Social Studies Chapter 3 Flashcards
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Questions and Answers

What is the Fertile Crescent?

  • A mountain range
  • A river
  • A type of crop
  • A region in the Middle East (correct)

    • What does Mesopotamia mean in Greek?

  • Land of the gods
  • Great plain
  • Land between two rivers (correct)
  • Area of irrigation

    • What did the Sumerians use to irrigate their crops?

  • River dikes
  • Underground wells
  • Irrigation canals (correct)
  • Rainwater

    • What is a city-state?

    <p>An independent state that includes a city and its surrounding territory.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is barter?

    <p>A trading system in which people exchange goods directly without using money.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is polytheism?

    <p>The belief in more than one god.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What were ziggurats?

    <p>Pyramid-shaped brick towers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is cuneiform?

    <p>A system of writing that uses triangular-shaped symbols.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What part of the Fertile Crescent was Sumer located in?

    <p>The Middle East.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did geography affect the Sumerians?

    <p>Floods could wash away their crops.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What created a social order in Sumerian society?

    <p>Distinct classes with specific roles.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why was trade important to Sumerian city-states?

    <p>Trade allowed for the exchange of goods essential for survival.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What made priests powerful in Sumerian society?

    <p>They could speak to the gods.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why was the development of cuneiform an important achievement?

    <p>It was the world's first system of writing.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did Sumerian writing develop?

    <p>It was created by priests.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did kings replace priests as rulers of Sumerian city-states?

    <p>By asking the gods.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which people held the most power in Sumer?

    <p>Priests and kings.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the area between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers called?

    <p>Mesopotamia.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Name two advances that helped Sumerian civilization expand: ______ and ______.

    <p>Technology, cuneiform.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did irrigation affect Sumer?

    <p>Irrigation allowed for stable water supply for crops, boosting agriculture.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an empire?

    <p>A state containing several countries or territories.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an ally?

    <p>An independent state that works with other states to achieve a shared goal.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the rule of law?

    <p>The idea that all members of society must obey the law.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a cultural trait?

    <p>An idea or way of doing things common in a culture.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Fertile Crescent

    • A crescent-shaped region in the Middle East, stretching from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean Sea.

    Mesopotamia

    • Part of the Fertile Crescent, located in present-day Iraq, known as "land between two rivers" (Tigris and Euphrates).

    Irrigation

    • Sumerians developed irrigation techniques by digging canals to supply water to crops, enhancing agricultural productivity during dry summers.

    City-State

    • An autonomous state consisting of a city and its surrounding territory, each with its own government, laws, and deity.

    Barter System

    • A direct trading method where goods are exchanged without monetary transactions.

    Polytheism

    • Sumerians practiced polytheism, believing in multiple gods who influenced various aspects of life, including agriculture and nature.

    Ziggurat

    • Pyramid-shaped brick towers in Sumerian cities, serving as temples; the largest reached seven stories and featured decorative artwork.

    Cuneiform

    • An early system of writing consisting of triangular-shaped symbols representing ideas and objects.

    Geography's Impact on Sumerians

    • Flooding from rivers posed a risk to crops, necessitating the development of irrigation and careful agricultural planning.

    Sumerian Social Classes

    • Three distinct social classes: upper class (rulers, priests, wealthy merchants), middle class (farmers, skilled workers), and lower class (mostly slaves).

    Importance of Trade

    • Trade was essential for Sumerian city-states to acquire resources not available locally, supporting economic growth.

    Distinct

    • Means separate or different, highlighting the unique roles within Sumerian society.

    Priests' Power

    • Priests were influential as they acted as intermediaries between the gods and the people, exclusively communicating divine will.

    Cuneiform's Significance

    • The creation of cuneiform marked the world's first writing system, facilitating record-keeping and communication.

    Development of Writing

    • Initially developed by priests, cuneiform evolved to enable greater communication and documentation.

    Transition of Power

    • Kings gained authority by claiming divine support, effectively replacing priests as rulers in Sumerian city-states.

    Definition of Polytheism

    • A belief system recognizing and worshiping multiple deities.

    Definition of City-State

    • An independent political unit comprising a city and its surrounding territory.

    Cuneiform Symbols

    • Utilized triangular-shaped symbols to convey various ideas and concepts.

    Power Dynamics in Sumer

    • Ultimately, priests and kings held the most power, influencing both religious and political spheres.

    Mesopotamia's Geographical Context

    • The area between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers is identified as Mesopotamia, foundational to early civilizations.

    Advances Supporting Sumerian Civilization

    • Key advances included development in technology and the implementation of cuneiform writing.

    Support Between Priests and Kings

    • Collaboration between priests and kings enabled the consolidation of power and stability within Sumerian society.

    Impact of Irrigation

    • Innovations in irrigation transformed agriculture, allowing for stable food production and population growth.

    Empire Definition

    • An entity comprising several territories or regions unified under a single government or authority.

    Ally Definition

    • An independent state cooperating with others for mutual military or political objectives.

    Rule of Law

    • Establishes that all members of society must adhere to laws, a foundational principle in modern democracies.

    Cultural Trait

    • A shared practice or belief within a culture, exemplified by similarities in religious practices and the use of cuneiform between Akkadians and Sumerians.

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    Description

    Test your knowledge of key concepts from Social Studies Chapter 3 with these flashcards. This chapter focuses on the Fertile Crescent and Mesopotamia, exploring their geographical significance and historical context. Perfect for students preparing for exams or looking to reinforce their understanding.

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