WHAP Midterm Review

Peasants in classical China

Peasant farmers were second only to gentry' scholars in ancient China. Farmers were landowners like gentry scholars, and agriculture long played a key role in the rise of Chinese civilization. By 5,000 BC Chinese farmers had learned to make pottery, baskets and wove cloth. The Chinese farmers also made ritual objects from jade such as knives, axes and rings. Much struggle fell upon the peasants and there were many uprisings and rebellions.

Major difference between Medina and Mecca

Political dominance in medina was contested between a number of Jewish and Bedouin tribes.

Power of the papacy immediately after 500

Pope was top authority; Church "copied" Roman government; Regional churches were headed by bishops; Pope regulated doctrine; Popes sponsored extensive missionary activity

Pure Land Buddhism

Pure Land Buddhism stressed salvation. It emphasized Salvationist aspects of Chinese Buddhism; popular among masses of Chinese society.

The political organization of the Tigris Euphrates civilization

Regional city-states. The city-states controlled the surrounding agricultural fields. The city states were ruled by kings who set boundaries, regulated religion, provided justice, and led the armies. Elites controlled lands worked by slaves.

Europe's maritime dominance

Resulted in: creation of a new world economy (including Africa) in international trade created a new international pool for exchanges of foods, diseases, and manufactured products

Relationship of Chinese imperial court to the provincial military elite

Results of the provincial military elite were that the pretensions for a heavenly mandate and centralized power became ludicrous (unlike ideas of Chinese imperial court. The emergence of scholar gentries was stifled by the reassertion of aristocratic power and prerogatives. The relevance of the Chinese precedents and institutions to the Japanese diminished. In the absence of an imperial military force, law and order broke down leading both the emperor and high officials to hire provincial lords and their military retainers.

Level of trade in Abbasid empire

Revival of the Afro-Eurasian trading network; their items were in great demand from Europe to China. It was growing and increasing between cities thriving in trade; Trade with Africa, Mediterranean, India, and China continued to flourish

What states fell back from European ascendancy following the religious wars?

Spain

Impacts of the Neo Confucian schools of thought

The growing influence of neo-Confucianism in the Tang-Song era led to reinforcements of class, age, and gender distinctions. The assertion of male dominance was especially pronounced in the thinking of the Neo-Confucian philosophers (later Song). Footbinding was established and epitomized the elimination of possibility of women self-fulfillment. Buddhists were also attacked for promoting career alternatives for women. In other words, many women rights were stripped in this time regarding marriage, career, and simple rights.

Why did the population and political power in Mexico shit after the sack of Tula

The population shifted to the middle of Mexico in the valleys near the lakes like Lake Texcoco.

The most venturesome sailors in the classical world.

The sailors of South India.

True or False: Ulema stressed an increasingly restrictive conservatism within Islam, particularly with respect to scientific inquiry

True.

What factor led to a revival of Chinese influence on Japan during the warring daimyos period?

Zen Buddhism led to a revival of Chinese influence during Japan's warring daimyos period. Fears that constant wars between samurai might drag down Japan was mollified by the arts that Zen Buddhism helped secure. It provided key points of renewed diplomatic and trade contacts with China and a revival of Chinese influence on the cultural level.

The differences between the Qin and the Zhou

Zhou~ introduction of iron, longest dynasty, considered the zenith of Chinese Bronze-ware making Qin~ increased trade, improved agriculture & military security, became unified with a centralized government

Political fragmentation of the Arabic world

decline of Arab strength caused by fall of last Arab caliphate in 1258; disputes caused by Mongolian incursion into Asia; various candidates emerged to take leadership; new difficulties caused inability to respond to change; local landlords seized power over peasants who became serfs and lost freedom; Ottoman Turkish state and Byzantine soon seized lands of old caliphate

Confucian beliefs

emphasized personal virtue which included a reverence for tradition; stressed respect for social superiors including fathers and husbands as leaders of the community; insisted society's leaders behave modestly and without excess; moderation in behavior, veneration of custom and ritual, and love of wisdom should characterize all leaders

Popular mentality and its change as a result of the Protestant Reformation.

religious issues dominated politics due to opposing opinions about reform which led to grudging and limited acceptance of religious pluralism through religious wars; resistance of the idea of miracles or other interventions in nature's course; promoted greater concentration on family life; made marriage more necessary for women and made father responsible for religious training of children; encouraged love between husband and wife ad women's emotional role in family improved with emphasis on affection

Slavery in Roman Era

slavery spread steadily throughout Rome in last centuries of the Republic; were used in military expansion; most of the slaves were from conquered territories; Roman slaves performed a variety of tasks (tutoring high class kids, cleaning, cooking, gardening, Mining

Significance of year 800 CE

Charlemagne crowned emperor of Holy Roman Empire

Compare China and India and their contacts with other societies

China and India offer important contrasts in politics and society, yet they resembled each other in that both built stable structures over large areas and used culture to justify social inequality; The restraint of Chinese art contrasted with the more dynamic style of India; The latter developed a primary religion, Hinduism, while the former opted for separate religious and philosophical systems; Over time, Indian and Chinese social structures survived better than those in the Mediterranean because of the introduction of Christianity into the latter's culture; China - not invaded often, influenced others through government acquiring territory and emissaries; India - through merchants, invaded by Alexander the Great and Kushans

Relationship between Asian civilizations and the world commercial network of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries

China depended on extensive government regulation to keep European activities in check; Asian civilizations had ample political strength and economic sophistication to avoid dependant states; East Asia constituted the civilization that remained most fully and consciously external to the world economy

Zheng He (AKA: Cheng Ho)

Chinese Muslim admiral who commanded series of Indian Ocean, Persian Gulf, and Red Sea trade expeditions between 1405 - 1433; under third Ming emperor, Yungle

Compare Chinese architecture to Greek and Roman architecture

Chinese [Often had symmetrical styles; Winged roofs; Often didn't exceed three floors; Colors like red, brown, green, and gold were often used; Houses often had a garden and some kind of pond]; Roman [Often contained many arches (adopted from the Greeks) and domes; Many building used marble; Pillars such as Doric (simplest) Ionic (Looked like scrolls at the top of the pillar) and Corinthian (Most decorative featuring leaves and vines at the top of pillars);Very ornate (more than Greeks); Greater sized buildings form the Greeks]; Greek (Used many pillars and columns; Realistic form of sculptures; Rows of columns common; "classical architecture"; Brightly painted; Featured monumental construction; square or rectangular shaped; Pillars such as Doric (simplest) Ionic (Looked like scrolls at the top of the pillar) and Corinthian (Most decorative featuring leaves and vines at the top of pillars)

Chinese art

Chinese art then was largely decorative, stressing detail and craftsmanship. Artistic styles often reflected the geometric qualities of the symbols of Chinese writing. The practical application of science superseded learning for learning's sake. Chinese astronomers developed accurate calendars. Scholars studied the mathematics of music. This practical focus contrasted with the more abstract approach to science applied by the Greeks. Careful craftsmanship with detail, precision, geometric qualities, largely decorative writing, calligraphy.

Chinese views of nature

Classical China also produced a more religious philosophy called Daoism, which embraced harmony in nature. Harmony and Balance.

Political tradition in India

Classical India did not develop the solid political and cultural institutions the Chinese experienced, nor the high level of political interest of Greece and Rome; Its greatest features, still observable today, were political diversity and regionalism; The development of a rigid caste system lies at the heart of this characteristic; Religion, particularly Hinduism, was the only uniting influence in Indian culture; Regional states with different political system; To a great extent, the caste system and religious encouragement to the faithful performance of caste duties did for Indian life what more conventional government structures did in many other cultures, in promoting public order and providing a network of rules by which people could regulate their lives and activities

Why did the Chinese government accept Daoism

Daoists did not have great political ambitions; Daoists came to acknowledge the Son of Heaven; Daoists provided spiritual insights for many in the upper classes; Daoism embraced traditional Chinese beliefs

Athenian democracy

Developed in Greek city state called Athens (550BC); First known democracy; Individual people would vote directly; Only a small number of Athenian population were citizens and could vote; Women could not vote

Functions of government in Han China. (repeat)

Did not constitute the function of school for peasant boys. Did not detach from the lives of the Chinese masses. Promoted Confucius philosophy, gave civil service exams, attacked local warrior landlords.

Government functions in Han China

Did not constitute the function of school for peasant boys. Did not detach from the lives of the Chinese masses. Promoted Confucius philosophy, gave civil service exams, attacked local warrior landlords.

How did Egypt differ from Mesopotamian civilization?

Egypt~ Nile flooded systematically, ruled by a Pharaoh, used hieroglyphics Mesopotamia~ had to irrigate agricultural lands, had a king, used wedge shaped letters (cuneiform)

Buddhism stressed...

Enlightenment and letting go of worldly possessions

Benedict of Nursia

Founder of monasticism in what had been the western half of the Roman Empire; established Benedictine Rule in the 6th century; paralleled development of Basil's rules in Byzantine Empire

Official language of eastern empire beginning with Justinian.

Greek

Al Rashid and his administration and how it set the trend for later Abbasid rulers

Harun al-Rashid, the son of al Mahdi, became one of the most famous Abbasid caliphs. The luxury and intrigues of his court were immortalized in The Thousand and One Nights. He dazzled the Christians with the splendor if Baghdad's mosques, palaces, and treasure troves. He also sent them back to Charlemagne with presents, including an intricate water clock and an elephant. The young ruler became heavily dependent on Persian advisors, a trend followed during later reigns as rulers became pawns in factional court struggles

Influence of Egypt and Hellenism on the first kingdoms in Africa below the Sahara

Hellenism moved into sub-Saharan Africa where the kingdoms of Meroe and Axum both adopted the practice of erecting Greek stelae to boast of their exploits, mixing African, Egyptian, and Greek practices. The kingdoms possessed a form of writing derived from Egyptian hieroglyphics and mastered the use of iron.

What beliefs best survived the Hun invasions in India.

Hindu beliefs

Chinggis Khan's first campaigns were directed against whom?

His first campaigns humbled the Tangut kingdoms of Xi Xia in northwest China, whose ruler was forced to declare himself a vassal of the khagan and pay a hefty tribute. Next, the Mongol armies attacked the much more powerful Jin Empire, which the Machu-related Jurchens had established a century earlier in north China. (Tangut kingdom of Xi Xia and the Qin kingdom of northern China)

Significance of 1325 CE

In (or around) 1325, the Aztecs developed some of their main cities on lake islands like Tenochtitlan inside of Lake Texcoco in the valley of present-day Mexico.

Indian caste system and its role in political institutions

In its own way, the caste system promoted tolerance, allowing widely different social classes to live next to each other, separated by social strictures; Loyalty to caste superseded loyalty to any overall ruler.

Chinese influence on Japan and time periods

In late 600s C.E. the Japanese court at Nara was awash with imports in China. In 646 Taika reforms were introduced to attempt to remake Japanese monarch into an absolute Chinese-style emperor; attempts to create professional bureaucracy and peasant conscript army too. Around 794 the emperor Kammu abandoned pretenses of continuing Taika reforms while trying to control Buddhist monks. In 838, the Japanese ceased to send embassies to the Chinese emperor. By the 11th and 12th centuries Chinese influence (imperial government) had declined with the power of the provincial lords. Later around the 16th century, Zen Buddhism and reconnections with China reestablished some cultural influence of China on Japan.

Differences in the political situation between Mesoamerican and Andean zones following the breakup of the classical states.

In the Andean zones a number of relatively large states continued to be important, rather than the breakdown of power that was typical of Mesoamerica.

How was slavery viewed in Muslim society

In theory, slavery was seen as a stage in the process of conversion of pagans to Islam.

Greek politics and India politics

India (Indian politics were usually regional, as a result, their political "base" was very diverse and shaky; Early rulers claimed to be ordained by the gods; Political system not very elaborate) Greek (Very Elaborate; First Democracy; Polis (city States); aristocratic assemblies existed in some city states; Citizens could actively participate (which excluded foreigners, slaves, and women)

India's trading network and its contacts

India developed extensive trade both within the subcontinent and on the ocean to its south; The economy in this era was extremely vigorous, especially in trade, surpassing that in China and the Mediterranean world; Merchants traded from the Roman Empire to Indonesia to China.

Inter clan relationships in Bedouin society

Inter-clan violence over control of water and pasturage was common. We had an essay on this on the test I think. They fought for land and water because they were basically in the desert. They had no real communication other than fighting.

Romans and engineering

Invented concrete that allowed them to make complex temples, aqueducts, stadiums, roads, dams, and public baths; Mostly reinvented that of other societies except improved

Expansion of Islam and its aid in the creation of international trade on the East African coastline

Islam expanded to India and Southeast Asia providing a religious bond of trust between those regions and the converted rulers of the cities of East Africa

Ethical system of early Islam

Islam offered an ethical system capable of healing social rifts within Arab society. All believers were equal before Allah; the strong and wealthy were responsible for the care of the weak and poor. The prophet's teachings and the Quran became the basis for laws regulating the Muslim faithful. All faced a last judgment by a stern but compassionate god. It recognized the truth of similar ethical ideas in Judaism and Christianity

Region of Europe where the renaissance began?

Italy

Key center of political change in fourteenth and fifteenth centuries

Italy and the Iberian Peninsula

Year Japan began to borrow heavily from Chinese culture

Japan began to borrow heavily from Chinese culture in the 5th and 6th centuries

Jinshi

Jinshi was a title granted to students who passed the most difficult Chinese examination on all of Chinese literature; became immediate dignitaries and eligible for high office.

Basil II

Known as Bulgaroktonos (slayer of the Bulgarians); used the empire's wealth to bribe many Bulgarian nobles and generals; defeated the Bulgarian army in 1014. Blinding as many as 15,000 captive soldiers; this tragedy brought on the Bulgarian king's death; Bulgaria became part of the empire, its aristocracy settling in Constantinople and merging with the leading Greek families (Emperor who led the Byzantines to their last period of greatness; nicknamed "Basil the Bulgur Slayer")

Significance of year 1260

Mamluk (slave) rulers of Egypt defeat Mongols at Ain Jalut; end of drive west. 1260 Kublai Khan Grandson of Chinggis Khan assumes title of great khan.

Muhammad Ibn Qasim

Muhammad ibn Qasim was an Arab general who in 711 made the first Muslim intrusion into Sind India. He declared this region and the Indus river valley to be part of the Umayyad Empire. He was NOT a literary figure during the Abbasid Empire.

Why did the Mongols not pursue the conquest of Western Europe

The death of the khagan Ogedei forced Batu to withdraw in preparation for the struggle of succession. The campaign for the conquest of Europe was never resumed. Perhaps Batu was satisfied with the huge empire of the Golden Horde that he rules. Most certainly the Mongols had found richer lands to plunder in the following decades. (The death of Khagan Ogedei in Karakorum precipitated a struggle for the succession involving the khan of the Golden Horde.)

Regional power bases in Japan among the warrior elites of the countryside correspond to what events in China

The decline of the Tang dynasty corresponded to regional power bases in Japan among the warrior elites (end of 9th century).

Shifts that allowed sedentary civilizations to dominate nomadic peoples after the fifteenth century

The fall of the nomadic invasions was one cause. The sedentary societies became more centralized and had better governments. They had new tools and agricultural innovations that led to more success in growth population. Cities were growing and urbanization expanded.

How did Roman emperors try to content the masses?

avoiding all war; dividing the empire into great estates; "bread and circus method" (providing entertainment and food); food would sometimes be distributed to the masses

Harsha and his empire on the Indian subcontinent

...

Mercenary armies of later Abbasid era

...

Shi'is

...

Why was India more invaded than China

...

Most significant impact on sub Saharan Africa between 800

1500- The arrival of Islam

When did the Byzantine Empire begin?

4th century C.E.

Giotto

A Florence painter who led the way in art and free self-expression by departing from medieval formalism and stiffness during the renaissance period.

Medieval economics

A combination of capitalistic and feudal practices

Dynasty definition

A family of rulers who rule over a country for a long period of time.

Feudalism

A political, economic, social, and military system based on the rule of local lords bound to a king by ties of loyalty. The purpose of the system is to provide security and protection from invaders.

Mauryan dynasty and Gupta dynasty: characteristics

Around 323 B.C., a great empire emerged in northern India. It was called the Mauryan Empire; The rulers of this empire conquered most of northern and central India; While there were many significant rulers, King Asoka was the greatest ruler of the Mauryan Empire. King Asoka converted to Buddhism after witnessing a particularly bloody battle; The Mauryan Empire began to weaken after the death of King Asoka; The last emperor was assassinated around 185 B.C.; The Guptas, for example, did not require a single language for all their subjects; The Gupta empire is considered a golden age of Hindu culture; The rulers of the Gupta Empire encouraged peace, prosperity, and trade; During the Gupta Empire, Indian mathematicians made great advances. They discovered the concept of zero and the decimal system.

Features of late Roman Christianity

Belief in the divine trinity; Did not like competing beliefs; Appealed to less fortunate classes; People get what they deserve (heaven and hell)

Similarities between Confucian and Hindu values

Both Hinduism and Confucianism look into life's meaning and the actions of the people within a society as well as the social structure; Both systems deal with the aspect of a supreme being and a similar social hierarchy; Both of these belief systems go on a basis of making the people act accordingly helping to run government and set a stable mindset for its people; Both had strict policies of education and life and their social standing.

Values of classical India and China

Both~ relied on large peasant class in agrarian settings, accepted political power based on land ownership China~ 3 groups of aristocrats/scholar-gentry, mean people and merchants, able to move by testing out of social class. Secular like Confucianism, but never unified because of Daoism, centralized government with powerful bureaucracy India~ 5 castes: Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas, Sudras, and untouchables. Born into caste, couldn't marry out (no movement) Dominated by Hinduism with some offshoots like Buddhism

British policies toward Mughal India in the seventeenth century

British and French struggled for control over India as Mughal Empire weakened; British East India Company's advantages led to them seizing Indian land; forced tariffs upon Indian cotton industry to protect British cloth industry; tariffs led to destruction of cotton industry

Buddhism's and Hinduism and their differences

Buddhism founder: Gautama Buddha (born as Prince Siddhartha); Hinduism founder: Not credited to a particular founder; Buddhism: Until one has not attained Nirvana, he or she will be reborn into any of the 31 planes of existence over and over again, due to his/her karma; A constant cycle of reincarnation until enlightenment is reached; Buddhism does not believe in a Creator God or gods; Hinduism: Several beliefs depending on school of thought: polytheism, monotheism, pantheism, etc.

Impact of Portuguese arrival on trading patterns of east African Coast.

By the time the Portuguese arrived in the 1500's the focus of trade had shifted to Malindi and Mombasa on the Kenya coast. The Portuguese raided Kilwa and Mombasa to control trade. Their outpost on Mozambique and control of Sofala put gold trade in their hands. They were never able to control trade along the Northern Swahili coast.

Differences between New Zealand and Hawaii

New Zealand discovered by canoe or raft crews, Hawaii reached by war canoes; in New Zealand tribal military leaders and priest held great power and each tribe had slaves, in Hawaii there was a highly warlike caste system with priests and nobles at the top, with commoners at the bottom; New Zealand was completely isolated, Hawaii imported pigs and were inventive in using local vegetation

What caused governments to become more formal and bureaucratic

New forms of writing.

Umayyads were threatened by what developments during Muhammad's life?

New religious currents were sweeping Arabia and surrounding areas in the early 7th century. Particularly, notable among these was the spread of monotheistic ideas and growing dissatisfaction with the old gods that had been venerated by the Bedouin peoples. In Muhammad's time, several prophets had arisen, proclaiming a new faith for the Arabs. As Muhammad's initially very small following grew, he was seen as a threat by Mecca's rulers. The new faith endangered the gods of the Ka'ba.

Aztec view of History

One of the gods that the Aztecs worshiped was Huitzilpochtli, who was the god of the Sun and required human sacrifice to be satisfied and keep the sun rising and setting for the Aztecs. They believed that before they started living, the world was destroyed but rose again due to the acts of their gods, mainly the Sun god, which is most necessary to life (growing crops, heat, etc.). But, they also believed that even though they pleased their gods with acts such as human sacrifice, the world would be destroyed again.

Significance of this date: 610CE

Origins of Islam. Muhammad's First revelation. Follower of him believed that on this date Allah transmitted to him through the angel Gabriel. These revelations were later written in Arabic and collected in the Qur'an. The teachings formed the basis of the new religion that Muhammad preached.

What group used the harshest threat to the eastern frontiers of the Byzantine Empire?

Ottomans

Treatment of children during the Enlightenment.

Parents became more interested in freer movement and greater interaction from young children; children treated as rational beings, better education

Hellenistic society and its advances

Patriarchal (most women owned no land and often wore veils in public); Greek slaves were acquired because they had debt or were prisoners of war; Stressed centeral importance on human life and human beauty; Polytheistic; Socrates posed questions and encouraged reflections ("The unexamined life is not worth living"); Aristotle wrote in biology, physics, astronomy, politics and ethics ("father of logic"; Deductive reasoning); Epic poems made by Homer such as the Iliad and the Odyssey; Aristotle stressed observation of natural phenomena; Idea to think for themselves came to being and to question everything

Who succeeded the Toltecs as the rulers of central Mexico

The Aztecs succeeded the Toltecs as the powerful leaders of Mexico.

Grand Canal and why built?

The Grand Canal was built in the 7th century during the reign of Yangdi during Sui dynasty; designed to link the original centers of Chinese civilization on the north China plain with the Yangtze river basin to the south; nearly 1200 miles long. The canal made it possible to transport to the capital revenue and to transfer things such as food from the south to the famine areas in the north. It was intended to facilitate control over southern regions by courts, armies, etc. centered in ancient imperial centers in the North.

End of the Gupta empire

The Gupta dynasty flourished immensely under Chandragupta II, but rapidly weakened during the reign of his two successors; A wave of invasions launched by the Huns, a nomadic group from central Asia, started in 480 C.E.; Two decades later, Gupta kings had little territory left under their control; Around 550 C.E., the empire perished completely

The river valley civilization which was most completely destroyed by invasion

The Harappan Civilization in the Indus River Valley

Significance of year 1571

The Ottoman naval defeat of Lepanto against the Spanish. Ceased Muslim rivalry against European naval powers. Turks could no longer challenge Europeans along international routes

Issues for the cause of the split between the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches after 1054.

The Roman Catholic practice of requiring celibacy for its priests, the jurisdiction of the western papacy, whether to use yeast or not during Communion

Significance of 1055CE

The Seljuk Turks overthrow Buyids, control caliphate and the remaining portions of the Abbasid Empire. Layed the foundation for the Ottoman Empire

Umayyad attitudes towards other religions

The Umayyads displayed tolerance towards the religions of the people of the book (Christians and Jews.) aka Dhimmi peoples.

Vikings

The Vikings, a Scandinavian people, were independent farmers ruled by land-owning chieftains. They were also skilled sailors. Beginning in the late 8th century C.E., the Vikings began raiding and pillaging communities along the coasts and rivers of Europe. The Vikings also engaged in trade and exploration in northern Europe, the Mediterranean, and even North America, where they briefly established a colony

Socratic method

The application of rational argument in the pursuit of answers; For example:1. Look for statements of common sense (people who are married, are happy) 2. Look for exceptions (married and unhappy?) 3. If exceptions are found, then the statement is false 4. Change the original statement to try and account for exceptions(can happen that you are unhappy because you married the wrong person) 5. Continue the cycle

Differences between classical civilizations and river valley civilizations

The classical civilizations created larger political structures, capable of controlling more territory. Political organizations were also more elaborate. They also had numerous and better written records, more trade communication, larger terriotoriesm stronger government and military works, more disease, more complex writing systems, and labor could be specialized.

Positive Aspects of Chinggis Khan's imperial rule

law code established by Chinggis Khan gave order to human interaction; the Mongol explosion laid foundations for human interaction on a global scale, extending and intensifying the world network that had been building since the classical age; religious toleration; expanded empire, united tribes, had a legal code to end their fighting, brought much peace, promoted trade (secure trade routes) and commerce, tolerant of all religions; handicraft production and scholarship flourished and artistic creativity was allowed free expression

Cultural diffusion

the process through which the idea(s) of a particular cultural are spread (diffused) through an area beyond the culture who came up with.