Note
Studied by 7 peopleunits 1 and 2 everything
AP World History: Modern - Unit 1 (c. 1200 to c. 1450)
* Question: What is the general focus of Unit 1 in AP World History: Modern?
Answer: The unit focuses on regional developments and the initial stages of increasing global interconnectedness between c. 1200 and c. 1450.
* Question: Name a major empire that flourished in East Asia during this period.
Answer: The Song Dynasty in China.
* Question: What were some key technological innovations of the Song Dynasty?
Answer: Gunpowder, the compass, printing technology (woodblock and movable type), and improved shipbuilding techniques.
* Question: How did Confucianism influence Song Dynasty China?
Answer: Confucianism shaped the social hierarchy, the civil service examination system, and the values of the scholar-gentry.
* Question: What was Neo-Confucianism, and where did it develop?
Answer: Neo-Confucianism was a revitalized and more philosophical form of Confucianism that incorporated Buddhist and Daoist elements; it developed in China.
* Question: What were the major Islamic caliphates present around 1200?
Answer: While the Abbasid Caliphate was in decline, various successor states and new Islamic empires were emerging.
* Question: What were some significant intellectual contributions of the Islamic world during this period?
Answer: Advancements in mathematics, science (astronomy, medicine), philosophy, and the preservation and translation of classical Greek texts.
* Question: How did Islam spread to new regions during this era?
Answer: Through trade, missionary activities (Sufis), and conquest.
* Question: Name a major trading city in West Africa during this period.
Answer: Timbuktu.
* Question: What was the primary religion of the Mali Empire?
Answer: Islam (adopted by the ruling elite and spread through trade).
* Question: Who was Mansa Musa, and why is he significant?
Answer: Mansa Musa was a wealthy and influential ruler of the Mali Empire known for his pilgrimage to Mecca, which showcased the empire's wealth and power.
* Question: What were the major kingdoms in Europe around 1200?
Answer: Various kingdoms including England, France, the Holy Roman Empire, and numerous smaller states.
* Question: What was the dominant social system in much of Europe during this time?
Answer: Feudalism.
* Question: Describe the basic hierarchy of the feudal system.
Answer: King, nobles (lords/vassals), knights, and peasants/serfs.
* Question: What was the role of the Catholic Church in medieval Europe?
Answer: The Church was a powerful institution that influenced religious, political, social, and intellectual life.
* Question: What were the Crusades, and what were some of their motivations?
Answer: The Crusades were a series of religious wars, primarily aimed at reclaiming the Holy Land from Muslim control, but also driven by political and economic motives.
* Question: What were some of the consequences of the Crusades?
Answer: Increased trade between Europe and the East, cultural exchange, and the weakening of feudalism in some areas.
* Question: Name a major civilization that developed in Mesoamerica during this period.
Answer: The Aztec civilization (though it rose later in this period, its foundations were being laid).
* Question: What was the capital city of the Aztec Empire?
Answer: Tenochtitlan.
* Question: Describe the political organization of the Aztec Empire.
Answer: A tribute empire where conquered territories paid tribute to the AztecTriple Alliance.
* Question: What was a key feature of Aztec religious practice?
Answer: Human sacrifice on a large scale.
* Question: Name a major civilization that developed in the Andean region of South America.
Answer: The Inca civilization (also rose later in this period, with earlier states preceding it).
* Question: What was the capital city of the Inca Empire?
Answer: Cuzco.
* Question: Describe the political organization of the Inca Empire.
Answer: A highly centralized empire with an emperor believed to be divine and a complex bureaucracy.
* Question: What was the mit'a system in the Inca Empire?
Answer: A form of mandatory public service.
* Question: What was the significance of the Mongol Empire during this period?
Answer: The Mongol Empire was the largest contiguous land empire in history, facilitating trade and cultural exchange across Eurasia (Pax Mongolica).
* Question: Who was Genghis Khan?
Answer: The founder and Great Khan of the Mongol Empire.
* Question: How did the Mongol Empire impact trade along the Silk Roads?
Answer: The Mongols provided security and stability along the Silk Roads, leading to a flourishing of trade (Pax Mongolica).
* Question: What were some of the long-term effects of the Mongol Empire?
Answer: The spread of technology and ideas, the Black Death, and the rise of new political entities in its wake.
* Question: What were the major trade networks operating in the Indian Ocean during this period?
Answer: A complex network involving Arab, Persian, Indian, and Southeast Asian merchants.
* Question: What goods were commonly traded in the Indian Ocean network?
Answer: Spices, textiles, precious metals, and other luxury goods.
* Question: What technologies facilitated trade in the Indian Ocean?
Answer: The compass, the astrolabe, and advancements in shipbuilding (e.g., dhows).
* Question: How did the monsoon winds influence Indian Ocean trade?
Answer: Merchants relied on the predictable seasonal winds to navigate the ocean.
* Question: What were the key features of the Trans-Saharan trade network?
Answer: Trade across the Sahara Desert facilitated by camels, connecting North Africa with sub-Saharan Africa.
* Question: What were the primary goods traded along the Trans-Saharan routes?
Answer: Gold from West Africa, salt from the Sahara, textiles, and slaves.
* Question: How did the spread of Islam influence the Trans-Saharan trade?
Answer: Islam facilitated trade by creating shared cultural and legal practices among merchants.
* Question: What were the major civilizations in Southeast Asia during this period?
Answer: The Khmer Empire (Angkor), Srivijaya, and various smaller kingdoms.
* Question: What was the primary religion in the Khmer Empire?
Answer: Initially Hinduism, later Buddhism.
* Question: What was the significance of Angkor Wat?
Answer: A massive temple complex in the Khmer Empire, initially Hindu and later Buddhist, showcasing the empire's power and religious syncretism.
* Question: How did the Srivijayan kingdom control trade in Southeast Asia?
Answer: By controlling key straits and maritime trade routes.
* Question: What were some of the major developments in Europe during the Late Middle Ages (part of this period)?
Answer: The growth of towns and cities, the rise of powerful monarchies, and the development of universities.
* Question: What was the Little Ice Age, and what were some of its effects on Europe?
Answer: A period of colder temperatures that led to agricultural challenges and social unrest.
* Question: What was the Renaissance, and when did it begin to emerge?
Answer: A period of renewed interest in classical Greek and Roman culture and learning; it began to emerge in Italy during the later part of this period.
* Question: What were the major political structures in the Italian peninsula during this time?
Answer: City-states like Florence, Venice, and Milan.
* Question: What was the role of humanism in the Renaissance?
Answer: A focus on human potential and achievements, shifting away from solely religious concerns.
* Question: What were some of the key social changes occurring in various parts of the world during this era?
Answer: Shifts in social hierarchies due to trade, the impact of migrations, and the spread of religions.
* Question: How did different societies organize labor during this period?
Answer: Through various means including free peasant labor, coerced labor (serfdom), and craft production.
* Question: What were some examples of cultural syncretism during this time?
Answer: The blending of Buddhism with local beliefs in Southeast Asia, or the incorporation of local deities into Islamic practices in some regions.
* Question: What were some of the limitations in global interconnectedness during this period?
Answer: Travel was slow and difficult, communication was limited, and interactions were often regional rather than truly global in scale.
* Question: What is the overall historical significance of the period c. 1200 to c. 1450?
Answer: It represents a period of significant regional developments and the intensification of existing trade networks, laying the groundwork for the more globally interconnected world of the subsequent centuries.
AP World History: Modern - Unit 2 (c. 1200 to 1450)
* Question: What is the primary focus of Unit 2 in AP World History: Modern?
Answer: The unit primarily examines the intensification and impact of various networks of exchange across the globe between c. 1200 and c. 1450.
* Question: Name the three major long-distance trade networks discussed in this period.
Answer: The Silk Roads, the Indian Ocean trade network, and the Trans-Saharan trade network.
* Question: What was the Silk Road?
Answer: A network of overland trade routes connecting East Asia with Europe and the Middle East.
* Question: What were some of the key goods traded from East Asia along the Silk Roads?
Answer: Silk, porcelain, tea, and gunpowder.
* Question: What were some of the key goods traded to East Asia along the Silk Roads?
Answer: Horses, textiles, precious metals, and spices.
* Question: How did the Mongol Empire affect the Silk Roads?
Answer: The Mongol Empire established a period of relative peace and stability (Pax Mongolica), which facilitated increased trade and cultural exchange along the Silk Roads.
* Question: What were some of the cultural exchanges that occurred along the Silk Roads?
Answer: The spread of religions (Buddhism, Islam, Nestorian Christianity), artistic styles, and technological innovations.
* Question: What was the Indian Ocean trade network?
Answer: A maritime network connecting East Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.
* Question: What were some of the key goods traded from East Africa in the Indian Ocean network?
Answer: Ivory, gold, and slaves.
* Question: What were some of the key goods traded from the Arabian Peninsula in the Indian Ocean network?
Answer: Frankincense, myrrh, and horses.
* Question: What were some of the key goods traded from South Asia in the Indian Ocean network?
Answer: Spices (pepper, cinnamon), cotton textiles, and precious stones.
* Question: What were some of the key goods traded from Southeast Asia in the Indian Ocean network?
Answer: Spices (cloves, nutmeg), aromatic woods, and tin.
* Question: What role did Arab merchants play in the Indian Ocean trade?
Answer: Arab merchants were key intermediaries, facilitating trade and spreading Islam throughout the region.
* Question: What technological innovations facilitated Indian Ocean trade?
Answer: The compass, the astrolabe, lateen sails, and the development of larger and more stable ships like the dhow.
* Question: How did the monsoon winds affect Indian Ocean trade patterns?
Answer: Trade routes and schedules were dictated by the seasonal shifts in the monsoon winds.
* Question: What was the Trans-Saharan trade network?
Answer: A network of trade routes crossing the Sahara Desert in Africa.
* Question: What role did camels play in the Trans-Saharan trade?
Answer: Camels were essential for traversing the harsh desert environment, carrying goods and people.
* Question: What were some of the key goods traded from North Africa across the Sahara?
Answer: Salt, textiles, and manufactured goods.
* Question: What were some of the key goods traded from sub-Saharan Africa across the Sahara?
Answer: Gold, ivory, and slaves.
* Question: How did the spread of Islam influence the Trans-Saharan trade network?
Answer: Islam facilitated trade by creating shared commercial practices, legal systems, and promoting literacy among merchants.
* Question: What were the major trading cities along the Trans-Saharan routes?
Answer: Gao, Timbuktu, and Koumbi Saleh.
* Question: How did trade networks facilitate the spread of religion?
Answer: Merchants often carried their religious beliefs with them, leading to the gradual diffusion of faiths along trade routes (e.g., Islam in Africa and Southeast Asia, Buddhism along the Silk Roads).
* Question: What role did Sufi missionaries play in the spread of Islam?
Answer: Sufis were mystical Islamic missionaries who often traveled along trade routes and integrated local customs, facilitating the conversion of people to Islam.
* Question: How did trade networks contribute to cultural exchange beyond religion?
Answer: The exchange of goods often led to the exchange of ideas, artistic styles, architectural techniques, and literary traditions.
* Question: Who were some significant travelers who documented the impact of trade networks during this period?
Answer: Marco Polo (Silk Roads) and Ibn Battuta (Islamic world, including Africa and Asia).
* Question: What did Marco Polo's writings describe?
Answer: His travels through Asia, particularly his experiences in the Mongol court and his observations of Chinese society and culture.
* Question: What did Ibn Battuta's writings describe?
Answer: His extensive travels across the Islamic world, providing valuable insights into the diverse cultures and societies he encountered.
* Question: How did the intensification of trade networks impact the growth of trading cities?
Answer: Increased trade led to the growth and prosperity of strategically located cities that served as hubs for commerce, attracting merchants and facilitating the exchange of goods.
* Question: What were some examples of thriving trading cities during this period?
Answer: Venice, Malacca, Calicut, and Samarkand.
* Question: How did trade networks facilitate the exchange of technology?
Answer: The movement of people along trade routes led to the diffusion of technological innovations from one region to another (e.g., gunpowder from China to Europe).
* Question: What was the impact of the magnetic compass on global trade?
Answer: It improved navigation, especially in maritime trade, allowing for more accurate and longer voyages.
* Question: What was the impact of the astrolabe on global trade?
Answer: It allowed for more precise astronomical observations, aiding in navigation, particularly in determining latitude.
* Question: How did trade networks contribute to the spread of agricultural goods?
Answer: New crops were introduced to different regions through trade, leading to changes in agricultural practices and diets.
* Question: What were some examples of agricultural goods that spread through trade networks during this period?
Answer: Bananas in Africa, citrus fruits in the Mediterranean, and sugar cultivation in various regions.
* Question: How did the intensification of trade networks sometimes lead to conflict?
Answer: Competition for control over lucrative trade routes and resources could lead to rivalries and warfare between different groups or states.
* Question: What was the role of the Strait of Malacca in Indian Ocean trade?
Answer: It was a crucial chokepoint controlling maritime trade between Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean.
* Question: How did the Srivijayan kingdom benefit from controlling the Strait of Malacca?
Answer: By levying taxes and providing services to ships passing through the strait.
* Question: What were some examples of commercial innovations that facilitated trade during this period?
Answer: The development of credit, banking systems, and forms of paper money in some regions.
* Question: How did the Black Death spread, and what role did trade networks play?
Answer: The Black Death, a devastating plague, spread along trade routes, particularly the Silk Roads and maritime networks, facilitated by the movement of infected fleas on rodents.
* Question: What were some of the social and economic consequences of the Black Death?
Answer: Massive population decline, labor shortages, economic disruption, and social unrest in many parts of the world.
* Question: How did the growth of trade networks contribute to the development of new cultural identities?
Answer: Interactions between different cultures could lead to the blending of traditions and the formation of new hybrid cultural identities in some regions.
* Question: What is meant by "cultural diffusion" in the context of trade networks?
Answer: The spread of ideas, customs, technologies, and other cultural elements from one society to another through contact and exchange.
* Question: How did the scale of global trade in this period compare to earlier eras?
Answer: While regional trade existed before, this period saw a significant intensification and expansion of long-distance trade networks, connecting more regions of the world more actively.
* Question: What were some of the limitations of trade networks during this period?
Answer: Travel remained slow and dangerous, communication was unreliable, and large parts of the world remained outside these major networks.
* Question: How did environmental factors influence trade networks?
Answer: Geographical features (deserts, oceans, mountains) shaped the routes, and environmental conditions (monsoon winds, weather patterns) affected travel and agriculture that supported trade.
* Question: What was the role of kinship ties in facilitating trade in some regions?
Answer: In some societies, family and clan networks played a significant role in organizing and conducting trade.
* Question: How did legal frameworks support trade in different regions?
Answer: The development of commercial law, contracts, and systems for resolving disputes helped to facilitate trade.
* Question: What was the relationship between states and trade networks during this period?
Answer: States often sought to control and benefit from trade by taxing merchants, providing security, and establishing trade policies.
* Question: How did the networks of exchange in this period lay the groundwork for future global interactions?
Answer: They established patterns of long-distance trade, facilitated the spread of ideas and technologies, and connected different regions in ways that would intensify in later centuries.
AP World History: Modern - Units 1 & 2 (c. 1200 to c. 1450)
Question & Answer Set 3 (Questions 101-160)
* Question: What were the primary causes for the decline of the Abbasid Caliphate by the mid-13th century?
Answer: Internal divisions, regional autonomy of governors, peasant revolts, and invasions by groups like the Seljuk Turks and eventually the Mongols.
* Question: What were the effects of the Mongol conquests on the Islamic world?
Answer: Destruction of cities, disruption of trade in some areas, but also eventual integration of some regions into larger Mongol empires and the patronage of arts and sciences in certain successor states.
* Question: What were the causes of the Crusades?
Answer: Religious zeal to reclaim the Holy Land, European political ambitions, economic opportunities, and the Byzantine Empire's plea for aid against Seljuk Turks.
* Question: What were the long-term effects of the Crusades on Europe?
Answer: Increased trade with the East, exposure to new goods and ideas, weakening of feudalism, and the growth of Italian city-states.
* Question: What were the causes for the rise of the Mali Empire in West Africa?
Answer: The decline of the Ghana Empire, control over gold and salt trade routes, and the conversion of its rulers to Islam which facilitated trade relationships.
* Question: What were the effects of Mansa Musa's pilgrimage to Mecca?
Answer: It showcased Mali's wealth and power, increased its recognition in the Islamic world, and fostered diplomatic and trade connections.
* Question: What were the causes for the development of feudalism in Europe?
Answer: The collapse of centralized authority after the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the need for local protection against invasions (Vikings, Magyars), and the granting of land in exchange for loyalty and service.
* Question: What were the effects of the feudal system on European society and politics?
Answer: A decentralized political structure, a rigid social hierarchy, and localized economies based on agriculture.
* Question: What were the causes for the growth of towns and cities in Europe during the Late Middle Ages?
Answer: Increased agricultural productivity, the revival of trade, and the migration of peasants seeking economic opportunities.
* Question: What were the effects of the growth of European towns and cities?
Answer: The rise of a merchant class, the development of guilds, increased social mobility, and the growth of centralized monarchies.
* Question: What were the causes for the Renaissance in Europe?
Answer: Increased wealth in Italian city-states due to trade, rediscovery of classical Greek and Roman texts, patronage of the arts by wealthy families and the Church, and the rise of humanism.
* Question: What were the effects of the Renaissance on European society and thought?
Answer: A renewed interest in human potential and achievement, advancements in art and literature, and a questioning of traditional authority.
* Question: What were the causes for the rise of the Mongol Empire?
Answer: Genghis Khan's charismatic leadership, the Mongols' military skills and discipline, and their ability to adapt and incorporate conquered peoples.
* Question: What were the effects of the Mongol conquests on Eurasia?
Answer: Widespread destruction and loss of life in some regions, the creation of the largest contiguous land empire, the facilitation of trade along the Silk Roads (Pax Mongolica), and the spread of the Black Death.
* Question: What were the causes for the flourishing of trade along the Silk Roads under Mongol rule?
Answer: The establishment of relative peace and security across the vast empire, the standardization of weights and measures, and the facilitation of travel and communication.
* Question: What were the effects of the increased trade along the Silk Roads during the Pax Mongolica?
Answer: Increased cultural exchange, the spread of technologies and ideas between East and West, and the growth of wealth in trading centers.
* Question: What were the causes for the growth of the Indian Ocean trade network?
Answer: The development of maritime technologies (compass, astrolabe, lateen sails), the predictability of monsoon winds, and the demand for diverse goods from different regions.
* Question: What were the effects of the Indian Ocean trade on the regions involved?
Answer: Economic prosperity for trading centers, the spread of Islam to Southeast Asia and East Africa, and cultural exchange between diverse populations.
* Question: What were the causes for the development of the Trans-Saharan trade network?
Answer: The availability of valuable resources like gold and salt in different regions of Africa, the domestication of the camel, and the spread of Islam which facilitated trade relationships.
* Question: What were the effects of the Trans-Saharan trade on West Africa?
Answer: The rise of powerful empires like Ghana and Mali, the spread of Islam, and the growth of urban centers like Timbuktu as centers of trade and learning.
* Question: What were the causes for the spread of Islam to Southeast Asia?
Answer: Primarily through the activities of Sufi merchants who integrated local customs and peacefully spread their faith.
* Question: What were the effects of the spread of Islam on Southeast Asian societies?
Answer: The emergence of new Islamic kingdoms and sultanates, the blending of Islamic beliefs with local traditions, and increased trade connections with the wider Islamic world.
* Question: What were the causes for the development of advanced navigation techniques during this period?
Answer: The growth of long-distance trade, the desire for more efficient travel, and the accumulation of geographical and astronomical knowledge.
* Question: What were the effects of improved navigation on global interactions?
Answer: It facilitated longer and more reliable sea voyages, contributing to the growth of maritime trade networks and eventually the Age of Exploration.
* Question: What were the causes for the spread of the Black Death in the mid-14th century?
Answer: The unification of Eurasia under the Mongol Empire facilitated the movement of people and goods, along with the disease-carrying fleas on rats, along trade routes.
* Question: What were the short-term effects of the Black Death in Europe?
Answer: Massive population decline (estimated 30-60%), labor shortages, economic disruption, and social unrest.
* Question: What were some of the long-term effects of the Black Death in Europe?
Answer: Changes in the feudal system, increased social mobility for surviving peasants, and a shift in economic power in some regions.
* Question: What were the causes for the decline of the Mongol Empire in the 14th and 15th centuries?
Answer: Internal divisions and succession struggles, overextension of the empire, resentment from conquered populations, and the impact of the Black Death.
* Question: What were the effects of the Mongol Empire's decline on the political map of Eurasia?
Answer: The rise of new independent states and empires in the regions previously controlled by the Mongols (e.g., the rise of Muscovy in Russia).
* Question: What were the causes for the relative isolation of the civilizations in the Americas from Afro-Eurasia during this period?
Answer: Geographical barriers (the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans) and a lack of the necessary maritime technology for sustained transoceanic travel.
* Question: What were the effects of this isolation on the development of societies in the Americas?
Answer: Unique technological, agricultural, and social developments that differed significantly from those in Afro-Eurasia.
* Question: What were the causes for the development of sophisticated agricultural techniques by the Aztecs (e.g., chinampas)?
Answer: The need to feed a large and growing population in the Valley of Mexico, where fertile land was limited.
* Question: What were the effects of chinampas on Aztec society?
Answer: Increased agricultural productivity, allowing for a larger population and the development of a complex urban center like Tenochtitlan.
* Question: What were the causes for the Inca Empire's efficient administrative system?
Answer: The need to govern a large and geographically diverse empire, requiring a centralized bureaucracy, road networks, and communication systems.
* Question: What were the effects of the Inca road system?
Answer: Facilitated communication, trade, and the movement of troops and administrators throughout the empire.
* Question: What were the causes for the practice of human sacrifice in Aztec religion?
Answer: Religious beliefs that the gods needed nourishment to sustain the cosmos, and a way to intimidate conquered populations.
* Question: What were the effects of Aztec human sacrifice on their society and interactions with neighbors?
Answer: It played a central role in their religious life and likely contributed to resentment and fear among conquered groups.
* Question: What were the causes for the development of unique cultural traditions in different regions during this period?
Answer: Geographic isolation, local environmental conditions, existing belief systems, and interactions with neighboring cultures.
* Question: What were the effects of cultural syncretism along trade routes?
Answer: The blending of different religious beliefs, artistic styles, and social customs, leading to the development of new cultural forms.
* Question: What were the causes for the limited direct contact between Europe and East Asia before the Mongol Empire?
Answer: Geographical distance, political instability along potential routes, and limited maritime capabilities for long-distance travel.
* Question: What were the effects of the increased contact between Europe and East Asia during the Pax Mongolica?
Answer: Increased European awareness of Asian cultures and goods, the transmission of knowledge and technologies, and the eventual European desire to find direct sea routes to Asia.
* Question: What were the causes for the development of credit and banking systems in some trading centers?
Answer: The need to facilitate long-distance trade and manage large sums of money without the risks of carrying physical currency.
* Question: What were the effects of these financial innovations on trade?
Answer: Reduced the risks and costs associated with trade, making it more efficient and accessible.
* Question: What were the causes for the growth of Swahili city-states in East Africa?
Answer: Their strategic location along Indian Ocean trade routes, facilitating trade between the African interior and Arabia/Asia.
* Question: What were the effects of Indian Ocean trade on the Swahili city-states?
Answer: Economic prosperity, the development of a unique Swahili language and culture (blending Bantu and Arabic influences), and the adoption of Islam.
* Question: What were the causes for the varying degrees of centralization in different political systems during this period?
Answer: Factors such as the size of the territory, the nature of external threats, the effectiveness of communication and transportation, and cultural traditions.
* Question: What were the effects of centralized rule (e.g., Inca Empire) compared to more decentralized systems (e.g., feudal Europe)?
Answer: Centralized rule allowed for greater control over resources and administration but could be vulnerable to collapse if the central authority weakened. Decentralized systems offered local autonomy but could lack unity and face challenges in large-scale defense or projects.
* Question: What were the causes for technological diffusion along trade routes?
Answer: The movement of merchants, travelers, and scholars who carried knowledge and skills with them.
* Question: What were the effects of technological diffusion during this period?
Answer: The spread of innovations like gunpowder, printing, and navigational tools, which had significant impacts on warfare, communication, and exploration in different parts of the world.
* Question: What were the causes for the development of distinct architectural styles in different civilizations?
Answer: Local environmental conditions, available building materials, religious beliefs, and cultural aesthetics.
* Question: What were the effects of these distinct architectural styles on the cultural landscape?
Answer: They served as visible expressions of a civilization's identity, power, and beliefs.
* Question: What were the causes for the development of sophisticated record-keeping systems (e.g., Inca quipu)?
Answer: The need to manage complex societies, track resources, and administer large empires without widespread literacy.
* Question: What were the effects of these record-keeping systems on governance and administration?
Answer: They facilitated efficient organization and control over populations and resources.
* Question: What were the causes for the resilience of certain cultural traditions despite increased interaction?
Answer: Strong social structures, deeply ingrained belief systems, and efforts by elites to maintain cultural distinctiveness.
* Question: What were the effects of this resilience on the overall pattern of global exchange?
Answer: While exchange occurred, it often involved selective adoption and adaptation of foreign elements rather than complete cultural assimilation.
* Question: What were the causes for the limited impact of some major technological innovations in certain regions?
Answer: Lack of adoption due to existing social structures, economic constraints, or a lack of perceived need.
* Question: What were the effects of this uneven technological adoption on the balance of power between different regions in the long run?
Answer: Regions that readily adopted and developed new technologies often gained a competitive advantage.
* Question: What were the causes for the development of unique literary and artistic traditions in different societies?
Answer: Religious beliefs, social values, historical experiences, and interactions with other cultures.
* Question: What were the effects of these traditions on the cultural identity and expression of these societies?
Answer: They provided a means of transmitting values, stories, and a sense of shared heritage.
* Question: What were the overarching causes that led to the intensification of global networks of exchange during c. 1200 to c. 1450?
Answer: Advancements in transportation and commercial technologies, the rise of large empires that facilitated trade, and the increasing demand for goods across different regions.