World History: Q1 Constructive Responces

Why can the silk Road be described as a social system rather than simply as a transportation route? What were some of the technological advances that the Silk Road was responsible for?

- Cultural Fusion (spread of ideas, religion, technology, etc) caused the Silk Road to be described as a social system - People who traded on road needed same language - mix of culture - Religion was spread on Silk Road - Buddhism spread by missionaries, monks, missionaries, and pilgrims that followed the Silk Road - Constantine sent out Missionaries to convert people - Military Technologies - Stirrups - created mounted combat - mounted bowmen - chariot warfare

Ruling a large empire is a difficult task. How did Darius organize the administration of the realm? Would you like or dislike being a Persian Subject?

- Darius divided his kingdom into twenty provinces - these were rule by satraps - satraps were autonomal and had a lot of control due to slow communication - satraps became hereditary - Well maintained roads converged on the capital Susa - garrisons placed at key locations with messengers to speed up communication - Provinces paid a tribute but could speak their own languages, practice their own religions, and follow their own ways of life

What is meant by the description of Carthage as a commercial "empire"?

- Did not actually directly rule most of the places that were part of its "empire." - The various parts of its empire were mostly independent - They relied on Carthage for defense and did what it said in terms of foreign policy - However, Carthage did not rule them - It traded with them and its wealth made it powerful

Describe the nature and extent of Phoenician expansion in the Mediterranean.

- Known for trading with Greeks and Indo-Europeans - Leading city = Tyre - Trading posts established around Mediterranean - Phoenician Triangle - North African coast, the south coast of Spain, and the islands of Sicily and Malta off of the coast of Italy - 300 colonies established

How did geography and the environment affect Greek development?

- Land of Greece is broken up by mountains and valleys. - Different city states developed - Athens, Corinth, Sparta, Thebes - Each one was a separate political unit - This made it difficult for a unified Greek nation to form - Coastline of Greece made it easy to colonize the Greek islands and begin colonies throughout the Mediterranean Sea - Greeks settled colonies in Asia Minor and the south of Italy - The coastline of Greece and its many islands gave the Greek people a seafaring tradition

Describe the problems that led to the Roman Empire's "third-century crisis" - Please discuss the four factors that played a part in the fall of the Roman Empire.

Economic - Money in east not west - No more war booty Military - Soldiers not disciplined - Nobody being drafted Political - People didn't take responsibility for government - People expected government to take care of them Social Causes - Constant attack from Germanic nations - Many people left to go to the west

Describe the failure of the Roman Republican system of government starting with imperialism through Julius Caesar.

Imperialism - spread of territory - Gained too much territory - Slaves worked large farmed - Made money and produced faster than small farms - Latifundia's bought land of farmers with debt - Latifundia's start producing cash crops - Farmers who lost land look for jobs in city - No jobs in city - People riot - Gracchus brothers attempt reforms to give land and clear debts for poor - Assassinated - No grain - Import grain = $