6th Grade Social Studies Final Exam Flashcards

Food Acquisition in the Old Stone Age (Paleolithic Age): People obtained their food through hunting and gathering. They moved from place to place to follow food sources.
The Impact of Farming Surplus: The transition to farming surplus significantly altered early human life. It allowed populations to stay in one place (sedentary lifestyle) rather than being nomadic. It reduced the need for constant trading for basic sustenance and made food readily available. This stability enabled specialization within the community.
Old Stone Age (Paleolithic Age) vs. New Stone Age (Neolithic Age):
- Old Stone Age: Characterized by individuals who hunted and gathered, did not practice farming, and were nomadic, moving from place to place.
- New Stone Age: Characterized by people who farmed and settled in permanent locations rather than moving from place to place.
New Stone Age Food Procurement: People in the New Stone Age grew crops and relied significantly less on gathering meat from the wild.
Life Changes through Farming: Farming caused early people to stop the constant cycle of hunting and gathering, allowing them to remain consistently in one place.
Discovery of the Iceman (Otzi): From the Iceman, archaeologists learned that early people changed over time, specifically that they grew smarter but became less physically active.

Religious Uniqueness of Israelites: The Israelites were distinct from other civilizations because they all had different religious beliefs compared to the prevailing polytheistic cultures of the time.
Hammurabi's Code: This code was vital because it was written in a hard and difficult language that only research or specific people could know. It was fundamentally integrated with social class, which determined how laws were applied.
Geographic Features of Mesopotamia: The civilization was defined by two major rivers: the Tigris and the Euphrates.

Impact of the Nile River: The Nile River served as a crucial transport link that let Egyptians trade with other countries. Important features included the Nile Delta, cataracts, and the surrounding desert, which shaped Egyptian life.
Egyptian Astronomy: Ancient Egyptian astronomers studied the stars to learn different things and to provide leadership/guidance.
Egyptian Belief in the Afterlife: Egyptians believed in a life after death. They prepared bodies by wrapping them in "sturn" (linen) and placing them inside a coffin.
Egyptian Religion: According to the provided notes, Egyptians were monotheistic.
Egyptian Social Classes: Knowledge of the hierarchy of social classes is required for the final exam.
Rule of Pharaohs: Understanding how the pharaohs exercised their power and the methods by which they ruled is a core topic.
Writing Systems: Ancient Egyptians utilized a specific form of writing (hieroglyphics) to keep track of their wealth and records.
Environmental Factors: Egyptian civilization began near the Nile River due to its supportive environment.
Menes (Narmer): This figure is noted for his specific contributions to unifying or ruling Egypt.

Buddhism:
- Buddhists search for a way to end suffering.
- They follow the Eightfold Path.
- Adherents live according to the Middle Way.
- They follow the Four Noble Truths.
- The ultimate goal is to reach the Eightfold Path (Nirvana).
Confucianism:
- The central idea is respect.
- The family is considered the center of society.
- It emphasizes loyalty and respect within both the family and the wider society.
- Confucius taught that people in authority should set a good example for others.
Hinduism:
- Has no single founder; it originated from Aryan songs known as the Vedas.
- Features a Caste System.
- Belief that individuals move up or down the social/spiritual ladder through reincarnation.
- Dharma is defined as the duties associated with one's caste.
- The cycle of rebirth is determined by how well a person lives their life.
Common Themes: Both Buddhism and Hinduism share a belief in the cycle of reincarnation, which encompasses birth, death, and rebirth.

Pericles and Government: Pericles fought for government officials to receive pay. This was a critical democratic development because it meant even poor men could afford to hold a government job.
Greek Religious Beliefs: Understanding how Greek religious views affected their daily lives is necessary for the exam.
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