Unit 1
What was the scholar gentry?
The scholar gentry were educated in Confucian philosophy and became the most influential social class in China.
What was the Hanseatic League?
It was an alliance between Scandinavia and cities in Germany in the 13th century. It controlled trade in the Baltic and North Sea. Member cities of the league benefitted from goods such as leather, fish, and grain.
Describe characteristics of a gunpowder empires
Gunpowder Empires were large, relied on firearms, multiethnic, and were located in Asia.
How did primogeniture laws impact European society in the period 1450-1750?
These laws contributed by benefitting noble families. It also encourages younger sons to serve in the military and travel on explorations.
What was the Enlightenment?
This was a time when empires grew and trade routes increased interactions, people in the 17th and 18th centuries started to focus on reason over tradition and began to think for themselves.
How did Buddhism spread from India, and what are the differences between Theravada, Mahayana, and Chan Buddhism?
Buddhism spread from India in three forms. Theravada Buddhism emphasized personal growth through meditation. Mahayana Buddhism focused on spiritual growth and service. Over time, Buddhist teachings merged with Daoist elements, creating Chan Buddhism. All three share the belief in the Four Noble Truths.
Explain how the Ming Dynasty rose to power.
Around 1350 the White Lotus Society began secretly planning to overthrow the Yuan Dynasty. In 1368, Zhu Yuanzhang, a Buddhist monk, led a rebellion that brought down the Yuan Dynasty and established the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).
What was the ghazi ideal?
A way of life for warriors that mixed the teamwork of nomadic culture with a commitment to fighting for Islam.
What is the "Mita" system?
It was the European version of the Incan system. This system forced men to work for the government for a specific amount of time.
Who was Mary Wollstonecraft?
She was a writer from England who believed women should receive the same education as men. She wanted them to be able to support themselves and gain equal rights and abilities through reason.
What was the wealthiest and most innovative empire in the world between 1200 and 1450?
It was the Song Dynasty in China.
Why did trading on the Silk Road begin to decline after it's "golden age" and who revived it around the 8th century?
After the Roman and Han empires fell, trading on the Silk Road did too. However, in the 8th century merchants in the Abbasid Empire reintroduced these routes aswell as trade routes across the Indian Ocean. During this time. China introduced many helpful inventions including gunpowder, paper, and, the compass.
What were two issues that the Safavid Empire faced?
First, even though the empire was on the Arabian Sea, it didn't have a strong navy. Secondly, the Safavids had no natural defenses.
Define the term mercantilism.
The economic theory that trade creates wealth and is driven by accumulating positive trade balances, which governments should support through trade restrictions.
Why did John Locke and Thomas Hobbes create the "social contract?"
John Locke argued that people are born with a blank slate and their character is shaped by experiences and society. In contrast, Thomas Hobbes believed that humans are born with selfish and evil instincts. Despite their differing views on human nature, both philosophers agreed they needed to make a "social contract." This agreement was designed to establish a structured society, with laws created to hold individuals accountable and maintain order. By doing so, the social contract aimed to protect the rights and security of all members, while also imposing rules to govern behavior.
What was the Confucian idea of filial piety?
This is the duty of family members to place the needs and wishes of the male head of the family and the ruler above their own desires.
What was the purpose of Zheng He's voyages?
In 1405, Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty dispatched the Muslim admiral Zheng He on seven significant voyages. The main objectives of these voyages were to demonstrate the Ming Dynasty's power.
Describe the Ottoman Empire.
In the 15th century, the Ottoman Empire was growing into a major power. It stretched across Turkey, the Balkans, North Africa, and Southeast Asia, making it the largest of the Islamic empires at the time.
Why was Ferdinand Magellan's voyage important?
One of the ships in his fleet successfully completed the journey around the world, proving that the Earth could be circumnavigated, although he died during the voyage in the Philippine Islands in 1522.
How did the French Revolution start?
Angry crowds rioted in Paris and across France. On July 14, 1789, they stormed the Bastille, symbolizing the monarchy's abuses. Peasants in the countryside revolted against nobles, burning manor houses. As royal officials fled, the king was forced to accept a new government led by the National Assembly.
Journal 5: What caliphate rose to power after the death of Muhammad? Where their defining characteristics?
After the death of Muhammad, the Umayyad Caliphate rose to power. This caliphate started in 632 C.E. and ended in 750 C.E. Two unique characteristics of this empire include it's trade routes and militaristic expansion. Furthermore it allowed many cultures to come together which also helped with it's expansion. This caliphate was mainly composed of Shia muslims.
Journal 16: List and describe one environmental consequence of trade as listed in 2.6?
One environmental consequence of trade in 2.6 is overgrazing. This occurred outside of Zimbabwe and it was so severe that people abandoned the cities. This happened because of all the animals that people took with them on trade routes. Another example was the bubonic plague. Many people died which caused a decline in farmers and workers in agriculture. Because of this, vegetation overgrew and caused issues.
Journal 19: Compare and contrast the ruling styles of Akbar and Aurangzeb in the Mughal Empire.
Both Akbar and Aurangzeb approached their leadership differently. Akbar emphasized inclusivity and cultural growth. He promoted religious tolerance. On the other hand, Aurangzeb focused on strict governance and military expansion. Akbar attempted to unify the empire through religious cultural harmony. In contrast, Aurangzeb's policies created division because he reinstated the jizya tax and limited freedoms of non-Muslims. All in all, while Akbar's tolerant rule strengthened the empire, Aurangzeb's focus on military conquest contributed to its decline.
Journal 31: How did the introduction of the horse from the Old World impact Native populations living in the New World?"
The introduction of the horse from the Old World had a major impact on Native American tribes. Horses improved transportation which allowed tribes to travel farther and faster. This boosted trade and communication. They also changed hunting practices making it more efficient. In warfare, horses gave tribes an advantage, allowing for quicker movement and better strategy. The introduction of the horse transformed the social, economic, and cultural aspects of Native American life.
Journal 42: What did Montesquieu propose instead of absolutism?
Montesquieu proposed that the power should be split between more than one person. Furthermore, he introduced the checks and balances system. In it power is split between 3 branches of government: judicial, executive, and legislative. This creates a more fair process for making and enforcing laws.