World Civ. Final

Viking Culture

  • Time Period: Roughly late 8th to early 11th centuries.

  • Homeland: Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden, Denmark).

  • Key Aspects: Seafaring, raiding, trading, exploration, mythology (Norse gods like Odin, Thor), distinct art styles, and eventually settlement in various parts of Europe (e.g., England, Normandy, Iceland).

Basics of Christianity

  • Core Beliefs: Monotheistic religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, believed to be the Son of God and the Messiah. Key concepts include the Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit), salvation through faith in Jesus, the Bible as sacred scripture, and the importance of love and compassion.

Civilizations of Meso- and South America

  • Mesoamerica: Olmec, Maya, Aztec. Known for sophisticated calendars, writing systems, monumental architecture (pyramids), and complex social structures.

  • South America: Inca. Known for their extensive road system, intricate bureaucracy, and impressive mountain city of Machu Picchu.

Genghis Khan

  • Life Span: c. 1162 – 1227.

  • Significance: Founder and Great Khan of the Mongol Empire, which became the largest contiguous empire in history after his death. Known for his military genius and unification of Mongol tribes.

Mongol Conquest and Aftermath

  • Conquest: Brutal and swift expansion across Asia and parts of Eastern Europe in the 13th century.

  • Aftermath: Creation of vast, interconnected empires (though eventually fragmented), facilitation of trade along the Silk Road, and significant cultural exchange.

Split of Roman Empire

  • Process: Gradually divided into the Western Roman Empire and the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire) due to administrative difficulties and cultural differences.

  • Key Date: Often marked by the permanent division in 395 AD under Emperor Theodosius I.

Medieval Economic System in Europe

  • Manorialism: Primarily agricultural system based on self-sufficient estates (manors) with a hierarchy of lords, vassals, and serfs bound to the land.

  • Feudalism: Political and social system based on land ownership and loyalty. Kings granted land (fiefs) to nobles in exchange for military service.

Christendom

  • Definition: The worldwide body of Christians or the parts of the world where Christianity is the prevailing religion. In the Middle Ages, it often referred to the unified religious and cultural sphere of Christian Europe.

Schism of 1054

  • Event: The formal separation of the Eastern (Orthodox) Church and the Western (Catholic) Church. Key issues included papal authority, the Nicene Creed, and liturgical practices.

Copernicus and Galileo

  • Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543): Proposed the heliocentric model of the solar system (sun-centered).

  • Galileo Galilei (1564-1642): Used the telescope to make astronomical observations that supported the heliocentric theory. Faced opposition from the Catholic Church.

Humanist Subjects

  • Definition: Intellectual movement of the Renaissance that focused on human potential and achievements. Emphasized the study of classical literature, rhetoric, history, and moral philosophy (the "humanities").

Effects of European Colonization in the Americas

  • Negative: Disease (smallpox, measles), enslavement of indigenous populations, displacement, destruction of indigenous cultures and political structures.

  • Positive (from the European perspective): Introduction of European languages, religion (Christianity), and systems of government; exploitation of resources.

Effects of Atlantic Slave Trade in Africa

  • Devastating: Loss of millions of people, disruption of societies and economies, increased warfare, long-lasting impact on social and political development.

Scientific Revolution

  • Time Period: Roughly 16th-18th centuries.

  • Key Aspects: New ways of thinking about the natural world based on observation, experimentation, and reason. Major figures include Copernicus, Galileo, Newton. Led to significant advancements in physics, astronomy, biology, and chemistry.

Influence of John Locke on the Declaration of Independence

  • Similarities: Both emphasize natural rights (life, liberty, property/pursuit of happiness), the idea of government by consent, and the right to revolution if the government becomes destructive of these ends.

  • Differences: Locke focuses on "property" as a key natural right, while Jefferson in the Declaration uses "pursuit of happiness."

Results of American Revolution v. French Revolution

  • American Revolution: Led to the establishment of a stable, democratic republic (though with initial limitations like slavery).

  • French Revolution: More radical and tumultuous, involved periods of extreme violence (Reign of Terror), and ultimately led to a republic that was eventually replaced by Napoleon's empire. Had a more widespread impact on European political thought.

Causes of WWI

  • Militarism: Arms race and glorification of military power.

  • Alliances: Complex system of treaties that obligated nations to defend each other.

  • Imperialism: Competition for colonies and resources.

  • Nationalism: Intense patriotism and desire for self-determination.

  • Assassination: The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary served as the immediate trigger.

Causes of WWII

  • Failures of the Treaty of Versailles: Harsh terms imposed on Germany fostered resentment.

  • Rise of Fascism and Nazism: Aggressive ideologies emphasizing nationalism and expansionism.

  • Japanese Expansionism: Militaristic ambitions in Asia.

  • Appeasement: Policy of Western powers towards Hitler's aggression.

  • The Great Depression: Economic instability contributed to political extremism.

Causes of American Entrance into WWII

  • Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor (December 7, 1941): The immediate trigger.

  • Growing concerns about Axis aggression and support for the Allied powers prior to the attack.

What Brought an End to WWII

  • In Europe: Allied invasion of Normandy (D-Day), Soviet advance from the East, fall of Berlin, and Hitler's suicide led to Germany's surrender (V-E Day).

  • In the Pacific: Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the United States led to Japan's surrender (V-J Day).

Cold War “Races”

  • Arms Race: Competition between the US and the Soviet Union to develop superior weaponry, particularly nuclear weapons.

  • Space Race: Competition to achieve milestones in space exploration.

Terrorism (what is it, what is the cause of it, etc)

  • Definition: The unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims.

  • Causes: Complex and varied, often include political grievances, religious extremism, nationalism, social inequality, and a desire to achieve political change through violence.

Causes of 9/11 Attacks

  • Al-Qaeda's grievances: Opposition to US foreign policy in the Middle East, support for Israel, and the presence of US troops in Saudi Arabia.

  • Extremist ideology: Belief in a global jihad against the West.

New Technologies over the Course of Mankind

  • This is a vast topic! Some major examples: fire, tools (stone, bronze, iron), agriculture, the wheel, writing, gunpowder (invented in China), printing press (developed by Gutenberg in Europe), the steam engine, electricity, the automobile (developed in Germany), the airplane, computers, the internet.

Effects of the Columbian Exchange

  • Exchange of goods, ideas, diseases: From the Americas to Europe, Asia, and Africa: potatoes, tomatoes, corn, tobacco, etc. From Europe, Asia, and Africa to the Americas: livestock (horses, cattle), grains (wheat), diseases (smallpox), etc.

  • Demographic shifts: Devastating impact of European diseases on indigenous populations in the Americas.

  • Economic changes: Rise of mercantilism, new trade networks.