Prologue: World History Modern AP Edition — Flashcards

The First Migrations

Modern humans began in East Africa and spread throughout the world as hunter-gatherers.

The Agricultural Revolution

Around 10{,}000 years ago, farming started due to a warmer climate. This led to extra food, which brought about new jobs, bigger towns, new tools (like the wheel), governments, writing, and social classes.

The First Civilizations

Most early civilizations grew around rivers, like Mesopotamia (first writing, laws), Egypt (pharaohs, pyramids), Indus (planned cities), and China (strong family ties). Others, like the Olmec and Chavin, grew without rivers.

Hinduism and Judaism

Religions became more complex. Hinduism, from India, believes in many gods, reincarnation, and has a strict caste system. Judaism, from Israel, is the most important religion believing in one God (Yahweh), influencing Christianity and Islam.

Beginning of Buddhism

Siddhartha Gautama founded Buddhism, teaching how to end suffering through the Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path. It rejected social classes and spread widely through trade and missionaries.

• The Mauryan Empire united South Asia; Emperor Ashoka spread Buddhism.
• The Gupta Empire was a "Golden Age" for India, known for advances in medicine and math (0-9 numbering system), and supported Hinduism strongly.

Confucianism and Developments in East Asia

• Mandate of Heaven: The idea that Chinese emperors ruled with heaven's approval.
• Confucianism: Founded by Confucius, it stressed education, respect, and family importance, deeply shaping Chinese culture.

• The Qin Dynasty unified China, standardizing things like writing.
• The Han Dynasty was a "Golden Age" with new inventions (paper, compass), expanded trade on the Silk Road, and used exams based on Confucian ideas to pick government workers.

Civilizations of Western Eurasia

• Persia: A vast empire known for strong government, good roads, and religious tolerance.
• Greece: Made up of many city-states; Athens developed democracy and philosophy. Alexander the Great spread Greek culture widely.
• Rome: Started in 753 B.C.E., it borrowed Greek ideas and developed a government where people elected representatives.