Unit 1 Review Study Guide---The Global Tapestry

Unit 1 Review Study Guide --- The Global Tapestry

Big Picture Ideas

1. Dominant Groups by Region
      a. The Americas:
         - The Maya: Advanced civilization known for its writing system, mathematics, and astronomy.
         - The Aztecs (Mexica): Notable for their empire centered in modern-day Mexico, known for monumental architecture and a complex societal structure.
      b. East Asia:
         - China: Dominated by the Song Dynasty, famous for technological and cultural advancements.
         - Japan: Influenced by Chinese culture, featuring a feudal system with samurai warriors.

2. Dar al-Islam:
      - The term means "the house of Islam" and refers to regions where Islamic law is dominant. The home of Dar al-Islam includes parts of the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of South Asia.

3. Dominant Belief Systems by Region
      a. East Asia:
         - Confucianism: A system of philosophical and ethical teachings founded by Confucius emphasizing morality, family loyalty, and social harmony.
         - Buddhism: Began in India, but well-established in China, where it adapted to local customs and beliefs.
      b. Middle East:
         - Islam: The predominant religion rooted in the teachings of Prophet Muhammad and the Qur'an.

4. Key Innovations in China During This Time Period
      a. In Warfare:
         - Development and usage of gunpowder weapons.
         - Advancements in military strategy and organization under the Song Dynasty.
      b. In Agriculture:
         - Introduction of Champa Rice, a drought-resistant rice that allowed for multiple harvests and increased food production.

5. Innovations of Dar al-Islam
      a. Mathematics:
         - Introduction of Arabic numerals and advances in algebra from scholars such as Al-Khwarizmi.
      b. Greco-Roman Ideas:
         - Preservation and expansion of knowledge in areas like medicine, philosophy, and science, particularly through translations and commentaries by Islamic scholars.

6. Commonality of Early Civilizations:
      - All early civilizations exhibited complex social hierarchies and centralized governance, which were accompanied by significant cultural, economic, and technological developments.

Key Vocabulary Definitions

• Champa Rice:
     - A fast ripening drought-resistant rice from Vietnam, introduced to China during the Song Dynasty, leading to food surplus and significant population growth in China.

• Neo-Confucianism:
     - A philosophical revival of Confucianism that merged traditional Confucian ideas with Buddhist and Daoist principles, emphasizing morality and social harmony.

• Foot Binding:
     - A practice in Chinese culture where women's feet were tightly bound to maintain small foot sizes, illustrating ideals of beauty and status.

• Shogun:
     - A military leader in Japan who held significant power, often overshadowing the emperor.

• Samurai:
     - Warrior class in Japan known for their code of honor (Bushido) and skilled combat abilities.

• Caliphate:
     - A form of Islamic government led by a caliph, considered a political and religious successor to the Prophet Muhammad.

• Sufism:
     - A mystical Islamic belief system focused on personal connection to God, often through rituals, poetry, and meditation.

• Abbasids:
     - A dynasty that ruled the Islamic caliphate, known for cultural and scientific advancements in the Golden Age of Islam.

• Turkic:
     - Referring to a group of peoples related through language and culture originating from Central Asia, known primarily for their migrations and influences on surrounding regions.

• Delhi Sultanate:
     - A series of Turkic and Afghan dynasties that ruled parts of India from the 13th to the 16th century, instrumental in the spread of Islam in South Asia.

• Chinampa:
     - A form of Mesoamerican agriculture whereby floating gardens were constructed on lake surfaces for growing crops, notably used by the Aztecs.

• Mita:
     - A labor system in the Incan Empire requiring subjects to work on public projects for a set period.

• Feudalism:
     - A social structure characterized by the exchange of land for military service and protection, dominating medieval European societies.

• Serfdom:
     - A labor system in which peasants (serfs) were tied to the land and under obligation to work for a landowner.

• Great Zimbabwe:
     - A medieval African city known for its impressive stone ruins, significant in trade and culture in southern Africa.

Specific Regional Topics

East Asia

21. Buddhism Definitions
       a. Nirvana:
          - The ultimate state of enlightenment and liberation from the cycle of rebirth and suffering in Buddhism.
       b. Eightfold Path:
          - A practical guideline within Buddhism to end suffering, consisting of eight key practices: Right Understanding, Right Intent, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration.

22. Confucianism
       a. Filial Piety:
          - A virtue of respect for one's parents and ancestors, a key concept in Confucian ethics emphasizing family loyalty and duty.

23. Daoism
       a. Harmony of Nature:
          - The Daoist principle expressing the importance of living in accordance with the natural flow of the universe, signified by the Yin/Yang symbol representing balance and dualism in nature.

24. Song China
       a. Civil Service Exam:
          - A rigorous examination system used to select candidates for bureaucracy based on Confucian texts, promoting meritocracy in governance.
       b. Mandate of Heaven:
          - A philosophical concept that legitimizes the emperor’s rule as divinely sanctioned; after the Song, the Ming claimed this mandate to justify their reign.

Dar al-Islam

25. Dominant Groups in Dar al-Islam:
       - After Persian and Arab dominions, the Turks, particularly the Ottoman Empire, came to dominate the region.

26. Groups Spreading Islam:
       - The Arab traders, Sufi missionaries, and Mongol conquerors were primarily responsible for the spread of Islam across Afro-Eurasia.

South and Southeast Asia

27. Dominant Belief Systems:
       - Predominantly Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam throughout this region during the specified period.

28. Significant Empire:
       - The Mughal Empire is noted for blending Hinduism and Buddhism, exemplified by the Taj Mahal as a piece of monumental architecture.

29. Dominant Sultanate in South Asia:
       - The Delhi Sultanate was the most powerful sultanate during this period.

The Americas

30. Characteristics of Aztecs (Mexica)
       a. Religion:
          - The Aztecs practiced polytheism, worshipping many gods, often associated with nature and agriculture, featuring significant rituals, including human sacrifices.
       b. Political:
          - They established a centralized empire with an extensive tribute system and a series of alliances and military campaigns that expanded their reach and reinforced their power.

31. Mita System and Mayans:
       - The Mita system allowed for labor to be organized in a way that benefited the Mayans by providing resources and labor for public works and agricultural production.

Africa

32. Dominant Empire in Sub-Saharan Africa:
       - The Mali Empire, led by figures like Mansa Musa, epitomized wealth and influence.

33. Trade Control:
       - The Mali Empire controlled the trade of gold, salt, and other goods across the Sahara, contributing to its wealth and influence.

34. Unique Fact about Aksum/Ethiopia:
       - Aksum was notable for adopting Christianity early on and establishing an independent kingdom without colonial domination during this period.

Europe

35. Manorialism:
       - A key economic and social system in medieval Europe where land was managed by a lord and worked by peasants in exchange for protection and a place to live.

36. Decentralization:
       - Describes the distribution of power away from a central authority, which ties into the feudal system where lords had more control over their territories than the monarch did over the entire kingdom.