Unit 1
What are the five pillars of Islam?
The five pillars of Islam are to praise Allah (Shahada), to pray five times per day (Salat), to give charity (Zakat), to not eat during the day in the month of Ramadan (Sawm), and to make the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once to pray (Hajj).
What was the Silk Road?
The Silk Road was a series of linked trade networks that extended from the Mediterranean Sea to Eastern China, and all kinds of people traded along the Silk Road. It was about 4,000 miles, and it was popularly used for nearly 2,000 years.
Who led the Ottomans in capturing Constantinople?
The Ottoman ruler, Mehmed II led the Ottomans to capture Constantinople.
Who is Vasco de Gama and Ferdinand Magellan?
Vasco de Gama is a Portuguese explorer, and he became Governor of India in 1524. Ferdinand Magellan was the first sailor to circumnavigate the seas from the Atlantic Ocean across the Pacific Ocean.
Who are the four main Early Enlightenment Thinkers?
The four main Early Enlightenment Thinkers are John Locke, Thomas Hobbes, Voltaire, and Rousseau.
What was the Civil Service Exam?
The Civil Service Exam was a system/test used by the Song Dynasty to choose their government (based on merit).
Who was elected khan (leader) of the Mongolian Kingdom in 1206? What time period did he rule?
Genghis Khan, also known as Temujin, was elected leader of the Mongolian Kingdom in 1206. He ruled during the Pax Mongolica, or the period of peace.
What were the 95 Theses?
The 95 Theses were complaints that Martin Luther made against the Roman Catholic Church.
Was Italy considered a "maritime empire?"
Italy was not a "maritime empire."
What is Adam Smith known for?
Adam Smith is known for his book, The Wealth of Nations (1776), which was considered the "bible" of capitalism.
What are the three forms of Buddhism and what does each one focus on?
The three forms of Buddhism are Theravada Buddhism (which focuses on personal spiritual growth through silent meditation and self-discipline), Mahayana Buddhism (which focuses on spiritual growth for all beings and on service), and Tibetan Buddhism (which focuses on chanting).
What was the most notable religion spread on the Silk Road?
The most notable religion spread on the Silk Road was Buddhism.
Who built the Taj Mahal, and why did he/she build it?
The Mughal emperor Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal as a tomb for his wife.
If slaves were loosely packed on the top deck, how valuable were they?
If slaves were loosely packed on the top deck, they were sold for higher dollar amounts.
What did Richard Arkwright patent, and what is he known as?
Richard Arkwright patented the water frame, which used waterpower to drive the spinning wheel. He is known as "the father of the factory system."
What is a matrilineal society and who had this kind of a society?
A matrilineal society is a society where the social standing was determined by the women's side of the family, and it was used by the Mississippians in the 700s-800s.
What does Chinggis Khan mean?
Chinggis Khan means "Universal Ruler."
Who is John Calvin, and what is he known for?
John Calvin is a French reformer. He led a Protestant community, and he believed that Christians could reach Heaven only through faith in God.
Who is Bartholomew Dias?
Bartholomew Dias is a Portuguese explorer. In 1488, he sailed around the southern tip of Africa. He was the first person to have reached the Indian Ocean from the Atlantic Ocean.
What is industrialization?
Industrialization is the increased mechanization of production, and the social changes that accompanied this shift, had their roots in several influences.
What did the two Islam groups, Sunni and Shi'a, desire after the death of Muhammad?
A: Sunni desires for the leader of Islam to be chosen by the people. Shi'a desires for the leader of Islam to be a direct descendent of Muhammad.
C: Sunni chose Abu Bakr to be their leader. He was supposedly a close friend and father-in-law to Muhammad. Shi'a chose Muhammad's son-in-law, which people said he was too young at the time to be their leader.
E: Muhammad's death leaded to Islam groups splitting. The two groups disagreed on who would take over, and caused the split to happen. Sunni makes up 85% on Islam, and the other 15% of Islam is Shi'a.
How did the invention of paper have the potential to drastically change the Silk Road?
A: Paper led to paper money being used on the Silk Road instead of gold.
C: It makes trade easier because merchants would not have to carry around a lot of heavy gold. They could use paper money instead and make their travels a lot easier.
E: When they had to carry valued items, it made it easier for people to be robbed. With no heavy gold being hauled around, robbers do not know if the merchants have any valuable items on them.
How did the "Gutenberg Printing Press" impact the Protestant Reformation?
E: It increased literacy rates overall. This is because people could now read the Bible themselves instead of a priest reading it for them in Church. They were able to see and hear what was being told to them.
What are the defining characteristics of someone serving as an indentured servant?
A: Defining characteristics of someone serving as an indentured servant is someone who is in a poor financial place. Other defining characteristics of someone serving as an indentured servant are people who are starving for food or in need of a home.
C: These people will sign contracts that whoever they are serving will provide them food, water, and a home. This way, these people will live a stable life that they can survive in, in exchange for their service.
E: Most indentured servants do not make it out of the contract alive. Most people end up working as an indentured servant until they die because they cannot escape the financial situation that they are in themselves.
What are the pros and cons of an economy based on capitalism?
A: Pros of an economy based on capitalism are that it is based on merit and competition leads to cheaper prices. The cons are that not everyone starts in the same places for jobs and monopolies are created.
C: For the pro, in an economy based on capitalism, there is a "work hard, play hard" mindset. It is a system where someone goes to school to gain the knowledge they need to get a job. For the con, not everyone has the same amount of fairness when it comes to the system based on merit. Some people may start in an area with access to a great education, while others may start in an area that does not have good education. This creates an unequal fight when it comes to who will get the job.
E: For the pro, the competition leads to cheaper prices and can also determine prices. Cheaper prices means that more people can afford the items, and the businesses still make money. However, for the con, monopolies can be created. The market can lead to a monopoly where there is only one true seller. When monopolies are created, the seller can make their prices incredibly expensive, and everyone will be forced to buy it because there is no room for any competition.