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Pre-Modern World History > Unit 1 > Flashcards

Unit 1 Flashcards

(64 cards)

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1
Q

Homo sapiens

A 
"thinking man"; developed about 200,000 years ago in present-day Africa
Defining characteristics include:
- walking upright
- using tools
- larger brain
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2
Q

Paleolithic era

A

The old stone age
From prehistory-10,000BC
Stone was primary tool material
Humans lived a nomadic, hunter-gatherer lifestyle and dwelled in caves
Fire provided warmth, protection from predators, and cooked food to kill pathogens

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3
Q

Neolithic revolution

A

The New Stone Age; began c. 10,000 BC when humans learned agriculture
Being able to grow their own food helped humans to settle in permanent communities
Birth rate and division of labor increased
Trade was established

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4
Q

Barter system

A

Exchange of service for service or item for item

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5
Q

Bronze age

A

Lasted from 7000-1500BC

Bronze was primary tool material

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6
Q

Sumerians

A

Earliest recorded human statements
Developed in Mesopotamia c. 5000-3000 BC
Cuneiform was their system of writing; carved symbols on wet clay and let it harden

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7
Q

City-state

A

A city that functions like an independent state

Each had its own military, judicial system, and political leadership

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8
Q

Hamurabi’s Code

A

The first written law code

Governed all aspects of life in Sumerian society

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9
Q

Nobility

A 
Higher class distinction of people
Lower punishments for violating law code
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10
Q

Polytheism

A

worship of multiple deities

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11
Q

Nile River

A

The longest river in the world
Supported the growth of the Egyptian civilization
One of the Egyptian deities

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12
Q

Hieroglyphics

A

Egyptian writing system

Written on papyrus scrolls

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13
Q

Pharaoh

A

The ultimate religious and political authority in ancient Egypt
Believed to be incarnate gods
Believed in the afterlife

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14
Q

Book of the Dead

A

an Egyptian religious text containing instructions on how to navigate the afterlife
Contained spells on how to protect yourself from attack by animals and angry gods, as well as a series of negative confessions (bad things you did not do)

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15
Q

Hatshepsut

A

Egyptian queen who declared herself pharaoh in 1473 BC
Ruled for 21 years; established trade with other countries
It was exceedingly rare for a woman to take this position of power
Women in ancient Egypt could initiate divorce, start business, and hold office

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16
Q

Hittites

A

A warrior civilization that took over the Sumerians c. 1500 BC
The first people to use iron tools and weapons, leading into the Iron Age (1200-1000 BC)

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17
Q

Hebrew civilization

A

Earliest inhabitants of Israel
Semitic speaking; migrated to the region c. 1500 BC
Monotheistic faith
Enslaved by the Egyptians over time

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18
Q

Moses

A

Hebrew leader who led his people out of slavery in Egypt

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19
Q

Returning to Canaan

A

When the Hebrews returned to Israel, they encountered numerous other tribes that inhabited the area

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20
Q

Solomon

A

Ruled 970-935 BC

Built the Temple of Jerusalem

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21
Q

Assyrian Empire

A

Enslaved the Hebrews and made them relocate (exile)

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22
Q

The Assyrians

A

Warlike civilization that ruled Mesopotamia from c. 900-612 BC
Ruthless conquerors and rulers, the Assyrians’ mistreatment of other tribes led to their downfall

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23
Q

Yellow river

A

first evidence of human settlement along the yellow river (c. 2500 BC )
Allowed for division of labor
Silk fueled later economy

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24
Q

Daoism

A

Chinese philosophy developed during 2nd century BC
Lao-Tzu commonly believed to be founder of Daoism
Followed the idea that humans should follow nature, a force that eventually finds balance

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25
Shang Dynasty
c. 1700-1050 BC First recorded dynasty Bronze-age agricultural society Polytheistic faith; ruled by semi-divine king (thought to have some connection with the spiritual world but is not considered a god like a pharaoh was)q
26
Shang society
Early form of feudalism (small number of noblemen, majority peasants/slaves) Internal slave rebellion gave way to Zhou dynasty
27
Mandate of Heaven
A concept made up by the Zhou dynasty to justify their take of power The gods allowed the king to rule by giving him a mandate As long as the king ruled fairly, the gods allowed him to continue in power If the ruler failed to protect his people from invasion, the gods would revoke their mandate Zhou dynasty claimed that the Shang dynasty lost their mandate and they re-claimed it
28
Zhou Dynasty
Mandate of heaven | Multiple advances in agriculture (iron-tipped plow) & writing (books, poetry, and calligraphy)
29
Confucius
Chinese philosopher who lived during the chaos of the Era of the Warring States Developed a philosophy that stressed a return to traditional values such as virtue (jen) Urged respect for your superiors and emphasized the importance of education for advancement Argued that leaders should be virtuous and lead by example, not force
30
Shi Huang Di
First emperor of the Qin dynasty Enacted several reforms for selfish purposes such as abolishing slavery, enacting a standard law code, standardizing monetary system, and constructing roads throughout the empire
31
Legalism
Philosophy that asserts that humans are fundamentally evil and must be watched closely by authorities Strict punishments for crime and promoted censorship Led to the development of a highly centralized government OPPOSITE OF CONFUCIANISM Confucianist philosophers killed
32
Han dynasty
A period of regeneration and scientific achievement | Paper-making, acupuncture, compass, fertilizer, etc.
33
Mandarins
Professionally trained individuals working for the bureaucracy of the Han dynasty Scholar officials; established proficiency exams
34
Wu Ti
Greatest of the Han rulers Known for making confucianism the state philosophy Enlarged the empire through military conquest
35
Silk Road
Major trade route from east Asia to Middle East and Southern Europe & Mediterranean Silk remained China's most valuable export item
36
Tang & Song Dynasties
Innovations such as buddhism, blot printing, canals, gunpowder, fireworks, magnetic compasses, etc. Mongol invasion brought end to Song dynasty
37
Indus Valley Civilization
c. 2500-1500 BC Bronze-age, polytheistic people Developed system of writing; yet to be decoded aka Harappan people Had a sewage system and brought in fresh water
38
Aryan Civilization
A warlike, iron-age civilization Migrated into the Indus Valley region c. 1500 BC and conquered the Harappan people Laid foundation for hinduism Introduced the caste system
39
Hinduism
polytheistic faith that developed over centuries Emphasizes living a virtuous life and treating all living beings with respect By means of reincarnation, the soul can be purified and reunited with the spirit of Brahma
40
Caste System
Rigid class system set up under the Aryans No movement between castes; members had to follow specific rules for their caste level Affects what food you ate, who you married, what gods you worshipped, etc. Kept the majority of the population in a subservient position
41
Ashoka
A fierce Mauryan military leader who converted to Buddhism and spread that philosophy through India and southeast Asia After converting, he returned all congested land and prisoners & rejected the caste system
42
Buddhism
Philosophy founded by Siddartha Gautama (6th century BC) Four noble truths form the basis of this philosophy, emphasizing that it is our desires that cause suffering Rejects the caste system
43
Gupta empire
Golden age of Indian history | Advancements made in mathematics, science, and contact with other civilizations
44
Mahmud of Ghazni
Ruthless Turkish Muslim ruler who conquered much of north central India, destroying and looting Hindu temples Established a royal court in Ghazni and supported the work of Muslim scientists and artists
45
Zoroastrianism
Persian religion that developed c. 650 BC Followers believed the world was controlled by two warring gods, one good and the other evil Introduced the idea of heaven and hell
46
Cyrus the Great
c. 585-530 BC Persian king who used Zoroastrianism to unite his people and conquer much of the known western world Establish the Achaemenid empire (religious toleration) Allowed the Jews to return to Judea
47
Darius I
549-486 BC Persian king known for effectively governing his large empire by dividing it into territories ruled by local governors (satraps), building public works (postal service & roads), and instituting a common currency Practiced religious toleration
48
Polis
Greek city-states | Each had its own form of government
49
Solon
Greek leader who introduced democracy to Athens Opened public office to non-nobles Abolished slavery as debt repayment Established more humane laws
50
Athens
Cultural center of early Greece | Political structure promoted a majority population of artists & writers due to their salary being paid by taxes
51
Humanism
Greek artists and writers put the human experience at the center of events and celebrated the human physical form
52
Homer
Greek poet Wrote the Illiad and Odyssey; both about the Trojan War His works were studied by generations of Greeks
53
Heroditus
First historian of the western world; traveled & interviewed people Wrote the History of the Persian World; non-fiction unlike Homer's works
54
Greek Education
Inexpensive schooling for all boys regardless of social status Focused on math, writing, & team sports Young men received two years of military training Girls were excluded from education system
55
Socrates
Father of western philosophy Questioned everything Sentenced to execution for questioning religion, etc. Committed suicide by hemlock poisoning before he could be executed
56
Plato
One of Socrates' students Founded the Academy of Athens, first university in Europe Question what is real vs. illusion Wrote "The Republic" laying out the notion of an ideal society led by philosopher-kings
57
Greek Mythologies
Shared religious beliefs united many of the Greek city-states Zeus was chief deity along with his wife and sister Hera
58
Sparta
Greek city-state dominated by military training
59
Persian War
Persian attempt to take over Greek city-states City-states united to fight against the Persians Round 1 resulted in the Athenians winning Round 2 - Persians won Greeks were eventually able to expel the Persians from their land
60
Delian League
A defensive alliance formed by many Greek city-states (excluding Sparta) after the Persian War Athens came to dominate the League which increased tensions between Athen and Sparta
61
Pericles
Leader of Athens Domestic policy included rebuilding Athens and using public treasury (money from Delian League) to pay for state service Expanded political power to lower classes Controlled Delian League and argued for war against Sparta
62
Peloponnesian War
War fought between Athens and Sparta Each had allied city-states Spartans defeated Athenians; plague struck Athens and killed many
63
Philip II
Macedonian king who conquered the Greeks | Helped unite Greek city-states
64
Alexander the Great
Assumed the Macedonian throne at age 20 when his father, Philip II, died Began an invasion of the Persian empire and succeeded Wanted to blend Greek & Macedonian culture with that of the Persians

Pre-Modern World History (2 decks)

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