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Grade 9 History > Semester A Unit 1 > Flashcards

Semester A Unit 1 Flashcards

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1
Q

According to the timeline on pages 2 and 3, when did Homo sapiens first appear?

A

200,000 B.C.

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2
Q

Define prehistory.

A

The time before the invention of writing.

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3
Q

As you read “Finding the Past,” identify the types of scholars that study prehistoric humans. Write the name of each. Then, write a definition for each.

A

Archaeologists: Studies objects left behind humans or human ancestors
Anthropologists: Studies human culture
Paleontologists: Studies fossil remains of animals and plants
Historians: Studies and explains what happened in the past

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4
Q

Complete this chart to briefly describe the methods scientists use to study the lives of early humans:
Radiocarbon Dating
Paleomagnetic dating
Potassium-argon dating
DNA analysis

A

Radiocarbon Dating - Measures the quantity of carbon-14 atoms
Paleomagnetic dating - Examines mineral evidence of changes in the earth’s magnetic field
Potassium-argon dating - Measures the rate of decay of atoms in volcanic rock
DNA analysis - Tracks evolutionary changes over time.

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5
Q

Prehistoric Homo sapiens lived in small groups, or _____ of 20-30 extended family members. They lived as _____. Clans lived in _____ or _____. They made needles and spearheads out of _____, carved _____ out of stone and ivory, and painted _____ and symbols on cave walls.

A

Clans; Hunter-gatherers; Caves; Simple huts; Bones; Figures; Animals
Prehistoric Homo sapiens lived in small groups, or CLANS of 20-30 extended family members. They lived as HUNTER-GATHERERS. Clans lived in CAVES or SIMPLE HUTS. They made needles and spearheads out of BONES, carved FIGURES out of stone and ivory, and painted ANIMALS and symbols on cave walls.

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6
Q

To which species do modern-day humans belong?

A

Home sapiens

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7
Q

According to archaeological evidence, studies of human anatomy, and DNA analysis, where did humans originate?

A

Africa

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8
Q

Describe the migration of early humans.

A

They migrated out of Africa to other places

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9
Q

Define the term Neolithic Revolution.

A

When humans started producing food

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10
Q

Explain how each factor on the left contributed to the development of agriculture:
Climate Change -
Rivers -
Fire -

A

Climate Change - Caused game to become scarce, forcing humans to look elsewhere for food
Rivers - Helped irrigate fields
Fire - Helped fertilize soil

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11
Q

The _____ of wild animals resulted in a decline in hunter-gatherers because people could keep a supply of meat close at hand

A

Decline
The DECLINE of wild animals resulted in a decline in hunter-gatherers because people could keep a supply of meat close at hand

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12
Q

Look at the areas that had developed agriculture by 5000 B.C. What is common among these areas?

A

They are around rivers

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13
Q

People living in Italy had developed agriculture by __________ B.C.

A

3000
People living in Italy had developed agriculture by 3000 B.C.

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14
Q

Why do you think agriculture hadn’t developed by 500 B.C. in the western half of the Arabian peninsula along the Tropic of Cancer?

A

Because it was to hot and arid

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15
Q

What did a surplus of food lead to?

A

A division of labor

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16
Q

Match each group on the left with the description of the role(s) it assumed.
Children
Women
Men
The Elderly
A) Performed most of the work of farming
B) Shared wisdom and kept alive vital skills and traditions
C) Performed simple but helpful tasks
D) Cared for young children; prepared food, made cloth

A

Children-C
Women-D
Men-A
The Elderly-B

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17
Q

People in early villages often lived in houses made of _____. Paintings on shrine walls suggest that people took part in _____ practices. The evidence of a large stone wall around the ancient village of Jericho suggests that the village had a _____ or _____ body. The sharing of knowledge and technology among villages spread far and wide gave rise to early systems of _____ .

A

Mud bricks; Religious; Leader; Governing; Trade
People in early villages often lived in houses made of MUD BRICKS. Paintings on shrine walls suggest that people took part in RELIGIOUS practices. The evidence of a large stone wall around the ancient village of Jericho suggests that the village had a LEADER or GOVERNING body. The sharing of knowledge and technology among villages spread far and wide gave rise to early systems of TRADE.

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18
Q

How did the domestication of animals lead to pastoral societies?

A

It allowed people to keep herds and flocks of animals

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19
Q

Define the term Fertile Crescent:

A

A large swath of land whose land and climate favored agriculture

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21
Q

Were most of the cities in Mesopotamia located in the eastern or western half of the region? Why do you think they were situated where they were?

A

Eastern; In a place that had fertile land and good game

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21
Q

Define irrigation:

A

Bringing water to land to water crops

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22
Q

What was the significance of the agricultural revolution, also known as the Neolithic Revolution?

A

It allowed civilizations to form, and humans to control their environment

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23
Q

There are five conditions, or characteristics, common to all civilizations. Give a brief description of each of these characteristics

A

City life, with complex social organizations
Trade and economic activity, which encourage innovation and spreads knowledge
Governance, through which social order is maintained
Division of labor, in which different people take on specialized tasks
Record keeping of some kind

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24
Q

Briefly describe the significance of each of the major cultural and technological achievements of Sumerian civilization. In other words, what impact did each have? Why is each considered an achievement?
The Wheel -
Bronze -
Math -
Writing -

A

The Wheel - Allowed Sumerians a new way to move imports and export over great distances
Bronze - Allowed for stronger tools and better harvests
Math - It allowed for breakthroughs in other areas of Sumerian science, including astronomy, engineering, and design
Writing - It ushered in the age of history, allowing people to record their history

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25
There were several causes for the decline of Sumer. Identify and briefly describe three of these causes and tell whether it was political or geographic (or both) in nature.
Salinization of the soil caused crops to grow less well (Geographic) Fighting between city-states (Political) Nomadic people who lived on the edges of Sumer attacked and robbed the cities (Political)
26
Which Mesopotamian civilization eventually conquered the Sumerian city-states? What technology helped them accomplish this?
The Akkadians; Bronze
27
Where are most of the Egyptians cities located?
In the nile river valley
28
Into what large body of water does the Nile flow?
Mediterranean sea
29
Why might it be difficult for traders in El-Derr to travel along the Nile to get to Elephantine?
There is a cataract in between
30
The _____ is a collection of prayers, hymns, and spells that the ancient Egyptians believed would aid them in their passage to the afterlife.
Book of the Dead The BOOK OF THE DEAD is a collection of prayers, hymns, and spells that the ancient Egyptians believed would aid them in their passage to the afterlife.
31
Match the correct god and goddess to the correct description. Re - A) Falcon-headed protector of pharaohs and the sky Osiris - B) Goddess of motherhood, magic, and healing Horus - C) God of the dead attempting the enter the underworld Isis - D) God of the sun Anubis - E) God of the afterlife and ruler of the underworld
D) Re E) Osiris A) Horus B) Isis C) Anubis
32
Why was ancient Egypt called the Two Lands?
Because they were two very different regions
33
How was Egypt united?
Menes Narmer killed the king of Lower Egypt, and killed all the smaller kings
34
What are the three time periods that historians use to divide the history of ancient Egypt?
The Old Kingdom; The Middle Kingdom; The New Kingdom
35
Why didn’t the Egyptians dare speak the name of their ruler?
Because the king was thought of as a supreme god who loomed so far above his subjects
36
What became the king’s official title?
Pharaoh
37
What was the purpose of the pyramids? Why did the Egyptians believe they had a stake in securing eternal life for their king?
To protect the tomb of the king; By doing so, they ensured the regular flooding of the Nile for example
38
What events led to the end of the Old Kingdom?
A series of dry years that eroded faith in the pharaoh and caused rebellions to break out
39
Who ended the period of unrest after the end of the Old Kingdom and reunified Egypt?
Amenemhet I
40
What led to the end of the Middle Kingdom?
Rival nobles started fighting each other and there was a series of weak pharaohs
41
Explain how historians and others know about life in ancient Egypt.
By reading hieroglyphics
42
In the 1920s a team of archaeologists unearthed an entire city near a place called _____. Four hundred miles south of the first city, another city was unearthed at _____, a name meaning “Mound of the Dead.”
In the 1920s a team of archaeologists unearthed an entire city near a place called Harappa. Four hundred miles south of the first city, another city was unearthed at Mohenjo-Daro, a name meaning “Mound of the Dead.”
43
Give at least two reasons scholars believe could have been the cause to end of the Indus Valley civilization.
Earthquakes or disease
44
What geographic features kept the people of China mostly isolated for thousands of years?
The Gobi Desert to the north, the Himalayas to the west, and seas to the south and east
45
Between what two great river systems did civilization in China first take root?
Huang He and Yangtze
46
Why did Nomadic herders settle in the North China Plain to build villages and try farming?
It had the most fertile land of China, because of loess
47
Describe farming in northern China.
Terraced land grew millet
48
Describe farming along the Yellow River.
Lush land grew rice
49
How do we know the early Chinese villagers were engaged in warfare?
Broken bones of skeletons and the number of stone weapons
50
Describe the early Chinese home and family.
Respect for parents and elders, and above all ancestors
51
Describe the early Chinese art and technology.
They used jade, figured out the Chinese calendar, and made silk
52
Why is India called a subcontinent?
It is a large peninsula that has its own distinctive geographic and political features
53
How is the climate of India shaped by the effects of seasonal winds called monsoons?
The winter monsoons blow dry air, while the summer ones bring moisture
54
Why could the summer monsoons be considered a blessing and a curse?
The floods caused by the monsoons produced fertile plains; however, it was unpredictable, and too little rain may cause a famine while too much could cause catastrophic flooding.
55
What are the three mighty rivers that come from the high Himalayas?
The Brahmaputra, the Ganges, and the Indus
56
What is a dynasty? How was power transferred when a Chinese king died?
A family that rules for many years; to a brother (sometimes), but usually a son
57
According to Chinese tradition, which dynasty is China's first? Why isn't this dynasty generally considered the first by historians?
Xia; there is no evidence of them
58
Which dynasty do historians consider to be China's first?
Shang
59
Describe what archaeologists have found in the ancient capital of the Shang at Anyang and other cities.
Palaces and cities with earthen walls
60
Describe the burial process when a king died.
His body and treasures were placed in a burial chamber at the bottom of an enormous pit, with a warrior who was killed placed by the door to guard him
61
How did archaeologists and historians find out so much about ancient China?
From the oracle bones
62
What did the system of writing do for the people of China?
It helped unify China
63
Why was literacy limited to the few among the upper classes?
Because it was too complicated
64
Describe some of the artwork found in ancient China.
Bronze pots, vessels stamped with stylized images of people and animals
65
When and how did the Shang Dynasty end? Which dynasty took its place?.
1046 B.C. when rebel leader Wu Wang conquered the capital and killed the last Shang King, founding the Zhou Dynasty.
66
Define the term Empire.
An empire brings different peoples or formerly independent states together under the control of one ruler.
67
The mixing of ideas, products, and cultural practices is called cultural _____.
Diffusion The mixing of ideas, products, and cultural practices is called cultural DIFFUSION.
68
How did Sargon unite the independent city-states and different peoples of the Fertile Crescent into an empire?
He conquered wealthy Sumerian cities one by one
69
What two things did Sargon do that enabled him to buy the loyalty of his supporters and pay his army?
Control trade routes and tax merchants
70
How did Hammurabi unite the Amorite cities to create the Babylonian Empire?
Skillful deal-making and conquest
71
Which empire was created first?
Empire of Akkad
72
Which two large bodies of water might Akkadian merchants have used to transport their goods?
Mediterranean Sea and Persian Gulf
73
Which direction would travelers from Ashur have to travel to reach the Persian Gulf?
Southeast
74
Which empire included mountainous regions?
Empire of Akkad
75
Significance of Hammurabi's Code: First time a government has posted _____ for all to see
An organized set of laws First time a government has posted AN ORGANIZED SET OF LAWS for all to see
76
Significance of Hammurabi's Code: Designed to curb _____
Violence Designed to curb VIOLENCE
77
Significance of Hammurabi's Code: Brought a sense of _____ and _____ to the empire.
Order; Stability Brought a sense of ORDER and STABILITY to the empire.
78
Significance of Hammurabi's Code: Laws dealing with contracts, payments, and business disagreements show the importance of _____ in Babylonian society.
Commerce Laws dealing with contracts, payments, and business disagreements show the importance of COMMERCE in Babylonian society.
79
Significance of Hammurabi's Code: Laws dealing with divorce, marriage, and parental rights give historians valuable information about _____ life.
Family Laws dealing with divorce, marriage, and parental rights give historians valuable information about FAMILY life.
80
Who sacked Babylon and set the stage for the decline of the Babylonian Empire?
Hittites
81
Name the Indo-European group that migrated south and east from what is now southern Russia.
Aryans
82
What attracted (pull factor) the Indo-Europeans south to the Fertile Crescent?
The wealthy cities
83
What probably drove (push factor) the Indo-Europeans from southern Russia during the 2,000 years they migrated?
Increasing population
84
The _____ is established when Ahmose I drives out the Hyksos.
New Kingdom The NEW KINGDOM is established when Ahmose I drives out the Hyksos.
85
Egypt has become a _____ when Ahmose I drove out the Hyksos.
Empire Egypt has become a EMPIRE when Ahmose I drove out the Hyksos.
86
The Middle Kingdom grows prosperous from _____.
Trade The Middle Kingdom grows prosperous from TRADE.
87
New Kingdom pharaohs _____ new territory.
Conquered New Kingdom pharaohs CONQUERED new territory.
88
_____ kings rule much of Egypt for about a hundred years.
Hyksos HYKSOS kings rule much of Egypt for about a hundred years.
89
After a series of _____ pharaohs, the Hyksos defeat the Egyptians.
Weak After a series of WEAK pharaohs, the Hyksos defeat the Egyptians.
90
Why were the Hyksos able to defeat the Egyptians?
Because of a series of weak pharaohs
91
What helped the pharaohs of the New Kingdom conquer new territory, including Syria, Palestine, Libya, and Nubia?
They adopted advanced military technology from the Hyksos
92
What group of people migrated to Egypt around 1400 B.C. and eventually became enslaved and forced to work on the pharaoh’s building projects?
The Hebrews
93
Why were historians not aware of Tutankhamen until the early twentieth century?
Because all records of him was erased
94
How were the Pharaohs of the New Kingdom able to undertake enormous building projects?
They used prisoners of war as slaves for labor
95
What is significant about the peace agreement between the Egyptians and Hittites that was negotiated after the battle at Kadesh?
It is the world's oldest peace treaty
96
The _____ were people who lived in southern _____. They had established a _____, and by around 1700 B.C. had established an _____ with the _____ who were ruling _____. Around 750 B.C., after the New Kingdom had weakened, _____ armies conquered Egypt.
Kushites; Egypt; Kingdom; Alliance; Hyksos; Egypt; Kushite; Egypt The KUSHITES were people who lived in southern EGYPT. They had established a KINGDOM, and by around 1700 B.C. had established an ALLIANCE with the HYKSOS who were ruling EGYPT. Around 750 B.C., after the New Kingdom had weakened, KUSHITE armies conquered Egypt.
97
What was Hatsheput known for?
For the great trade expeditions she sent to Punt
98
What was Akhenaten known for?
For outlawing Egyptian worship of all gods but Aten
99
What was Ramses known for?
Making the world's oldest peace treaty and making giant monuments and the longest ruling pharaoh
100
The Persians settled in a region which was active in trade and commerce. What was a result of this?
They profited from trade
101
Why do you think historians prefer to use primary sources to learn about the past?
It gives direct information than someone's interpretation of direct information
102
Were royal hunts in ancient Persia undertaken for the enjoyment of hunting?
No
103
Major accomplishments of Cyrus: Relied on _____ more than on terror
Tolerance Relied on TOLERANCE more than on terror
104
Major Accomplishments of Cyrus: Allowed conquered people to _____.
Follow their stuff Allowed conquered people to FOLLOW THEIR STUFF.
104
Major accomplishments of Cyrus: Protected the _____ in places he conquered.
Temples Protected the TEMPLES in places he conquered.
104
Major Accomplishments of Cyrus: Allowed _____ to return home.
Exiled peoples Allowed EXILED PEOPLES to return home.
105
Major accomplishments of Darius: Created the world's first _____.
Postal service Created the world's first POSTAL SERVICE.
105
Major accomplishments of Darius: Divided the empire into _____ and assigned _____ to govern them.
Provinces; Satraps Divided the empire into PROVINCES and assigned SATRAPS to govern them.
105
How were scholars able to decode cuneiform and thereby learn about ancient Sumer?
Because of Darius writing his story in three different languages, one of which was Cuneiform
106
Major accomplishments of Darius: Established an _____ for the empire, including: - Roads - _____ - _____
Infrastructure; Bridges; Lodges Established an INFRASTRUCTURE for the empire, including: - Roads - BRIDGES - LODGES
106
Who invaded the Persian Empire in 334 B.C. and eventually defeated it?
Alexander the great
107
What religion of the royal family of Persia continues to have followers today?
Zoroastrianism
108
Order the Mesopotamian empires.
Akkadian; Babylonian; Hittite

Grade 9 History (16 decks)

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