History Before 1200 C.E.

Questions and Answers

What was a key feature of trade connections by 1200?

Western Europe had an advanced maritime trading network.

The Americas and Oceania were extensively involved in global trade.

The Byzantine Empire isolated itself from international trade.

Africa, Europe, and Asia were linked through various trade routes. (correct)

Which empire is associated with the Golden Age of Islam?

Mughal Empire

Abbasid Empire (correct)

Safavid Empire

Ottoman Empire

What system of governance was prevalent in Western Europe and Japan around 1200?

Feudalism (correct)

Democracy

Theocracy

Absolute monarchy

Which of the following describes the situation in Africa by 1200?

Most of Africa was stateless except for parts of West and East Africa. Signup and view all the answers

What significant development occurred in China during the period of the Sui, Tang, and Song dynasties?

The rise of Neoconfucianism and civil service exams. Signup and view all the answers

What significant change occurred during the Agricultural Revolution?

Domestication of crops and animals began. Signup and view all the answers

Which feature distinguished the Mauryan Empire during its high point?

Inscription of edicts by Ashoka. Signup and view all the answers

What was a key teaching of Confucianism?

Importance of education and respect for authority. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes the Roman Republic?

It featured a representative government. Signup and view all the answers

Which civilization is known for its early form of monotheism?

Zoroastrianism in Persia. Signup and view all the answers

What event marked the decline of the Roman Empire?

Challenges in tax collection and social conflict. Signup and view all the answers

What was a key characteristic of the Byzantine Empire?

It became a cosmopolitan center of trade. Signup and view all the answers

Which civilization developed the complex written language in the Americas?

Mayans. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Mandate of Heaven provide in the context of Chinese governance?

Divine right to rule for a monarch. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was NOT a result of the Agricultural Revolution?

Complete return to nomadic lifestyles. Signup and view all the answers

Which civilization is associated with the concept of a strong centralized government and an efficient bureaucracy?

The Persian Empire. Signup and view all the answers

What was a major factor in the decline of many classical empires?

Unmanageable size leading to loss of unity. Signup and view all the answers

The Great Schism established which of the following?

Eastern Orthodox Church. Signup and view all the answers

Which philosophical ideas did Confucius emphasize?

Education, virtue, and respect. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The First Migrations

Homo Sapiens emerged in East Africa between 200,000 and 100,000 BCE as hunter-gatherers.
Lived in small, nomadic groups; used fire and stone tools.
Practiced animism, venerating nature deities, and exhibited early signs of patriarchy.
Migration increased post Ice Age (100,000-60,000 years ago), leading humans to inhabit all continents by 10,000 BCE, except Antarctica.

The Agricultural Revolution

Approximately 10,000 years ago, the Neolithic Revolution began, marked by the domestication of plants and animals.
Surplus food production enabled specialization in non-food activities, fostering population growth and technological advances (e.g., wheel).
Established government, taxation, social classes, and competition for resources emerged.

First Civilizations - River Valleys

River Valley Civilizations included Mesopotamia (Iraq), Egypt (Nile River), Indus River Valley (South Asia), and China (Yellow River).
Non-river valley civilizations like the Olmec and Chavin also developed.

Early Religions

Hinduism arose from Aryan migrations; its teachings are encapsulated in the Vedas, including beliefs in reincarnation and caste systems.
Zoroastrianism, an early monotheistic faith from Persia, posits a conflict between good and evil.
Judaism traces its origins from Abraham, emphasizing a covenant with Yahweh and the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament).

The Classical Era (600 BCE - 600 CE)

Major empires emerged: Persian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Mauryan, Gupta, Qin, Han, and Mayan, laying groundwork for future civilizations.
Trade routes developed, including the Silk Roads, Mediterranean Sea routes, and Indian Ocean maritime links, facilitating the exchange of goods and ideas.

Developments in South Asia (320 BCE – 550 CE)

The Mauryan Empire unified South Asia, peaking under Ashoka, who promoted Buddhism and inscribed edicts.
The Gupta Empire marked a 'Golden Age,' showcasing advancements in medicine, art, mathematics, and a strong caste system.

Confucianism & Developments in East Asia

The Mandate of Heaven justified emperors' rule in China; failure indicated a loss of divine support, leading to rebellion.
Confucianism emphasized proper behavior, education, and social hierarchy during the Warring States period.
The Qin Dynasty centralized control, while the Han Dynasty established the Civil Service Exam, fostering a meritocratic bureaucracy.

Civilizations of Western Eurasia and Christianity

Persia, under Cyrus the Great, boasted a centralized government and extensive trade networks, influenced by Zoroastrianism.
Ancient Greece was characterized by divided city-states; Athens was noted for democracy, while Sparta was militaristic.
Rome adopted Greek culture, established a republic, and later an empire. Noteworthy for the Twelve Tables and gradual adoption of Christianity.

Byzantine Empire (330-1453 CE)

The eastern portion of the Roman Empire, with Constantinople as its capital, was influential economically and politically.
Notable achievements include the Justinian Law Code and Hagia Sophia, alongside the establishment of the Eastern Orthodox Church after the Great Schism (1054).

Early American Civilizations

Teotihuacan (150 BCE) in modern Mexico City was a multicultural urban center that later influenced the Aztecs.
The Mayans developed a complex written language, precise calendars, and the concept of zero.

Comparison in the Classical Age

Early trade networks benefitted from technological innovations, boosting commercial connections.
Decline of classical empires stemmed from governance challenges, weakened tax collection, trade declines, disease spread, social inequality, and external attacks.
Religions often unified societies despite governmental collapse, exemplified in South Asia.

Postclassical Civilizations (600 CE - 1200 CE)

The decline of classical civilizations led to diminished trade, learning, and social stability.
New centralized states emerged, promoting peace and revitalizing trade networks (Silk Roads, Indian Ocean, trans-Saharan routes).
By 1200, interconnected regions included stable Islamic empires, a recovering Byzantine Empire, and decentralized governance in Western Europe and Japan.
Afro-Eurasia, North America, and Oceania experienced distinct developmental trajectories, often in isolation from one another.

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Description

Explore the early human migrations and development from 200,000 to 600 BCE. Learn about Homo Sapiens, their nomadic lifestyle, the use of stone tools, and early belief systems such as animism. This quiz covers the foundational aspects of human history before the Common Era.

History Before 1200 C.E. - Unit 0