Ancient India and China Review

Ancient India and China

• Maurya Dynasty: Strong central government, extensive trade, and spread of Buddhism.
• Gupta Period: Golden age of Indian culture with achievements in science, mathematics, and art; revival of Hinduism.
• Shang Dynasty: Practiced ancestor worship and used oracle bones for divination.
• Zhou Governmental System: Decentralized feudal system that eventually failed due to internal conflicts.
• Qin Dynasty: Ruled by Shi Huangdi, implemented Legalism, and built the Great Wall.
• Han Dynasty: Wudi expanded the empire, established the Silk Road, and promoted civil service exams.

Ancient Greece

• Greek Philosophers:
  • Socrates: Promoted questioning and self-examination.
  • Plato: Wrote "The Republic" and founded the Academy.
  • Aristotle: Taught Alexander the Great, wrote on diverse subjects.

Islam/Muslim Empires

• Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca, required of Muslims.
• Kaaba: The most sacred site in Islam, located in Mecca.
• Sharia Law: Islamic legal system derived from the Quran and Hadith.
• Caliph: Successor to Muhammad as political and religious leader.
• Teachings of Islam: Five Pillars (faith, prayer, charity, fasting, pilgrimage).
• Muslim Treatment of Conquered Peoples: Generally allowed religious freedom but imposed taxes on non-Muslims.
• Sunni vs. Shiite Muslims: Split over the rightful successor to Muhammad; Sunnis supported Abu Bakr, Shiites supported Ali.
• Abbasid/Umayyad Caliphates: Abbasid focused on cultural and scientific advancements; Umayyad on military expansion.
• Persian Influence on Abbasids: Adopted Persian bureaucratic practices and cultural elements.
• Byzantine Influence on Umayyads: Adopted administrative practices and architectural styles.
• Moors in Spain: Muslims who ruled parts of Spain, known for contributions to culture and architecture like Alhambra.
• Ottomans: Conquered Constantinople, leading to significant cultural exchanges.
• Delhi Sultanate/Islam in India: Established Muslim rule in India, leading to cultural blending.
• Mughal Empire: Founded by Babur, promoted tolerance by Akbar, built the Taj Mahal by Shah Jahan, and declined under Aurangzeb.

European Middle Ages

• Germanic Kingdoms and the Fall of Rome: Germanic tribes settled in Roman territories, contributing to Rome’s decline.
• Frankish Kingdom/Charlemagne: United much of Western Europe; Treaty of Verdun divided his empire.

African Civilizations

• Bantu Migrations: Spread of language and culture across Africa.
• Ghana, Mali, Songhai: West African kingdoms that controlled trade routes.
• Axum: Christian kingdom in modern-day Ethiopia.

East Asia Civilizations

• Tang and Song Dynasties: Golden ages of China, known for cultural and technological advancements.
• Yuan Dynasty/Kublai Khan: Mongol rule in China; established the Yuan Dynasty.

Exploration and Conquest

• Line of Demarcation/Treaty of Tordesillas: Divided new lands between Spain and Portugal.
• Hernan Cortes: Conquered the Aztecs.
• Francisco Pizarro: Conquered the Incas.