Ancient River Valley Civilizations
What was an ancient river valley civilization?
An early human society that was developed near a major river and was supported by its resources.
What is a democracy?
Classical Democracy- does not utilize a constitution or elected representatives; majority rules and minority loses
Modern Democracy- any government in which the people have a say
What is a dynasty?
A succession of rulers from the same family or line of descent
What was the Silk Road?
The first global trade route
What was a serf?
A laborer or servant who worked the land of a lord or noble during the European Middle Ages. Serfs were bound to the land, and if the land was sold, they went with it.
What is a political hierarchy? A social hierarchy?
A political ranking system based upon power and influence.
A social ranking system based on power, influence, rights, and political, social, and economic mobility.
What is a republic?
Republic- utilizes a constitution and elected representatives; majority and minority have a say
What was the impact of the Silk Road on the Han Dynasty?
Spread of languages
Market expansion
Spread of ideas/religion
Alliances/treaties
Where did the Silk Road begin and end?
Began in Asia, ended in Europe
What was feudalism?
A political, economic, and social system in which the nobles were granted use of land that legally belonged to the king.
In return, nobles agreed to give their loyalty and military services to the king.
The peasants/serfs worked the land for the knights and nobles and in return recieved protection and a portion of the harvest to feed their families.
What was the Neolithic Revolution?
The development of agriculture causing people to permanently settle and develop civilizations.
What is an empire?
A large political entity or state that exercises control over multiple territories and diverse populations, usually through the domination of a central authority or ruling power
What part did corruption play in the collapse of the Han Dynasty?
Emperors did not set a good example -> officials became corrupt and prioritized personal wealth over public service -> corrupt officials awareded government positions to bureaucrats, businessmen, and wealthy people who were not qualified as politicians -> these bureaucrats lacked education in Confucianism and politics and built their own power instead of serving the people -> effectiveness of the government was undermined
What were two impacts of the Silk Road on Europe?
Exotic goods
Wealth/cities
Banking/market expansion
Introduction of new ideas/ religion
Scientific ideas
What was manorialism?
The economic side of feudalism:
The manor was a largely self-sufficient system in which the lord's land (granted by the king) was farmed by his serfs (essentially slaves who were bound to the land).
List A, B, C, and D on this map.
B. Mesopotamia
C. Indus River Valley
D. China
Why did the rise/spread of Christianity lead to the fall of the Roman Empire?
Undermining the traditional Roman religious system which viewed the emperor as a god ->
Weakening of imperial authority ->
Social unrest ->
New power structure with the Christian Church in charge ->
Christian Church increasingly influencing political affairs ->
Focus shifted away from Roman state and towards a singe (monotheistic) deity
What are three factors that led to the collapse of the Han Dynasty?
Peasant uprisings -> internal threats -> deployment of military troops to suppress these threats -> military resources diverted from external threats
Increased taxes (to fund suppression of peasant uprisings) -> further revolts
Farmers forced to fight in military (because of extra troop used in peasant uprising suppression) -> angry populace and demoralized and reluctant military
What were impacts of the Silk Road on Asia?
Trade/cities
Market expansion
Spread of ideas/religion
Movement of people/urbanization
Language spread
Alliance and treaties
What was the difference in a knight and a lord?
Lords had land given to them by the King. Knights had land given to them by the lords.
Lords accepted fees, loyalty, and military support from knights. Knights accepted these things from serfs.
Lords provided fees, loyalty, and knights for the King. Knights provided fees and loyalty for lords but protection for everyone.
List all 7 characteristics of a civilization.
Religion
Common language
Systems of writing
Political/social hierarchies
Specialized jobs
Advanced technological cities
Systems of education
List all 4 major causes of the fall of the Roman Empire.
Political instability
Economic troubles
External pressures from migrating and invading tribes
The rise/spread of Christianity
How was the fall of the Han Dynasty similar to the fall of the Roman Empire? How was it different?
Both featured the effects of corruption and injustice
Both highlight that corruption leds to scial unrest and thus the decline of civilization
Roman corruption = direct corruption of govt officials
Han corruption = corruption of the wealthy -> exploitation of government officials
Did the Silk Road have a bigger impact on Europe or Asia? You must answer with a verbal CERR.
EUROPE:
Exotic goods
Wealth/cities
Banking/market expansion
Introduction of new ideas/ religion
Scientific ideas
ASIA:
Trade/cities
Market expansion
Spread of ideas/religion
Movement of people/urbanization
Language spread
Alliance and treaties
Describe the feudal system in medieval Europe.
Kings- top of the system; provided land to the lords, accepted fees, loyalty, and military support from the lords/nobles
Lords- underneath the kings, provided their given land to the knights, and accepted fees, loyalty, and military support from the knights
Knights- underneath the lords, provided protection to the serfs and accepted fees, loyalty, and support from the serfs
Serfs- bottom of the system, provided fees, loyalty, and labor to the Knights
*Each level of the system worked together in a hierarchical system*