World History Fall Final

Time and dating: timelines, centuries and Roman numerals

1. Timelines show events in order; centuries count years (1–100 = 1st century); Roman numerals use letters (I, V, X, L, C, D, M).

Primary vs. Secondary Source

Primary source: Created during the time period by someone who experienced it (examples: diaries, letters, laws, artifacts).

Secondary source: Written later by someone analyzing or explaining the past (examples: textbooks, biographies, documentaries).

it.

History vs. Historiography

History = past events; Historiography = how history is written and interpreted.

Neolithic Revolution

Shift from hunting-gathering to farming.

5 Characteristics of Civilization

Cities, organized government, religion, job specialization, writing.

Role of Women

Varied by culture; often domestic roles, some legal/religious power.

Rivers

Provided water, fertile soil, trade routes, transportation.

Mesopotamia

Cuneiform = writing; Ziggurats = religious temples.

Egypt

Hieroglyphics = writing; pyramids = tombs for pharaohs.

Indus

Hinduism began here; caste system divided society.

China

Mandate of Heaven = divine right to rule; dynasties = ruling families.

Judaism

Monotheistic; Ten Commandments; Torah = holy text.

Hammurabi’s Code

First written law code; “eye for an eye.”

Buddhism

Founded by Siddhartha Gautama; Four Noble Truths; spread through missionaries/trade.

Shi Huang Di

Unified China; Great Wall; standardized writing, currency.

Geography of Greece

Mountains caused city-states and limited unity.

Greek Legacies

Democracy, philosophy, Olympics, architecture.

Democracy

Athens; free adult male citizens could participate.

Archimedes

math/science

Pythagoras

geometry

Eratosthenes

Earth’s circumference

Hippocrates

medicine

Socrates

Philosophy

Plato

logic

Aristotle

education

Phalanx

Tight military formation; strong defense.

Cyrus the Great

Tolerant ruler; respected conquered peoples.

Alexander the Great

Hellenistic culture; Alexandria; blended Greek, Persian, Egyptian cultures.

Patricians vs. Plebeians

Upper class vs. common people

Etruscan Influence

Roads, arches, engineering

Punic Wars

Rome vs. Carthage over trade; Rome won

Gladiators

Fighters used for entertainment.

Structures Rome

Colosseum = games; Circus Maximus = races; aqueducts = water.

Republic vs. Empire

Republic = elected leaders; Empire = emperor rules.

Roman Forum

Center of politics and commerce

Twelve Tables

Written Roman laws.

Diocletian

Split empire; tried to restore stability.

Fall of Rome

Invasions, weak leadership, economic problems.

Romance Languages

Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese

Roman Legacies

Law, roads, architecture, language.

Constantine

First Christian emperor; moved capital to Constantinople.

Theodosius

Made Christianity official religion.

Rome vs. Han Fall

Both weakened by invasions, corruption, economic issues.

Mandate of Heaven

Rulers keep power if they rule well.

Confucianism

Confucius; respect, order, family, education.

Silk Production

Made China wealthy through trade.

Purpose of Belief Systems

Daoism: harmony

Confucianism: order

Legalism: strict laws

Han Technology

Paper, wheelbarrow, compass.

Gupta Achievements

Math (zero), medicine, art.

Silk Road

Trade network connecting Asia, Europe, Africa.

Genghis vs. Kublai Khan

Genghis conquered; Kublai ruled China.

Pax Mongolica

Peace that allowed safe trade.

Tang/Song Inventions

Gunpowder, printing, compass.

Japanese Feudal Pyramid

Emperor → Shogun → Daimyo → Samurai → Peasants.

Cyril & Methodius

Created alphabet for Slavs.

Islam

Tolerant of Jews/Christians; mosque = place of worship; Five Pillars.

Hagia Sophia

Church/mosque; now a museum.

Astronomy in Islam

Used for prayer times, navigation

Theodora

Influential empress; helped stop Nika Riots.

Justinian

Code of laws; reconquered land.

Great Schism

Split between Catholic and Orthodox churches.

Byzantine Empire

Eastern Roman Empire after Rome fell.

Sunni/Shia Split

Dispute over Muhammad’s successor.

Mecca

Birthplace of Islam; pilgrimage site.

Mosaics

Religious artwork made from tiles.

Trans-Saharan Trade

Gold, salt; spread Islam; Mansa Musa.

Catholic Church

Spiritual authority; education; political power.

Crusades

Reclaim Holy Land; increased trade, conflict.

Magna Carta

Limited king’s power; rule of law.

Monks & Nuns

Preserved learning; cared for sick.

Black Death

Spread by trade; weakened feudalism.

Hundred Years’ War

Strengthened nationalism.

Feudalism vs. Manorialism

Political vs. economic systems

Hastings

William the Conqueror took England.

Middle Ages Art

Religious; Gothic cathedrals.

Battle of Tours

Stopped Muslim expansion into Europe.

Joan of Arc

Inspired French victory; martyr.