Untitled Flashcards Set

How complex were the largest American civilizations around the time of the contact between Americans and Europeans? 

1.  The largest American civilizations, like the Aztec, Inca, and Maya, were very advanced when Europeans arrived. The Aztecs had a big empire with Tenochtitlán, a city full of temples, canals, and busy markets. The Inca built a strong empire in the Andes with roads, farming terraces, and storehouses to feed their people. The Maya, though past their peak, had cities with tall pyramids, calendars, and writing. These societies were highly organized and skilled, but they struggled to survive after European conquest and disease.

What are two competing perspectives through which histories of conquest and colonization in the Americas have been presented?

1. There are two main perspectives on the history of conquest and colonization in the Americas: the Eurocentric view and the Indigenous-centered view. The Eurocentric view focuses on European explorers' achievements, often presenting colonization as a positive story of discovery and progress, while ignoring the violence and harm caused to Indigenous peoples. The Indigenous-centered view, on the other hand, focuses on the negative impacts of colonization, like the loss of land, culture, and lives, and highlights Indigenous resistance and struggles for rights. Together, these perspectives give a fuller understanding of this complex history.

What circumstances catalyzed the French Revolution?

1.  The French Revolution happened because of political, economic, and social problems. The king, Louis XVI, was weak and struggled to fix France’s issues. The country was in serious debt due to expensive wars and the king’s lavish spending, leading to high taxes on common people. At the same time, most of the wealth and power were held by the clergy and nobility, while ordinary people suffered. New ideas about equality and freedom from the Enlightenment inspired people to demand change. On top of that, bad harvests and high food prices made life even harder, sparking anger and
   

What was novel about claims to political power advanced during the eighteenth-century revolutions across the Atlantic world? 

1. The revolutions of the eighteenth century, like the American, French, and Haitian revolutions, introduced new ideas about political power. They argued that governments should get their authority from the people, not from kings or inherited privilege. These revolutions called for rights, equality, and laws that applied to everyone, with written constitutions and elected leaders. While these ideas were groundbreaking, they often left out certain groups, like women and enslaved people, leading to ongoing struggles for fairness and inclusion.

How did the atlantic slave trade brutalize enslaved people?

1.  The Atlantic slave trade was incredibly brutal for enslaved people. They were often captured through violence and forced into long, harsh journeys to the coast. On ships, they were crowded together with little food, and many became sick or died during the journey. Once they arrived, they were sold and forced to work without pay, suffering abuse and punishment. They were treated as property, stripped of their freedom and identity, and forced to endure terrible living and working conditions.

What were the long-term consequences of the slave trade for the political and economic develop of West African societies?

1.  The slave trade had long-lasting negative effects on West African societies. Politically, it caused instability as wars and raids were often fought to capture people for sale, weakening governments. Economically, it hurt local economies because many able workers were taken, and communities were focused on capturing slaves instead of developing agriculture or other industries. This slowed the growth and development of many West African societies and left long-term damage.

How did the British East India Company extend British power over south Asia?

1.  The British East India Company took control of South Asia by using military force, making alliances, and controlling trade. It started by setting up trading posts and gaining influence through key ports. Over time, the company used its army to help certain Indian rulers in exchange for land and power. By making deals with local leaders, the company expanded its control over much of India, which led to British rule in the region.

What were the human costs of the Partition of India? 

1. The Partition of India in 1947, which divided British India into India and Pakistan, led to immense human costs. It caused one of the largest mass migrations in history, with millions of people forced to move across borders based on religious identity—Hindus and Sikhs moving to India, and Muslims to Pakistan. This migration was marked by extreme violence, with widespread communal riots, massacres, and attacks. Hundreds of thousands of people were killed, and many women were raped or abducted. Families were torn apart, and many people lost their homes, possessions, and livelihoods. The psychological trauma and displacement from this violence and upheaval affected generations to come.

What societal rifts grew during the Porfiriato?

1.  During the Porfiriato (1876–1911), the gap between the rich and poor in Mexico grew. The wealthy elite, including landowners and foreign investors, became much richer, while most Mexicans, especially poor farmers and indigenous people, suffered. Díaz’s policies took land from poor farmers and gave it to the rich, leaving many people in poverty. The working class had few rights, and there was little support for education or healthcare. These growing inequalities led to widespread anger and eventually helped spark the Mexican Revolution.

How did visual artists shape the commemoration of the Mexican Revolution? 

1. Visual artists helped shape the memory of the Mexican Revolution by creating art that told its story and highlighted its important ideas. Artists like Diego Rivera, David Siqueiros, and José Clemente Orozco painted large murals showing the struggles of peasants, workers, and the fight for land reform. These murals were displayed in public places, making the revolution's message known to everyone. The artwork celebrated the revolution as a victory for ordinary people and helped create a sense of national pride and identity, focusing on social justice, unity, and Mexican culture.