Ap World History Review Essay
AP World History Test Review
Foundations: 8000BCE-600CE
Directions – Complete the following review sheet by writing in the correct information for all the statements/words in bold. This outline follows the College Board course outline for AP World History.
1. Time: Periodization in Early Human History & What ushered in the next period?
Paleolithic Age: Major developments- Stone tools, natural shelters, fire, warfare bury dead, migration, organization, gender roles emerge, and village organization.
Neolithic Age: Population increases, harvesting wild grains, food surplus, job specialization, animal domestication, inventions, religion government, and gender differences.
Ancient Civilizations: Agricultural changes, economic …show more content…
changes, irrigation, artisans, religious organization, social classes develop, advanced cities with centers of trade, new tools, record keeping (scribes), institutions for government, religion, and education.
Classic Civilizations: China: Zhou, Qin, Han; India: Aryans, Maurya, Gupta; Mediterranean: Persian, Greece, Roman Empire.
2. Foraging & Pastoral Societies: Their Demographic Characteristics
Foraging societies/hunters-gatherers • Organization: o Chiefs, religious leaders o Natural shelters o Cave/tent o Warfare o Small bands based on food availability o Mobile • Culture: o Stone Tools o Egalitarian o Nomadic o Migrations • Gender roles: o Egalitarian society o Men: Hunt o Women: Gather o Both important and equal
Pastoral Societies
• Organization: o Population increase o ‘Revolution’- gradual o Job specialization o One farmer= feeds o Government emerges o Organized irrigation o Distribute surplus • Culture: o Religion emerges o Nature based religion o Pottery o Calendars • Gender Roles: o Gender differences emerge o Women lose status o Men farm- More valuable
3. The Emergence if Agriculture & its Effects: The Neolithic Revolution (8000-3000BCE)
NOMADS->NEOLITHIC VILLAGE->CITY->CIVILZATION
Major Effects of the Neolithic Revolution • On Economy: o Sedentary o Food Surplus o Job Specialization • On Culture: o Inventions o more time for hobbies o Religion (nature based) o Need writing • On Political Organization: o Population increase o Government emerges o Distribution surplus • On Gender Roles: o Women lose status o Men farm which is more valuable o Gender differences emerge • On the Environment: o Domestication of animals o Irrigation system o Diseases o Humans after environment • New inventions associated with agriculture: o Calendars o Plows o Hoes o Wheels o Pottery o Weapons
4. Introduction of key stages of metal use
Neolithic Age – New Stone Age – ends with metalworking • 6600 BCE – Copper used in Europe, Asia • Metallurgy – extracting from raw ore and metalwork – crafting – quite difficult • 3500-3000 BCE – Bronze from copper/tin discovered in Middle East, Balkans, Southeast Asia – later part Neolithic Age – Bronze Age • Americas and Asia never had a bronze age – tin scarce Scarcity of tin pushed need for international trade • 1500-1200 BCE – Iron Age – Hittites Spread to Europe in 1000 BCE, Africa in 500 BCE Possible to cultivate hard packed soil/more land Wave of invasions from outside Mesopotamia
5. Basic features of early civilizations in different environments: culture, state, & social structure • Features of a civilization/things that all ancient civilizations have in common: 1. Advanced Cities 2. Advanced Technology 3. Specialized Workers 4. Record Keeping 5. Complex Institutions
Mesopotamia • Location/River: o Tigris and Euphrates
• Political Organization City-states: o Babylon o Uruk o Sumer o Nippur o Shirupak Code of Hammurabi: o Plebians pay less fines and harsher punishments o Patrician pays middle price o Regular man pays highest o Based on Social Classes
Nature of King: • Social Organization/Gender Roles: o Hammurabi’s code (social law) o Women can leave men o Affairs prohibited o Dowries • Culture o Songs were an important part of Mesopotamian culture. They were written for gods and to describe important events. Hunting was also very popular. Men were far more powerful than women. As for schooling, only royal offspring and sons of rich professionals went to school. Girls stayed at home and learned cooking and housekeeping. Women would own property, which was very unusual for that time in history. They used clay as their writing material. Religion: o Based on nature o Polytheistic o gods of water, sunlight, love etc. Cuneiform: o Composed of slim triangular or wedge-shaped elements, as the characters used in writing by the ancient Akkadians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, and others. Ziggurats: o a temple of Sumerian origin in the form of a pyramidal tower, consisting of a number of stories and having about the outside a broad ascent winding round the structure, presenting the appearance of a series of terraces. Epic of Gilgamesh: o Their religion was based on nature, and consisted on many different gods, as in the god of water, love, sunlight etc. The people had a language, way of communicating and a way of writing.) They wrote by carving into stone.) When they wanted water, they went to the drinking hole to get it. The people had jobs, and tools that they used. This shows an increase in technology. Their tools were more complex.
Egypt
• Location/River: o Nile River • Political Organization o Natural barriers for protection from invasion o King was a god o Bureaucracy o 2 Major branches = Upper and lower o Intermediate period of Chaos. • Social Organization/Gender Roles: o Organized along hierarchal lines (King on top) o King surrounded by upper class (nobles and priests) o Small Villages o Merchants and artisans o People worked on land • Culture Religion: o King was a god o Ma ’at- spiritual percept o Polytheistic o sun gods and land gods o Religious myths Hieroglyphics: o Writing of the Egyptians o Written on pyramids
Indus Valley Civilization • Location/River: o Indus river
• Harrappa-Mohenjo Daro: Harrappa- is a city in Punjab, northeast Pakistan.
o The modern town is located near the former course of the Ravi River and also beside the ruins of an ancient fortified city, which was part of the Indus Valley Civilization. o This ancient settlement existed from about 3300 BCE and is believed to have had as many as considered large for its time. Although the Harappa Culture extended well beyond the bounds of present day Pakistan, its centres were in Sindh and the Punjab. Mohenjo Daro- in ancient times was most likely one of the administrative centers of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization. It was the most developed and advanced city in South Asia, and perhaps the world, during its peak. The planning and engineering showed the importance of the city to the people of the Indus valley.
o The Indus Valley Civilization (c. 3300–1700 BC, flowered 2600–1900 BC), abbreviated IVC, was an ancient riverine civilization that flourished in the Indus river valley in Pakistan and north-west India. Another name for this civilization is the "Harappan …show more content…
Civilization."
o The Indus culture blossomed over the centuries and gave rise to the Indus Valley Civilization around 3000 BCE. The civilization spanned much of what is now Pakistan and North India, but suddenly went into decline around 1900 BCE. Indus Civilization settlements spread as far south as the Arabian Sea coast of India in Gujarat, as far west as the Iran border, with an out post in Bactria. Among the settlements were the major urban centers of Harappa and Mohenjo-daro, as well as Lothal. • How did this civilization end? o the Indus river changed course and floods no longer fertilized the fields near the cities (river dried up completely) o Monsoons (seasonal winds that bring torrential rainfall during the summer months) (still occur today in Pakistan) o Invaders (belief that Aryan nomads traveled through mountains and attacked the peaceful people for they were very peaceful so they occupied very little or no weapons to defend themselves o
Ancient China: Shang & Zhou • Location/River: o Yellow River
• Political Organization
Dynasties: o Shang and Zhou Mandate of Heaven: o Ideology established by Zhou dynasts to communicate the moral transfer of power. Originally a pact between the Zhou people and their supreme god, it evolved in the first century B.C.E. into Chinese political doctrine. Dynastic Cycle: o powerful leader-->period of great power and prosperity-->period of decline-(leader loses mandate of heaven)->period of rebellion, dynasty overthrown (new leader gains mandate of heaven) & repeat
Era of Warring States: o The period of Chinese history between c. 402 and 220 B.C.E. characterized by the breakdown of the central government and feudal war.; regional rulers made their own armies and fought for control; during this time Zhou dynasty disintegrated.
• Culture
Ancestor Worship: o Ancestor worship was very important to the early Shang kings and nobles. It was a way of life. When a man died, the ancient Chinese believed his spirit lived on in the afterworld. They believed their ancestors had magical powers. These magical powers allowed their ancestors to punish them or to help them. To keep their ancestors happy, they brought gifts of food and wine to special places or temples. They held many celebrations to honor their ancestors.
Oracle Bones: o A group of inscribed animal bones and shells discovered in China and used originally in divination by the ancient Chinese, especially during the Shang dynasty.
**Hundred Schools of Thought: During the Zhou Dynasty when the major Chinese philosophies form. • Not religious, but to create political/social harmony: Confucianism, Daoism, Legalism
6. Classic Civilizations: China, India & The Mediterranean
Compared to Ancient Civilizations
Similarities: Differences: • Confucianism Ancient: more agricultural • The way they treated women Classic: Organized into a province Slavery Ancient: Constructed a writing style, Classic: Great Wall Ancient: Believed in gods, Classic: No gods
China • Political Developments o Significance of the Qin Dynasty (221-202BCE): • Supposed to be the Thousand Generation dynasty.
Didn't last long at all. The first emperor was Shi-Huangdi which meant First emperor; bit presumptuous, really. This was the unification of China period, and the start of Imperial China. Chronologically came after the Zhou. o Significance of the Han Dynasty (200BCE-220CE): • This was not the Golden Age of China, but life was very good for many of the people because of the demand for Chinese silk. The creation of the Silk road the trade routes across the fierce deserts allowed trade to flourish more easily with the Roman Empire.
Technologies/Inventions: o Hoes, rakes, gunpowder, and the wheel
Social Organization
o Social hierarchy – who’s at the top? the bottom? 1. Emperors 2. First Class: Palace courts, nobles, and government officials. 3. Second Class: Peasants 4. Third Class:
Artisans 5. Fourth Class: Merchants and Slaves
o Family organization: • The eldest male ruled as an autocrat. He was responsible for presiding over ancestral rites at an altar. He has traditional legal rights over his wife. He was permitted to take a second wife if she could provide him with a child. The parents determined their children’s careers and also selected their marriage partners. Female children were considered less desirable than males because they could not undertake heavy work in the fields or carry on family traditions.
o Impact of Confucianism:
• Confucianism was developed specifically for the Chinese culture, and was widely practiced throughout China from around 400 B.C.E. onward. Women’s status: • Confucianism limited women to the home to take care of their husbands. • They worked hard for their families with little reward.
India • Political Developments o Aryans (1500BCE): • Light skinned and Darker skinned Dravidians • About 600 B.C.E.- Divided into 16 states • At first established warrior aristocracy/enslaved Dravidians
Mauryan Empire (321-185BCE) o strong centralized o Promoted trade and communication o After brief period of rule Alexander the Great 330-321 BCE o Regional lord – Chandragupta Maurya o Powerful military
Ashoka: 1. Successful warrior – converted to Buddhism 2. Turned away from military conquest 1. Disgusted by bloody victory over Kalinga 1. Preached nonviolence/moderation 3. Building projects undertaken 4. Admired for justice and attempts to create harmony between religions 5. Rock and Pillar Edicts – billboards 1. Live generous and righteous lives 6. Missionaries sent out to spread Buddhism 1. Brahmins lost power – angered 7. w/ death Brahmins undermined 1. Buddhism pushed to fringe of empire
Gupta Empire (320-550CE) 1. ruled through central gov’t allowed village gov’ts power 2. Advantageous alliances and military conquests 3. More decentralized/smaller – “golden age” 4. Firm supporters of Hinduism 1. Brahmins restored to traditional role – advisors/gurus 5. Control based on local lords 1. Paid tribute for local autonomy 6. One of the more peaceful/prosperous eras 7. Around 450 CE Northern invaders brought Gupta empire to slow end • Decentralized, Control based on local lords, and Supported Hinduis
**After the collapse of the Gupta Empire India once again becomes very decentralized & ruled by local princes. India will remain decentralized until British occupation in the 19th century.
What helps to keep order in India despite the lack of a strong government? • The caste system and Hinduism kept order in India despite the lack of a strong government.
Scientific/Mathematic innovations: o Cotton Gin o Hindu number system o Algebraic Abbreviations
Social Organization: • Caste system: o A system of social inequality in which people's status is permanently determined at birth based on their parents' ascribed characteristics.
o Examples of India being a VERY patriarchal society: • The oldest male possessed legal authority over the entire family unit • Male superiority was expressed in a variety of ways • Women could not serve as priests, male had monopoly over education, only males could inherit property, and child marriage was common for young girls. • The Ritual of sati, which required the wife to throw herself on her dead husbands funeral pyre.
Greece • Political Organization o Impact of geography: Prevented from being united –Terrain/ Islands
o Polis: City states-Politics
o Democracy: male citizens, general assembly Height under Pericles – 462-429
o Oligarchy: narrow, elite families Transition to democracy gradual Monarchy > aristocracy > democracy Draco and Solon – fair, equal, firm laws
Monarchy: Monarchy > aristocracy > democracy Draco and Solon – fair, equal, firm laws
o Key city-state
Athens: – democracy – others dictatorship, oligarchy o Direct democracy – male citizens – lot – general assembly Height under Pericles – 462-429 o Even with restrictions, most representative government in ancient world
Sparta: rigid, slave-holding dictatorship o Most effective/feared army.
• Culture
o Major ideas of Greek Philosophy: • Truths and Ideas about the universe.
o Aristotle: logic, observation, experimentation led to scientific method Need for moderation and self-knowledge Knowledge of physical world through observing phenomenon and drawing conclusions
o Homer: legendary ancient Greek epic poet, traditionally said to be the author of the epic poems the Iliad and the Odyssey. • Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripedes
o Hippocrates: diseases have only natural causes 1. “Father of Medicine” 2. First to say medicine different science than religion 3. Created field of medicine 4. Hippocratic Oath – Greek idealism 5. Body has four “humors” – yellow bile, black bile, phlegm and blood
• Social Organization Overall – three groups Citizens – adult males engaged in commerce Free people with no political rights Non n citizens/slaves – had no rights 33%
Slavery common - excluded from political life Enabled democracy Greek citizens time to meet, vote, and create works of art and philosophy Potential to move up Skilled jobs, partially owned businesses, maybe buy freedom
Women treated as inferior – excluded from political life Married to men in their teens Father choose husband, power switched to new husband Virginity prized until marriage Childbirth expected after wedding Could not own property, participate in political life Divorce only initiated by man But…did have significant roles in religious festivals and rituals **In Sparta, some girls received military training-Greatest female equality of all city-states, maybe nations
• Women’s Status as compared to other Classical Societies:
Alexander the Great’s Empire • Areas included: o Iran o Afghanistan o Pakistan o Syria o Jordan o Turkey o Iraq
• Significance o Cultural diffusion: • Occurred due to trade and the expansion of Greek controlled lands. They shared goods through trade and imports but the true diffusion came through the sharing of ideas. Ideas were shared either through word of mouth or written word.
o Hellinisim/Hellinistic: • The process by which the individuality of the cultures of the earlier Greek city-states gave way to a uniform culture that stressed the common identity of all who embraced Greek ways. this culture emphasized the common denominators of language, style, and politics.
Rome • Political Organization o The Republic: the best-known writings of Plato, in which Socrates is shown outlining an ideal state, ruled by philosopher-kings.
o The Empire: An empire established by Augustus in 27 bc and divided in ad 395 into the western roman empire and the eastern or byzantine empire. At its peak lands in Europe and Africa and Asia were ruled by ancient Rome.
Religious policies: based on rituals, spirits, and sacred rites. These rituals had become very complex over the years and needed special people to perform them. This is where the priests came in. The chief priesthood’s were usually filled by distinguished statesmen or generals. Roman religion and politics were intermeshed
Twelve Tables/Roman Law: the earliest written collection of roman laws, drawn up by patricians about 450 b.c., that became the foundation of roman law
Technology/Engineering:
7. The Late Classic Period (200CE-600CE)
Causes: Collapse of Classic Empires
Western Rome: Han China: • Tax revolts by upper class and church exempt Officials exempt from taxes; difficult to collect from from taxes. peasant population. • Decrease in trade upon which economy depended Population increases lead to less land per family. • 25 out of 26 emperors died violently in one 50 year span. Corruption of court officials. • Division of empire weakened the western half. • Unable to defend against migratory invasions Unable to control large estate owners. of Goths and Huns. Constant conflict with the nomadic Xiongnu who invaded after collapse.
Reasons why the Eastern half of the Roman Empire did not collapse: o With the split, the eastern half became the Byzantine empire, with its capital at Constantinople. The eastern half encompassed the extremely wealthy provinces and heavy cavalry. Which was a great asset and vital to the success of the eastern empire
Byzantine Empire: o The eastern half of the Roman Empire, which survived after the fall of the western empire at the end of the 5th century c.e. its capital was Constantinople, named after the emperor Constantine. it
Constantinople:
o The new capital of the Roman Empire in 330 bc. this new capital was protected by massive walls and filled with imperial buildings modeled after those in Rome. Constantinople was named after Constantine.
Foundations: 8000BCE-600CE
Directions – Complete the following review sheet by writing in the correct information for all the statements/words in bold. This outline follows the College Board course outline for AP World History.
1. Time: Periodization in Early Human History & What ushered in the next period?
Paleolithic Age: Major developments- Stone tools, natural shelters, fire, warfare bury dead, migration, organization, gender roles emerge, and village organization.
Neolithic Age: Population increases, harvesting wild grains, food surplus, job specialization, animal domestication, inventions, religion government, and gender differences.
Ancient Civilizations: Agricultural changes, economic …show more content…
changes, irrigation, artisans, religious organization, social classes develop, advanced cities with centers of trade, new tools, record keeping (scribes), institutions for government, religion, and education.
Classic Civilizations: China: Zhou, Qin, Han; India: Aryans, Maurya, Gupta; Mediterranean: Persian, Greece, Roman Empire.
2. Foraging & Pastoral Societies: Their Demographic Characteristics
Foraging societies/hunters-gatherers • Organization: o Chiefs, religious leaders o Natural shelters o Cave/tent o Warfare o Small bands based on food availability o Mobile • Culture: o Stone Tools o Egalitarian o Nomadic o Migrations • Gender roles: o Egalitarian society o Men: Hunt o Women: Gather o Both important and equal
Pastoral Societies
• Organization: o Population increase o ‘Revolution’- gradual o Job specialization o One farmer= feeds o Government emerges o Organized irrigation o Distribute surplus • Culture: o Religion emerges o Nature based religion o Pottery o Calendars • Gender Roles: o Gender differences emerge o Women lose status o Men farm- More valuable
3. The Emergence if Agriculture & its Effects: The Neolithic Revolution (8000-3000BCE)
NOMADS->NEOLITHIC VILLAGE->CITY->CIVILZATION
Major Effects of the Neolithic Revolution • On Economy: o Sedentary o Food Surplus o Job Specialization • On Culture: o Inventions o more time for hobbies o Religion (nature based) o Need writing • On Political Organization: o Population increase o Government emerges o Distribution surplus • On Gender Roles: o Women lose status o Men farm which is more valuable o Gender differences emerge • On the Environment: o Domestication of animals o Irrigation system o Diseases o Humans after environment • New inventions associated with agriculture: o Calendars o Plows o Hoes o Wheels o Pottery o Weapons
4. Introduction of key stages of metal use
Neolithic Age – New Stone Age – ends with metalworking • 6600 BCE – Copper used in Europe, Asia • Metallurgy – extracting from raw ore and metalwork – crafting – quite difficult • 3500-3000 BCE – Bronze from copper/tin discovered in Middle East, Balkans, Southeast Asia – later part Neolithic Age – Bronze Age • Americas and Asia never had a bronze age – tin scarce Scarcity of tin pushed need for international trade • 1500-1200 BCE – Iron Age – Hittites Spread to Europe in 1000 BCE, Africa in 500 BCE Possible to cultivate hard packed soil/more land Wave of invasions from outside Mesopotamia
5. Basic features of early civilizations in different environments: culture, state, & social structure • Features of a civilization/things that all ancient civilizations have in common: 1. Advanced Cities 2. Advanced Technology 3. Specialized Workers 4. Record Keeping 5. Complex Institutions
Mesopotamia • Location/River: o Tigris and Euphrates
• Political Organization City-states: o Babylon o Uruk o Sumer o Nippur o Shirupak Code of Hammurabi: o Plebians pay less fines and harsher punishments o Patrician pays middle price o Regular man pays highest o Based on Social Classes
Nature of King: • Social Organization/Gender Roles: o Hammurabi’s code (social law) o Women can leave men o Affairs prohibited o Dowries • Culture o Songs were an important part of Mesopotamian culture. They were written for gods and to describe important events. Hunting was also very popular. Men were far more powerful than women. As for schooling, only royal offspring and sons of rich professionals went to school. Girls stayed at home and learned cooking and housekeeping. Women would own property, which was very unusual for that time in history. They used clay as their writing material. Religion: o Based on nature o Polytheistic o gods of water, sunlight, love etc. Cuneiform: o Composed of slim triangular or wedge-shaped elements, as the characters used in writing by the ancient Akkadians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, and others. Ziggurats: o a temple of Sumerian origin in the form of a pyramidal tower, consisting of a number of stories and having about the outside a broad ascent winding round the structure, presenting the appearance of a series of terraces. Epic of Gilgamesh: o Their religion was based on nature, and consisted on many different gods, as in the god of water, love, sunlight etc. The people had a language, way of communicating and a way of writing.) They wrote by carving into stone.) When they wanted water, they went to the drinking hole to get it. The people had jobs, and tools that they used. This shows an increase in technology. Their tools were more complex.
Egypt
• Location/River: o Nile River • Political Organization o Natural barriers for protection from invasion o King was a god o Bureaucracy o 2 Major branches = Upper and lower o Intermediate period of Chaos. • Social Organization/Gender Roles: o Organized along hierarchal lines (King on top) o King surrounded by upper class (nobles and priests) o Small Villages o Merchants and artisans o People worked on land • Culture Religion: o King was a god o Ma ’at- spiritual percept o Polytheistic o sun gods and land gods o Religious myths Hieroglyphics: o Writing of the Egyptians o Written on pyramids
Indus Valley Civilization • Location/River: o Indus river
• Harrappa-Mohenjo Daro: Harrappa- is a city in Punjab, northeast Pakistan.
o The modern town is located near the former course of the Ravi River and also beside the ruins of an ancient fortified city, which was part of the Indus Valley Civilization. o This ancient settlement existed from about 3300 BCE and is believed to have had as many as considered large for its time. Although the Harappa Culture extended well beyond the bounds of present day Pakistan, its centres were in Sindh and the Punjab. Mohenjo Daro- in ancient times was most likely one of the administrative centers of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization. It was the most developed and advanced city in South Asia, and perhaps the world, during its peak. The planning and engineering showed the importance of the city to the people of the Indus valley.
o The Indus Valley Civilization (c. 3300–1700 BC, flowered 2600–1900 BC), abbreviated IVC, was an ancient riverine civilization that flourished in the Indus river valley in Pakistan and north-west India. Another name for this civilization is the "Harappan …show more content…
Civilization."
o The Indus culture blossomed over the centuries and gave rise to the Indus Valley Civilization around 3000 BCE. The civilization spanned much of what is now Pakistan and North India, but suddenly went into decline around 1900 BCE. Indus Civilization settlements spread as far south as the Arabian Sea coast of India in Gujarat, as far west as the Iran border, with an out post in Bactria. Among the settlements were the major urban centers of Harappa and Mohenjo-daro, as well as Lothal. • How did this civilization end? o the Indus river changed course and floods no longer fertilized the fields near the cities (river dried up completely) o Monsoons (seasonal winds that bring torrential rainfall during the summer months) (still occur today in Pakistan) o Invaders (belief that Aryan nomads traveled through mountains and attacked the peaceful people for they were very peaceful so they occupied very little or no weapons to defend themselves o
Ancient China: Shang & Zhou • Location/River: o Yellow River
• Political Organization
Dynasties: o Shang and Zhou Mandate of Heaven: o Ideology established by Zhou dynasts to communicate the moral transfer of power. Originally a pact between the Zhou people and their supreme god, it evolved in the first century B.C.E. into Chinese political doctrine. Dynastic Cycle: o powerful leader-->period of great power and prosperity-->period of decline-(leader loses mandate of heaven)->period of rebellion, dynasty overthrown (new leader gains mandate of heaven) & repeat
Era of Warring States: o The period of Chinese history between c. 402 and 220 B.C.E. characterized by the breakdown of the central government and feudal war.; regional rulers made their own armies and fought for control; during this time Zhou dynasty disintegrated.
• Culture
Ancestor Worship: o Ancestor worship was very important to the early Shang kings and nobles. It was a way of life. When a man died, the ancient Chinese believed his spirit lived on in the afterworld. They believed their ancestors had magical powers. These magical powers allowed their ancestors to punish them or to help them. To keep their ancestors happy, they brought gifts of food and wine to special places or temples. They held many celebrations to honor their ancestors.
Oracle Bones: o A group of inscribed animal bones and shells discovered in China and used originally in divination by the ancient Chinese, especially during the Shang dynasty.
**Hundred Schools of Thought: During the Zhou Dynasty when the major Chinese philosophies form. • Not religious, but to create political/social harmony: Confucianism, Daoism, Legalism
6. Classic Civilizations: China, India & The Mediterranean
Compared to Ancient Civilizations
Similarities: Differences: • Confucianism Ancient: more agricultural • The way they treated women Classic: Organized into a province Slavery Ancient: Constructed a writing style, Classic: Great Wall Ancient: Believed in gods, Classic: No gods
China • Political Developments o Significance of the Qin Dynasty (221-202BCE): • Supposed to be the Thousand Generation dynasty.
Didn't last long at all. The first emperor was Shi-Huangdi which meant First emperor; bit presumptuous, really. This was the unification of China period, and the start of Imperial China. Chronologically came after the Zhou. o Significance of the Han Dynasty (200BCE-220CE): • This was not the Golden Age of China, but life was very good for many of the people because of the demand for Chinese silk. The creation of the Silk road the trade routes across the fierce deserts allowed trade to flourish more easily with the Roman Empire.
Technologies/Inventions: o Hoes, rakes, gunpowder, and the wheel
Social Organization
o Social hierarchy – who’s at the top? the bottom? 1. Emperors 2. First Class: Palace courts, nobles, and government officials. 3. Second Class: Peasants 4. Third Class:
Artisans 5. Fourth Class: Merchants and Slaves
o Family organization: • The eldest male ruled as an autocrat. He was responsible for presiding over ancestral rites at an altar. He has traditional legal rights over his wife. He was permitted to take a second wife if she could provide him with a child. The parents determined their children’s careers and also selected their marriage partners. Female children were considered less desirable than males because they could not undertake heavy work in the fields or carry on family traditions.
o Impact of Confucianism:
• Confucianism was developed specifically for the Chinese culture, and was widely practiced throughout China from around 400 B.C.E. onward. Women’s status: • Confucianism limited women to the home to take care of their husbands. • They worked hard for their families with little reward.
India • Political Developments o Aryans (1500BCE): • Light skinned and Darker skinned Dravidians • About 600 B.C.E.- Divided into 16 states • At first established warrior aristocracy/enslaved Dravidians
Mauryan Empire (321-185BCE) o strong centralized o Promoted trade and communication o After brief period of rule Alexander the Great 330-321 BCE o Regional lord – Chandragupta Maurya o Powerful military
Ashoka: 1. Successful warrior – converted to Buddhism 2. Turned away from military conquest 1. Disgusted by bloody victory over Kalinga 1. Preached nonviolence/moderation 3. Building projects undertaken 4. Admired for justice and attempts to create harmony between religions 5. Rock and Pillar Edicts – billboards 1. Live generous and righteous lives 6. Missionaries sent out to spread Buddhism 1. Brahmins lost power – angered 7. w/ death Brahmins undermined 1. Buddhism pushed to fringe of empire
Gupta Empire (320-550CE) 1. ruled through central gov’t allowed village gov’ts power 2. Advantageous alliances and military conquests 3. More decentralized/smaller – “golden age” 4. Firm supporters of Hinduism 1. Brahmins restored to traditional role – advisors/gurus 5. Control based on local lords 1. Paid tribute for local autonomy 6. One of the more peaceful/prosperous eras 7. Around 450 CE Northern invaders brought Gupta empire to slow end • Decentralized, Control based on local lords, and Supported Hinduis
**After the collapse of the Gupta Empire India once again becomes very decentralized & ruled by local princes. India will remain decentralized until British occupation in the 19th century.
What helps to keep order in India despite the lack of a strong government? • The caste system and Hinduism kept order in India despite the lack of a strong government.
Scientific/Mathematic innovations: o Cotton Gin o Hindu number system o Algebraic Abbreviations
Social Organization: • Caste system: o A system of social inequality in which people's status is permanently determined at birth based on their parents' ascribed characteristics.
o Examples of India being a VERY patriarchal society: • The oldest male possessed legal authority over the entire family unit • Male superiority was expressed in a variety of ways • Women could not serve as priests, male had monopoly over education, only males could inherit property, and child marriage was common for young girls. • The Ritual of sati, which required the wife to throw herself on her dead husbands funeral pyre.
Greece • Political Organization o Impact of geography: Prevented from being united –Terrain/ Islands
o Polis: City states-Politics
o Democracy: male citizens, general assembly Height under Pericles – 462-429
o Oligarchy: narrow, elite families Transition to democracy gradual Monarchy > aristocracy > democracy Draco and Solon – fair, equal, firm laws
Monarchy: Monarchy > aristocracy > democracy Draco and Solon – fair, equal, firm laws
o Key city-state
Athens: – democracy – others dictatorship, oligarchy o Direct democracy – male citizens – lot – general assembly Height under Pericles – 462-429 o Even with restrictions, most representative government in ancient world
Sparta: rigid, slave-holding dictatorship o Most effective/feared army.
• Culture
o Major ideas of Greek Philosophy: • Truths and Ideas about the universe.
o Aristotle: logic, observation, experimentation led to scientific method Need for moderation and self-knowledge Knowledge of physical world through observing phenomenon and drawing conclusions
o Homer: legendary ancient Greek epic poet, traditionally said to be the author of the epic poems the Iliad and the Odyssey. • Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripedes
o Hippocrates: diseases have only natural causes 1. “Father of Medicine” 2. First to say medicine different science than religion 3. Created field of medicine 4. Hippocratic Oath – Greek idealism 5. Body has four “humors” – yellow bile, black bile, phlegm and blood
• Social Organization Overall – three groups Citizens – adult males engaged in commerce Free people with no political rights Non n citizens/slaves – had no rights 33%
Slavery common - excluded from political life Enabled democracy Greek citizens time to meet, vote, and create works of art and philosophy Potential to move up Skilled jobs, partially owned businesses, maybe buy freedom
Women treated as inferior – excluded from political life Married to men in their teens Father choose husband, power switched to new husband Virginity prized until marriage Childbirth expected after wedding Could not own property, participate in political life Divorce only initiated by man But…did have significant roles in religious festivals and rituals **In Sparta, some girls received military training-Greatest female equality of all city-states, maybe nations
• Women’s Status as compared to other Classical Societies:
Alexander the Great’s Empire • Areas included: o Iran o Afghanistan o Pakistan o Syria o Jordan o Turkey o Iraq
• Significance o Cultural diffusion: • Occurred due to trade and the expansion of Greek controlled lands. They shared goods through trade and imports but the true diffusion came through the sharing of ideas. Ideas were shared either through word of mouth or written word.
o Hellinisim/Hellinistic: • The process by which the individuality of the cultures of the earlier Greek city-states gave way to a uniform culture that stressed the common identity of all who embraced Greek ways. this culture emphasized the common denominators of language, style, and politics.
Rome • Political Organization o The Republic: the best-known writings of Plato, in which Socrates is shown outlining an ideal state, ruled by philosopher-kings.
o The Empire: An empire established by Augustus in 27 bc and divided in ad 395 into the western roman empire and the eastern or byzantine empire. At its peak lands in Europe and Africa and Asia were ruled by ancient Rome.
Religious policies: based on rituals, spirits, and sacred rites. These rituals had become very complex over the years and needed special people to perform them. This is where the priests came in. The chief priesthood’s were usually filled by distinguished statesmen or generals. Roman religion and politics were intermeshed
Twelve Tables/Roman Law: the earliest written collection of roman laws, drawn up by patricians about 450 b.c., that became the foundation of roman law
Technology/Engineering:
7. The Late Classic Period (200CE-600CE)
Causes: Collapse of Classic Empires
Western Rome: Han China: • Tax revolts by upper class and church exempt Officials exempt from taxes; difficult to collect from from taxes. peasant population. • Decrease in trade upon which economy depended Population increases lead to less land per family. • 25 out of 26 emperors died violently in one 50 year span. Corruption of court officials. • Division of empire weakened the western half. • Unable to defend against migratory invasions Unable to control large estate owners. of Goths and Huns. Constant conflict with the nomadic Xiongnu who invaded after collapse.
Reasons why the Eastern half of the Roman Empire did not collapse: o With the split, the eastern half became the Byzantine empire, with its capital at Constantinople. The eastern half encompassed the extremely wealthy provinces and heavy cavalry. Which was a great asset and vital to the success of the eastern empire
Byzantine Empire: o The eastern half of the Roman Empire, which survived after the fall of the western empire at the end of the 5th century c.e. its capital was Constantinople, named after the emperor Constantine. it
Constantinople:
o The new capital of the Roman Empire in 330 bc. this new capital was protected by massive walls and filled with imperial buildings modeled after those in Rome. Constantinople was named after Constantine.