History study guide 2.docx

**Nubia and Southern Nilotic Civilizations** 1. **Natural Borders in the Nile**: - The natural borders that helped separate Nubian kingdoms like Kush from Egypt included the cataracts of the Nile. These were areas of rapid, shallow water and rocky outcrops that made...

**Nubia and Southern Nilotic Civilizations** 1. **Natural Borders in the Nile**: - The natural borders that helped separate Nubian kingdoms like Kush from Egypt included the cataracts of the Nile. These were areas of rapid, shallow water and rocky outcrops that made navigation and travel difficult. Specifically, the First Cataract near Aswan marked a significant boundary between ancient Egypt and Nubia. 2. **Kerma or Meroe**: - The Kingdom of Kerma came first. It existed from around 2500 BCE to 1500 BCE, while the Kingdom of Meroe rose to prominence much later, around 800 BCE and lasted until around 350 CE. **The Americas** 1. **Ancestors of Native Americans**: - The ancestors of Native Americans are believed to have come from Siberia, a region in Asia. They migrated to the Americas via the Bering Land Bridge, which connected present-day Russia and Alaska during the last Ice Age. 2. **Tools Used During Transition**: - These migrating peoples used stone tools during their transition to the Americas. This period is often associated with the Paleolithic (Old Stone Age), characterized by the use of simple, chipped stone tools. **Meso-America** 1. **Mayan Civilization**: - The Mayan civilization arose in the region that is now southeastern Mexico, all of Guatemala and Belize, and the western portions of Honduras and El Salvador. The civilization is generally considered to have lasted from around 2000 BCE to 1500 CE. 2. **Sciences and Contributions**: - The Maya were particularly gifted in astronomy and mathematics. - **Astronomy**: They developed a highly accurate calendar system, including the Long Count calendar, which was used to track longer periods of time. - **Mathematics**: They developed the concept of zero and a vigesimal (base-20) number system, which was crucial for their calendar and astronomical calculations. **Rise of Islam and Central Asia** 1. **Founder of Islam and Region**: - The founder of Islam is considered to be the Prophet Muhammad. Islam developed in the Arabian Peninsula, specifically in the region of present-day Saudi Arabia. 2. **Holy Text of Islam**: - The holy text of Islam is called the Quran. It is considered the literal word of God as revealed to Muhammad, and it is important because it provides the foundation for Muslim beliefs, practices, law, and spirituality. 3. **Mongols and Genghis Khan**: - The Mongols were a group of nomadic tribes from the Central Asian steppes. Genghis Khan, originally named Temujin, unified these tribes and founded the Mongol Empire, which became the largest contiguous empire in history. 4. **Legacy Contributions of Genghis Khan**: - The major legacy contributions of Genghis Khan include: - The unification of the Mongol tribes. - The establishment of a vast trade network across Eurasia. - The promotion of religious tolerance within his empire. - The implementation of a written script for the Mongolian language. **The Reformation and the Enlightenment** 1. **Most Important Change of the Reformation**: - The most important change to European religion created by the Reformation was the establishment of Protestantism, leading to the division of Christianity into Protestant and Catholic branches. 2. **Key Contributions of the Enlightenment**: - The key contributions of the Enlightenment include: - **Reason**: Emphasizing rational thought and scientific inquiry over superstition and religious dogma. - **Individualism**: Promoting the rights and worth of the individual, including ideas of personal liberty and democracy. - **Skepticism**: Encouraging questioning of traditional authority and beliefs, which led to advancements in political, scientific, and social thought. 3. **System of Landowners and Dependent Farmers**: - The system that included landowners and dependent farmers called peasants was known as feudalism. **18th and 19th Century Europe** 1. **Political Reforms Sparking the French Revolution**: - Political reforms that sparked the French Revolution included demands for more representation, the establishment of a constitutional monarchy, and the abolition of feudal privileges. 2. **Leaders of Latin American Revolutions**: - Leaders of the Latin American revolutions included figures like Simón Bolívar and José de San Martín. These revolutions differed from those in Europe as they were primarily focused on gaining independence from European colonial powers, whereas European revolutions often focused on changing existing national governance and social structures. 3. **Emperor of the First French Empire**: - The Emperor of the First French Empire was Napoleon Bonaparte. **The World Wars** 1. **Murder of Archduke Ferdinand**: - The murder of Archduke Franz Ferdinand started the First World War by creating tensions between Austria-Hungary and Serbia. 2. **Great Stock Market Crash**: - The Great Stock Market Crash occurred in 1929, primarily caused by speculative investments, excessive borrowing, and a lack of regulation in the stock market. 3. **Alliances in World Wars**: - World War One: The two alliances were the Allies (including France, the United Kingdom, Russia, and later the United States) and the Central Powers (including Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire). - World War Two: The alliances were the Allies (including the United States, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and China) and the Axis (including Germany, Italy, and Japan). 4. **US Entry into World Wars**: - World War One: The US entered due to unrestricted submarine warfare by Germany and the Zimmermann Telegram. - World War Two: The US entered after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. 5. **Germany and Japan Surrender in World War Two**: - Germany surrendered in May 1945 due to Allied advances and the capture of Berlin. Japan surrendered in August 1945 following the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the Soviet declaration of war. **Modern Middle East** 1. **Partition of the Middle East**: - The partition of the Middle East was largely between colonial powers, primarily Britain and France, as part of the Sykes-Picot Agreement. 2. **Economic Resources**: - The economic resources of interest to Europe and the United States in the Middle East included oil and natural gas. **Modern Economic and Political Systems** 1. **Traits of Capitalism and Free Market**: - Key traits of capitalism and a free market include private property, individual entrepreneurship, competition, and minimal government intervention. It allows for the exchange of goods and services based on supply and demand. 2. **Traits of Socialism**: - Key traits of socialism include collective or governmental ownership of the means of production, distribution based on need, and a focus on reducing economic inequality. Karl Marx is credited as one of its primary founders. 3. **Nationalism**: - Nationalism is a political ideology that emphasizes the interests, culture, and value of a nation or ethnic group. Its focus as a system is on promoting national sovereignty, unity, and often the superiority of one\'s own nation over others