ERA 1 (Unit 1)

Question 1

Describe the big picture from 1200-1450 CE in the Global Tapestry.

Answer 1

Major civilizations growing larger. World religions continue to influence life and culture. Technological innovations continue. Smaller states, local religions beliefs, old technology continue to decline.

Question 1

State-Building & maintenance of the state are a major theme of unit 1. What is a state?

Answer 1

An organized political community under one government (like a country, empire, nation, etc.)

Question 2

What innovations continued the Golden Age for China, kept it an economic powerhouse & helped to unify China in this time period?

Answer 2

Gunpowder & expansion of the Grand Canal which was started in the Sui Dynasty. The Grand Canal boosted trade between regions and kept culture more consistent

Question 3

Why was the introduction of Champa Rice so important for the Song Dynasty?

Answer 3

It was a drought resistant crop that matured early, increasing the amount of food available in the empire, therefore increasing the population.

Question 4

What continuities existed in Chinese culture and government during the Song dynasty?

Answer 4

The revival of Confucianism and the expansion of the Civil Service Exam helped to bring order and stability to society while continuing the meritocracy within the imperial bureaucracy.

Question 5

Describe the condition of the Abbasid caliphate as the Song dynasty thrived

Answer 5

From the 9th to the 12th century, the Abbasids were fractured by invaders and falling apar

Question 6

Which other Muslim States were growing in power as the Abbasids declined?

Answer 6

The Delhi Sultanate in India (1206-1526). The Mamluk Sultanate in North Africa (1250-1517)

Question 7

Who were the Mamluks?

Answer 7

Non-Muslims who were enslaved, forcibly converted to Islam and became soldiers. They eventually overthrew an Egyptian sultanate to form their own sultanate.

Question 8

Compare the Song Dynasty and the Abbasid Dynasty in this era.

Answer 8

The Song Dynasty was flourishing while the Abbasid caliphate was declining.

Question 9

In South Asia (India) what new states emerged that used trade to expand their influence in this period?

Answer 9

The Vijayanagara Empire (1336 CE-1646 CE) and the Chola Kingdom (300s BCE to 1279 CE)

Question 10

How did the rulers of the Mali Empire increase their power?

Answer 10

Greater centralization than the Ghana Empire that preceded it. This was exemplified by their leader Mansa Musa.

Question 11

How did the Aztecs maintain control of their empire?

Answer 11

Conquered people were forced to pay tribute in goods or labor. This system was enforced by a strong military.

Question 12

How did the Inca improve and maintain their state?

Answer 12

The Mit’a system (mandatory public service/ labor tax)

Question 13

What was feudalism?

Answer 13

A rigid hierarchy with Kings, Nobles, Knights, Peasants and Serfs

Question 14

How did Europe change through this time period and create more powerful states? (Unit 1)

Answer 14

The feudal system began to break down and powerful kings were able to increase their power

Question 15

What was the significace of Islam to state building in Afro-Eurasia?

Answer 15

Islam united people with shared belief and language (Arabic)

Question 16

What was the significance of Confucianism to state building in China?

Answer 16

It justified the rule of the emperor over his subjects, and was the doctrine that the imperial bureaucracy had to be well versed in due to the Civil Service exam.

Question 17

How were Hinduism and Buddhism significant in state building in South and Southeast Asia?

Answer 17

Both were used to consolidate power. Hinduism’s caste system was particularly useful for this.

Question 18

How was Catholicism significant to state building in Europe? (Unit 1)

Answer 18

The Roman Catholic Church helped to provide structure in weak European states, but as states grew in power -they began to struggle to break away from the power of the Church in order to increase the power of secular authorities.

Question 19

Comparison: What did all major world religions have in common in this era and what effect did they have? (Unit 1)

Answer 19

They all spread. Christianity, Islam & Buddhism were conversionist religions. They all sent missionaries to different parts of the globe. This weakened local more indigenous religions.

Question 20

How did the creation of the Delhi Sultanate and the expansion of trade help to spread Islam?

Answer 20

In the Delhi Sultanate social conversions for opportunity and avoidance of the jizya eventually led to 25% of the population of India converting to Islam. Merchants, who traveled everywhere, brought more than goods with them. Those they interacted with learned about Islam, and the religion spread

Question 21

What innovation from China helped to improve education as it spread west?

Answer 21

As paper making technology spread it led to increased literacy in Europe, Southwest Asia, and North Africa.

Question 22

What was the Abbasid Dynasty’s House of Wisdom, in Baghdad?

Answer 22

It was a place where scholars gathered to study and translate important texts from Europe and Asia.

Question 23

What was the importance of the Mongols during this time period?

Answer 23

They controlled a vast territory across Afro-Eurasia increasing political stability and providing a safe environment that encouraged trade along the Silk Road. Their vast empire also led to increased cross-cultural interactions.

Question 24

How did the role of nomadic pastoralists change in this time period?

Answer 24

They were no longer the transmitters of culture and technology between peoples and empires. Instead, organized groups of merchants took on this role.