Module 1: East Asia
Name the geographic features that separate China from India, Japan, and Mongolia.
Himalayan Mountains, Sea of Japan, and the Gobi Desert
M1: Describe some characteristics of Heian culture
Emphasis on literature, poetry, calligraphy, and aesthetic beauty; valued education and cultural accomplishment.
Explain who Muhammad was and his role in the founding of Islam
Arab merchant and spiritual leader who founded Islam; believed he received revelations from God/Allah.
Define ancestor worship.
belief that deceased family members continue to influence the living; believed to have spritual power and can provide guidance or protection
What role did Monasteries play in preserving knowledge during the Middle Ages?
Served as centers of learning where monks copied and preserved manuscripts. They maintained libraries containing religious and secular texts.
This leader unified the Mongol tribes and added Mongol leaders to the Chinese government.
*Bonus 50 points: Explain the goals of this leader.
Genghis Khan.
*Bonus Answer: To strengthen and expand China's land dominance
M1: Describe the Japanese feudal system
The Japanese feudal system was put in place to protect the Emperor - who became a figurehead. Shogun's held the political and military power. Daimyo were the nobles that hired Samurai to protect their provinces in exchange for land. Peasants and farmers were at the bottom of the Feudal System.
Influenced art, architecture, literature, daily life; Arabic language became widespread
Explain why Timbuktu became a center of trade and learning.
Wealthy from gold-salt trade, merchants built mosques, schools, and libraries
Explain the difference between Feudalism and Manorialism.
Feudalism: political and military system based on loyalty between lords and vassals.
Manorialism: economic system where peasants work land owned by lords.
Explain the aftermath of Zheng He's Voyages as well as after his death.
His voyages were to showcase the power and dominance of China; his death led to a period of isolationism.
M2: How did the Eastern Roman Empire continue after the fall of the Western Roman Empire?
Moved the capital south to Constantinople. Became known as Byzantium or Byzantine Empire.
Who was Mehmed II, and why is he important.
Ottoman Sultan who conquered Constantinople
Explain how religion spread through the Trans-Saharan trade routes.
Muslim merchants traveled trade routes established Muslim communities in West African trading cities. They built mosques and Islamic schools.
Explain the Battle of Hastings
fought between Norman forces under William the Conqueror and English forces under King Harold II. William's Normans defeated the English, killing King Harold - starting the Norman rule of England.
Describe what Animism means in the context of Shintoism.
Animism is the belief that spirits inhabit natural objects. Shintoism - kami are believed to exist in natural features.
M2: Explain Justinian's code.
It was a comprehensive collection and organization of Roman Laws - established clear legal principles, protected individual rights, and created a unified legal system.
Explain the significance of the fall of Constantinople
Marked the beginning of the Ottoman dominance in the region
Who were Griots?
*Bonus 100 points: Describe one way griots helped preserve history and culture.
Were West African storytellers, historians, and musicians who preserved and transmitted oral history.
*Bonus: Griots memorized and recited historical narratives, genealogies, and cultural stories, passing them down through generations
Give and example of cooperation between the Papacy and European monarchs
Name some ways that Chinese culture influenced Japanese government.
Adoption of the Chinese writing system, government structure, Buddhism.
M2: Explain how Constantinople's location helped it become a successful city.
shared stories, ideas, and practices with people they met; traded not just goods, but also knowledge, beliefs, and customs.
Who was Mansa Musa?
*Bonus 200 points: Explain Mansa Musa's pilgrimage and the impact it had.
Emperor of Mali, one of West Africa's greatest rulers
*Bonus: Pilgrimage demonstrated Mali's wealth and power to the world. Strengthened ties between Mali and Islamic world; Gave away so much gold that caused an economic depression in many places along his route. Upon his return, ensured the construction of Mosques, colleges/universities, and libraries.
Explain how the Magna Carta limited the power of the English monarch
It created legal limits on royal power. Ensured the King followed the same laws as those he was in charge of. Established that the King was bound by law.