christian use.

How did the experience of Islam in India and Spain differ? In what ways was it similar?

Islam in India wasn’t as popular as it was in Spain during the peak of their popularity. In Spain, most people were Muslim, while in India, only a fourth of the population practiced the religion. Another difference was that Spain adopted more Islamic traditions while in India, people mostly stuck to the more traditional Hindu traditions. Surprisingly, after a while, Christian people took over in Spain, kicking out almost all traces of Islam in the country. In both regions, Islam interacted with different religions; in Spain, Muslim people met Christian and Jewish people, while in India, Hindus were dominant in the northern region.

Describe the development of the Swahili civilization; its political, economic, and social/cultural structure.

The Swahili civilization started in the eighth century with coastal fishing and farming city-states that later were involved in trade through the Indian Ocean Trade Network. People started trading resources from all over Africa, from ores and timber to slaves and leopard skins. Because of this, a new merchant class emerged in the civilization, growing towns and the economy. The increase in wealth led to more urbanization in cities, making them commercial centers for goods. Each city was independent from each other, with no single person ruling over the Swahili civilization. From trading with people from the Middle East, South Asia, and China, the civilization was diverse with people from many different places creating diasporic communities. The language of Swahili evolved from Bantu to a language that incorporated Arabic words and script. Additionally, the people of Swahili widely practiced Islam which was brought from Arab merchants.

Describe the development of Hausa speaking people across West Africa.

The Hausa people, who lived in modern day northern Nigeria, created many city-states that flourished due to their location, helping them become middlemen for trading goods. These cities gained money by taxing people who traded in their cities, making the rulers very wealthy. In Mali, for example, copper and salt among other goods were taxed, making the kingdom a lot of money. People of all different social classes lived in the West African Civilization, and gender hierarchy was present, although not as strict as other civilizations around the world. Slavery existed in this region, with both men and women mainly from southern Africa working as laborers and servants. This led to the trans-Saharan slave trade, which lasted for 300 years and transported over 5,000 slaves a year to different parts of Northern Africa. Cities like Timbuktu became commercial centers, with trade of goods and knowledge occurring. Like East Africa, West Africa had many diasporic communities due to the number of people from other areas of the world going to the region.

Which cities were built at points where the Sand Road trade routes arrived at the Niger River?

The cities of Timbuktu and Gao were built where the Sand Roads hit the Niger River.

What might you infer about the motives for Mali’s westward expansion?

The kingdom of Mali wanted to expand their land westward because they wanted to control many cities and parts of the Sand Roads near the west and potentially get resources from the goldfields, rivers, and the ocean on the west coast.

What’s the connection between the old Roman Empire and Byzantium? How did the Byzantine Empire end?

The Byzantine Empire was the continuation of the eastern portion of the Roman Empire. The Byzantine ended after Mehmed II, the sultan of the Ottoman Empire, seized the capital, Constantinople, ending the empire as a whole.

Who were the Rus? What did they adapt from the Byzantine Empire?

The Rus were Slavic people that created the state Kievan Rus, named after Kiev. This state was diverse and housed many different people of different backgrounds. Prince Vladimir of Kiev adopted the Eastern Orthodox Church from the Byzantine Empire that helped unify the people of Rus. They also adopted architecture, the Cyrillic alphabet, and imagery for the church from the Byzantine.

What factors prevented Europe from achieving political unity?

Due to the geography of Europe, having many mountain ranges, forests, and islands, political unity was difficult to achieve.

As a result of the lack of political unity, explain Europe’s political development in regards to Feudalism and Serfdom.

In feudal societies, higher lords and knights ruled over other lords and knights, providing land in return for military service. Slavery in Europe led to serfdom, where serfs were bound to the land they were born on instead of being owned by a person.

Regardless of political unity, or lack of, how did the Roman Catholic Church culturally unify Europe?

The Roman Catholic Church culturally unified Europe because most people practiced it, there was a representative of the church in every region of Europe, and it became wealthy and powerful in many states.

In what ways did European civilizations change after 1000 CE?

After 1000 CE, the population of Europe increased, with it growing from 35 to 80 million in 340 years. New inventions and innovations were created, like the heavy wheeled plow and the three field system of crop rotation, that increased efficiency for farming, but also had a negative impact on the environment. Some more technological innovations created during this time were different machines for creating energy that made manufacturing goods easier and more efficient.

How was the development of technologies in Western Europe similar to that in Song China?

The development of technologies in Western Europe was similar to that in Song China as they both revolved around making tasks more efficient. In China, printing and gunpowder were invented to spread information faster and make military conquest easier. They also invented the wheelbarrow, which Europeans borrowed. In Europe, new farming equipment and machinery were made to make farming and factories faster.

In what ways did the rediscovery of Greek philosophy and science affect European Christianity?

After rediscovering Greek philosophy and science, the Renaissance occurred, leading to innovations. In the art department, people took inspiration from Greek and Roman art and created new pieces that were different from religious art made before, even though religious art was still popular. Overall, the Renaissance challenged the Christian culture of Europe, instead being more urban and lively.

Summarize the development of the Mayan civilization.

The Mayan civilization existed in modern day Guatemala and Mexico (Yucatán Peninsula) and had many accomplishments, including impressive architecture, art, writing, and math skills. They lasted from 250 to 900 CE and collapsed due to the environment.

Summarize the Political, Social/Cultural, and Economical development of the Aztec civilization.

The Aztec civilization was started by Mexica people who conquered land through military conquest. They forced the sending of many goods like clothing, jewelry, food, and other materials to the capital of Tenochtitlán. The city had many canals, bridges, temples, palaces, chinampas (floating gardens for agriculture), marketplaces, and a pyramid. Slaves existed in Aztec culture, with people using them for human sacrifice to feed the sun god.

Summarize the Political, Social/Cultural, and Economical development of the Inca civilization.

The Inca civilization was started by Quecha-speaking people and was the biggest civilization in the Western Hemisphere at the time, stretching over 2500 miles. The society had an emperor that descended from the creator Viracocha and the sun god’s sun Inti. There were also Inca governors who governed different provinces. The state owned all resources and land, although temples, elites, and traditional communities owned some property. Data about population was recorded on quipus, leaders of different areas had to learn Quechua, and people had to acknowledge Inca gods. Mita, or labor service, was required for everyone and meant that people had to work for the state in farms, the military, and manufacturing, to name a few.

What problems arise in defining the word “civilization”?

One problem that arises when defining a civilization is saying that it is more superior than other societies. Although civilizations had many innovations and inventions that were revolutionary, they also had major issues and inequalities for many people. Another problem is that the word comes with a clear bigger entity, which wasn’t exactly the case for many populations living in a civilization. Due to different social classes and living conditions, people couldn’t make the connection to the bigger picture. The lack of clear borders of a civilization also led to the uncertainty of where a civilization started and ended. Lastly, it is hard to tell what separates a civilization from a state to a city to a village.

How far did the Silk Road travel? How did it change/affect people and places?

The Silk Road traveled from Europe to China and allowed the trade of goods from all over Eurasia. The trade routes helped cities along the trail to prosper, transforming them into cultural centers.

What type of products and technology was traded along the Silk Road?

Products like silk, yokes, stirrups, saddles, porcelain, paper, lacquerware, iron tools, and paper money were traded along the Silk Road.

What facilitated the spread of Buddhism along the Silk Road? How did Buddhism change as it spread beyond its origins?

Buddhism spread through Indian traders and Buddhist monks and became popular in oasis cities along the Silk Road. Buddhism went from looking away from wealth to monasteries becoming very prosperous through gifts and displaying wealth through murals. Mahayana Buddhism flourished in the Silk Roads, and gods of other people got incorporated to the bodhisattvas.

Describe China’s relationship with Buddhism (the good times, the bad times, etc.)

Buddhism was introduced to China by the Silk Road, and its Mahayana form became popular around the country. Another version of the religion, Pure Land Buddhism, also was practiced a lot in China as it relied on salvation by faith and didn’t require studying or intense meditation. Even with the amount of people practicing Buddhism in China, it always faced criticism. For example, around the year 840, the government forced over 260,000 monks and nuns to leave their life and destroyed or took over Buddhist buildings and land. Despite this, Buddhism stayed, and Chan Buddhism became popular during the Song Dynasty, borrowing from Daoist ideas and required meditation. Also during this time, the standards of Buddhist teachings were combined with Confucian and Daoist ideas to create Neo-Confucianism. Overall, Buddhism became an essential part to Chinese culture, even with the backlash it faced.

Because of the Silk Road, what cultural changes spread from China to Korea and Japan?

In Korea, government styles were provided by China that were used in the country, and the capital city, Kumsong, was modeled after the capital of China, Chang’an. Trade of goods, texts, and art occurred from China to Korea, influencing Korea as people started studying Confucianism and practicing Chinese Buddhism. In Japan, Chan Buddhism became popular and transformed into Zen Buddhism, which was popular among samurais. Neo-Confucianism also became popular, especially among intellectuals, and Chinese writing was loved by the elite.

What were the primary influences on the process of Mongol state building?

The primary influences on the process of Mongol state building were the cities and regions that they conquered, which helped them learn and expand their empire into one that everybody accepted.

What does the span of Mongol territory suggest about the limits of Mongol expansion?

The Mongols only expanded to conquer the Silk Roads and didn’t expand further to places like India and Southeast Asia, which could be due to tough terrain.

Who was Temujin and how did he and his descendants create the Mongol Empire? What accounts for the political and military success of the Mongols?

Temujin, or Chinggis/Genghis Khan, was a person that went from a nobody to, with his descendants, managing to unite most of Eurasia through military conquest and mass murder and creating the Mongol Empire. He was able to achieve this feat due to the weakening of the empires in China and the Islamic World and the power and organization of his armies. With the power, the Mongols destroyed every city they stepped foot in and used conquered people to their advantage, having them do various tasks. The empire became very organized due to fast communication and a bureaucracy in the capital of Karakorum.

How did Russians experience Mongol rule?

When Russia was conquered through brutal military force, it was not as heavily influenced by the Mongols as other places like China and Persia are. There was no centralized power controlling Russia or any Mongols living in the country. The Mongols did, however, require big payments from the country through taxes and tributes and took slaves. Moscow, the capital of Russia today, was by far the most successful city during this time, being where the Mongols collected tribute.

How did Mongol rule change China? How did the Mongols maintain their cultural identity while ruling China?

After conquering China, the Mongols created their own Chinese dynasty, the Yuan, which was ruled by Khubilai Khan and reunited China. The Mongols were very strict and harsh to the Chinese citizens living there, prohibiting scholars from learning Mongolian, people from having an intermarriage, demanding bribes, and killing people. They maintained their cultural identity while ruling China by not adopting traditions like footbinding and not learning Chinese.

How was Mongol rule in Persia different than that in China? How was it similar?

Unlike in China, the Mongols that conquered Persia were more peaceful, creating underwater channels for water and using land for pasture. They also adopted the religion practiced in Persia (Islam) and learned the language (Persian), which did not happen in China. They were similar as the Mongols reunited Persia and China, and the rule collapsed in both places around the mid fourteenth century.

How did the Mongols lead to cross-cultural interactions?

The Mongols led to cross-cultural interactions as they connected Eurasia with zero borders, making trade with different regions easier. They promoted economic commerce, which was supported with their control over the Silk Roads. The connection of Eurasia by the Mongols also made political relationships between different regions easier, allowing the exchange of knowledge, goods, and workers to spread. People like artisans, doctors, and entertainers were transported to different regions of the empire, and tolerance from the Mongols attracted many people in, allowing multiple religions to be spread around. Technology, crops, and knowledge spread at this time include the compass, medical techniques, printing, and gunpowder weapons from China, calendars from Muslims, and plants like carrots and lemons from Persia.

Summarize the Black Death and its impact.

The Black Death was a plague carried by rodents/flies that started in China and spread all across Afro-Eurasia through trade routes, which was made easy by the lack of borders from the Mongol Empire. Populations in China, Europe, Africa, and the Islamic World plummeted as these areas, especially places with dense populations, got infected. The plague eventually led to the collapse of the Mongol Empire as they were weakening due to the lack of trade and people.

How was the Sea Road better than the Silk Road?

The Sea Road was better than the Silk Road because it was cheaper to transport goods in bulk as ships carried more items than camels. Goods like rice, timber, sugar, and textiles were some of the items transported in the Sea Road.

What technological innovations made it possible to trade goods on the Sea Road?

Some technological inventions that made trading on the Sea Road possible were the various ships created (junk, dhows), the magnetic compass, and tools for calculating latitude like the astrolabe.

Which religion dominated and spread along the Sea Roads?

The most dominant religion that spread along the Sea Roads was Islam, which was popular with merchants and created trust among people of different ethnic backgrounds.

Explain the significance of the banana and how it spread into Africa.

The banana was brought to Africa from Southeast Asia and spread across the continent. The plant made agriculture more productive, enabled chiefdoms and states to grow economically, and led to a population increase.

Besides the banana, how did civilizations change as a result of contact along the Sea Roads?

Due to the Sea Roads, civilizations changed as they were influenced by other civilizations’ cultures. China influenced their neighbor, Vietnam, during this time. In Southeast Asia, Indian culture spread, with Sanskrit and Pallava alphabets being used for languages in the region, Indian art influencing structures in the area, and Hinduism and Buddhism spreading. Islamic influences also spread during this time in Southeast Asia, with people converting to the religion.

Explain the significance of the city of Melaka as a major port along the Sea Roads.

Melaka, a port city in modern day Malaysia, started as a village that quickly became a center for trade. Located on the Strait of Melaka, people from all over used the Sea Roads to get to the city. This allowed it to grow to the largest city in Southeast Asia during this time. Thousands of foreign merchants traded in Melaka and diasporic communities formed, leading the city to become globalized. From the Sea Roads, Islam was popular in the city and blended with the local traditions, making the city an Islamic learning center.

Summarize the voyages of Zheng He, why it ended, and the consequences of Chinese withdrawal from the Sea Roads.

The voyages of Zheng He, a Muslim eunuch, was started in 1405 by Yongle (Ming Dynasty) and sought to set up the Chinese tribute system in different parts of the world. They were successful because dozens of rulers agreed, and Chinese power in the Indian Ocean rose. These voyages abruptly ended after 1433 due to the death of Yongle and the other high-ranking officials disagreeing with the usefulness of the voyages. The consequences of Chinese withdrawal were the allowing of Europeans in the region and losing out on a giant empire in the Indian Ocean.

To what extent did the Silk Roads and Sea Roads operate in a similar fashion? How did they differ?

The Silk Roads and Sea Roads both allowed the exchange of goods and knowledge between various regions of the world. Religions like Buddhism and Islam were spread by both trade routes during this time. They differed because the Silk Roads were mainly used for luxury goods, while the Sea Roads were used for bulk items.

How was the Arabian camel a major turning point in African commercial life?

The Arabian camel was a major turning point in African commercial life because it was able to travel for days without water, making transportation and trade through the Sahara desert possible. This eventually led to the Sahara housing trade routes that connected the continent together, allowing trade of goods like gold, kola nuts, Africa ivory, slaves, horses, dates, and salt.

Describe Islam’s impact on West Africa.

Islam became important in West Africa as it helped with relationships with Muslim merchants and connected people together. In the kingdom of Mali, Mansa Musa converted to Islam and did the hajj, which was accompanied with thousands of people. Many Islamic cities emerged, like the city of Timbuktu, that had dozens of schools teaching the religion and thousands of books about Islam. Mosques were constructed, and Arabic became an important language in education, trade, administration, and religion.

What was the relationship between long-distance trade networks and the religion of Islam?

The relationship between long-distance trade networks and the religion of Islam was that Muslim merchants often were dominant in trade routes, allowing the religion to spread all over Afro-Eurasia. The Islamic World was also a great place for trading and learning about the religion.

Identify and describe the knowledge absorbed, and developed, by the Islamic World in this time period.

The Islamic World obtained various agricultural products and practices, with products like rice, oranges, and bananas circulating the region. Because of these new crops, water-management practices were absorbed from Persia, Tunisia, Morocco, the Sahara, Spain, and Yemen. These two factors led to an agricultural revolution in the Islamic world, allowing the region to develop. Technological advancements like improving rockets were done by Muslims, who also imported many different kinds of technology. Papermaking from China led to paper mills in the Islamic World, allowing books to spread everywhere, and Persia contributed poetry and bureaucratic practice. Knowledge from Greece, the Hellenistic World, and India were translated to Arabic, leading to the House of Wisdom in Baghdad. The Arabs developed algebra and worked on astronomy, optics, medicine, and pharmacology. Hospitals, clinics, and exams were invented during this time as well.

What were the Crusades?

The Crusades were a series of wars between Christians and Muslims and were partly started due to the conquering of Byzantine lands by Muslims but was mostly because of religion. Beginning in 1095 and lasting two centuries, Europeans thought that attacking and converting Muslims would be the best option as Christians. They tried to take over Jerusalem and other holy places associated with their religion by going to the east of the Mediterranean and killing many Muslims and Jews. European Christians became a threat to Muslims, with Islamic people seeing Europe as filthy and uncivilized. In the end, the Crusades did not have much effect in the Islamic World as Europeans didn’t have enough power to convert everyone. In Europe, however, there were bigger effects, with people learning about luxury products, agricultural techniques, and lost knowledge.

Why didn’t civilizations in the Americas have a trade network like Eurasia’s Silk, Sea, and Sand Roads?

Civilizations in the Americas didn’t have a trade network due to the distance of different civilizations, the lack of transportational methods, and geography.

Cahokia

Located near St. Louis today, Cahokia was a chiefdom that connected various societies in Mississippian culture. They traded copper, Cahokia shells, obsidian, mica, and buffalo hides. The society created a giant pyramid that occupied fifteen acres and was the biggest structure in what is now the United States during this time.

Chaco Canyon

Located in northwestern New Mexico, there were five big settlements/pueblos and various other settlements around. Pueblo Bonito was the biggest and contained over 600 rooms. Roads that originated from Chaco went for hundreds of miles, but the reason why they exist is unknown. The people living in the settlements traded turquoise ornaments in exchange for items like macaw feathers, copper bells, shells, and chocolate.

Mesoamerica (Mayans & Aztecs)

The Aztecs and Mayans developed in Mesoamerica and traded with each other. They both started trading with other regions, with the Mayans going by sea and the Aztecs going on expeditions. The Aztecs made conquered peoples pay them tribute, and trading was very popular in their civilization. Every city and village had a marketplace, with the biggest market, Tlatelolco, containing goods ranging from food to metals to bones.

Inca Empire

Located in the Andes Mountains, the Inca Empire was very organized. All their goods were stored in state storehouses, keeping everything from clothing and materials to food and military supplies. Everything was kept track of using quipus, and goods were transported from one place to another by caravans. Even though trade between other civilizations was uncommon, it did occur at highland fairs and along the border of the empire.

What kinds of cross-cultural interactions took shape in the Americas?

Some cross-cultural interactions that took place in the Americas were the loose connections of societies in the Mississippian valley, the trade between the Aztecs, Mayans, and other bordering societies, the tribute system from the Aztecs, and small amounts of trading with other societies by the Incas.

What are the major continuities and changes seen in long distance trade throughout world history?

Major continuities seen in long distance trade are the connection of distant places for exchanges of culture and goods, the fact that luxury goods determine social status, and the growth of nations economically, politically, and socially because of the practice. The major changes seen are that the world is more connected now due to new innovations, people produce things mainly for the market nowadays, and there is a single center for trade that dominates the competition.

What motivated Europeans to explore beyond their region?

Europeans wanted to find an alternative route to Asia for trade, but instead discovered the Americas. When they did, their goal shifted to trying to get the resources the Americas offered to become wealthy.

What advantages gave Europeans the ability to conquer the Americas and build an empire in the Western Hemisphere?

The Europeans had many trading companies, technology from other countries, powerful weapons, advances in ships and technologies, local conflicts that allowed alliances to be made between Americans and Europeans, and disease.

Which European power controlled the most territory in the Americas? Which controlled the least?

Spain controlled the most territory, while the Dutch controlled the least.

The Great Dying

When Europeans arrived in the Americas, they spread diseases from the Old World, leading to extreme population decline in native populations.

Little Ice Age

It was a time period between the thirteenth and nineteenth centuries that had colder temperatures, mainly in the Northern Hemisphere. It was caused by natural and human causes.

General Crisis

In North America, China, and Europe, the harsh weather from the Little Ice Age caused drought, destruction of crops, famines, wars, and epidemics. This was added on to the collapse of the Ming Dynasty, a civil war in India, and warfare in Europe. In the Americas, conditions were similar as droughts and the spread of diseases occurred.

What was the Columbian Exchange?

The Columbian Exchange was a trade network in the Atlantic Ocean that transferred goods, diseases, crops, animals, and people and connected Europe, Africa, and North and South America.