Major World Religions Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is a core belief of Buddhism?

Moksha

The Trinity

The covenant with God

The Four Noble Truths (correct)

Which religious text is associated with Hinduism?

The Vedas (correct)

The Quran

The Torah

The Bible

What was a significant impact of the Indian Ocean Trade?

The establishment of monotheism

The rise of powerful trading cities (correct)

The spread of Christianity

The fall of the Roman Empire

What distinguishes Shi’a Islam from Sunni Islam?

Leadership based on lineage (B) Signup and view all the answers

Who is considered the founder of Christianity?

Jesus Christ (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which caliphate is associated with the golden age of science and culture?

Abbasid Caliphate (C) Signup and view all the answers

What concept is central to Hindu beliefs regarding the cycle of life and rebirth?

Karma (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following religions emphasizes submission to Allah as a core belief?

Islam (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant characteristic of the Safavid Empire?

Cultural advancements and promotion of Shi’a Islam (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the impact of Mansa Musa on trade in West Africa?

He expanded trade and showcased Mali's wealth. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How did geography influence trade in Africa?

By establishing trade routes shaped by deserts and rivers (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was a notable effect of the Black Death on Europe?

Economic decline and social upheaval (A) Signup and view all the answers

What motivated the Crusades in the medieval period?

Religious motivations and desire for wealth (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a major characteristic of feudalism in Europe?

A hierarchy of lords, vassals, and serfs (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was the impact of the printing press on society?

It made books more affordable and spread ideas rapidly. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What characterized the characteristics and impacts of absolute monarchies?

Claiming divine right and centralized power (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which trade network was known for the exchange of silk and technology?

Silk Road (A) Signup and view all the answers

What triggered the Protestant Reformation in Europe?

Corruption in the Catholic Church and Martin Luther’s 95 Theses (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the Middle Passage?

The brutal transport of enslaved Africans to the Americas (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was a common result of Columbus's voyages?

Beginning of European colonization and the Columbian Exchange (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which movement emphasized reason and individual rights during the Enlightenment?

Humanism (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic was prevalent in Japan's feudal system?

Daimyos controlled lands with samurai loyalty (D) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Major Religions

Christianity: Originated in 1st-century CE Judea, based on Jesus Christ's teachings. Key beliefs include the Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit), salvation through faith, and the Bible as scripture.
Hinduism: Developed in the Indian subcontinent, one of the oldest religions. Key beliefs encompass karma, dharma, reincarnation (samsara), and liberation (moksha). Sacred texts include the Vedas and Upanishads.
Buddhism: Founded by Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) in 5th-6th century BCE India. Core teachings focus on the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path to enlightenment and ending suffering.
Judaism: A monotheistic religion of Hebrews, tracing back to Abraham and Moses. Central beliefs center on covenant with God and adherence to the Torah.
Islam: Originated in 7th-century CE Arabia with the prophet Muhammad. Islam emphasizes submission to Allah. Core beliefs include the Five Pillars of Islam and the Quran as scripture.

Indian Ocean Trade (c. 800-1500 CE)

Connected East Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.
Navigated using monsoon winds.
Exchanged goods like spices, textiles, ivory, and gold.
Promoted spread of technology, religion (especially Islam), and cultural practices.
Led to economic prosperity, cultural exchange, and development of powerful trading cities like Malacca and Zanzibar.

Islamic Caliphates (Umayyad and Abbasid)

Umayyad Caliphate (661-750 CE): Rapid expansion across North Africa, Spain, and the Middle East. Promoted Arabic as an administrative language and established a vast trade network.
Abbasid Caliphate (750-1258 CE): Centered in Baghdad, fostered a golden age of science, literature, and culture. Significant advancements in medicine, mathematics, and philosophy.

Sunni and Shi'a Islam

Sunni: Believe the first four caliphs were rightful successors to Muhammad. Leadership is not based on hereditary lineage.
Shi'a: Believe only Ali (Muhammad's cousin) and his descendants are legitimate leaders. This split arose after Muhammad's death.

Islamic "Gunpowder Empires"

Ottoman Empire: Spanning Europe, Asia, and Africa. Known for military strength, efficient administration, and cultural achievements.
Safavid Empire: Centered in Persia, promoted Shi'a Islam and fostered cultural advancements in art, architecture, etc.
Mughal Empire: Ruled most of India, blending Persian and Indian cultures. Famous for architectural achievements, including the Taj Mahal.

Africa: Geography, Camels, and Resources

African geography (deserts, rivers) shaped trade routes.
Camels revolutionized trans-Saharan trade, facilitating movement of salt, gold, and other goods.
Natural resources (especially gold) enriched empires like Mali.

Islam in West Africa and Mansa Musa

Islam's influence on West Africa affected governance, law, and education.
Mansa Musa, a Malian ruler, significantly expanded trade and wealth. His pilgrimage to Mecca showcased Mali's prosperity.

Feudalism in Europe and Japan

Europe: System of lords, vassals, and serfs with manorial economies. Catholic Church was a major power.
Japan: Samurai warriors served daimyos. Shinto and Zen Buddhism influenced culture. Both systems emphasized loyalty and hierarchy.

Crusades

Causes: Religious zeal for reclaiming the Holy Land, desire for wealth and land, and papal influence.
Impacts: Increased trade between Europe and the Middle East, weakened feudalism, and strained Christian-Muslim relations.

The Black Death (1347-1351)

Bubonic plague pandemic that spread through trade routes.
Decimated Europe's population, causing economic decline, social upheaval, and weakened Church authority.

Renaissance

Emphasized humanism, secularism, and revival of classical learning.
Spurred advancements in art, science, and exploration. Figures like Leonardo da Vinci and Galileo emerged.

Printing Press

Invented by Johannes Gutenberg, revolutionized communication.
Made books affordable, spread ideas rapidly, and contributed to the Reformation and Scientific Revolution.

Protestant Reformation

Causes: Church corruption (including sale of indulgences), and Martin Luther's 95 Theses.
Impacts: Religious division, rise of Protestant churches, and religious wars.

Mongol Empire

Facilitated trade across Eurasia (Pax Mongolica).
Introduced technologies and connected China and Europe.
Conquests were often destructive.

China's Civil Service System

Based on Confucian principles, selecting officials through examinations.
Promoted meritocracy, stability, and bureaucracy.

Isolationism in China and Japan

Limited foreign trade and contact to preserve traditional culture.
Restricted technology progress. In Japan, this policy persisted until the 19th century.

European Global Exploration

Driven by desire for wealth, spreading Christianity, and technological advancements (compass, caravel).
Spain and Portugal spearheaded expeditions.

Columbus and European Expansionism

Voyages opened the Americas to European colonization.
Led to the Columbian Exchange (cultural exchange), but also indigenous population decline.

The Great Dying

European diseases (like smallpox) devastated indigenous populations in the Americas.
Caused societal collapse and facilitated conquest.

Triangular Trade

Exchanged goods between Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Included enslaved people, sugar, cotton and manufactured goods.
Benefited Europe, but caused significant human suffering.

Middle Passage and Slavery

Brutally transported enslaved Africans across the Atlantic.
Supported plantation economies.

Absolute Monarchies

Centralized power, claimed divine right, and controlled military and governance.
Example: Louis XIV of France.

Enlightenment

Promoted reason, individual rights, and secular government.
Inspired revolutions like the American and French Revolutions.

French Revolution

Causes: Economic hardship, inequality, and Enlightenment ideals.
Effects: Overthrow of the monarchy, rise of Napoleon, and spread of revolutionary ideas.

Napoleon's Defeat

Failed invasion of Russia, coalition of European powers, and Battle of Waterloo (1815) led to Napoleon's downfall.

Haitian Revolution

First successful slave revolt, leading to Haiti's independence.
Challenged global perceptions of slavery.

Primary vs. Secondary Sources

Primary: Direct original records (e.g., letters, diaries).
Secondary: Analyses or interpretations of primary sources.

Major Trade Networks and Goods

Silk Road: Silk, spices, and technology.
Indian Ocean: Spices, textiles, ivory.
Trans-Saharan: Gold, salt, and enslaved people.

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Description

Explore the major world religions including Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, and Islam. This quiz covers their foundational beliefs, key figures, and sacred texts. Test your knowledge on the diversity and commonalities among these faiths.