World Civ. Midterms

Freshman World History Midterm Study Guide

How to Use This Guide

• This study guide is designed to help you prepare for your World History midterm.

• Focus Areas for the Test:

  • Understanding belief systems and philosophies.

  • Explaining cultural diffusion.

  • Analyzing trade networks.

  • Comparing political systems.

  • Using primary and secondary sources.

  • Explaining cause and effect.

  • Writing short responses with evidence.

• Use this guide to review summaries, timelines, vocabulary, charts, and practice questions.

Big Ideas You Must Understand

• Cultural Diffusion:

  • Definition: The spread of ideas, beliefs, technology, language, and customs from one culture to another.

• Trade Networks:

  • Definition: Systems of routes that connect regions allowing people to exchange goods and ideas.

• Belief Systems:

  • Definition: Religions and philosophies that guide how people live and make decisions.

• Cause and Effect:

  • Definition: One event (cause) leads to another event (effect).

• Continuity and Change:

  • Definition: What stayed the same over time, and what changed.

Timeline of Major World History Topics

• c. 2000 BCE–600 BCE:

  • Hinduism develops in India.

  • Judaism develops in the Middle East.

• c. 500 BCE:

  • Buddhism begins in India.

  • Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism develop in China.

• c. 200 BCE–1400 CE:

  • Silk Road trade routes connect Asia, Europe, and Africa.

  • Indian Ocean trade network expands.

• c. 600–700 CE:

  • Islam begins in the Arabian Peninsula.

• 1200s–1300s:

  • Mongol Empire creates Pax Mongolica.

  • Marco Polo travels across Asia.

  • Mali Empire grows powerful in Africa.

  • Mansa Musa makes pilgrimage to Mecca.

  • Ibn Battuta travels and writes about Africa.

• 1300s–1500s:

  • Feudal systems exist in Japan and Europe.

  • Cultural diffusion spreads ideas across Afro-Eurasia.

Belief Systems Overview

• Hinduism:

  • Key Idea: Dharma (duty).

  • Emphasizes following one's role in life.

  • Concept of Karma affects reincarnation.

• Buddhism:

  • Core Idea: Suffering comes from desire.

  • Thoughts shape who individuals become.

  • Goal of Buddhism: Enlightenment.

• Judaism:

  • Belief in one God.

  • Adherence to God's laws.

  • Strong sense of community.

• Christianity:

  • Teachings of Jesus promote kindness and forgiveness.

  • Golden Rule: Treat others how you want to be treated.

• Islam:

  • Belief in one God (Allah).

  • Concept of community (ummah).

  • Emphasis on brotherhood and justice.

• Shared Theme Across Belief Systems:

  • All belief systems provide guidance for moral behavior and the way people should live.

Chinese Philosophies

• Confucianism:

  • Main Idea: People should be moral.

  • View of Government: Lead by example and emphasize respect.

  • Key Word: Moral.

• Daoism:

  • Main Idea: Go with nature.

  • View of Government: Minimal government intervention.

  • Key Word: Harmony.

• Legalism:

  • Main Idea: People need strict rules to follow.

  • View of Government: Harsh laws and punishment for order.

  • Key Word: Order.

Trade Networks & Cultural Diffusion

• Function of Trade Routes:

  • Trade routes did not only facilitate the movement of goods but also the spread of ideas, religions, languages, and technologies.

• Examples of Goods Traded:

  • Silk.

  • Spices.

  • Gold.

  • Salt.

  • Paper.

  • Gems.

  • Ivory.

• Examples of Ideas Spread:

  • Buddhism.

  • Islam.

  • Christianity.

  • Language.

  • Technology.

Medieval Africa

• Ghana's Role in Trade:

  • Controlled important trade routes.

  • Most important trade goods included:

  • Gold.

  • Salt.

  • Traders crossed the Sahara Desert using camel caravans.

  • Ghana taxed traders which contributed to the kingdom's wealth.

• Key Concept: Trade = wealth = power.

Geography & Power

• Ghana's Geographical Advantages:

  • Located strategically between gold mines in West Africa and salt sources in North Africa.

  • This prime location allowed Ghana to control trade between these regions.

• Implication of Geography:

  • Geography helped Ghana grow strong even without conquering large territories.

Leadership & Government

• Leadership Structure:

  • The king of Ghana controlled trade, collected taxes, and maintained order.

  • Strong leadership facilitated the protection of trade routes and cities.

Religion & Culture

• Religious Practices:

  • Traditional African religions coexisted with the spreading Islam.

  • Islam spread through trade rather than conquest.

  • Muslim traders introduced:

  • New ideas.

  • Writing systems.

  • Learning.

Mali

• Why Mali Was Powerful:

  • Controlled gold and salt trade.

  • Wealth generated from trade.

  • Strong leadership contributed to stability.

  • Support for education helped promote culture.

Key Figures

• Mansa Musa:

  • Wealthy ruler of Mali known for his pilgrimage to Mecca.

  • His pilgrimage helped to spread Islam and the importance of learning.

• Ibn Battuta:

  • Noted traveler who provided first-hand accounts.

  • Wrote extensively about Mali’s safety and cultural practices.

Mongol Empire

• Pax Mongolica:

  • Period of peace established under Mongol rule.

  • Resulted in safer trade conditions.

  • Protected roads facilitated increased trade.

Effects of Pax Mongolica

• Increased trade across regions.

• Spread of technology, including innovations in various fields.

• Diffusion of ideas influenced cultures across the empire.

Mongol Religious Policy

• Promoted religious tolerance.

• Allowed for the coexistence of multiple faiths within the empire.

Song China Innovations

• Notable Innovations:

  • Paper money (facilitated trade).

  • Printing technology (improved dissemination of information).

  • Compass (enhanced navigation).

  • Gunpowder (improved military capability).

Feudalism: Japan vs. Europe

• Comparative Features:

  • Japan:

  • Warriors: Samurai.

  • Code of conduct: Bushido.

  • Loyalty to Lords.

  • Law based on tradition.

  • Society had rigid class structures.

  • Europe:

  • Warriors: Knights.

  • Code of conduct: Chivalry.

  • Loyalty to Kings.

  • Law based on Church law.

  • Society had rigid class structures.

  • NOTE: The focus after the midterm will be primarily on European feudalism.

How to Analyze Sources

• Step 1: Identify the Type:

  • Primary sources are from the time period in question.

  • Secondary sources are written later based on primary sources.

• Step 2: Identify the Author:

  • Analyze who wrote the source.

  • Consider their perspective and biases.

• Step 3: Identify the Purpose:

  • Understand whether the purpose is to inform, persuade, or record information.

• Step 4: Look for Bias:

  • Identify any opinions or one-sided language in the source.

How to Answer Short Responses

• Use the following format:

  1. Restate the question.

  2. Use evidence from the source.

  3. Explain what the evidence shows.

  4. Connect your answer to a big idea.

• Sentence Starters:

  • According to the source…

  • This shows that…

  • This is important because…

  • As a result…

Practice Questions

1. Explain how trade caused cultural diffusion.

2. Compare Confucianism and Legalism.

3. Explain why Mali became wealthy.

4. How did the Mongols encourage trade?

5. Compare feudal Japan and Europe.

Final Tips

• Always use evidence in your answers.

• Be sure to explain cause and effect relationships.

• Compare ideas where relevant.

• Trust your knowledge of the material.

• Take your time to understand each question fully.

• You've got this!

Helpful Video Links

• The five major world religions - John Bellaimey.

• The History of the West African Salt Trade.

• Mansa Musa and Islam in Africa: Crash Course World History #16.

• 2,000 Years of Chinese History! The Mandate of Heaven and Confucius: World History #7.

• Wait For It…The Mongols!: Crash Course World History #17.

• History of the Samurai: Outsiders to Legends.