Vocab 1
Define Global
Relating to or involving the entire world.
Define Geography
The study of Earth’s physical features and the human societies living on it.
Define Values
Core beliefs and principles that guide a society’s behavior and decisions.
How did people find, collect, and use food originally?
Humans were original hunter-gatherers, foraging wild plants and hunting animals for survival.
How long did the Egyptian Empire last?
Lasted over 3,000 years (c. 3100 BCE to 30 BCE).
Define Community
A group of people sharing common traits, interests, or goals.
Define Language
The primary method of communication that shapes a culture's thoughts and values.
Define Argument
A perspective on a topic supported by claims, evidence, and reasoning.
Why did the Agricultural Revolution happen?
It was the transition from hunting and foraging to farming and animal domestication
Why were the Egyptians optimistic?
The Nile River provided bountiful harvests, and their religion gave hope of a nice afterlife.
Define Culture
A group's unique way of life, including traditions, language, values, and behaviors.
Define Material Culture
Physical objects created by a culture (e.g., tools, art, clothing).
Define Cultural Historian
A historian who analyzes the past through cultural beliefs, ideas, and practices.
Why did the Indus Valley thrive?
Rich soil from predictable flooding, advanced urban planning, grid systems, public sanitation/sewage, and extensive trade networks.
What is Zoroastrianism?
One of the world's oldest monotheistic religions, founded in ancient Persia
Define Identity
Who a person is, shaped by family roles, background, language, beliefs, and physical traits.
Define Nonmaterial Culture
Intangible cultural elements like beliefs, values, customs, and norms.
Define Dominant Culture
The culture of the group holding the most power and setting societal standards.
What happened to the Indus Valley civilization?
Declined due to environmental degradation, climate change/shifting river courses, or potential invasions.
What are the Vedas?
Ancient sacred Hindu texts written in Sanskrit containing hymns, philosophy, and rituals.
Define Worldview
An overall framework for understanding the world, shaped by identity, culture, and experiences.
Define Traditions
Long-standing beliefs or practices passed down through generations.
Define Mainstream Culture
Widely accepted cultural practices, beliefs, and popular trends shared by the majority.
What is cuneiform?
One of the earliest writing systems, created by impressing wedge-shaped marks into clay tablets.
What was the Mandate of Heaven?
The divine right to rule granted by the cosmos to a ruler.