Early Civilizations (40%)
Name three characteristics of a civilization
Cities, government, religion
Which Greek city-state is known for developing democracy?
Athens
Which religion in ancient India believed in karma and reincarnation?
Hinduism
What is a primary source?
A record or object created at the time of an event
Which civilization invented cuneiform writing, and what was it used for?
Sumerians; used for record-keeping and communication
How did agriculture change the way early humans lived? What "revolution" was this called?
It allowed them to settle in one place and build civilizations. Agricultural revolution
Name two Roman contributions to law or government still used today.
Written laws (Twelve Tables) and elected representatives (republic system)
Name two achievements of ancient India and describe how they impacted later civilizations.
Concept of zero (essential for math) and surgery (advanced medical knowledge)
Give one example of a primary source and one of a secondary source.
Primary: diary; Secondary: textbook
Which civilization is known for Hammurabi’s Code, and what was its purpose?
Babylon; to establish laws and consequences to maintain order
Which two rivers were most important to Mesopotamian civilization, and how did they affect life there?
Tigris and Euphrates rivers; they provided water for farming but also caused unpredictable floods
What does “rule of law” mean, and why was it important in Rome?
All citizens, including leaders, must follow the law; it kept order and fairness
Which Chinese dynasty built the Great Wall and unified China, and what was one reason for building it?
Qin Dynasty; to protect against northern invasions
What types of evidence do historians use to make arguments about the past?
Artifacts, documents, oral history, and written records
What is a dynasty, and how did it impact leadership in China?
A family of rulers; power passed down, often for centuries
Name two major achievements of ancient Egypt and explain why they mattered.
Pyramids (demonstrated engineering skill, honored pharaohs) and hieroglyphics (record keeping and communication)
What type of government did Rome have before becoming an empire, and how did it work?
Republic; citizens voted for representatives to make decisions
What goods and ideas spread along the Silk Road?
Silk, spices, paper, and ideas like Buddhism
What is the difference between a historian and an archaeologist, and how might they work together?
Historians study records; archaeologists study objects; they work together to build a fuller picture of the past
How did geography both help and challenge early civilizations?
Rivers helped farming; mountains or deserts protected but limited travel
In what ways were river valley civilizations like Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Indus Valley similar in government and religion?
They had centralized governments often linked with religion and believed rulers were connected to gods
How did the geography of Greece influence the development of independent city-states?
Mountains and seas separated regions, so city-states developed independently with their own governments
How did Confucius believe society should stay stable and peaceful?
Through respect for elders, education, and strong moral behavior
Why is it important to consider bias when studying a source?
It helps historians understand different viewpoints and avoid incorrect conclusions
Which civilization developed a calendar based on the flooding of the Nile River, and how did it help them?
Egypt; it helped them plan agricultural activities and predict the annual flood for better crop management