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Questions and Answers
What prompted the establishment of the rival Empire in the South?
What prompted the establishment of the rival Empire in the South?
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During which period did the Majapahit Kingdom exist?
During which period did the Majapahit Kingdom exist?
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Which geographic region was primarily involved in sea-based empires discussed?
Which geographic region was primarily involved in sea-based empires discussed?
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What was the initial relationship between the Delhi Sultanate and the South?
What was the initial relationship between the Delhi Sultanate and the South?
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What metaphor was used to describe the reaction to imposed rule?
What metaphor was used to describe the reaction to imposed rule?
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What was a significant influence on the emergence of the Swahili language?
What was a significant influence on the emergence of the Swahili language?
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Which characteristic defines the political structure of the Swahili civilization?
Which characteristic defines the political structure of the Swahili civilization?
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How did the conversion to Islam in West African empires primarily occur?
How did the conversion to Islam in West African empires primarily occur?
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What were the House of Kingdoms primarily known for?
What were the House of Kingdoms primarily known for?
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What factor contributed to the rapid Islamic integration of the Swahili States into Islamic trade?
What factor contributed to the rapid Islamic integration of the Swahili States into Islamic trade?
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When was the capital city of Great Zimbabwe believed to be built?
When was the capital city of Great Zimbabwe believed to be built?
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What primarily distinguished the economic activities of the Swahili city-states from those of the House of Kingdoms?
What primarily distinguished the economic activities of the Swahili city-states from those of the House of Kingdoms?
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What social hierarchy was prevalent in the Swahili civilization?
What social hierarchy was prevalent in the Swahili civilization?
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How did the Majapahit Kingdom primarily maintain its influence in Southeast Asia?
How did the Majapahit Kingdom primarily maintain its influence in Southeast Asia?
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What was the significance of Angkor Wat in relation to the Khmer Empire?
What was the significance of Angkor Wat in relation to the Khmer Empire?
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What characterized the administration of the Aztec Empire?
What characterized the administration of the Aztec Empire?
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What economic activity was primarily responsible for the wealth of Great Zimbabwe?
What economic activity was primarily responsible for the wealth of Great Zimbabwe?
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How did the Inca Empire maintain control over its territory?
How did the Inca Empire maintain control over its territory?
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Which resource was crucial for the development of the Mississippian culture?
Which resource was crucial for the development of the Mississippian culture?
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Which religion did the people of Ethiopia maintain as they grew in power?
Which religion did the people of Ethiopia maintain as they grew in power?
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What was a key distinguishing feature of the Mississippian culture's political structure?
What was a key distinguishing feature of the Mississippian culture's political structure?
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Which of the following accurately describes the political structure of Western Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire?
Which of the following accurately describes the political structure of Western Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire?
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The powerful Lords and Kings in feudal Europe gained allegiance from which of the following?
The powerful Lords and Kings in feudal Europe gained allegiance from which of the following?
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What was one major difference between how the Aztecs and Incas governed their empires?
What was one major difference between how the Aztecs and Incas governed their empires?
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Which civilization is known for its significant involvement in Indian Ocean trade?
Which civilization is known for its significant involvement in Indian Ocean trade?
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What was the primary role of serfs in the manorial system?
What was the primary role of serfs in the manorial system?
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How did the adoption of Eastern Orthodox Christianity influence the Kievan Rus?
How did the adoption of Eastern Orthodox Christianity influence the Kievan Rus?
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What was the primary function of the tribute system in the Aztec Empire?
What was the primary function of the tribute system in the Aztec Empire?
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In addition to being a Hindu temple, what elements were later added to Angkor Wat?
In addition to being a Hindu temple, what elements were later added to Angkor Wat?
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What kind of religious influence was prominent in Europe, aside from Christianity?
What kind of religious influence was prominent in Europe, aside from Christianity?
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What was the unique agricultural technique of the Incas called?
What was the unique agricultural technique of the Incas called?
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Which group also exerted influence in Europe despite being a minority?
Which group also exerted influence in Europe despite being a minority?
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Which of the following describes the early political structure of the Aztec Empire?
Which of the following describes the early political structure of the Aztec Empire?
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What was a significant characteristic of Ethiopia compared to other African states during this period?
What was a significant characteristic of Ethiopia compared to other African states during this period?
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What was one impact of the decline of the Majapahit Kingdom?
What was one impact of the decline of the Majapahit Kingdom?
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What was the primary economic focus of the rulers in Great Zimbabwe besides farming?
What was the primary economic focus of the rulers in Great Zimbabwe besides farming?
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What type of feudal relationship existed between lords and vassals?
What type of feudal relationship existed between lords and vassals?
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What role did the Roman Catholic Church play in Western European society?
What role did the Roman Catholic Church play in Western European society?
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Which of the following factors contributed to the decline of the Byzantine Empire by 1200?
Which of the following factors contributed to the decline of the Byzantine Empire by 1200?
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What characterized the relationship between nobles and serfs in feudal Europe?
What characterized the relationship between nobles and serfs in feudal Europe?
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What was a primary method the Song Dynasty used to maintain its rule?
What was a primary method the Song Dynasty used to maintain its rule?
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What key social concept did Neo-Confucianism emphasize during the Song Dynasty?
What key social concept did Neo-Confucianism emphasize during the Song Dynasty?
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What was the nature of women's rights in Song China compared to earlier dynasties?
What was the nature of women's rights in Song China compared to earlier dynasties?
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What was the civil service examination based on in the Song Dynasty?
What was the civil service examination based on in the Song Dynasty?
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Which of the following was a significant agricultural innovation during the Song period?
Which of the following was a significant agricultural innovation during the Song period?
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Which region's governance was influenced by Chinese practices during the Song Dynasty?
Which region's governance was influenced by Chinese practices during the Song Dynasty?
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How did the Seljuk Empire relate to the Abbasid Caliphate?
How did the Seljuk Empire relate to the Abbasid Caliphate?
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What was a key factor in the economic development of the Song Dynasty?
What was a key factor in the economic development of the Song Dynasty?
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In what way did Buddhism adapt as it spread into East Asia?
In what way did Buddhism adapt as it spread into East Asia?
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What was one notable cultural achievement from the Islamic Golden Age?
What was one notable cultural achievement from the Islamic Golden Age?
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What significant change occurred in the leadership of Muslim empires during 1200 to 1450?
What significant change occurred in the leadership of Muslim empires during 1200 to 1450?
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What was the primary function of the House of Wisdom established in Baghdad?
What was the primary function of the House of Wisdom established in Baghdad?
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Which of the following accurately describes Sharia law?
Which of the following accurately describes Sharia law?
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Study Notes
Unit 1: 1200-1450
- Time Period: 1200 to 1450 CE
- Focus: Major civilizations, state building, and justification of rule.
- Definition of "State": A territory politically organized under a single government (e.g., United States, Japan).
Song Dynasty (China)
- Dates: 960-1279 CE
- Rule Justification: Emphasized Confucianism (neo-Confucianism).
- Neo-Confucianism: A revival of Confucianism with a focus on resisting Buddhist influence and maintaining a hierarchical social order.
- Filial Piety: Children's obedience and respect for parents and ancestors was emphasized to maintain social harmony.
- Women's Roles: Subordinate position, limited access to education, and foot binding emerged as status symbols for elites.
- Imperial Bureaucracy: Expanded through a civil service examination based on Confucianism to select qualified candidates for bureaucratic positions, despite a reality where wealth often determined eligibility.
Dar al-Islam
- Definition: Regions of the world where Islam was the organizing principle of civilizations.
- Shift in Power: The Abbasid caliphate (Arab) declined, replaced by Turkic Empires (e.g., Seljuk Empire).
- Seljuk Empire: A Central Asian Turkic Empire that rose in power in the 11th Century.
- Islamic Legal System: Sharia law continued as the organizing principle of legal systems.
- Cultural and Scientific Achievements: Preservation of Greek philosophical works and development of mathematics (e.g., Nasir al-Din al-Tusi). House of Wisdom library in Baghdad was a crucial knowledge preservation center during the Golden Age of Islam.
- Expansion Methods: Military conquest, merchant networks (trans-Saharan and Indian Ocean trade), and Sufi missionary activities.
South and Southeast Asia
- Belief Systems: Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam were influential.
- South Asia: Buddhism declined, while Hinduism and Islam rose in prominence with the Delhi Sultanate. The Bhakti movement emphasized devotion to a single Hindu god.
- State Building: Pockets of Hindu resistance (Rajput Kingdoms, Vijayanagara Empire) challenged Muslim rule in Northern and Central India
- Southeast Asia: Majapahit (island-based Buddhist kingdom) and Khmer Empire (land-based, initially Hindu, later Buddhist) competed for influence. Angkor Wat reflects the blending of Hindu and Buddhist religious traditions.
Americas
- Mesoamerica: Aztec Empire (1345), characterized by an elaborate tribute system and human sacrifice.
- Andean Civilization: Inca Empire incorporated existing societies; centralized bureaucracy; Mita system (labor service).
- North America: Mississippian Culture, characterized by large towns and monumental mounds in the Mississippi River valley.
Africa
- East Africa: Swahili civilization, a network of city-states engaged in Indian Ocean trade; influenced by Islam, developing a hybrid language.
- West Africa: Ghana, Mali, Songhai Empires; initially independent; often dominated by indigenous beliefs, with elite conversions to Islam. Hausaland was a collection of city-states.
- Great Zimbabwe: Powerful state based on agriculture and cattle herding; involved in trade, wealth, and gold, but without widespread conversion to Islam.
- Ethiopia: Christian state; hierarchical power structure.
Europe
- Belief Systems: Eastern Orthodox Christianity in the Byzantine Empire; Roman Catholicism throughout Western Europe.
- Political Organization: Decentralized States, Feudalism (lords and vassals exchanging land for military service), Manorialism (manor and serfs).
- Economic Organization: Serfdom tied peasants to the land of powerful landowners, initially decentralized.
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Description
Explore the major civilizations and state-building efforts from 1200 to 1450 CE, with a focus on the Song Dynasty in China. Understand the role of Confucianism, women's position in society, and the expansion of the imperial bureaucracy. Test your knowledge on the political organization and justification of rule during this pivotal period.
