Early Civilizations Overview

A government ruled by religious leaders.

A government where citizens directly vote on laws.

Trade winds blowing across the Indian Ocean that allowed sailors to plan predictable routes, easing the exchange of goods and ideas.

A government where citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.

A government ruled by a king or queen.

A government ruled by a small group of elites.

Followers believe in salvation through Jesus, love and forgiveness, and use the Bible as a sacred text.

Followers believe in the Five Pillars of Islam, the Quran as a sacred text, and submission to Allah.

A belief that the right to rule is granted by the gods, and rulers are required to govern justly and wisely to maintain this divine blessing.

A cycle where a dynasty rises, prospers, declines, and is replaced by a new dynasty due to corruption and instability.

The Qin Dynasty standardized currency, weights, and measures, constructed roads and the initial Great Wall, and centralized military control, leading to territorial expansion.

The Roman Empire and Han Dynasty both suffered from economic decline caused by high taxes, social instability due to inequality, political turmoil from corruption and weak leadership, and military weakness due to external threats.

The mountainous terrain of Greece encouraged the development of independent city-states, while proximity to the sea facilitated trade and cultural exchange.

Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle (philosophy); Pericles (statesmanship); Hippocrates (medicine); Herodotus (history) are some prominent figures from this period.

Patricians were the wealthy, ruling elite, while plebeians comprised commoners and laborers. Slaves had no rights.

Roman women could own property and manage businesses, but lacked political rights and were expected to focus on family responsibilities.

A farming method where land was divided into three parts: one planted in spring, one in fall, and one left fallow, increasing productivity.

Serfs were tied to the land, working for the lord in exchange for protection and a small portion of the crops.

The Church had immense religious, political, and economic power, influencing kings, enforcing laws, and collecting taxes.

Differences in theology, practices, and political conflicts, including disputes over the use of icons and the authority of the Pope versus the Patriarch.

Through fleas on rats, carried along trade routes such as the Silk Road and by ships.

Economic: Labor shortages led to higher wages. Social: Decline in population and breakdown of feudal structures. Political: Weakened Church authority as people questioned its inability to stop the plague.

Centralization of power under the monarchy. Introduction of Norman culture. Compilation of the Domesday Book for taxation.

Military: Introduction of longbows and cannons, diminishing the role of knights. Political: Rise of national identities in England and France.

One of the Five Pillars of Islam, it's a pilgrimage to Mecca required of Muslims who are physically and financially able.

A disagreement arose over who should lead the Muslim community after Prophet Muhammad's death, with Sunnis supporting Abu Bakr and Shias supporting Ali.

Islamic scholars developed the astrolabe to determine the direction of Mecca for prayer and improve navigation.

Indian mathematicians introduced the concept of zero and numerals. Islamic scholars adopted and spread these numerals to Europe, leading to the modern "Arabic numerals."

It facilitated the exchange of goods like gold and salt, spread Islam to West Africa, and contributed to the wealth of empires like Mali and Ghana.

The domestication of camels and development of camel caravans enabled traders to cross the Sahara Desert in North Africa.

A collection and organization of Roman laws that influenced European legal systems and preserved Roman legal traditions.

A political and social system where land was exchanged for military service, loyalty, and protection.

The period of time between 200 BCE and 100 CE spans 300 years. This is because the timeline goes from 200 BCE to 0, which is 200 years, then from 0 to 100 CE, which is another 100 years.

Bias refers to a preference or prejudice for or against something or someone. It often involves unfair judgment in favor of one side or another.

A civilization is characterized by:

• Advanced Cities: Organized centers of population with complex structures.
• Specialized Workers: People specializing in different tasks like farming, crafting, or governing.
• Complex Institutions: Organized systems like government, religion, and education.
• Record-keeping: Methods to document history, laws, and knowledge, such as writing systems.
• Advanced Technology: Tools and techniques beyond basic survival needs, such as irrigation systems or metalworking.

The abundance of agricultural goods allowed early civilizations to support larger populations. This led to specialization of labor, where people could focus on specific tasks beyond just farming. These factors enabled the development of complex societies.

River valley civilizations thrived along rivers because:

• Water for Agriculture: Rivers supplied water for irrigation.
• Fertile Soil: Annual flooding deposited rich soil, perfect for farming.
• Transportation & Trade: Rivers provided pathways for transportation and trade.

A monarchy is ruled by a king or queen, usually with hereditary succession. A theocracy is ruled by religious leaders, with laws based on religious teachings.

Seals with inscriptions and symbols found in the Indus Valley provide evidence of trade with Mesopotamia.

Hammurabi's Code was one of the earliest written legal codes. It established rules for justice and set consequences for breaking laws.

Ashoka Maurya was an Indian emperor of the Maurya Dynasty best known for promoting Buddhism after the Kalinga War, spreading it through edicts engraved on stone pillars.

The Gupta Empire saw advancements in mathematics, including the concept of zero and the decimal system. It was a period of significant developments in astronomy and medicine.

The fast-maturing Champa rice enabled multiple harvests each year, significantly increasing food production and contributing to population growth in China.

The Grand Canal connected northern and southern China, enabling efficient transportation of goods and grain.

The magnetic compass revolutionized navigation by enabling long-distance sea trade and exploration.

The Civil Service Exam in China ensured government officials were chosen based on merit and knowledge of Confucian principles, rather than family connections.

The scholar-gentry was an upper class in Medieval China, comprised of educated landowners who passed the Civil Service Exam.

Foot binding in Medieval China was a cultural practice that symbolized beauty and social status, primarily among elite women.

Genghis Khan was the founder and leader of the Mongol Empire. He is renowned for uniting the Mongol tribes and creating the largest contiguous empire in history.

The Mongol army had advantages over their enemies due to their superior horse-riding and archery skills. They also utilized psychological warfare, intimidation, and advanced military strategies.

The Mongol domination of Russia isolated it from Western Europe, imposed heavy tributes, and influenced Russian political centralization under Moscow.

The Mongols conquered parts of the Islamic world including Baghdad in 1258, ending the Abbasid Caliphate. They later assimilated into Islamic culture.

The Pax Mongolica, or "Mongol Peace", ensured safety and stability across trading routes like the Silk Road. It also facilitated cultural exchange and the diffusion of technologies, goods, and ideas.