Download Maps/Early People/History

6th Grade Social Studies Knowledge Map
2013-14
Maps/Early People/History
1
What are the largest bodies of water on earth called? Name them.
Oceans-Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Arctic
2
What is climate?
Climate is weather conditions in a place over a long period of time.
3
What are the five themes of geography?
Location, place, region, movement, and human-environment interaction.
4
There are two tools that Geographers use to represent (or show) Earth. What are they?
Globes and maps
5
If you’re an archeologist, and you’re trying to learn about the past, you mostly search for what two
things?
fossils and artifacts
6
Why was the discovery of “Lucy” important for archaeologists?
She’s one of the first almost complete skeletons ever discovered.
7
Why would historians look for patterns when they study the past?

They want to see why people did what they did and whether it worked or not.

They wanted to see whether people repeated the same mistakes again and again.

Need two to get this right!
8
What is a Secondary source?
Any retelling of an event (books, paintings, and media reports) created by someone who was NOT
present at an event.
9
The study of earth and its people is called…?
Geography
10
The earth is divided into seven large landmasses called? Name them
Continents-Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America
11
Name three ways climate affects people:




What people wear
What people do for a job
What people eat
Other answers acceptable with teacher ok.
12
Which two of the five geography themes deals with how places are similar or different?
Place and region
13
Explain Human-Environment Interaction (it’s one of the 5 Themes of Geography)
It’s how people use and change the environment around them. Can be positive or negative.
14
When writing longitude, what cardinal directions follow the coordinates? (example: 102°____)
east and west
15
When writing latitude, what cardinal directions follow the coordinates? (example: 56°____)
north and south
16
What is the 0 degree latitude line called?
Equator
17
What is the 0 degree longitude line called?
Prime Meridian
18
What do political maps show?
cities, states, provinces, territories and countries.
19
What do physical maps show?
A physical map shows landforms and bodies of water.
20
What do thematic maps show?
Specific info like climate, distribution of natural resources (how many cows live in a certain place. )
21
Louis and Mary Leakey’s discoveries suggest human evolution started in what continent?
Africa
22
Define “oral history.”
customs told (spoken orally) and passed down from generation to generation
23
What kind of source is a letter written by someone who witnessed an event?
Primary Source
24
Modern maps are made with the help of…?
Satellites/GPS
25
Which two of the five themes of geography might help you understand the differences between two
cultures?
Place and region
26
Why did hunter-gatherers often move around to survive?
They had to follow animals and seasonal plants.
27
If you lived in a nomadic society, what do you do a lot of?
move
28
What does migration mean?
Moving to new and distant lands
29
Give an example of early human domestication?

growing and tending crops.

raising sheep for food and wool.

training animals for plowing.

Other answers are acceptable with teacher ok.
30
How did domestication change way of life for early humans? Name two.

Didn’t have to hunt as much

Didn’t have to leave village

Animals became reliable source of meat and milk

Animals skins used for shelter and clothing

Planting allowed humans and animals to eat more easily

Other answers are acceptable with teacher ok.
31
What was the “Agricultural Revolution”?
The shift from having to gather food to instead, raising it yourself
32
What were two problems with the “slash-and-burn agriculture” method?

Led to poor soil over time which means you couldn’t replant your crops.

As a result, people had to keep moving to find new places to plant
33
Irrigation systems are used to…
water crops
34
What are two ways planting and harvesting seeds led to the development of villages?
•
People didn’t have to hunt for food
•
They could stay at home and build more permanent settlements
•
Groups were able to better protect themselves because they weren’t scattered about
•
Need at least two to get this right
35
What does it mean when you have a “surplus” of something?
You have more than you need or can use
36
What does “specialization” mean?
Being skilled at one thing (e.g. pottery or farming)
37
What is a “social class”?
A group of people that share similar customs, background, training, or income.
38
What climate difficulties did Mesopotamian farmers face? Name two.

The region had a semiarid climate that received less than 10
inches of rain a year. Drought was a constant danger.

The flooding of the Tigris and Euphrates was unpredictable, making it difficult to predict when to
plant crops.
39
What is an “artisan”?
Someone that is skilled at crafts (pottery, weaving, etc.)
40
Name three reasons people formed governments?
•
To run the people
•
To create laws
•
To settle arguments
•
To make big decisions
•
To create order
•
To provide leadership
•
Laws made communities safer
Mesopotamia
41
What name was given to the land that lies between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers?
Mesopotamia
42
Most historians think the first civilization rose about 3300 B.C. in southern Mesopotamia. What was the
name of this civilization?
Sumer
43
How did Mesopotamian farmers overcome the challenges of unpredictable floods and a semi arid climate?
Farmers created and maintained an extensive irrigation system of canals and dams to control the rivers'
water.
44
An advanced form of culture is call….?
Civilization
45
List 3 traits that characterize civilization?

Advanced cities

Specialized Workers

Complex Institutions

Record Keeping

Advanced Technology
46
Why did ancient Mesopotamians use mud as a primary building material?
The region had few natural resources such as timber or stone.
47
Why did ancient Mesopotamians use mud as a primary building material?
The region had few natural resources such as timber or stone.
48
A community that includes a city and its nearby farmlands is called what?
City-State
49
What are two examples of Sumerians' "Advanced" Technology?

Wheel

Plough

Bronze tools

Arithmetic system based on the number 60

Cuneiform writing
50
What was the main purpose of a ziggurat?

Religious services

City hall

People paid priests for their services at the ziggurat
51
How did rivers influence the growth of civilization in Mesopotamia?

The flooding rivers left silt, which made the soil fertile for crops to grow.

Irrigation canals were dug to bring water to the fields.

They helped create crop surpluses that helped civilizations grow.

The rivers provided easier transportation so they could trade.

Need at least two to get this right
52
What is Hammurabi’s code?
Laws the people of the Babylonian Empire had to follow.
53
What is the name of the region of land, rich with fertile soil and water, that curves between the Persian
Gulf and the Mediterranean Sea?
The Fertile Crescent
54
What group of people were the most cruel in conquering and governing their empire?
The Assyrians
55
What ruler built the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world?
Nebuchadnezzar
56
Which ruler showed the most concern about justice for the people in his empire?
Hammurabi
57
Who created a code of law that said, “the punishments should depend on the crimes committed”?
Hammurabi
58
Assyrians conquered many peoples. Those people had to pay the Assyrians “tribute” money. Why?
When you paid tribute, the Assyrians would protect you.
59
What are three ways that Darius expanded and strengthened the Persian empire?

Divided the empire into 20 provinces.

Established governors called Satraps in each province.

Sent spies to watch his governors to ensure they followed his orders.

Built a royal road connecting the eastern and western parts of the empire.

Expanded the empire to India and parts of Egypt.

Established a system of law based on Hammurabi's code.
60
The Persian empire began in the area of what modern day country
Iran
61
The southern part of the Nile River churns with….?
Cataracts
62
Cyrus the Great established a policy of toleration. What did this mean?


He allowed conquered people to keep their own customs and beliefs.
They could continue to worship their own gods, speak their own languages and practice their own
way of life.
Egypt
63
Name two things about the geography of Egypt that helped isolate and protect it?

Harsh deserts to the East and West.

Swampy Coast on the Mediterranean in the North lacked good harbors.

Cataracts (Waterfalls) in the South blocked ships.
64
What is an important difference between the Nile and the rivers of Mesopotamia?
Nile floods were very predictable.
65
The area near the mouth of the Nile is what geographic feature?
A delta
66
Near its mouth, the Nile deposits fine soil called:
Silt
67
Egyptians wore clothing made of a fabric called:
linen
68
Why did ancient historians call Egypt "the gift of the Nile"?

It provided rich soil and nutrients for growing crops

Provide mud for houses

Water to irrigate crops

Need at least two to get this right
69
Which group of people specialized in reading and writing in Mesopotamia?
Scribes
70
What is the world’s longest river?
The Nile
71
Astronomy helped ancient Egyptians develop something we use today. What is it?
A calendar
72
Egyptian scribes used a kind of writing called what? What kind of paper did they write on?
Hieroglyphics, Papyrus
73
What does polytheism mean?
Worshipping more than one god
74
How did Ramses II make Egypt more stable?

He ruled for 66 years

He made peace treaties with enemies

Treated enemies well

Need at least two to get this right
75
What are two things that characterize the rule of Queen Hatshepsut‘s, Egypt’s first woman Pharoah.

Expansion of trade, expedition to Punt

Creation of Obelisk monuments

Mysterious ending of her rule
76
Why did Egyptian rulers eventually stop building pyramids?
Grave robbers would loot the tombs and destroy their hopes for a happy afterlife
77
What was the process called where Egyptians preserved the dead? (not mummification)
embalming
Greece
78
A narrow strip of land between two bodies of water is a(n)?
isthmus
79
Who were the first people to create a civilization in Greece?
The Mycenaeans
80
How is Greece’s geography different than Egypt and Mesopotamia?

70 to 80% of it is covered with mountains

There are no large rivers

Rocky land=only 20-30% of land good for farming
81
Name two ways Greece's geography influenced trade?

It was on the sea

It had harbors and seaports and trading partners

It had a long coastline (like a sea highway)

Ionian and Aegean Sea weren’t large and could be easily sailed)
82
What are two characteristics of the Greek gods that can be seen in their myths?

They were regularly involved in people's lives.

They had both divine and human qualities and could take human form.

They show human emotions such as love, anger, and jealously.
83
From whom did the Greeks adopt a system of writing called that eventually became our Alphabet?
The Phoenicians
84
The Iliad is an example of what genre of writing?
epic poem
85
What are two ways that religious beliefs influenced Greek daily life?

They tried to honor the gods and prevent them from anger

They built statues and temples to worship them

They held festivals that included public sacrifices and ceremonies

Athletic competitions, such as the Olympics, were always a part of religious festivals
86
In Greek, the word for city-state was…
polis
87
The upper class in Greece was called the…
aristocracy
88
A government ruled by just a few people is a(n)…
oligarchy
89
Someone who took power in an illegal way was a(n)
tyrant
90
A Greece, you must be a ______ to take part in ruling a city-state?
citizen
91
What is a monarchy?
The earliest form of Greek government that is led by a king or queen with supreme power
92
What is a democracy?

All citizens take part

Decisions made by voting
93
What is the difference between an Athenian style direct democracy and U.S. style indirect democracy?
Direct-ALL citizens meet to decide on laws
Indirect-people ELECT representatives to make the laws
94
Name two ways Greece was organized into different political systems?

The rugged geography divided it into small regions

It was divided into city-states

Each city-state had it’s own form of government
95
A direct democracy was used by the important Greek city-state of…
Athens
96
Athens' main rival was the city-state of…
Sparta
97
The Spartans conquered their neighbors and forced them to become…
Helots (slaves)
98
What is a helot?
A slave
99
Give two goals that Pericles had as a leader of Athens.

strengthening democracy

beautifying Athens

expanding the empire
100
The original purpose of the Delian League was to…
protect the city-states
101
Name two of Solon’s accomplishments.

He freed people who had become slaves because of debts

He made a law that nobody could be enslaved

He organized citizens into four classes based on wealth, not birth

He allowed all citizens to serve in the government

He made the laws less harsh
102
What happened when Persian invaded Greece (the Persian Wars)? Name two.

The underdog Greeks beat the Persians

City-states, such as Athens AND Sparta, united to defeat the Persians

Hint: Hollywood made the movie 300 about this war!
103
The Peloponnesian War was mainly fought between what two city-states?
Sparta and Athens
104
The center of Hellenistic culture that Alexander founded was…
Alexandria
105
A question-and-answer style of teaching is called
The Socratic Method
106
The Greek philosopher who did not believe in democracy was:
Plato
107
List two ways that Athens came to dominate the Delian league.

Pericles used funds from the Delian league to create a massive navy for Athens.

Pericles transferred the treasury to Athens and used funds to rebuild and beautify the city.

Athens treated other city-states like conquered people.
108
What was the main cause of the Peloponnesian War?
Other Greek city-states resented Athens' power.
109
What were two consequences of the Peloponnesian War

As many as 1/3 of the population of Athens was killed by plague including Pericles himself.

The great Athenian navy was destroyed when Sparta won.

Phillip II of Macedon was able to sweep in and conquer the weakened city-states of Greece.
110
How might the world have been different if Alexander had lived longer? List two.

He might have expanded it much further

Maybe more of the world would have adopted the Hellenistic culture

The Mideast could have been unified. Instead it was divided up among his generals who fought
each other for it
111
What does Hellenistic mean?
It is a culture based on a mix of Greek, Persian, Egyptian and Greek styles and customs
112
What are three aspects of Greek culture that have continued to this day?

Drama (Comedy and Tragedy).

Sculpture and Art emphasizing Greek ideals of beauty.

Architecture (often seen in public buildings).

Other answers if ok with teacher.
Rome
113
According to Roman legend, Rome was founded by…
Twins who had been rescued by a wolf.
114
Why was Rome considered to be in the perfect geographical location. Name at least three reasons.
Rome's location offered water, protection, and trade
115
Most early Romans worked as what?
farmers
116
The early Romans overthrew their Etruscan king and established what kind of government?
Republic
117
The Roman Senate was composed mainly of educated, upper class citizens called…
patricians
118
List two possible events that marked the end of the Roman Republic.

Julius Caesar’s rule and assassination

Augustus Caesar (Octavian) being named Emperor or Rome.
119
Why were some Romans threatened by Julius Caesar?

He had too much power

They thought he would become a monarch (which Romans hated)
120
Who was the supreme god of the Roman world?
Jupiter
121
List three characteristics of the government of the Roman Republic.

It had a legislative branch to make laws

It had an executive branch, headed by two consuls

It had a judicial branch to interpret the laws (judges)

The consuls served for one year and commanded the armies and had veto power
122
What organization helped to unite Western Europe after the Roman Empire collapsed?
The Roman Catholic Church
123
What technology did the Romans invent to transport water over long distances to be used in distant
cities?
Aqueducts
124
Explain how the size of the Roman Empire was a factor in its decline.

It was too big to defend

It cost a ton to govern

It was so big it was hard to communicate between city-states and hard to unite

Need at least two to get this right
125
What were the results of the Punic Wars?
Rome now controlled all of the Mediterranean.
126
What was the primary cause of the civil war in Rome? (this war took place AFTER the Punic Wars)
Tensions between rich (Patricians) and poor (Plebians)
127
Name at least two ways Octavius Augustus was good for Rome?

Great emperor. Some thought he was a God.

He ruled most of Western world.

He started civil services like postal service.

Under his rule, Rome entered Pax Romana (roads, aqueducts, buildings, etc…huge Roman
expansion across Europe)
He restored the senate (but kept control over it)

128
What is the 200 year period of peace and stability called that began with Augustus Caesar's rule?
The Pax Romana
129
How did aqueducts change Roman way of life in cities? Need at least two ways.

Access to fresh water

Could now heat homes

Water=building of Roman Bathhouses

Water was a symbol of wealth (only the rich had water in their homes)

Could now plant crops within city, rather than in faraway fields
130
Why were some Roman officials upset by Jesus’ teachings? Need two.

Jesus spoke out against government corruption

Jesus was on the side of the poor and outcasts

Jesus was worshipped as God and to the Romans, Caesar was God. In other words, he was a
threat to the throne of Caesar.

Jesus said “all people are equal.” The Romans hated that!
131
What is the Apostle Paul best known for?

He spread the gospel throughout the Roman Empire

He wrote much of the New Testament in the Christian bible
132
Who was Constantine and why was he important?

A Roman ruler that reunited the Eastern and Western empire

He declared Christianity the official religion of Rome (his vision)

He appointed the Pope to rule the Roman Catholic church
133
What made the Western roman empire weaker than the Eastern roman empire?

More exposed to attack from Nomadic tribes

Less wealth
134
Name two ways the Roman republic is similar to the U.S. government.

The Senate

The 2 Consuls (we have 1 president)

Legislative Branch

Executive Branch

Judicial Branch
135
The government of the Roman republic was divided into a three parts (called a tripartite government)
Name each and say what they do.

Legislative Branch (makes laws)

Executive Branch (enforces laws)

Judicial Branch (interprets laws in court)
136
What are two things that Emperor Diocletian did in order to make governing the empire possible?

Split the empire into East and West

Placed the military permanently on the borders

Restricted the price of basic necessities such as bread
137
What event marked the ending of the Western Roman empire?
Germanic barbarians invaded the city of Rome and overthrew the last Roman emperor
138
Give two examples of Roman legacies that have endured through history.

Roman advances in architecture and engineering

Christianity

Systems of Roman Government and Law