Download Global History Review Packet - Greenburgh Central School District

Name: ____________
GLOBAL HISTORY
Global
History
REVIEW PACKET
Question Types on Global History Regents
1. Vocabulary Recall
You need to know the definition of the words to answer this type of question
In which field of study do people learn about the development of early human beings?
(1) economics
(2) cartography
(3) political science
(4) anthropology
2. Data or Chart
Data based questions ask you to evaluate information, usually from a chart.
You might have to incorporate outside information to answer the question, but usually all you have to
do is pick the right information from the chart!
The graph shows that between 1950 and 2000 the world’s
population increased by approximately
(1) 1 billion
(2) 4 billion
(3) 6 billion
(4) 8 billion
3. Political Cartoon
Political cartoon are used as the basis of some questions. The trick here is to use all of the
information and symbolism in the cartoon (don't forget the fine print!)
The main idea of the cartoon was that in South Africa
(1) the fall of apartheid ended racial tensions
(2) Nelson Mandela was unable to bring about political reform
(3) another communist government lost power
(4) a significant step was taken toward racial equality
4. Map
Map based questions are among the easiest to answer on the test.
Many times all you have to do is read the map! Be sure to check the key and the title. You might
also need a bit of outside information.
One reason for the success of the cities in the
Hanseatic League and the Italian city-states
was that both were
(1) protected by mountains
(2) isolated from the rest of Europe
(3) accessible by water
(4) close to a network of navigable rivers
5. Similarities
Some questions ask you to find Similarities between events, people, cultures, etc.
You only need to know about one of the subjects (not all!) since the answer has to apply to all of
them.
Hammurabi’s Code, the Ten Commandments, and the Twelve Tables were all significant to their
societies because they established
(1) democratic governments
(2) official religions
(3) rules of behavior
(4) economic systems
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6. Speaker Identification
Speaker Identification questions ask you to match up a quotation with a global history concept.
Just like the "Similarities" questions, if you can identify one of the speakers then you can answer
questions which ask for more than one (see below). Or , you can eliminate some of the questions.
Speaker A: “What was actually happening on the battlefield was all secret then, but I thought that the
Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere would be of crucial importance to backward races.”
Speaker B: “We Nazis must hold to our aim in foreign policy, namely to secure for the German people
the land and soil to which they are entitled...”
Speaker C: “The Munich Pact saved Czechoslovakia from destruction and Europe from
Armageddon.”
Speaker D: “We shall defend our island, whatever the cost shall be. We shall fight on the beaches,
we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets. . . . We shall never
surrender.”
The common theme in the statements of Speakers B and D is
(1) colonialism
(2) containment
(3) nationalism
(4) reparations
7. Fact/Opinion
Fact or Opinion questions test your ability to distinguish between the two.
Look for value words (like "good" and "worst") to identify opinions.
Which statement about the spread of nuclear weapons is a fact rather than an opinion?
(1) Nations possessing nuclear weapons should not have to limit the production of weapons.
(2) The spread of nuclear weapons was a smaller problem in the 1990s than it was in the 1970s.
(3) The United States and Russia signed the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaties during the 1970s.
(4) Only developing nations are concerned about the spread of nuclear weapons.
8. Cause/Effect
Remember the chicken and the egg?
Try to determine if any of the answers are definitely a cause or an effect.
Which statement explains a cause rather than an effect of the Bantu migration between 500 B.C. and
A.D. 1500?
(1) Techniques for herding and cultivating were spread to other peoples.
(2) More than sixty million people now speak a Bantu language.
(3) Trading cities developed along the coast of east Africa.
(4) Population increases put pressure on agriculture.
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9. Chronological Order
These questions ask you to place a list of events in the order which they happened.
These ones are easy if you can pick out which happened first or which one happened last--then you
can easily eliminate wrong answers.
A. Atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
B. Allies invade Europe on D-Day.
C. Germany invades Poland.
D. Japanese attack Pearl Harbor.
Which sequence shows the correct chronological order of these World War II events, from earliest to
latest?
(1) A→B→C→D
(2) B→A→D→C
(3) C→D→B→A
(4) D→C→A→B
10. Global Trends
Global Trends ask you to describe recent trends in the world. They can be environmental changes,
technological changes, political changes, human rights changes, etc.
Look for the answer that makes the most common sense.
Since the 1960s, famine in many parts of the world has been reduced by
(1) increased urbanization
(2) global warming
(3) laissez-faire capitalism
(4) the Green Revolution
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11. Outline Heading
This group actually includes two types of questions--newspaper headlines and outline headings.
Both ask you to create a generalization about the list of topics.
Again, just like the "Similarities" questions, if you know about one of the topics in the list you can
probably answer the question correctly!
Which heading best completes the partial outline below?
I. ________________________________
A. Established a direct but limited democracy
B. Stressed the importance of the individual
C. Considered the political ideas of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle
D. Encouraged all citizens to participate in government
(1) Political Developments of the City-State of Athens
(2) Effects of the Roman Empire on Economic Development
(3) Influence of Belief Systems on Byzantine Society
(4) Achievements of the Age of Enlightenment
“Women of Kuwait Demand the Right to Vote”
“Property Inheritance Still Limited for Women of Nepal”
“Women in Jordan Form Alliance to Increase Political Representation”
Which conclusion is supported by these headlines?
(1) Equal rights for women continues to be a global concern.
(2) Women are not active in political issues.
(3) Women have achieved equality in the area of education.
(4) Communist governments have insured equal rights for women.
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Social Studies Fields
These are some fields of study within social studies that you should know:
Field
Description
sociology
interaction of individuals and groups
economics
exchange of goods and services (and money)
anthropology study of culture--includes archaeology
geography
study of physical environment's effects on human beings
cartography map making
political
study of government
science
philosophy
study of ideas like truth, existence, reality, causality, religion, and freedom
psychology
workings of the mind
Sources in History
A primary source is a document or physical object which was written or created during the time under
study. These sources were present during an experience or time period and offer an inside view of a
particular event. Some types of primary sources include:



ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS (excerpts or translations acceptable): Diaries, speeches,
manuscripts, letters, interviews, news film footage, autobiographies, official records
CREATIVE WORKS: Poetry, drama, novels, music, art
RELICS OR ARTIFACTS: Pottery, furniture, clothing, buildings
Examples of primary sources include:



Diary of Anne Frank - Experiences of a Jewish family during WWII
The Constitution of Canada - Canadian History
Weavings and pottery - Native American history
What is a secondary source?
A secondary source interprets and analyzes primary sources. These sources are one or more
steps removed from the event. Some types of secondary sources include:

PUBLICATIONS: Textbooks, magazine articles, histories, criticisms, commentaries,
encyclopedias
Examples of secondary sources include:



A journal/magazine article which interprets or reviews previous findings
A history textbook
A book about the effects of WWI
Chronological Order in History
The meaning of BC is Before Christ BCE means Before Common Era
The meaning of AD is Anno Domini or Year of our Lord referring to the year of Christ’s birth. CE is a
recent term. It refers to Common Era and is used in place of A.D.
2000BC-------500BC-------1AD-----500AD-----2011AD |
2000BCE-----500BCE-----1CE-----500CE-----2011CE
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Chronology – Global History
10,000BC or BCE - 4000BC ---> Neolithic Revolution
4000BC – 1000BCor BCE –--> Early River Valley Civilizations (Mesopotamia, Egypt, Indus, China)
1000BC – 500AD or CE ---->
Classical Civilizations (Greece and Rome)
500AD – 1400AD ----->
Golden Ages (India, Middle East, China, Byzantine Empire)
500AD – 1400AD ----->
Middle Ages in W. Europe (Dark Ages, Medieval Times)
500CE – 1400CE ----->
Early Japanese History
500CE – 1400CE----->
African Civilizations (Bantu Migrations, Mali, Ghana, Songhai)
1100CE – 1400CE ----->
Mongol Empire
1400CE – 1600CE ----->
The Renaissance (Golden Age of W. Europe)
300AD – 1600AD ----->
Pre-Columbian Civilizations in America (Maya, Aztec, Inca)
1400AD – 1600AD ----->
Age of Exploration and Encounter (Discovery of Americas)
1500AD – 1600AD ----->
Age of Absolutism in Western Europe
1750CE – 1914CE -----> Age of Revolutions (Scientific, French, Latin America, Nationalism in Italy
and Germany, Industrial, Imperialism)
1914CE – 1917 CE ----->
WWI
1917AD – 1920AD ------>
Russian Revolution
1920AD – 1939AD ----->
Totalitarianism between the Wars (USSR, Italy, Germany)
1939AD – 1945 AD ----->
WWII
1945AD – 1991AD ----->
The Cold War
1945 CE – Present CE ----->
Economic Issues, Communism in China, Decolonization, Conflicts
and Change in the Middle East, Collapse of Communism, Ethnic
Conflicts, Science, Technology, and the Environment, Human
Rights Violations.
Regents Practice
4. Which document is a primary source?
• Analyzing the design of a Shang bronze pot
(1) encyclopedia article
• Deciphering the writing on the Rosetta Stone
(2) modern textbook
• Examining the fabric of a Japanese kimono
(3) biography
(4) personal correspondence
1. These actions are most often performed by
(1) a political scientist
(3) a sociologist
A. Kemal Atäturk rises to power in Turkey.
(2) a geographer
(4) an archaeologist
B. Pericles rules the Golden Age of Athens.
C. Ayatollah Khomeini seizes power in Iran.
2. An economist is a social scientist who
D. Robespierre comes to power during the
focuses on the study of the
French Revolution.
(1) development of spiritual practices
5. What is the correct sequence of these
(2) establishment of legal systems
events?
(1) C → B → A → D (3) A → C → B → D
(3) creation and implementation of social class
(2) B → C → D → A (4) B → D → A → C
systems
(4) production and exchange of goods and
Services
6. Which set of events in 19th- and 20thcentury
3. Which example represents a primary
Chinese history is in chronological order?
source?
(1) Great Leap Forward → Opium Wars →
(1) a 20th-century novel about events leading
Long March → Four Modernizations
up to the French Revolution
(2) Four Modernizations → Long March →
(2) film footage taken during the liberation of
Opium Wars → Great Leap Forward
Nazi concentration camps
(3) Opium Wars → Long March →
(3) an interview with an expert on the fall of the
Great Leap Forward → Four Modernizations
Roman Empire
(4) Long March → Four Modernizations →
(4) a lecture on the impact of the slave trade
Great Leap Forward → Opium Wars
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Political Systems
This is a list of some political (government) systems:
Type of
government
monarchy
Description of Government
Examples
king or queen.
oligarchy
dictatorship
an elite class (aristocracy=nobles, theocracy=clergy)
single leader and one political party (totalitarian).
democracy
government is under the control of the citizens or their
representatives.
France (Louis XIV),
Russia (czars)
Saudi Arabia
Germany (Hitler),
Iraq (Saddam
Hussein)
US, Great Britain
Economics
Economics studies how a society meets the needs of its people without enough
resources for everyone (scarcity).
Choices between alternative uses (trade-offs) of resources (capital) must be
made based on opportunity cost (the cost of the next best alternative).
How a society decides to answer the three basic economic questions
determines which economic system they use.
Here is a chart of different economic systems:
Economic System
Traditional
Market (Capitalism)
Command
(Communism)
Description
Key words/people
Problems
Subsistence
barter
no long term planning
(survival) agriculture,
barter system,
follows established
traditions
Supply and Demand profit motive, Adam Smith lotsa poor people,
(market) makes
Depression
decisions, focus on
consumer goods,
little government
control (laissez faire)
Government
redistribution of wealth,
no motivation to do better
agencies make
collectivization, commune, or meet needs of people
decisions, focus on Karl Marx
industrial goods,
little attention paid to
consumer goods
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Mixed
Combination of
Market and
Command, market
makes decisions on
consumer goods,
government directs
industry in vital
areas--most
economies in the
world are mixed
now!!!
Regents Practice
1. In which economic system used by early
civilizations are decisions about the distribution
of goods based primarily on customs, beliefs,
and habits?
(1) mixed (3) traditional
(2) free-market (4) command
2. The best definition of subsistence
agriculture is
(1) supplying crops for overseas exports
(2) bartering crops for manufactured goods
(3) storing surplus food in case of famine
(4) producing enough food for a family’s use
3. Which statement best describes an aspect
of a command economy?
(1) Profit motivates individuals to set up private
businesses.
(2) Tradition, religion, and customs heavily
influence economic decisions.
(3) Supply and demand regulate the economy.
(4) Government directs and controls the means
of production.
4. Which feature would most likely be included
in an economic system based on traditional
agriculture and self-sufficiency?
(1) banks (3) gold standard
(2) barter (4) tariffs
5. Which activity would be most characteristic
of people in a traditional society?
(1) serving in government assemblies
(2) working in an industrialized city
tries to fix problems of all
(3) having the same occupation as their
parents
(4) establishing a mercantile system of trade
6. Which statement represents a characteristic
of democracy?
(1) Religious leaders control government
policy.
(2) Citizens are the source of power in
government.
(3) The government limits the thoughts and
actions of the people.
(4) The laws of the government are made by
influential military officers.
7. Which generalization about democracy is
most valid?
1. democratic political systems require a
highly industrialized society
2. democratic governments first evolved in
North America
3. democratic governments prevent their
citizens from traveling abroad
4. democratic governments protect basic
civil liberties
“Power tends to corrupt; absolute power
corrupts absolutely.”
--Lord Acton, British historian
8. Based on this quotation, why type of
government would Lord Acton most likely
support?
1.
2.
3.
4.
dictatorship
absolute monarchy
totalitarian state
representative democracy
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Geography
Geography can have many effects on a society, both positive and negative.
For example, Russian geography dictated that its foreign policy would be
designed to conquer a warm water port--the ones in Russia freeze every winter.
Geographic isolation is when geography limits cultural diffusion and decreases
cultural diversity. – Example - China
Geographic isolation can lead to ethnocentrism--the belief that your culture is
superior to all others. – Example - China
Here are some examples of geographic features and how they effect society:
Geographic
Feature
Coastline
Archipelago
Mountains
Peninsula
Plain
River
Deserts
How it effects society
Example
irregular--many harbors for fishing, easy to trade; hard
Greece, Japan
to defend
Africa
regular--few harbors, hard to gain access to interior
chain of islands; same as irregular coastline; few natural
Japan
resources
monsoon cycle, good for terrace farming; natural barrier India, Southeast Asia,
to trade, invasion, etc., anti-cultural diffusion, rise of city- China, Incas in Latin
states in Greece
America
same as irregular coastline
Spain, Italy, India
easy farming, poor defense
Poland
easy transportation, good farming, pro-cultural diffusion Mesopotamia, Egypt
anti-cultural diffusion, poor farming
Sahara
Regents Practice
1. Which geographic factor has most strongly
influenced Russia’s foreign policies and
economic development?
1. lack of natural resources
2. vast desert regions
3. limited access to warm-water ports
4. extensive mountain ranges
2. Throughout the 1800’s, Russia was
interested in acquiring Turkey mainly because
Russia wanted
1. to maintain peace in the Middle East
2. access to the Mediterranean Sea
3. to reestablish the Byzantine Empire
4. the rich farmland of the Anatolian
Plateau
3. Which statement best explains why most of
the population of the people’s Republic of
China live in the eastern third of the nation?
1. best agricultural land is in the East
2. largest forests are in the East
3. best fishing areas are off the eastern
coast
4. largest oil deposits are in the East
4. An effect of a mountainous topography on
Inca and Chinese civilizations was the
development of
1.
2.
3.
4.
industrialization
single-crop economy
desalinization projects
terrace farming
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5. Which geographic feature served as a
barrier that protected ancient China and was
used as an invasion route by the Aryans into
ancient India?
(1) deserts (3) mountains
(2) rivers
(4) plateaus
6. A major effect of geography on Japan is
that the
1. export of oil has helped Japan maintain
a favorable balance of trade
2. fertile plains have enabled Japan to
keep food prices low
3. mountains have prevented invasions
obey foreign nations
4. scarcity of natural resources has forced
Japan to obtain raw materials from other
nations
7. Which title best completes the partial outline
below?
I. _________________________________
A. Located in a region of volcanoes
and earthquakes
B. Has limited mineral resources
C. Concentration of population in
coastal plains
(1) Geographic Features of Japan
(2) Environmental Challenges in Mongolia
(3) Economic Issues Facing Saudi Arabia
(4) Factors Affecting British Industrialization
8. On a map of the world, Asia is to Japan as
Europe is to
1.
2.
3.
4.
Great Britain
the Netherlands
Austria
Italy
9. Korea has frequently served as a cultural
bridge between
(1) Cambodia and Vietnam
(2) Russia and India
(3) Thailand and Indonesia
(4) China and Japan
10. Which geographic factor directly
influenced the early interactions between
China and Korea?
(1) location
(3) arid climate
(2) monsoons
(4) tropical savannas
11. Which geographic feature most directly
influenced the development of Greek citystates?
(1) deserts
(3) vast plains
(2) mountainous terrain (4) monsoons
• Separated the cultures of Europe and Asia
• Hindered, but did not prevent, invaders from
entering India
• Terraced to increase food production in South
America
12. Which geographic feature is being
described in these statements?
(1) river valleys
(3) mountains
(2) steppes
(4) tundra
13. In Africa, an effect of topography and
climate has been to
1. encourage rapid industrialization of the
interior
2. prevent the development of kingdoms
3. promote large-scale trade between
African and Asia
4. promote the growth of diverse societies
14. Which factor most influenced the
development of diverse cultures in preColumbian South America?
(1) trade agreements
(2) geographic features
(3) imported religious ideas
(4) peasant revolts
15. In which way have the Andes Mountains
and the Amazon rain forest affected the
development of Latin America?
1.
2.
3.
4.
promoting international unity
increasing cultural diversity
encouraging trade agreements
strengthening political alliances
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16. Which generalization about geography of
Latin America is accurate?
1. geographic features prevented foreign
imperialism
2. harsh climatic conditions have
prevented the development of largescale agriculture
3. the lack of geographic barriers facilitated
the development of transportation and
communication systems
4. great variations in latitude and
landforms resulted in a diversity of
climates
17. The term monsoons can be defined as
(1) seasonal winds
(2) sand deposits
(3) ocean currents
(4) mountain avalanches
18. Many people in Southeast Asia hope for
the timely arrival of the summer monsoons
each year because
1. floods are the only way to water their
farmlands
2. daily temperatures often reach 100
degrees Fahrenheit
3. little rain has fallen for many months
4. oases provide water for nomadic
herders
19. A geographic similarity between Italy and
India is that both of these countries are located
(1) on peninsulas
(2) on archipelagos
(3) between two oceans
(4) south of the equator
20. Which geographic factor has had the most
influence on Poland's historical and cultural
development?
1.
2.
3.
4.
a severe climate
vast deposits of oil
location on the great European Plain
a rugged coastline
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Neolithic Revolution
Background
During the Paleolithic Period, which lasts from the beginnings of human life until about 10,000 BCE,
people were nomads. They lived in groups of 20 -30, and spent most of their time
hunting and gathering. In these groups, work was divided between men and
women, with the men hunting game animals, and women gathering fruits, berries,
and other edibles. These early peoples developed simple tools such as, spears and
axes made from bone, wood, and stone. Human beings lived in this manner from
earliest times until about 10,000 BCE, when they started to cultivate crops and
domesticate animals. This is known as the Neolithic Revolution.
The Neolithic Revolution was a fundamental change in the way people lived. The shift from hunting &
gathering to agriculture led to permanent settlements, the establishment of social classes, and
the eventual rise of civilizations. The Neolithic Revolution is a major turning point in human history.
Great Discoveries
About 10,000 BCE, humans began to cultivate crops and domesticate certain
animals. This was a change from the system of hunting and gathering that had
sustained humans from earliest times. As a result, permanent settlements were
established. Neolithic villages continued to divide work between men and
women. However, women's status declined as men took the lead in most
areas of these early societies.
Villages were usually run by a Council of Elders composed of the heads of the village's various
families. Some of these villages may have had a chief elder as a single leader. When
resources became scarce, warfare among villages increased. During war, some men
gained stature as great warriors. This usually transferred over to village life with these
warriors becoming the leaders in society. Early social class divisions developed as a
result. A person's social class was usually determined by the work they did, such as
farmer, craftsman, priest, and warrior. Depending on the society, priests and warriors
were usually at the top, with farmers and craftsman at the bottom.
New technologies developed in response to the need for better tools and weapons to go
along with the new way of living. Neolithic farmers created a simple calendar to keep
track of planting and harvesting. They also developed simple metal tools such as
plows, to help with their work. Some groups even may have used animals to pull these plows, again
making work easier. Metal weapons were developed as villages needed to protect their valuable
resources.
Effects
The Neolithic Revolution changed the way humans lived. The use of agriculture
allowed humans to develop permanent settlements, social classes, and new
technologies. Some of these early groups settled in the fertile valleys of the Nile,
Tigris-Euphrates, Yellow, and Indus Rivers. This resulted in the rise of the
great civilizations in Egypt, Mesopotamia, China, and India.
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River Valley Civilizations
Early civilizations formed near rivers to take advantage of:
1. fertile soil and
2. easy transportation.
The four major river valley civilizations are listed below.
Civilization Name
Nile
Tigris-Euphrates
(Mesopotamia)
Yellow or Huang He
Indus
Regents Practice
Best known for
Key leaders
Now part of what
country
Egypt
Iraq
pyramids, hieroglyphics
Pharaohs
codified law (Code of Hammurabi), social Hammurabi
classes were treated unequally
silk, gunpowder
Kings
China
planned cities (Mohenjo Daro, Harappa) Indraya
India/Pakistan
4. The Indus and Huang He (Yellow) rivers are
both closely associated with
1. The Neolithic Revolution is often considered
(1) border disputes
a turning point in history because
(2) sacred biblical sites
(1) city dwellers learned to control fire
(3) cradles of early civilization
(2) societies became more nomadic
(4) oil discoveries
(3) nuclear families became extended families
(4) permanent settlements developed in river
5. The Code of Hammurabi and Chinese
valleys
legalism both rely on the idea that
(1) governments must provide their people with
2. Which heading best completes the partial
rights
outline below?
(2) harsh laws are needed to control society
I. _________________________________
(3) all subjects are equal under the law
A. Cities
(4) religion and government must be brought
B. Complex government
closer together
C. Job specialization
D. Writing system
6. One similarity found in both Egyptian and
Sumerian civilizations is that each developed a
(1) Examples of Early Technology
(1) monotheistic religion (3) ziggurat
(2) Results of Cultural Diversity
(2) compass (4) written language
(3) Characteristics of Civilizations
(4) Causes for the Neolithic Revolution
7. Which geographic factor had a major
influence on the development of both Egyptian
3. Which Neolithic Revolution development led
and Babylonian civilizations?
to the other three?
(1) river valleys
(1) complex civilizations
(2) cool temperatures
(2) surplus of food
(3) locations near a strait
(3) division of labor
(4) mountains
(4) domestication of plants and animals
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Classic Civilizations
China
Shang Dynasty 1650 - 1027 BCE
During the centuries of dynastic rule, the Chinese rejected other cultures as inferior to their own. This
was called ethnocentrism. The Shang Dynasty is considered to be the earliest dynasty in China.
Their major contribution to Chinese culture, a system of writing.
Zhou Dynasty 1027-256 BCE
The Zhou overthrew the Shang and setup their own dynasty in 1027 BCE. They explained their
actions by claiming the Mandate of Heaven, or divine right of rule. The Mandate of Heaven was
later used to explain the Dynastic Cycle. A dynasty would remain in power only as long as it was
providing good government. When a dynasty went into decline, and began to abuse its power, it
was said to lose the Mandate of Heaven, or the favor of the gods. A strong leader would usually
emerge to claim the Mandate, and establish a new dynasty. The dynastic cycle would then begin
again.
The Han Dynasty established a trade route known as the Silk Road. This
trade route reached as far as Mesopotamia, and was a main conduit for the
exchange of goods and ideas between China and other civilizations. Over time
the trade route reached 4,000 miles. This is how Chinese cultural diffusion
reached the West.
India
In India, one of the Maurya dynasty’s lasting contributions was to spread the religion of Buddhism
throughout Asia. This is an example of cultural diffusion.
Greece
Mountainous terrain and irregular coastline (geographic
isolation) in Ancient Greece helped independent citystates like Athens and Sparta develop.
Greek (Hellenic) city states contributed much to our
society, including:
1.
2.
3.
4.
democracy
individualism
philosophy
architecture
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Two of the strongest city states in Greece were Athens and Sparta.
Athens
Sparta
Government democracy, lots of input from citizens strict military state
Education
boys taught three R's, girls ran
boys taught military tactics, girls stayed strong
household
and healthy
Army
strong army, but there are other things military school at age 7, life in army, can marry
in life...
at 20, can live at home at 30
Trade
trade with anyone, became rich, lotsa trade introduces new, weak ideas, distracts from
art and architecture
strong army
Greece was eventually controlled by Phillip of Macedonia (just north of Greece). His son, Alexander,
pushed his empire's boundaries to include Asia Minor (Turkey), Egypt, Palestine, Persia, and parts of
India. He spread Greek ideas wherever he went.
The combination of Greek ideas with others conquered by Alexander is called Hellenistic culture.
Roman Empire
Through trade and conquest,
the Roman Republic and
Empire adopted Greek and
Hellenistic culture and spread
the ideas throughout the
Mediterranean. In addition,
the Romans created a strong
central government which
ruled a large amount of the
world's population for nearly a
thousand years.
The strong central government
provided for peace and
stability for a thousand years.
Like Hammurabi, the Romans
wrote their code of law (Laws
of the Twelve Tables) down for
their citizens to see.
The rule of law is considered
to be the Romans' greatest
contribution to modern society.
17
The Roman emperor Diocletian divided the empire into Western and Eastern halves.
The Western Roman Empire was
conquered by Germanic tribes in 476
AD. Without the presence of a strong
central government, it fell into a period of
disorder and weak central government
known as the Middle Ages.
Regents Practice
The Eastern Roman Empire became known as the
Byzantine Empire (named for its capital at Byzantium,
renamed Constantinople). The Byzantine Empire lasted
until it was conquered by the Turks in 1453.
1. During the centuries of dynastic rule, the
Chinese rejected other cultures as inferior to
their own. This situation illustrates the idea of
1. ethnocentrism
2. imperialism
3. social mobility
4. cultural diffusion
3. The Silk Road allowed for the
(1) exploration of China by the Roman Army
(2) development of agriculture by the nomadic
people of Central Asia
(3) movement of Chinese armies through
Southeast Asia
(4) exchange of goods between Asia and the
Middle East
2. China under the Han dynasty and the
Roman Empire were similar in that both grew
wealthy because they
(1) developed extensive trade networks
(2) created classless societies
(3) encouraged democratic ideals
(4) established free-market economies
4. An important factor that prevented the
ancient Greek city-states from uniting to form a
single nation was the
(1) lack of a common language
(2) size of the desert regions
(3) mountainous topography of the region
(4) cold, hostile climate
18
5. The Ancient Athenians are credited with
1. inventing and using the wheel
2. eliminating slavery
3. establishing governments that had
democratic elements
4. inventing the printing press
6. In a comparison of the ancient cities of
Athens and Sparta, Sparta placed more
emphasis on
(1) education
(2) military service
(3) family order
(4) human rights
7. Olympic games, the poems of Homer, and
Hellenistic culture are associated with which
ancient civilization?
(1) Egyptian
(3) Roman
(2) Greek
(4) Phoenician
8. The Code of Hammurabi and the Twelve
Tables were designed to
(1) create a stable society
(2) promote peaceful relations with other
cultures
(3) provide a framework for the development of
Democracy
(4) emphasize the importance of life after death
9. The Ancient Romans’ most significant
contribution to Europe has been in the area of
1.
2.
3.
4.
economics
poetry
drama
law
10. A major contribution of the Roman
Republic to Western European culture was the
1. concept of government by laws
2. belief that political power should be
controlled by the military
3. establishment of agricultural communes
4. rejection of the concept of slavery
11. A major contribution of the Roman Empire
to Western society was the development of
1.
2.
3.
4.
gunpowder
the principles of revolutionary socialism
monotheism
an effective legal system
12. Important long-term contributions of
Ancient Greek and Roman civilizations are
primarily found in the area of
1.
2.
3.
4.
military technology
religious doctrine
economic policy and planning
government and law
13. An immediate result of the fall of the
Roman Empire was
1. a renewed interest in education and the
arts
2. a period of disorder and weak central
government
3. an increase in trade and manufacturing
4. the growth of cities and dominance by
the middle class
14. After the western Roman Empire fell to
Germanic invaders in the 5th century A.D., the
eastern part of the empire eventually became
known as the
(1) Byzantine Empire
(2) Carthaginian Empire
(3) Islamic Empire
(4) Persian Empire
15. One similarity between the decline of the
Roman Empire and the fall of the Manchu
Dynasty was that both initially led to
1. improved economic conditions
2. democratically elected governments
3. political chaos and decentralization of
government
4. major accomplishments in art, science,
and technology
19
Religions
People who believe in polytheistic religions believe in more than one god. Polytheistic religions of
note are:
Religion
Where Tenets (beliefs)
and
when
it
began
India, reincarnation, ones actions (karma) dictate status
c.
in next life, caste system - The Hindu caste
Hinduism
1500- system is a rigid class system with no social
500 BC mobility into which one is born.
Religious
Figures
Sacred
Texts
Vishnu,
Shiva,
Shakti
(gods)
Veda,
BhagavadGita
One's caste in the next life is determined by
karma. Untouchables can never move up in caste.
Buddhism
Shintoism
Although outlawed in India today, it is still
observed. However, urbanization has reduced the
caste system's importance in cities.
India, Four Noble Truths –
c. 486
1. Life is full of suffering,
BC
2. Desire for things causes suffering
3. To eliminate suffering, you must get
rid of your desires
4. Follow the Eightfold Path (code of
conduct), karma, goal is nirvana
(release of soul from cycle of
reincarnation)
Japan, Animism in Africa is similar to Shintoism – a belief
c. 500 that everything in nature has a spirit and should be
BC
respected
Buddha
Tripitaka
(Siddhartha
Gautama)
Emperor of Kokiji,
Japan
Nikong
20
Regents Practice
1. The caste system in India was characterized by
1. toleration for various religious
3. a lack of social mobility
beliefs
2. equality between men and women 4. the right of people to choose their
occupations
2. In India today, the caste system continues to have the most influence on Hindu people who
1. live in rural areas
3. attend colleges in India
2. have been educated in the West
4. have industrial jobs in urban areas
3. The caste system in India and the feudal system in Europe were similar in that both
1. provided structure for society
3. established totalitarian governments
2. developed concepts of natural rights
4. promoted peace and prosperity
4. The caste system is still practiced in India today primarily because it is
1. encouraged by village customs and
3. supported by Christian and Muslim
traditions
teachings
2. enforced by the military
4. mandated by law
5. In India today, a major reason the caste system remains strongest in rural areas is that
1. economic change occurs rapidly in
3. tradition remains a strong influence in
villages
small villages
2. village laws have resulted in immediate 4. Islam is the dominant religion
social change
6. In India, the Caste system determined a person’s occupation, personal associations, and marriage
partner. This situation shows that the Caste system
1.
2.
3.
4.
has helped eliminate ethnic and religious rivalries
has promoted social mobility within Indian society
has been stronger in urban areas that in rural areas
has been a way of life as well as an element of religion
7. The Buddhist religion teaches that salvation is earned by
1.
2.
3.
4.
following the Ten Commandments
worshiping Allah as the one true god
learning to give up selfish desire
being baptized and confirmed
21
8. The Eightfold Path, the Four Noble Truths, and the concept of nirvana are associated with the
religion of
1.
2.
3.
4.
Islam
Jainism
Shinto
Buddhism
9. Which values are most closely associated with the fundamental principles of Buddhism?
1.
2.
3.
4.
competition and financial success
maintaining the caste system and providing education for all people
practicing nonviolence and giving up worldly desires
self-determination and democracy
10. A person who practices the Shinto faith would be most likely to
1.
2.
3.
4.
visit a shrine placed on the shore of a lake
pray five times a day
bathe in the Ganges River
make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem
11. Taoism and Shintoism are similar in that both religions stress
1.
2.
3.
4.
adhering to the five Confucian relationships
following the Eightfold Path
developing harmony between humans and nature
believing in one God
12. Traditional animistic beliefs in Africa, Asia, and Latin America are based on
1.
2.
3.
4.
a desire for wealth
a written tradition
an appreciation for the forces of nature
a willingness to accept Christianity
22
Monotheistic Religions
People who believe in only one god practice monotheistic religions. The three major monotheistic
religions are:
Religion
Judaism
Christianity
Islam
Where and
Tenets (beliefs)
when it began
Palestine, c.
Ten Commandments (code of
1500-100 BC conduct – rules of behavior),
dietary laws
Palestine c. 50 Jesus was Messiah promised by
BC
Old Testament (Torah), trinity,
Religious
Figures
Moses,
Solomon,
David
Jesus of
Nazareth
Sacred Texts
Arabia c. 632
AD
Muhammad
Koran (Qur'an
Five Pillars, sometimes jihad,
laws can be based on religious
practices
Torah
Bible (Old/New
Testament)
The Five Pillars of Islam are duties that all Muslims must fulfill.
belief in one god
pray five times per day
alms
fast
pilgrimage to Mecca
Regents Review
"There is only one god, Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet."
to Mecca (usually in a group)
(money donations) to the poor
during month of Ramadan (about Sept-Oct)
once during lifetime
1. Judaism, Islam, and Christianity share a
belief in
1. the central authority of the Pope
2. a prohibition of the consumption of port
3. reincarnation and the Four Noble Truths
4. monotheism and ethical conduct
2. One similarity between the Five Pillars of
Islam and the Ten Commandments is that both
1. support a belief in reincarnation
2. promote learning as a means to heaven
3. use statues to symbolize God
4. are a guide to proper moral behavior
3. One way in which the Vedas, the Bible, and
the Koran are similar is that these books
1. provide guidelines to govern the
behavior of believers
2. deny the existence of a supreme being
who rules the universe
3. encourage strife between believers
4. support political rebellions to overthrow
existing governments
4. Jewish religions and cultural identity has
been greatly influenced by
1. Ramadan and the concept of
reincarnation
2. the Torah and the Diaspora
3. the New Testament and the Four Noble
Truths
4. the Koran and the code of bushido
5. The Koran, jihad, and the hegira are most
closely associated with the practice of
1.
2.
3.
4.
Islam
Judaism
Shinto
Buddhism
23
Chinese Philosophies
Two philosophies developed in ancient China which are still around today. They are:
Philosophy
Where and
Tenets (beliefs)
Important
when it
Figures
began
Confucianis China, 550
m
BC
Daoism
Stressed social order, filial piety –
respect for elders, (ancestor worship),
civil service exams
China, c. 550 yin and yang, live in harmony with
BC
nature
Regents Practice
1. According to Confucius, the key to the
successful organization of society is that
1. rulers should be chosen democratically
2. the evil in humans must be eliminated
3. ancestor worship should be ended
4. individuals should do what is expected
2. In traditional Chinese culture, which
philosophy had the greatest influence on social
order and political organization?
1. Taoism
2. Shintoism
3. Confucianism
4. Marxism
3. Confucius encouraged people to
1. put their own interests first
2. reject government authority
3. believe in reincarnation
4. follow a code of moral conduct
“Beginning with childhood, all of man’s study is
centered on one aim alone — to emerge
successfully from the three days’ examination
— and all he has in his mind is what success
can bring to him in terms of power, influence,
and prestige.”-Ye Shib, Chinese scholar
4. This quotation refers to the Chinese
1. civil service system
Sacred
Texts
Confucius
Analects
Lao-tzu,
Zhuangzi
Daode
Jing
2. social welfare system
3. contemplation of nature
4. religious practices
5. Confucianism in traditional China served to
1. maintain social order
2. create ethnic unrest
3. emphasize material wealth
4. support democratic government
The Analects:
“In his [the leader] personal conduct, he was
respectful. In his serving his superiors, he was
reverent. In his nourishing the people, he was
kind. In governing the people, he was
righteous.”— Confucius
6. These selections show that the ancient
civilizations who developed these concepts
placed emphasis on
1.
2.
3.
4.
anarchy
law
trade
architecture
7. Taoism and Shintoism are similar in that
both religions stress
1. adhering to the five Confucian
relationships
2. following the Eightfold Path
3. harmony between humans and nature
4. believing in one God
24
Golden Ages in Asia
Golden Age of India
The Golden Age of India occurs under the rule of the Gupta Dynasty (320 - 550 CE) The Gupta
established a strong central government. Gupta society was ordered in accordance with Hindu
beliefs. This included a strict caste system, or class system. The peace and prosperity created
under Gupta leadership enabled the pursuit of scientific and artistic endeavors.
Math & Science
Gupta mathematicians developed the concept of zero in the use of math. They also created a
number writing system that was later adopted by the Islamic Empire. This system became known as
Arabic Numerals. This is the number writing system used throughout the world today.
Medicine
Gupta physicians developed herbal remedies to treat various illnesses. They also
developed a form of plastic surgery for the treatment of facial injuries. Physicians
vaccinated against smallpox, a practice later used in China (10th century) and Europe.
The Gupta Dynasty declined due to weak rulers and a series of invasions, but many of
their cultural and intellectual achievements were saved and transmitted to other cultures
and live on today.
Golden Age of China
At first, Chinese Empires were characterized by their high level of ethnocentrism (China in Chinese
means "middle kingdom" the center of everything).
Tang Dynasty 618 – 907
The Tang reestablished a unified government They
redistributed land to the peasants and reintroduced the use
of Confucian scholars in running the government.
Under the Tang, a strict social structure was developed.
This system consisted of three main social classes, which
included the gentry, the peasantry, and the merchants.
Each class had its own rights and duties, and social
mobility was possible from one class to another.
Tang scientists invented gunpowder in the 9th Century by
combining saltpeter, sulfur, and charcoal. They began
using block printing in the 8th Century.
Song Dynasty 960 – 1279
The first Song Emperor reunited most of China. The Song maintained extensive trade with the India,
Persia, and the Middle East. Song artisans were known for their fine porcelain, and the use
of calligraphy, a form of fine handwriting.
Under the Song, the Chinese invented movable type printing machines. This idea
spread to Korea and Japan, and may have also been spread to Europe by Mongol armies.
The use of movable type allowed for faster printing, and the widespread diffusion of ideas.
25
Golden Age of Islam
Islam spread throughout the Middle East. The reasons for the success of Islam, and the expansion
of its empire, can be attributed to fair treatment of conquered peoples, Arab armies were able to
quickly conquer territory through the use of advanced tactics and the
employment of horse and camel cavalry. Islamic rulers were very tolerant of
conquered peoples, and welcomed conversion to the Islamic faith This common
language helped to unite many different ethnic groups within the Islamic
empire. It also made possible the easy exchange of knowledge and ideas.
Golden Age of Islam
Islamic civilization experienced a golden age under the Abbasid Dynasty, which ruled from the mid
8th century until the mid 13th century. The result was an era of stunning intellectual and cultural
achievements.
Arts & Literature.
Islamic architects borrowed heavily from the Byzantine Empire which used domes and arches
extensively throughout their cities. An example of this use can be seen in the Dome of the Rock, a
famous mosque in Jerusalem.
Math & Science
Islamic scholars studied both Greek and Indian mathematics before making important contributions of
their own. The most well known Islamic mathematician was al-Khwarizmi, who pioneered the study of
algebra. Islamic scholars were also skilled in astronomy. They studied eclipses, the rotation of the
planets, and calculated the circumference of the earth to within a few thousand feet.
Medicine
Many advances were also made in the field of medicine. Physicians and pharmacists
were required to pass exams before treating patients. They setup hospitals that are the
basis for today's emergency rooms. Islamic pharmacists were the first to mix sweet
tasting syrups with medicine. They wrote a book called Canon on Medicine, which was
an encyclopedia of medicine. This book became the standard medical text in Europe.
Golden Age of the Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire lasted
nearly 1000 years longer than
the Western Roman Empire.
The Empire maintained the
Roman concept of the rule of
written law like Justinian's
Code.
26
The Byzantine Empire was a
major cultural influence of the
eastern region of Europe and
the Mediterranean.
Russia, in particular,
experienced a great deal of
cultural diffusion from the
Byzantine Empire.
Examples are:
1. The Eastern Orthodox
religion
2. The Cyrillic (Greek)
alphabet
3. Architecture (like the
domes at the top of the
Kremlin in Moscow,
shown left)
Regents Practice
1. The Gupta Empire was best known for its
(1) advances in mathematics and medicine
(2) efforts to resist European imperialism
(3) development of the barter system
(4) construction of Angkor Wat
• Preserved Hindu traditions
• Produced fine poems and drama
• Made advances in mathematics, science, and
medicine
2. These achievements refer to contributions
of the
(1) Gupta Empire (3) Greek city-states
(2) Persian Empire (4) Tang dynasty
3. The development of the concept of zero, the
use of a decimal system, and the Buddhist
cave paintings at Ajanta are all achievements
of the
(1) Inca Empire
(2) Gupta Empire
(3) Roman Republic
(4) Kingdom of Songhai
4. During the centuries of dynastic rule, the
Chinese rejected other cultures as inferior to
their own. This situation illustrates the concept
of
1.
2.
3.
4.
ethnocentrism
imperialism
social mobility
cultural diffusion
5. Which achievements are most closely
associated with the Tang and Song dynasties
of China?
(1) wheel and stirrup
(2) chinampas and calendar
(3) gunpowder and movable wooden type
(4) mosaics and domes
6. Technological achievements made during
the Tang and Song dynasties were important
because they
(1) were used to defeat Kublai Khan
(2) contributed to economic growth and cultural
advancement
(3) increased contact with the Americas
(4) led to equality between men and women
27
7. Which culture is credited with the
development of gunpowder, the abacus, and
the compass?
(1) Chinese (3) Indian
(2) Persian (4) Japanese
8. Which development is most closely linked
with the beginning of the Byzantine Empire?
(1) emergence of the Russian Orthodox
Church
(2) division of the Roman Empire
(3) building of the Hagia Sophia
(4) fall of Constantinople
• Cyrillic alphabet adopted for use in Russia.
• Russians accepted the teachings of the
Orthodox Christian Church.
• Onion-shaped domes dotted the skyline of
Kievan Russia.
9. Which term is most closely associated with
these statements?
(1) ethnocentrism (3) cultural diffusion
(2) interdependence (4) colonialism
10. The early Russian civilization adopted the
Eastern Orthodox religion, the Cyrillic alphabet,
and different styles of art and architecture
through contact with
(1) traders from China
(2) conquering Mongol invaders
(3) Vikings from northern Europe
(4) missionaries from the Byzantine Empire
11. A major contribution of the Byzantine
Empire was the
(1) invention of the wheel and gunpowder
(2) participation of citizens in government
(3) diffusion of Hindu beliefs
(4) preservation of Greek science and Roman
engineering
12. Which title best completes the partial
outline below?
I. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
A. Incorporation of European and
Arabic ideas in architecture
B. Preservation of Greco-Roman
ideas
C. Spread of Orthodox Christianity
into Russia
D. Development of Justinian Code
(1) Age of Discovery (3) Persian Empire
(2) Byzantine Empire (4) Crusades
13. One similarity between the Gupta Empire
and the Arab dynasties of the Islamic Golden
Age is that they
(1) made advances in mathematics and
literature
(2) gained wealth by obtaining gold from the
Americas
(3) stressed the importance of dharma and
karma
(4) controlled territories around the
Mediterranean Seacoast
• Creation of the House of Wisdom in Baghdad
• Development of algebra
• Use of calligraphy as an art form
14. Which Golden Age is most closely
associated with these achievements?
(1) Islamic (3) Tang
(2) Gupta (4) Songhai
28
The Middle Ages/Medieval Times/Dark Ages in Europe
The influence of the Catholic Church (Christianity)
After the fall of the western Roman Empire in 476 AD, Europe
entered a period of weak central governments and disorder
known as the Middle Ages (medieval comes from the Latin
words medium [middle] and aevum [age]).
The only strong, unifying force throughout Europe was the
Roman Catholic Church. The clergy (bishops, priests, pope,
etc.) maintained some of the knowledge of the Roman Empire
and pervaded every aspect of medieval society. In fact, during
the Bubonic Plague (Black Death), many Europeans flocked to
the Church because they saw the disease as a plague from
God and sought comfort in the Church.
Feudalism
Society was organized under a rigid class system with no social mobility called feudalism.
The king awarded land grants or fiefs to his most important nobles, barons, and bishops in
exchange for their contribution of soldiers for the king's armies.
Peasants (or serfs) worked and lived on a noble's land in exchange for protection by knights,
who were bound by a code of conduct called chivalry.
Social Mobility was severely limited under
Feudalism
Manorialism
The dominant economic system in Europe during the Middle Ages was manorialism.
Countries divided up into smaller and smaller sections run by those with less and less power
Manors had a central main building (or fort), were run by nobles and knights, and were self
sufficient (farms, churches, a mill, etc.)
Manorialism decreased cultural
diffusion since there was no need to
leave the manor for anything.
29
In the 14th century, years
of poor weather led to food
shortages and starvation
across Europe.
The Black Death , a
disease spread by fleas
from rats, invaded from
Asia and killed 1/4 of the
weakened Europeans,
including nobles and
especially clergy.
.
Those who survived the plague inherited money from those who died and
had fewer clergy to tell them what to do.
They found new and interesting ways to spend their money (like on the
arts and on books...).
Crusades (powerpoint - http://edtech2.boisestate.edu/lockwoodm/Feudalism/crusades.htm)
Toward the end of the European Middle Ages, the Catholic Church launched a series of Holy Wars
against the Muslims in the Middle East. These wars were known as the
Crusades, and while their original goals were not achieved, they nevertheless,
had long reaching effects. As a result of the Crusades, trade increased, which
also increased cultural diffusion between the Islamic world and Europe. As
this trade flourished and grew, new practices in business were developed, and
a fundamental change in European society took place. This time period is
know as the Commercial Revolution.
Towns began to appear and grow prosperous in
Europe for many reasons.
1. prosperous manors needed to exchange
goods
2. the overall population increased and needed
room to live
3. need for a central place to trade for eastern
and Moorish goods (seen during the
Crusades).
Many in these towns became very wealthy (like in Florence, pictured to the left).
30
Merchants from rich Italian city states, such as Venice and Florence, dominated this trade. Goods
from the Middle East would arrive in Venice, before following newly established trade routes to the
rest of Europe. Along these new trade routes, trade fairs were established in towns with larger
populations, or at major crossroads. Over time, merchants and craftsman settled in these towns, and
some grew to be cities of several thousand people. This fundamentally altered the way people lived
in Europe, and marked the beginning of the end of feudalism and the Middle Ages.
Regents Practice
1. In Europe during the Middle Ages, the force
that provided unification and stability was the
1. central government in Rome
2. military alliance between France and
Germany
3. federation of the craft guilds
4. Roman Catholic Church
2. The Roman Catholic Church during the
Middle Ages in Europe can best be described
as a church that
1. favored separation from secular
governments
2. avoided involvement in social and
educational matters
3. was a strong force that divided many
people
4. was a stabilizing influence during a
period of weak central governments
“All things were under its domain...its power
was such that no one could hope to escape its
scrutiny.”
3. Which European institution during the
Middle Ages is best described by this
statement?
1.
2.
3.
4.
the Guild
Knighthood
the Church
the nation-state
4. The growth of feudalism in Europe during
the Middle Ages was primarily caused by the
1.
2.
3.
4.
rivalry between the colonial empires
suppression of internationalism
decline of the Roman Catholic Church
collapse of a strong central government
5. Feudal societies are generally characterized
by
1.
2.
3.
4.
an emphasis on social order
a representative government
many economic opportunities
the protection of political rights
6. Which is a characteristic of a feudal
society?
1.
2.
3.
4.
rapid social change
high literacy rate
industrial-based economy
rigid class structure
7. In European feudal society, an individual’s
social status was generally determined by
1.
2.
3.
4.
birth
education and training
individual abilities
marriage
8. Feudalism in Western Europe was similar to
feudalism in Japan in that
1.
2.
3.
4.
power was based on class relationships
equality among the social classes
direct democracy
monotheism
9. Which economic system existed in Europe
during the early Middle Ages?
1.
2.
3.
4.
free market
socialism
manorialism
command
31
10. The Middle Ages in Western Europe was
characterized by
1. the manor system and the importance of
land ownership
2. absolute monarchies and strong central
governments
3. decreased emphasis on religion in daily
life
4. extensive trade with Asia and the Middle
East
11. A major goal of the Christian Church
during the Crusades (1096–1291) was to
1. establish Christianity in western Europe
2. capture the Holy Land from Islamic
rulers
3. unite warring Arab peoples
4. strengthen English dominance in the
Arab world
12. In Europe, a long-term effect of the
Crusades was
1. the strengthening of the feudal system
2. the adoption of Islamic religious
practices
3. an increased demand for goods from
the East
4. increased European isolation
13. In Europe, the Crusades resulted in
1. greater isolation of the region from the
world
2. an increased demand for goods from
the Middle East and Asia
3. the adoption of Islam as the official
religion of many European nations
4. the strengthening of the feudal system
14. Which statement best describes the result
of the Crusades?
1. Europeans maintained a lasting control
over much of the Middle East
2. Islamic influence dominated Europe
3. Europeans developed tolerance of NonChristian religions
4. trade between Europe and the Middle
East was expanded
15. One major result of the Crusades was the
1. permanent occupation of the Holy Land
by the Europeans
2. long-term decrease in European trade
3. conversion of most Muslims to
Christianity
4. spread of Middle Eastern culture and
technology to Europe
16. The Crusades have been called “history’s
most successful failures.” Which statement
best explains this expression?
1. The Crusades did not achieve their
original goals, but they brought about
many desirable changes in Europe.
2. Although the Crusaders captured the
Holy Land, they were unable to bring
about democratic reforms.
3. The Crusades helped bring about the
fall of the Roman Empire
4. The Crusaders prevented the Turks
from capturing Constantinople for many
centuries
17. What were two indirect results of the
Crusades?
1. trade and commerce increased and the
feudal system was strengthened
2. trade and commerce declined and the
feudal system was strengthened
3. trade and commerce increased and the
feudal system was weakened
4. trade and commerce declined and the
feudal system was weakened
18. In Europe during the Middle Ages,
increases in trade and commerce resulted in
1. lower living standards for industrial
workers
2. decreased economic rivalry between
kings
3. increased political power for the clergy
4. development of towns and cities
32
Feudalism in Japan
Japan developed a feudal system which had similarities to the European system.
The shogun (like the king) ruled the country through the daimyo (like the nobles), who were the
heads of the samurai (like the knights).
Peasants farmed the land in exchange for protection by the samurai, who operated under a
code of conduct known as bushido (like chivalry).
Again, society was organized under a rigid class system with no social mobility.
The Tokugawa Shoguns maintained an ethnocentric policy toward the outside world. However,
cultural influences from China did migrate to Japan down the Korean Peninsula.
33
The Mongols
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Most Regents Questions about The Mongols are based on maps.
The most important thing to remember about The Mongol empire is that it was giant stretching from the East coast of China - all the way to Eastern Europe.
The Mongols - led by Kubla and Ghengis Khan - were fierce warriors.
They invented the stirrup - which allowed them to control their horses and use them in battle.
The Mongols were also famous for allowing the people they conquered to maintain their
culture and identity.
34
Regents Practice
1. In Japan between 1603 and 1868, the
most notable action taken by the
Tokugawa Shogunate was the
1. military conquest of China
2. development of extensive trade with
the Americas
3. formation of cultural links with
Europe
4. virtual isolation of the country from
the outside world
The diagram illustrates the social structure
of feudal Japan.
2. This pyramid shows that feudal Japan
had
6. A valid generalization about early
Japanese culture is that Japan
1. had a strong influence on the
development of culture in Korea
2. spread Shinto throughout Asia
3. maintained a uniquely individual
culture while borrowing from other
cultures
4. imported almost all of its cultural
ideas from China, resulting in
identical cultures
7. Which factor contributed to the success
of the vast empire created by the Mongols?
1) employing superior military skills.
2) avoiding contacts with the west.
3) paying monetary tribute to local rulers.
4) converting peoples to Confucianism.
Base your answer on the accompanying
map
8. Which statement about the Mongols is
supported by the information in the map?
1.
2.
3.
4.
a classless society
a growing middle class
high social mobility
a well-defined class system
3. Feudal societies are characterized by
1. an emphasis on social order
2. a representative government
3. many economic opportunities
4. the protection of political rights
4. Which is a feature of a feudal society?
1. rapid social change
2. high literacy rate
3. industrial-based economy
4. rigid class structure
5. The code of bushido of the Japanese
samurai is most similar to
1. belief in reincarnation and karma of
Hindus
2. practice of chivalry by European
knights
3. teachings of Judaism
4. theory of natural rights of the
Enlightenment writers
1. The Yuan dynasty kept China
isolated from outside
influence
2. Most of the Chinese people
lived in River Valleys.
3. Kublai Khan and Genghis
Khan extended Mongol
influence to parts of Asia
4. The city of Samarkand was
part of the Yuan empire.
35
The Renaissance (a major turning point in history)
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The Renaissance was a re-birth of culture which started
in Italy.
It started in Italy because Italian city-states were making
a lot of money through trade (Patrons had a lot of money
to finance art) plus Italy is in a central location near the
Middle East and Asia.
Art, architecture, and literature all flourished (Da Vinci,
Michelangelo, Shakespeare…)
The focus of study switched from religious subjects to
include worldly (secular) subjects, the individual
(humanism), and in Greek and Roman ideas.
Renaissance artists and thinkers looked back to the
golden age of the Greeks for inspiration. (art – statues,
architecture – columns)
Humanism was a big part of the Renaissance - artists celebrated
human achievement and form (think statue of David).
The Renaissance was mostly a "secular" (non-religious)
movement.
A new questioning attitude emerged where individuals felt
empowered to protest traditional beliefs.
Regents Review
1.One factor that enabled the Renaissance
to flourish in Northern Italy was that the
region had
1. a wealthy class that invested in the
arts
2. a socialist form of government
3. limited contact with the Byzantine
Empire
4. a shrinking middle class
2. Which statement best describes a
characteristic of the Renaissance in
Europe?
1. the social structure became very
rigid
2. creativity in the arts was
encouraged
3. the political structure was similar to
that of the Roman Empire
4. humanism decreased in importance
3. Which characteristic was common to
the Golden Age of Greece and the Italian
Renaissance?
1. a strong military led to national unity
2. written constitutions led to the
establishment of democratic
governments
3. prosperity led to the creation of
many works of art
4. political instability led directly to the
formation of unified nation-states
4. Which societal condition was basic to
the development of Greek philosophy and
Renaissance art?
1.
2.
3.
4.
rigid social classes
emphasis on individualism
religious uniformity
mass education
36
5. European society during the
Renaissance differed from European
society during the Middle Ages in that
during the Renaissance
1. the Church was no longer influential
2. the emphasis on individual worth
increased
3. economic activity declined
4. art no longer contained religious
themes
6. Which was a major characteristic of the
Renaissance?
1.
2.
3.
4.
conformity
humanism
mysticism
obedience
7. In Europe, a major characteristic of
humanism was
1. a belief in the supremacy of the
state in relation to individual rights
2. a rejection of ancient civilizations
and their cultures
3. an emphasis on social control and
obedience to national rulers
4. an appreciation for the basic worth
of individual achievement
9. Which statement best describes a
change that occurred during both the
Renaissance and the Enlightenment?
1. feudalism became the dominant
political system
2. the use of reason and logic were
discouraged
3. technology and science were
considered unimportant
4. a new questioning spirit and attitude
emerged
10. The humanists of the Renaissance
differed from the traditional medieval
philosophers in the humanists’
1. interest in the spiritual life of people
2. lack of interest in Ancient Greek and
Roman culture
3. rejection of Christian principles
4. emphasis on the importance of the
individual
8. Which statement describes a direct
effect of the Renaissance on Western
Europe?
1. the philosophy of humanism brought
about a decrease in the power of
the Roman Catholic Church
2. art began to reflect an increased
emphasis on religious themes
3. nationalistic movements among the
minority ethnic groups in the region
declines
4. the feudal system was developed to
provide stability in a decentralized
political structure
37
The Protestant Reformation (a major turning point in history)
The Renaissance even affected the Church itself. Martin Luther, a German priest,
challenged some of the Church's rules.
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Martin Luther was upset over the corruption within the Catholic Church.
High ranking Catholic clergy were living lavish (wealthy) lifestyles from money for the
Church.
Catholic clergy were selling "indulgences" - kind of like a 'get into heaven free card'.
Martin Luther believed reading the Bible was the only source of knowledge of God not
the Catholic Church. He translated the Bible in the vernacular (everyday language)
Unlike Catholicism, he believed that salvation comes from faith in god not good deeds.
Martin Luther posted a written protest called the 95 Thesis on the door of his church
for everyone to see.
Because of the new printing press - these ideas were printed up and spread all over
Europe.
The Ninety Five Theses caused such a shake up in the Catholic Church that new
branches of Christianity formed.
These new churches (Lutheran, Anglican, etc.) were called Protestant (after Luther's
protest) and the process became known as the Protestant Reformation.
The Catholic Church lost power. Europe is no longer unified under the Catholic Church
Now Christians are split between Catholics and Protestants
The Catholic Church responded with a Counter-Reformation by making some reforms
(changes) but also used torture and death against non-Catholics. Ex. In Spain the
Inquisition killed heretics (people who opposed Catholic laws).
Regents Review
1. During the Renaissance, which development
contributed most to the Protestant
Reformation?
1.
2.
3.
4.
interest in Ancient Greece and Rome
advances in mathematics and science
questioning of traditional authority
attention to realism and detail
2. The Protestant Reformation and the
European Renaissance were similar in that
both
1. discouraged the growth of strong
monarchs
2. encouraged people to question tradition
3. were led by the military
4. supported the return of the Roman
Empire
3. Martin Luther’s Ninety-Five Theses were a
call for
1. religious revolt against the German
princes
2. reforms within the Roman Catholic
Church
3. greater papal authority
4. crusades to spread Christianity
“Christians should be taught that he who gives
to a poor man or lends to a needy man does
better than if he used the money to buy an
indulgence.”
4. Which major movement in European history
started with the idea expressed in this
statement?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Commercial Revolution
Industrial Revolution
Renaissance
Protestant Reformation
38
“Unless I am convinced by Scripture and plain
reason... my conscience is captive to the Word
of God. I cannot and I will hot recant anything,
for to go against conscience is neither right nor
safe. Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise.”
—Martin Luther, Diet of Worms (1517)
5. When Martin Luther said “my conscience is
captive to the Word of God,” he was referring
to his belief in
1. the supremacy of the Bible over Church
policies
2. imprisoning those who disagreed with
Church teachings
3. maintaining the unity of the Church
4. the need for nepotism
6. Martin Luther’s posting of the Ninety-Five
Theses is considered by many to be a turning
point in history because
1. the Pope’s right to sell indulgences was
strengthened
2. Luther soon became the leader of
Germany
3. the power of the Roman Catholic
Church was lessened and royal power
grew
4. the Roman Catholic Church unified the
German states
7. In Western Europe, a major immediate effect
of the Reformation was a
1. renewed domination of the Catholic
Church over the German states
2. greater tolerance of religions other than
Christianity
3. decrease in educational opportunities
for the middle class
4. decline in religious unity and in the
power of the Catholic Church
8. Which was a result of the Protestant
Reformation in Europe?
1. the Catholic Church accepted the
dominance of the new Protestant
religions in Italy, France, and Germany
2. Spain became a predominately
Protestant nation
3. Catholic Church leaders refused to
make any changes in church practices
4. the power of the Catholic Church in
Europe was weakened
9. Which was a major result of the
Reformation?
1. new Christian denominations emerged
2. religious teachings were no longer
allowed in the universities
3. the Crusades were organized
4. the power of the Pope was strengthened
10. The Protestant Reformation represents a
turning point in European history because it
1. allowed religious reformers to escape
persecution
2. standardized all religious writings
3. ended religious unity in Western Europe
4. forced most of Europe’s monarchs to
become Protestants
11. In Spain, an effect of the Inquisition during
the 16th century was to
1. prevent the introduction of Protestant
religions
2. reintroduce Moorish culture to the
Iberian Peninsula
3. encourage the development of the
Industrial Revolution
4. implement the ideas of the Renaissance
in major cities
39
African Kingdoms
Numerous kingdoms (such as Ghana, Mali, and Songhai) arose in western Africa. These kingdoms
thrived because of:
a. their locations on trade
routes and
b. their abundant natural
resources, (gold, ivory, and
salt).
c. A negative effect of this
interaction was the start of
the slave trade, when
Europeans needed a cheap,
reliable labor source for their
New World colonies.
Mansa Musa, a Mali king,
converted to Islam--his hajj (One of
the 5 Pillars of Faith – Pilgrimage
to Mecca, the holy city of the
Muslims) has been well chronicled.
Spread of Ideas
During the 1400s, Timbuktu became a center of learning under the leadership of Mali
emperor, Mansa Musa. Again, this is the influence of Islam, with Islamic scholars
traveling from around the Muslim world to study and teach and the University of Timbuktu. This
interaction helped to spread ideas about Africa to the outside world.
Mesoamerican Civilizations (1450 – 1770)
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Mesoamerica is the term for American civilizations before the arrival of Europeans.
The main civilizations here are The Aztec's, The Inca's, and the Mayan's.
The Regents Exam often has a questions relating to the fact that there were advanced,
complex civilizations in the America's before the arrival of Europeans.
The Aztec's were in present day Mexico.
They built giant stair stepped pyramids where they made human sacrifices to the Sun God.
The Inca's lived in the Andes Mountains of South America and were famous for their terraced
farming.
The Inca created an efficient economic system to support the empire and an extensive road
system to tie it together
But once the Europeans came with their guns, cannon, metal weapons and diseases - they
quickly overran these civilizations.
Inca terrace farming
40
Regents Practice
1. One similarity between the Ancient African
kingdoms of Egypt, Ghana, Mali and Songhai
is that all of these kingdoms were located
1. in mountainous terrain
2. in coastal areas
3. on major trading routes
4. in rain forest areas
2. One reason the ancient kingdoms in
western Africa prospered was that they
1. were located along the Tigris and
Euphrates rivers
2. had no contact with the rest of the world
3. followed the Hindu beliefs of their rulers
4. developed extensive trade in gold, ivory,
and salt
3. A similarity between the ancient western
African kingdoms of Mali, Ghana, and Songhai
is that these kingdoms
1. limited the power of their rulers
2. practiced Christianity
3. established economies based on trade
4. isolated themselves from contact with
other cultures
4. The contributions of the ancient civilizations
of Ghana, Axum, Kush, and Mali demonstrate
that
1. industrial technology was needed for
African civilizations to develop
2. many African civilizations developed in
southern Africa
3. most of the African Continent was
unified under a single political system
4. advanced societies developed in Africa
before Europeans colonized this region
5. Mansa Musa’s journey to Mecca in the
1300’s is evidence that
1. the Crusades had a great influence on
western Africa
2. most African leaders were educated in
the Middle East
3. European culture was superior to the
cultures of western Africa
4. Islam had a major influence on the Mali
Empire
6) A study of the Maya, Aztec, and Inca
civilizations of Latin America would show that
these civilizations
1. developed advanced and complex societies
before the arrival of the Europeans
2. established extensive trade with Pacific Rim
nations
3. were strongly influenced by their contact
with Asian and African civilizations
4. were relatively large, but not well organized
7) In Latin America, the Maya and the Aztec
civilizations were similar in that they
1. showed little evidence of urbanization
2. lacked a strong central government
3. developed complex mathematical and
calendar systems
4. used military weapons superior to those of
Europeans
8. Which factor most influenced the
development of diverse cultures in preColumbian South America?
(1) trade agreements
(2) geographic features
(3) imported religious ideas
(4) peasant revolts
9. A major agricultural advancement of the
Incas was the
(1) domestication of cattle
(2) use of a steel plow
(3) terracing of mountains for farming
(4) development of floating gardens
10. One reason the Spanish conquistadors
were able to conquer the Aztec and Inca
Empires rapidly is that
1. these empires had no standing armies
2. the Spanish had better weapons than
the Aztecs and Incas did
3. the Spanish greatly outnumbered the
Aztecs and Incas
4. the Aztecs and Incas joined together to
fight the Spanish
41
Ming Dynasty in China
Voyages of Zheng He (1405 – 1433)
The Ming empire overthrew the Mongols in 1368. Zheng He was a Chinese explorer that sailed along
the coasts of S.E. Asia, India, and East Africa during the 15th century. The Chinese established trade
in these areas and spread their culture to the west. However, after Zheng He’s death in 1433, the
Ming Emperor ordered all voyages stopped and trade with the outside world cut off. This was done
to keep China free from foreign influence (isolated) because China was ethnocentric thinking that
their culture was superior to the Europeans. However, this action limited China’s development and
made them an easy target for the more advanced Europeans in the coming years.
The Ottoman Empire (1453 – 1919)
The Ottomans are one of the greatest and most powerful civilizations of the modern period. Their
moment of glory in the sixteenth century represents one of the heights of human creativity, optimism,
and artistry. The empire they built was the largest and most influential of the Muslim empires of the
modern period, and their culture and military expansion crossed over into Europe and established
Islamic traditions and culture that last to the current day. In 1453, the Ottomans conquered the
Byzantium capital of Constantinople and renamed it, Istanbul. Suleiman ruled the Ottoman Empire
from 1520 to 1566 as an absolute ruler but he improved the system of justice and treated the diverse
people within their empire with tolerance.
Base your answer to question 1 on the map.
1. Which conclusion about Zheng He’s
voyages is valid based on this map?
Voyages of Zheng He, 1405–33
2. During the Ming dynasty, why did China
stop investing in overseas naval expeditions?
(1) Many foreigners were imitating Chinese
culture.
(2) Chinese leaders saw little value in
exploration.
(3) People disagreed with Confucius’s demand
for more territory.
(4) Chinese merchants were threatened by
foreign competition.
3. The Ottomans were a strong trading empire
through the mid-1600s because they
(1) controlled access to the eastern
Mediterranean Sea
(2) had the most powerful navy in the world
(3) dominated West African caravan routes
(4) conquered most of Asia
(1) His fleet traveled only as far as the Bay of
Bengal.
(2) His expeditions sailed to ports in Asia and
Africa.
(3) His fleet conquered and controlled Luzon.
(4) His expeditions traded directly with the
interior of Africa.
4. Which form of political leadership is most
closely associated with Ivan the Terrible,
Suleiman the Magnificent, and Philip II of
Spain?
(1) democratic (3) communist
(2) absolutist (4) theocratic
42
Age of Exploration (1400 -1700)
As Europe came out of the Middle Ages and into the Renaissance, there was an explosion of wealth
from the Crusades (trade with the Middle East and Asia – Far East)
Inventions of navigation instruments like the
compass
astrolabe
printing press (for maps, etc.)
made voyages of exploration possible.
Some of the explorers were looking for a faster way to get to Asia and trade for silk, spices, etc. (and
avoid the Muslim Moors taxes to cross the Middle East).
Many times these voyages were funded by joint stock companies. Cities like Amsterdam (left) grew
very prosperous as places where investors funded voyages.
The Commercial Revolution in Europe led to an expansion of overseas trade and dominance of
European nations. (HUGE change in Europe’s economy from manorialism to capitalism, investment,
and joint stock companies, led to lotsa exploration and trade.)
43
While the explorers often failed to find a faster way to get to Asia, they did find areas rich in natural
resources.
They also exploited the local population and turned
them into a cheap labor force. That labor force
allowed then to send cheap raw materials home.
These new areas were called colonies. The maps
show European colonies in North and South
America.
This interaction began to introduce Europeans to all
kinds of new things, including foods like sugar, corn,
squash etc.
Unfortunately for the natives in the colonies, the
explorers brought uninvited guests (diseases) with
them.
Diseases like smallpox wiped out Mesoamerican
civilizations and their advanced \
mathematics
calendars
architecture
government and
cities (Tenochtitlan and Machu Picchu)
and replaced them with death and European dominance. This exchange between the New World
and Europe became known as the Columbian Exchange.
Columbian Exchange Presentation http://edtech2.boisestate.edu/lockwoodm/Imperialism/images/ColumbianExchange.ppt
Mercantilism can be called "imperialism on steroids."
Colonies send raw materials (harvested by cheap
local labor) back to the mother country.
Those raw materials are turned into manufactured
goods in the mother country's factories.
Those manufactured goods are sold back to the
colonies at a large profit.
The colony must trade only with the empire--they cannot
trade with other empires or their colonies. This created a
kind of monopoly
In the America’s, the Spanish created the encomienda
system of forced labor where Indians, then Africans, were
forced to work on plantations (large farms) for the
Spanish. This exploited (took advantage of) the indigenous (native) peoples.
44
Another example of imperialism is called the
Triangle Trade.
After the vast majority of their workforce in the New
World was killed off by smallpox, the Europeans
turned to Africa for a new labor force.
Slaves were bought in Africa using gold and
rum “sugar from America.
Slaves were brought to America through the
Middle Passage across the Atlantic
Those slaves were used to produce raw
materials and cash crops (sugar, cotton,
tobacco) to be shipped back to Europe.
The factories produced manufactured goods
(textiles, rum, etc.) to be sold to Africa and
America.
Regents Practice
1. The use of the terms Encounter and
Columbian exchange represents attempts to
describe the
(1) nature of cultural interactions
(2) establishment of land grants
(3) results of scientific innovations
(4) origins of divine right theory
2. What was a significant effect of the
Columbian exchange?
(1) The Aztec conquered a vast empire.
(2) Potatoes were introduced into the diet of
some Europeans.
(3) Prince Henry the Navigator established a
school for sailors.
(4) China closed its borders to foreigners.
3. Which revolution in Europe is most closely
associated with the rise of capitalism, the
formation of guilds, and the growth of banking
systems?
(1) Commercial (3) Agrarian
(2) Scientific (4) Glorious
4. One effect of the encomienda system in
Latin America was that it
(1) eliminated the use of guilds
(2) promoted isolationism
(3) exploited indigenous peoples
(4) reduced Spanish influence
5. Which was a result of the Commercial
Revolution
1. decline in population growth in Europe
2. shift of power from Western Europe to
Eastern Europe
3. spread of feudalism throughout Western
Europe
4. expansion of European influence
overseas
6. The Commercial Revolution in Western
Europe led directly to the
1. development of a socialist economy
2. establishment of the Guild System
3. weakening of the power of the middle
class
4. expansion of world trade
7. Which system developed as a result of the
Commercial Revolution
1.
2.
3.
4.
manorialism
communism
bartering
market economy
45
8. In Latin America during the early period of
Spanish colonialism, the deaths of large
numbers of the native people led to
1. a decline in Spanish immigration to the
Americas
2. the removal of most Spanish troops from
the Americas
3. the importation of slaves from Africa
4. improved health care in the colonies
9. What was a direct result of the trans-Atlantic
slave trade on African cultures?
(1) Many African communities faced economic
disaster.
(2) European industrial factories were
established throughout Africa.
(3) Animism was no longer practiced in Africa.
(4) Africans across the continent hired
Europeans to train their military.
10. The Middle Passage is best defined as
(1) a route through the Swiss Alps
(2) a narrow body of water connecting two
larger bodies of water
(3) the forced journey of enslaved Africans to
the Americas
(4) the expulsion of Muslims from Spain
11. One reason the Spanish conquistadors
were able to conquer the Aztec and Inca
Empires rapidly is that
1. these empires had no standing armies
2. the Spanish had better weapons than
the Aztecs and Incas did
3. the Spanish greatly outnumbered the
Aztecs and Incas
4. the Aztecs and Incas joined together to
fight the Spanish
12. Which was a characteristic of the policy of
mercantilism followed by Spanish colonial
rulers in Latin America?
1. the colonies were forced to develop
local industries to support themselves
2. Spain sought trade agreements
between its colonies and the English
3. the colonies provided raw materials and
bought Spanish made goods
4. Spain encouraged the colonies to
develop new political systems to meet
colonial needs
13. Spain’s colonial policy of mercantilism
affected the development of Latin American
nations by promoting
1. the production of raw material and cash
crops
2. free and rapid trade with Asia and Africa
3. respect for the rights of indigenous
people
4. isolationism as a response to
international political issues
14. According to the theory of mercantilism,
colonies should be
1. acquired as markets and sources of raw
materials
2. considered an economic burden for the
colonial power
3. grated independence as soon as
possible
4. encouraged to develop their own
industries
15. Which was an immediate result of the
European Age of Exploration?
1. Islamic culture spread across Africa and
Asia
2. European influence spread to the
Western hemisphere
3. independence movements developed in
Asia and Africa
4. military dictatorships were established
throughout Europe
16. A major result of the Age of Exploration
was
1. a long period of peace and prosperity for
the nations of Western Europe
2. extensive migration of people from the
Western Hemisphere to Europe and
Asia
3. the fall of European national monarchies
and the end of the power of the Catholic
Church
4. the end of regional isolation and the
beginning of a period of European
global domination
46
Absolutism and Limits on Government
Louis XIV (ruled France from 1643 to 1715) was an
absolute monarch. He gained riches from trade with the
new world and used it to consolidate his power in France.
Absolute monarchs were believed to rule by divine right-they ruled because it was God's will (Louis XIV was known
as the "Sun King" because of this). Divine Right is similar
to the Chinese concept of Mandate of Heaven. It was
difficult to oppose anything the monarch did.
The phrase "I am the state" has been attributed to Louis.
Louis expanded France to the borders shown in the map
on the left by increasing the military at the taxpayer's
expense.
He also had the Palace of Versailles built at the taxpayer's
expense.
In Russia, Peter the Great used autocratic methods to
modernize Russia, pushing through social and economic
reforms and importing western technology. Later,
Catherine the Great achieved the Russian dream of a
warm-water port on the Black Sea by waging war against
the Ottoman Empire.
England was the first country to experiment with
introducing democratic ideas into the government and
reducing the power of the king.
This new form of government is called a limited
monarchy.
Here are examples of some of their reforms:
Reform
Description
Magna Carta Granted rights to both clergy and nobility.
Considered to be the beginnings of British
democracy.
English Bill of Bill of Rights which created a limited
Rights
monarchy and established Parliament as
the ruling body of England.
Glorious
Political revolution in Great Britain limited
Revolution
the power of the monarchy and making
Parliament supreme.
47
Regents Practice
1. Which type of government is shown in the
cartoon?
4. What was a key characteristic of an
absolute monarchy in the 16th and 17th
centuries?
(1) centralized governmental authority
(2) increased political rights for peasants
and serfs
(3) freedom of religion
(4) a system of checks and balances
5. Peter the Great and Catherine the Great
changed Russia by
1. abolishing all social class distinctions
2. becoming constitutional monarchs
3. preventing wars with neighboring
nations
4. introducing western ideas and customs
6. Westernization in Russia came about
largely through the
1.
2.
3.
4.
a socialist republic
an absolute monarchy
a communist dictatorship
a democracy
“. . .The person of the King is sacred, and to
attack him in any way is an attack on religion
itself. Kings represent the divine majesty and
have been appointed by Him to carry out His
purposes. Serving God and respecting kings
are bound together.”
—Bishop Jacques Bossuet
2. This statement describes the philosophy
that existed during the
1.
2.
3.
4.
existed during the
Age of Absolutism
Renaissance
Industrial Revolution
3. Which person would most agree with this
statement?
1.
2.
3.
4.
John Locke
Karl Marx
Elizabeth II
Louis XIV
1. efforts of Peter the Great and his
successors
2. invasion of Russia by Sweden
3. desire of the United States to seek new
markets
4. acceptance of the policies of the
Eastern Orthodox Church
7. The Magna Carta, the Petition of Right, and
the English Bill of Rights led the English
government to develop a political system in
which
(1) rulers were responsible to the people
(2) religious authorities controlled the
lawmaking process
(3) the power of the monarch came from God
(4) the individual was denied a trial by jury
8. The signing of the Magna Carta in 1215 and
the Glorious Revolution in 1688 were key
events in English history because they resulted
in
(1) creating alliances with France
(2) defeating Protestant nobles
(3) limiting the power of the monarchy
(4) annexing territory
48
Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment
Scientists were one group who radically
changed the way people looked at the world
around them during and after the
Renaissance. Many scientists turned from
traditional viewpoints and challenged long
accepted ideas. Institutions like the church
sometimes persecuted these scientists for
their work.
These are just a few examples of the
achievements of the Scientific Revolution:
Scientist
Accomplishment
Copernicus
Heliocentric (sun centered) universe
Galileo
Telescopes
Newton
Laws of Motion (Gravity)
Kepler
Laws of planetary Motion
One of the main ideas to come out of the Scientific Revolution was the use of the Scientific Method.
The Scientific Method uses observation and experimentation to explain theories on how the
universe works.
The Enlightenment developed as an extension of the Scientific Revolution. During the Scientific
Revolution, Europeans discarded traditional beliefs and began using reason to explain the world
around them. While the Scientific Revolution focused on the physical world, the Enlightenment
attempted to explain the purpose of government, and describe the best form of it.
The Enlightenment was an intellectual reaction to absolute monarchies (like Louis XIV) and stressed
the strength of human reason.
Enlightenment thinkers (listed below) challenged absolute monarchy. Their ideas included:
government should be responsible to the people
all people had guaranteed, natural rights and freedoms
These ideas spread among the French people prior to the revolution.
Enlightenment Thinker
Locke
Voltaire
Montesquieu
Beccaria
Ideas
Life, liberty, etc.-natural rights
Freedom of thought, expression, religion
Separation of Powers
Abolition of torture
49
Regents Practice
1. Which pair of ideas was central to the
Scientific Revolution?
(1) social stability and economic selfsufficiency
(2) observation and experimentation
(3) technology and military expansion
(4) scarcity and interdependence
2. Seventeenth-century scholars Galileo
Galilei and René Descartes faced serious
challenges to their scientific theories because
their ideas
(1) were based on the Bible
(2) contradicted traditional medieval European
beliefs
(3) relied only on teachings from non-Christian
cultures
(4) were not supported by scientific
investigations
3. Which statement about the Scientific
Revolution in Europe is accurate?
(1) The existence of natural laws was rejected.
(2) Scientists questioned traditional beliefs
about the universe.
(3) New ideas supported the geocentric theory
of Ptolemy.
(4) The Bible was used to justify new scientific
findings.
Base your answer to question 4 on the chart
below and on your knowledge of social studies.
4. Which period is most closely associated
with the major ideas of these philosophers?
Philosopher Idea
Locke Natural rights — life, liberty, property
Montesquieu Separation of powers
Voltaire Freedom of thought, expression, and
religion
(1) Crusades (3) Reconquista
(2) Renaissance (4) Enlightenment
5. Jean-Jacques Rousseau and John Locke
both agreed that a government should be
based on the
(1) separation of nationalities
(2) religious values of the people
(3) equal distribution of wealth
(4) consent of the governed
6. Enlightenment thinkers encouraged the
improvement of society through the
(1) teachings of the church
(2) use of reason
(3) development of absolutism
(4) establishment of a rigid social hierarchy
7. Many Enlightenment philosophers used
reason to
(1) reinforce traditional beliefs
(2) strengthen religious authority
(3) reveal natural laws
(4) encourage censorship
8. One way in which Montesquieu, Voltaire,
and Rousseau are similar is that they were
(1) philosophers during the Age of
Enlightenment
(2) chief ministers during the French
Revolution
(3) leaders of the Italian unification movement
(4) supporters of the Counter Reformation
9.In Two Treatises of Government, John Locke
wrote that the purpose of government was to
(1) keep kings in power
(2) regulate the economy
(3) expand territory
(4) protect natural right
10. Which statement expresses an idea of the
Enlightenment?
(1) The king is sacred and answers only to
God.
(2) History is a continuous struggle between
social classes.
(3) Those who are the most fit will survive and
succeed.
(4) All individuals have natural rights.
50
The French Revolution (1789 – 1915)
French Society was divided into three classes or "estates".
First Estate=clergy
Second Estate=nobility
Third Estate=everyone else
Each estate was granted an equal voice in an advisory legislative
group called the Estates General who would meet whenever
there was a need to advise the king.
The Estates General had no real power under the absolute
monarchy of Louis XIV.
This cartoon from the time tells us a great deal about common
attitudes
in France
about the division of classes. The third estate
is the man in chains. He supports the clergy
and nobility on his back.
For most people in France, the estates system
was unfair. Although the First and Second
Estates had a much smaller population than
the Third Estate, they had equal ranking in the
Estates General.
Since the nobility and the clergy paid
little or no taxes to the king, the
commoners paid for the vast majority of
the government--wars, palace building
(Versailles), etc.
The Third Estate was not very happy with the
way the king ran the country, but since they
believed that God had chosen the king, what could they do?
Louis XVI was not the same kind of leader that the previous kings were. Although still an absolute
monarch, Louis was losing his power because of:
Enlightenment thought
revolutionary ideas from America
discontent from the Third Estate
fiscal mismanagement
When Louis did little to fix a food shortage and economic crisis in the 1780's, the dissatisfaction with
the crown began to organize itself. Unruly mobs in Paris and the countryside and political groups in
the cities like the Jacobin Club (a group of educated rich commoners with political aspirations) began
to call for reform.
Louis called a meeting of the Estates General in May 1789 to help with the crisis and to satisfy those
calling for reform.
51
The meeting of the Estates General did little to help Louis XVI solve the economic crisis.
The high amount of debt accumulated by previous kings (American Revolution, Palace of Versailles,
etc.) made it difficult to give the economy the boost it needed--there simply wasn't enough cash
around.
Also, Louis didn't want to give up any of the crown's power and authority just to help out the
commoners.
Frustrated with this lack of action, the Third Estate declared itself the National Assembly of France
(the law making body) in June of 1787.
Hearing the news, Louis had the new National Assembly locked out of their meeting hall. The
Assembly moved to a nearby indoor tennis court and took an oath not to disband until they had
written a French constitution (hence the "Tennis Court Oath") and created a new government.
Of course, this new constitution would not include the king...
The Declaration of the Rights of Man, written in August of 1789,
was based on the American Declaration of Independence. It was
written by the National Assembly, was based on the ideas of the
Enlightenment, and challenged the authority of the crown.
The document set forth what the French people could and should
expect from the government; it stated that men have rights that no
government can override.
Louis XVI sent troops into Paris to try to save his kingship by
force. Challenging Louis' authority, a mob in Paris attacked an
armory (holds weapons) and prison called the Bastille in July of
1789.
The Bastille had been built as a fortress by the French Monarchy
during the Middle Ages and was seen as a symbol of the old
regime.
The Paris mob forcibly gained control of the fortress, freed the prisoners, and killed the armory's
commander.
This very symbolic victory against the crown is still celebrated today (Bastille Day is July 14th).
The new constitution (see "Tennis Court Oath" ) was implemented and the French Republic declared
in September of 1792. Louis was beheaded for treason. The new Republic then declared war on
Britain, Spain, and the Netherlands.
France was in economic and political turmoil and at war with most of Europe.
52
The French Republic had difficulty managing the
problems of country. Their solution was to create a
small executive body called the Committee of Public
Safety which would implement the policies of the
Republic.
A Jacobin member named Maximillien Robespierre took
charge of the Committee and instituted a policy he
referred to as "The Terror".
The Committee would create stability by removing "antirevolutionary sentiment". Anyone acting or speaking
against the government was arrested and imprisoned.
Even the slightest hint of dissatisfaction (like
complaining about high prices) was grounds for
imprisonment and death.
Many were put to death by the guillotine (pictured
right). One of Robespierre's first victims was Marie
Antoinette herself!
The Reign of Terror resulted in the executions of tens of thousands of French citizens. It ended when
Robespierre himself was guillotined.
Napoleon was a charismatic and dominant leader who finally brought order to the Republic. He used
his power to enact many of the reforms fought for during the revolution which had never been
implemented. He also made peace with the nations of Europe.
– Napoleonic Code of Reforms
Economy
Goals of the
Revolution
Napoleon's Actions
Results
Equal, lower Taxes
Government
Less corruption, equal
opportunity
Fairer tax code, national
Merit system, new law
bank
codes
Religion
Religious tolerance by
Protestants
Accord w/ pope
Equal taxation, Stable
economy
Honesty, public education Religious tolerance
However, many of the freedoms gained by the revolution were lost.
Overall, the French revolution helped the middle class gain more power in government, paved the
way for other revolutions (Latin America), and instilled feelings of nationalism in people.
53
Regents Practice
“Angry Mob Destroys Bastille”
“Robespierre’s Execution Ends Reign of
Terror”
“Napoleon Seizes Power”
1. Which country’s revolution is referred to in
these headlines?
(1) Spain (3) France
(2) Austria (4) Russia
2. Under the Old Regime in France, the
burden of
taxation fell mostly on the
(1) monarchy (3) nobles
(2) clergy (4) commoners
3. A study of revolutions would most likely lead
to the conclusion that pre-Revolutionary
governments
1. are more concerned about human rights
than the governments that replace them
2. refuse to modernize their armed forces
with advanced technology
3. attempt to bring about the separation of
government from religion
4. fail to meet the political and economic
needs of their people
4. Which of these events related to the French
Revolution occurred first?
(1) Napoleon became emperor of France.
(2) The Declaration of the Rights of Man was
issued.
(3) Louis XVI called the Estates General into
session.
(4) The Committee of Public Safety led the
Reign of Terror.
5.In France, which was a major result of the
French Revolution?
1. the king was restored to unlimited power
2. the clergy dominated government
3. the middle class gained political
influence
4. the tax burden was carried by the lower
class
6. Which statement is a valid generalization
about the immediate results of the French
Revolution of 1789?
1. the Roman Catholic Church increased
its power and wealth
2. the revolution achieved its goal of
establishing peace, democracy, and justice
3. the revolution had little impact
4. the French middle class gained more
power
7. One way in which Robespierre and
Napoleon are similar is that they both
(1) played an important role at the Congress of
Vienna
(2) increased their power during the French
Revolution
(3) were executed for treason by French
monarchs
(4) led armies against the Haitians
8. One major effect of Napoleon’s rule of
France was that it led to
(1) an increase in the power of the Roman
Catholic Church
(2) massive emigration to the Americas
(3) trade agreements with Great Britain
(4) a restoration of political stability
9. What was one effect of the French
Revolution?
(1) Differences between ethnic groups were
eliminated.
(2) Communism became popular.
(3) Militarism was discouraged.
(4) Nationalistic feelings were stimulated.
Congress of Vienna Restores Monarchy to
France”
“Czar Nicholas I Limits Freedom of the Russian
Press”
“Reform Movements Crushed in Hungary, Italy,
and the German States”
10. These headlines could be described as
1. reactions to the French Revolution
2. movements to unify all of western
Europe
3. efforts to improve the conditions of
factory workers
4. attempts to promote trade between
European nations
54
Latin American Revolutions
The ideals of the French Revolution (liberty, fraternity, equality) were spread all over Europe by the
Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. Many countries across the continent saw the success of the
French Revolution and were inspired to revolt themselves. Revolutionary, democratic thought
became a part of the culture.
In Latin America, the Spanish and French denied people basic rights.
Latin America’s Social Class system lacked social mobility
Peninsulares  Creoles  Mestizos, Mulattoes  Slaves
Revolution
Leader(s)
Revolutionary Conditions
Dictator(s)
Group
French
many
Third Estate
No money left Napoleon
from
American
Revolution
Latin
Simon Bolivar, many
Encomienda
many
American
Jose de San
system left
Martin,
many
Toussaint
impoverished
l’Ouverture,
while
Bernardo
Spaniards
O’Higgins,
grew wealthy
Pedro I
Regents Practice
1. During the early 1800’s, which was a major
3. One similarity in the leadership of Latin
influence on the struggle for political
Americas Jose de San Martin, Toussaint
independence in Latin America?
l’Ouverture, Bernardo O’Higgins, and Pedro I
was that each was
1. 20th-century caudillos
1. poor conditions in urban centers in Latin
2. leaders of liberation movements
America
3. members of the Organization of
2. the American and French Revolutions
American States (OAS)
3. the desire of the Roman Catholic
4. winners of the Nobel Peace Prize
Church in Latin America to escape
European control
4. demands by Latin American workers to
4. Which of these situations was the direct
own their own factories
result of the other three?
2. The social class system in Latin America
during the 16th and 17th centuries reflects the
(1) dominance of Spanish-born nobility
(2) emerging equality between classes
(3) influence of mestizo economic power
(4) increasing social mobility of Native
American
Indians
1. nations of Latin America won
independence
2. revolutions occurred in North America
and France
3. the Napoleonic wars weakened Spain’s
power
4. creoles and mestizos became
discontented with Spanish rule
55
Nationalism – Unification of Italy and Germany (1800 – 1900)
The Unification of Italy
The political structure of the Italian peninsula prior to 1861 was that of a fragmented group of small
kingdoms and principalities. There was no political cohesion while internal fighting and rivalries were
hampering any progress. However, the people of the Italian peninsula, shared language, culture and
a historical background. Some Italian leaders began calling for nationalism with the goal of bringing
Italy together into a sovereign nation-state with autonomous rule.
The most famous of Italian nationalistic leaders were Count Camilo Cavour, Guiseppe Garibaldi,
and Guiseppe Mazzini. Mazzini was instrumental in being the "soul" of Italian nationalism. He also
established the secret society known as Young Italy, an organization devoted to a united Italy.
Garibaldi was considered to be the "sword" of Italian nationalism. His band of Red Shirts conquered
forces opposed to unification and forced southern Italy into a cohesive political unit. Cavour was the
"brain" in his role as a skilled diplomat. Cavour successfully received aid from France in a war
against the Austrians and eventually put Victor Emmanuel II on the throne of a completely united
Italian nation-state in 1861.
The Unification of Germany
Germany, during the Metternich Age, was also fragmented. For many of the same reasons, there was
a nationalistic movement calling for the unification of Germany. Of all the German states, Prussia
was the most powerful, dominating the other, smaller states. Prussia was
ruled by Kaiser Wilhelm, however, the person with the most power was
Prime Minister Otto von Bismarck, shown here. It was Bismarck who
strengthened German unity and power by calling on the nationalistic
tendencies of the German people. Bismarck was able to unite Germany
through his policy of Realpolitik, or realistic politics, which is a Machiavellian
"end justifies the means" approach to strengthening and uniting Germany.
Bismarck was a strong proponent of "Blood and Iron". Blood represented
the sacrifices the German people would have to make in achieving the goal of
unification, Iron represented the need to industrialize. Bismarck saw that in
order to be a world power, Germany would have to catch up with much of the
rest of Europe in the areas of technology and factory production. Germany
was unified in 1871.
Regents Practice
1. The unification of Germany under Otto von
Bismarck demonstrates the
(1) influence of Marxist ideology
(2) impact of nationalism
(3) force of civil disobedience
(4) power of democratic ideals
2. The slogan “Blood and Iron” and a united
Germany are most closely associated with
(1) Prince Metternich (3) Camillo Cavour
(2) Simón Bolívar (4) Otto von Bismarck
3. Which individual is associated with the
phrase blood and iron as related to the
unification of
Germany?
(1) Otto von Bismarck
(2) Giuseppe Garibaldi
(3) Kaiser Wilhelm II
(4) Count Camillo di Cavour
4. One political objective of both Otto von
Bismarck and Giuseppe Garibaldi was to
(1) overthrow divine right monarchies
(2) unify their nations
(3) establish communist systems
(4) form an alliance with Great Britain
56
Industrial Revolution (1800 – 1900’s)
The Industrial Revolution began in Great Britain.
Also, the Enclosure Movement, which was the
consolidation of many small farms into one large
farm, left many people jobless and homeless. These
people would provide the workforce of the Industrial
Revolution.
Geography: Great Britain has an abundance of the
natural resources needed
for industrialization, such
as iron ore and coal.
Britain also had access to
many navigable rivers
and natural harbors which provided for the easy movement of goods both
within the country, and overseas.
Along with technological advances in farming (there was enough food to go
around now - surplus) and manufacturing, the British mercantile economic
system created huge amounts of capital to help build railroads, factories,
etc. to shift the country's population from farming in the country to working
in factories in the cities (urbanization).
Laissez-Faire Economics: This was an economic philosophy begun by Adam Smith in his book,
Wealth of Nations, that stated that business and the economy would run best with no interference
from the government. This economic system dominated most of the Industrial Revolution.
Urbanization: People moved to towns and cities to be closer to the factories. Conditions were very
poor during the early part of the Industrial Revolution, as factory workers lived in overcrowded
buildings, with no sewage or sanitation services. This resulted in widespread disease.
Working Conditions: Factory workers worked very long hours, for little pay, under harsh conditions.
Workers included children as young as 8, both male and female. Many people were injured or killed
due to unsafe working conditions.
Societal Changes: New roles were defined for Middleclass men and women. MC
men went to work in business, while MC women worked from home and cared for the
family. The higher standard of living for the middle class meant that their children
received some form of formal education. Working-Class families faced many
hardships due to poor living and working conditions, and most WC children never
received an education.
Communism: Karl Marx wrote in The Communist Manifesto (1848) that all of human history is
based on the conflict between the bourgeoisie (those who own the means of production) and the
proletariat (working class). He predicted that the proletariat would rise up in a violent revolution to
overthrow the bourgeoisie and create a society with an equal distribution of goods and services.
Over time, reform legislation(laws) passed in Great Britain, France, and Germany led to
legalizing trade unions, setting minimum wages, and limiting child labor.
57
Regents Practice
1. Increased agricultural production in England
in the late 1700s contributed directly to
(1) the development of a worldwide
communications network
(2) the introduction of manorialism
(3) a decrease in the power of the monarch
(4) an increase in life expectancy
2. In England, which circumstance was a
result of the other three?
(1) availability of labor
(2) abundance of coal and iron
(3) waterpower from many rivers
(4) start of the Industrial Revolution
3. Which pair of natural resources were used
to change transportation and manufacturing in
Great Britain during the Industrial Revolution?
(1) gold and salt
(2) diamonds and petroleum
(3) copper and tin
(4) coal and iron ore
4. Which statement about railroad systems in
the 19th and early 20th centuries is accurate?
(1) Imperialists rejected the use of railroads in
their colonies.
(2) European governments opposed the
development of railroads.
(3) Railroads helped promote the factory
system and urbanization.
(4) Railroads made transportation of goods
less efficient.
5. What was a result of the Industrial
Revolution in Europe?
(1) the growth of the middle class
(2) an increase in nomadic herding
(3) a decline in urban population
(4) a decrease in international trade
6. Adam Smith would most likely agree with
which statement?
(1) Revolution is the only solution to economic
problems.
(2) Five-year plans are needed to industrialize.
(3) All nations would benefit from an
agricultural economy.
(4) Government should follow a laissez-faire
policy.
6. Which written work criticized the capitalist
system during the Industrial Revolution?
(1) Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx and
Friedrich Engels
(2) “White Man’s Burden” by Rudyard Kipling
(3) The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith
(4) The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin
Base your answers to questions 7 and 8 on the
speakers’ statements below and on your
knowledge of social studies.
Speaker A: If the rate of population growth
continues to exceed the growth in the
food supply, there will not be enough
food for all of the people.
Speaker B: There are people who are wealthy
and people who are poor. This is just how
things are.
Speaker C: History is the story of class
struggle. Eventually, the working class will rise
up and revolt against the wealthy.
Speaker D: The government should do what is
best for most of its people.
7. Which speaker best represents the views
of Karl Marx?
(1) A (3) C
(2) B (4) D
8. To which situation are these speakers most
likely reacting?
(1) growth of Zionism
(2) rise of industrialization
(3) division of Africa
(4) formation of military alliances
9. During the 1800s, reform legislation passed
in Great Britain, France, and Germany led to
(1) formation of zaibatsu, greater equality for
men, and establishment of a banking system
(2) legalizing trade unions, setting minimum
wages, and limiting child labor
(3) government-owned factories, establishment
of five-year plans, and limits placed on
immigration
(4) bans on overseas trade, mandatory military
service, and universal suffrage for women
58
Global Impact of Industrialization
Migrations
Between 1845 and 1900, a wave of global migrations occurred as a result of
improvements in transportation, population growth, and the various social,
political, and economic conditions present throughout the world. Many different
European ethnic groups fled to the United States after the revolutions of 1830 and
1848.
Potato Famine
Ireland experienced a famine in 1845 when their main crop, potatoes,
was destroyed by disease. Irish farmers grew other food items, such
as wheat and oats, but Great Britain required them to export those items to them,
leaving nothing for the Irish to live on. As a result, over 1 million Irish died of starvation
or disease, while millions of others migrated to the United States.
Industrialization of Japan
In the 1800's the United States sent Commodore Matthew Perry to
visit Japan. After seeing the commodore's ship (left, in distance) and
huge guns, the Japanese realized that a huge change was necessary
in order to avoid becoming a colony of the west. In Japan, the
Shogun who allowing trade with the United States, was removed and
the Emperor Meiji was restored to the throne. As a result, Japan developed industry and military,
sent students to study Western ways, to avoid colonization. The Meiji Restoration modernized
Japan's economy and military and allowed it to become a dominant power in Asia.
Regents Practice
1. What was the main reason for the extensive
Irish emigration to North America in the 1840s?
(1) mass starvation (3) civil war
(2) military draft (4) smallpox outbreak
Base your answer to question 2 on the
19thcentury song lyrics below.
. . . What has poor Ireland done, mother, —
What has poor Ireland done,
That the world looks on, and sees us starve,
Perishing one by one?
Do the men of England care not, mother, —
Whether they live or die? . . .— A. M. Edmond,
“Give Me Three Grains of Corn, Mother”
2. Which event is most closely associated with
the conditions described in these lyrics?
(1) civil war
(2) famine
(3) Glorious Revolution
(4) independence from Great Britain
3. Many critics believe that the policy of the
British government during the Irish Famine
(1) contributed to food shortages
(2) ignored military concerns
(3) discouraged emigration
(4) led directly to civil war
4. Which action did Japanese leaders take
directly following the visit of Commodore Perry
in 1853?
(1) They attacked the British navy.
(2) They opened more ports to trade.
(3) They increased the power of the shogun.
(4) They allowed opium into Japan.
5. Which action in Japanese history occurred
during the Meiji Restoration?
(1) Japan modernized its economy.
(2) Mongols invaded the islands of Japan.
(3) The Japanese government adopted an
isolationist policy.
(4) Buddhism became the official religion of
Japan.
59
New Imperialism (1850’s – 1950’s)
"Imperialism occurs when a strong nation takes over a weaker nation or region and dominates its
economic, political, and cultural life.
After the Industrial Revolution, this became a common practice of European nations seeking new
sources of raw materials and markets to sell manufactured products.
Industrialized countries of the west sought to expand their economies by obtaining raw materials
which could be transported back to factories, turned into manufactured goods, and shipped back to
the colonies markets for sale."
Nationalism, or pride in one’s country, also contributed to the growth of imperialism. Citizens were
proud of their country’s accomplishments, which sometimes included taking over foreign areas. As
European nations became competitive with one another, there was an increased pressure to practice
imperialism.
As Europeans took over foreign lands, they viewed the culture of the native population to be inferior
to their own. This concept became known as “Burden” after a popular poem by the same name was
published by Rudyard Kipling in 1899. In it, he describes a sentiment that many Europeans had-that it was the duty of Imperial nations to "raise up" their colonies to European standards of living like:
education, infrastructure, religion, clothing, etc. This is sometimes referred to as Social Darwinism,
or the belief that all human groups compete for survival, and that the stronger groups will replace the
weaker groups.
In the late 1800's, the
only remaining
unclaimed land in the
world was in Africa.
European nations
competed with each
other to gain as
African colonies as
possible before the
other countries did.
The Berlin
Conference set the
rules for the carving
up of the continent.
This period was known as the "Scramble for Africa". Colonial boundaries were created by the
Europeans that had nothing to do with those used by the people living there (compare the map to the
African Kingdoms map). Whole families, clans, tribes, and nations were split up because of the
boundary line created by the outsider Europeans.
Groups who had warred with each other for centuries now found themselves part of the same colony.
60
Although not a colony as a whole, parts of China had come under the rule of foreign powers.
Many countries claimed a sphere of influence in China.
Great
Britain, for
example, used military force to defeat the Chinese in the Opium Wars, which resulted in:
unfair treaties for China
expanded British imperialism in specific regions
In India, one reaction was the Sepoy Rebellion. It failed, and Great Britain secured its hold on India
even further.
Many in groups in China sought to remove western influences by force, like the "The Righteous and
Harmonious Fists," or Boxers. Uprisings, like the Boxer Rebellion failed, and the Chinese
government gave the Western powers even more control over their country.
Since Japan is an archipelago, it has few natural
resources. In order for it to industrialize and remain
free of Western influence it would need to find
some.
The Japanese took over much of East Asia.
Leaders of conquered countries were installed in
puppet governments that were manipulated by the
Japanese (the last emperor of China became the
leader of a new Manchurian country called
Manchukuo).
By 1942, most of eastern Asia was under Japan’s
control.
61
Regents Practice
1. Much of which area of the world came
under
European colonial control in the 19th century?
(1) Japan (3) Africa
(2) Southwest Asia (4) Latin America
2. The Portuguese control of Macao and the
British control of Hong Kong in China are
examples of
(1) collectivization (3) self-determination
(2) imperialism (4) containment
3. Which statement best expresses the
Western perspective regarding Rudyard
Kipling’s “white man’s burden”?
(1) Europeans should preserve traditional
cultures in Africa and Asia.
(2) Europeans must protect existing African
and Asian economies.
(3) Europeans suffered great hardships in
exploring new trade routes to Asia.
(4) Europeans had a duty to introduce the
benefits of their civilization to non-European
peoples.
4. Which statement would Social Darwinists
most likely support?
(1) Universal suffrage is a basic human right.
(2) Political equality strengthens the
effectiveness of government.
(3) Stronger groups have the right to rule and
control weaker groups.
(4) Public education should be guaranteed to
all members of a society.
5. Which of these developments in Africa was
a cause of the other three?
(1) Rival tribal groups fought wars.
(2) The Berlin Conference of 1884 influenced
colonial boundaries.
(3) Traditional territories and culture groups
were permanently fragmented.
(4) African economies became dependent on
the sale of cash crops and raw materials.
6. What was a principal reason for the success
of European colonialism in Asia in the late
1800s?
(1) Asians respected Europeans as
representatives of an advanced civilization.
(2) Europe was able to dominate military and
commercial relations with Asia.
(3) Europeans respected Asian laws and
customs.
(4) Many Asians adopted European religious
practices.
7. During the 19th century, European nations
established spheres of influence in China
mainly to
(1) profit from the ivory trade
(2) introduce Islam to the Chinese people
(3) gain commercial advantages in China
(4) obtain human rights for Chinese citizens24
8. A similarity between the Sepoy Rebellion in
India and the Boxer Rebellion in China is that
both were
(1) attempts to remove foreign influence
(2) movements to establish communist
governments
(3) efforts to restore trade monopolies
(4) struggles to westernize cultures
9. The Sepoy Rebellion is considered an
important event in Indian history because it
was one cause of the
(1) independence movement in India
(2) secession of Bangladesh from Pakistan
(3) establishment of French colonies in India
(4) creation of the Mughal Empire by Muslims
10. Japan’s policy of expansion in the early
20thcentury was motivated by
(1) a lack of natural resources
(2) a plan to end unequal treaties
(3) the need to increase cultural diffusion
(4) the desire to spread communism
11. What is one reason for Japan’s
involvement in the first Sino-Japanese War and
the annexation of Korea?
(1) pursuit of imperialistic goals
(2) reaction to foreign invasions
(3) institution of five-year plans
(4) need for a warm-water port
62
World War I (1914 – 1919)
The World War I stage was set nearly 100 years before the war began.
The Congress of Vienna in 1815 created a balance of power between the five most powerful
countries in Europe:
Austria-Hungary
England
France
Prussia (Germany)
Russia
The countries competed in nearly everything, which made it almost inevitable that war would come.
It's easy to remember what caused World War I--Just remember the MAIN idea!
Causes of World War I
Militarism
An aggressive attitude led to an arms race, producing strong navies and armored
vehicles.
Alliances
The alliances of Europe were formed Triple Entente
Triple Alliance
for protection against each other.
However, they very quickly became
Great Britain
Germany
aggressive towards one another.
France
Austria-Hungary
Russia
Italy
Imperialism
European countries divided up Africa and Asia to strengthen the political and economic
power of the mother country, which caused competition.
Nationalism Nationalism was both a uniting force and a divisive one. It resulted in Germany and
Italy uniting into strong nations, and also caused the eventual disintegration of the
Ottoman Empire and Austria-Hungary.
Europe was ready to blow.
The tense, nationalistic feelings of the
people in the Balkan region of the
Austro-Hungarian Empire (Serbia,
Bosnia, etc.) gave the region the
nickname of the "Powder Keg of
Europe."
The spark that set the war off was the
assassination of the heir to the Austrian
Empire (Archduke Franz Ferdinand) by
a Serbian national. Austria declared war
on Serbia as a result.
Serbia was an ally of Russia. When
Russia declared war on AustriaHungary, the Triple Alliance and Triple
Entente kicked in, bringing the entire
continent to war.
World War I was effectively ended by
63
the Treaty of Versailles. Germany was not happy about the way things turned out...
Terms of the Treaty of Versailles (Germany)
Territorial parts of Germany were split off and became parts of other
countries or became new countries
Military
Germany's military was reduced and could not have many large
ships or any tanks
Financial War reparations--see General
General
Germany was forced to take the ENTIRE blame for the war and
pay war reparations to Great Britain and France--about 6 billion
English pounds!
Since much of Germany's natural resources were in the areas
which were split off by the treaty, they had little way to pay off
this debt.
The US President Woodrow Wilson also suggested a peace plan called the Fourteen Points, which
included plans for a League of Nations, the predecessor to today's United Nations.
The map of Europe looks much different after the
Treaty…
64
Regents Practice
1. Growing nationalism and militarism in
Europe and the creation of secret alliances
were
(1) reasons for the rise of democracy
(2) causes of World War I
(3) requirements for economic development
(4) reasons for the collapse of communism
2. The Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente
contributed to the start of World War I by
(1) failing to include Germany and France as
members
(2) threatening countries in the Western
Hemisphere
(3) allowing Japanese aggression in Korea
(4) increasing tensions between European
Countries
3. What was a major cause of World War I?
(1) rebellions in colonial lands in Africa and
Asia
(2) expansion of communism into western
Europe
(3) militarism in the nations of Europe
(4) inability of the League of Nations to keep
the peace
4. The term militarism can best be defined as
(1) loyalty to a nation or ethnic group
(2) buildup of armaments in preparation for war
(3) avoidance of military involvement in civil
wars
(4) control of territories for economic and
political gain
5. Which region was described as “the powder
keg of Europe” prior to World War I?
(1) Iberian Peninsula (3) Balkan Peninsula
(2) British Isles (4) Scandinavia
6. The assassination of Archduke Franz
Ferdinand was the immediate cause of
(1) the Franco-Prussian War
(2) the Russo-Japanese War
(3) World War I
(4) World War II
7. What was a direct result of World War I?
(1) Nicholas II was named czar of Russia.
(2) Germany lost its colonies in Africa and
Asia.
(3) Archduke Franz Ferdinand was
assassinated by a terrorist.
(4) The Ottoman Empire expanded.
8. The Treaty of Versailles angered many
Germans after World War I because the treaty
(1) divided Germany into Communist and nonCommunist zones
(2) made Germany restore its emperor
(3) required all German-speaking Europeans to
return to Germany
(4) forced Germany to pay large war
reparations
9. One goal of the League of Nations was to
(1) promote peaceful relations worldwide
(2) stimulate the economy of Europe
(3) bring World War I to an end
(4) encourage a strong alliance system
10. The Treaty of Versailles punished
Germany for its role in World War I by
(1) forcing Germany to accept blame for the
war and to pay reparations
(2) dividing Germany into four occupied zones
(3) supporting economic sanctions by the
United Nations
(4) taking away German territory in the Balkans
and Spain
11. Many historians believe that the harsh
terms found in the Treaty of Versailles helped
lead to
(1) Italy’s unification
(2) Turkey’s modernization
(3) revolutions in Russia
(4) World War II
12. Which event occurred first and led to the
other three?
(1) rise of fascism in Europe
(2) Bolshevik Revolution
(3) World War I
(4) signing of the Treaty of Versailles
65
Rise of Totalitarianism (1919 – 1939)
Economic hardships brought on by the unequal Treaty of Versailles and the Great Depression led
people in some countries to accept any government that would put food in their bellies.
The governments of many countries became totalitarian.
Aspects
have a one party system
use terror and violence
control all aspects of the lives of the
citizens
Totalitarian Governments
Tools
censorship
a secret police force
reprisals against those who speak against the
government
Fascist totalitarian regimes rose in many countries, including Germany and Italy.
The Treaty of Versailles laid all of the blame for World War I squarely on the German people.
Germany:
was forced to pay war reparations
could not rebuild its military
lost territories with natural resources
Germany's economic situation was grave... Adolf Hitler used this situation to institute a totalitarian
government. His fascist Nazi party used brutal techniques to come to power, then used the
humiliation Germans felt about the Treaty of Versailles to rebuild its military and take back the lands
taken away by the Treaty. He also encouraged an idea that German's were destined to rule the world
and that all other races (especially Jews) were inferior--even their books.
Many nations (Great Britain in particular) were afraid that Germany would start another war. British
Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain attempted a policy of appeasement.
He made an agreement (Munich Pact) with Hitler that if Germany would stop taking territory, they
could have the Sudetenland (a German part of Czechoslovakia) without a fight. Appeasement was a
failure--Hitler took the Sudetenland and continued to add territory from the rest of Europe.
The League of Nations that was created after World War I failed to prevent war. Since Britain and
France followed a policy of appeasement, the League had no military power..
The other main aggressor leading to World War II was Japan. Since Japan is a small archipelago, it
has few natural resources. In order for it to industrialize it would need to find some. Japan practiced
imperialism and took over much of East Asia. Their empire was called the Greater East Asia CoProsperity Sphere. Native leaders were installed as part of puppet governments that were
manipulated by the Japanese.
66
World War Two was fought for many similar reasons as World War I.
An alliance system existed again--this time it was the Axis Powers
Germany
Italy
Japan
and the Allied Powers
Great Britain
Russia
France.
Germany broke the Munich Pact and invaded Poland. Great Britain declared war on Germany, and
the alliances kicked in again. Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor led to US involvement in the war.
Nazi Germany instituted a program of genocide against Jews in Europe during World War II known as
the holocaust. Six million people were
systematically killed solely because of their
ethnicity.
In Europe, the Allies defeated Nazi Germany
and Italy.
Control of Europe was divided among the allies
Western Europe was controlled by the US,
Great Britain, and France, and Eastern Europe
was controlled by the Soviet Union.
The US helped Germany rebuild and establish
democracy.
Germany and its capital Berlin were divided up
among the powers as well. This situation set up
the Cold War.
Japan surrendered when the US dropped two
atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The
US helped Japan to rebuild and establish
democracy by using their well educated
population.
After the war, the United Nations was set up to
provide peace in the world through collective
security.
67
Regents Practice
1. The rise of fascism in Germany between
World War I and World War II is associated
with the
(1) promotion of ethnic diversity
(2) appeal of the doctrine of nonviolence
(3) establishment of a strong parliamentary
system
(4) impact of the global economic depression
2. Which leader is most closely related with
the rise of fascism in Italy prior to World War
II?
(1) Ho Chi Minh (3) Mao Zedong
(2) Winston Churchill (4) Benito Mussolini
3. One way in which the conquest of
Manchuria by the Japanese (1931) and the
annexation of Czechoslovakia by Germany
(1939) are similar is that these actions
(1) marked the end of the aggressive
expansion of these nations
(2) demonstrated the weakness of the League
of Nations
(3) reestablished the balance of power in the
world
(4) led to the Long March
4. One reason the League of Nations failed as
a world organization was that it
(1) supported the rise of fascist states
(2) lacked a military force to settle conflicts
(3) dealt with conflict by establishing naval
blockades
(4) encouraged the annexation of territory by
force
5. Japan’s invasion of China in 1937 and
Germany’s attack on Poland in 1939 led
directly to
(1) the beginning of World War II in Asia and
Europe
(2) a meeting at Yalta between the United
States and the Soviet Union
(3) a conference at Munich for European
leaders
(4) the withdrawal of Britain and France from
European affairs
Base your answer to question 6 on the
passage below and on your knowledge of
social studies.
. . . In his classic defense of freedom of speech
in, On Liberty, John Stuart Mill wrote that if a
view is not “fully, frequently, and fearlessly
discussed,” it will become “a dead dogma, not
a living truth.” The existence of the Holocaust
should remain a living truth, and those who are
skeptical about the enormity of the Nazi
atrocities should be confronted with the
evidence for it. . . . — Peter Singer (adapted)
6. Which statement is consistent with the
author’s point concerning the Holocaust?
(1) The evils of the past are best ignored and
forgotten.
(2) Frequent and full discussion of the historical
evidence of certain events is desirable.
(3) All eras of history include individuals that
reject existing values.
(4) Every generation must apologize for the
failures of earlier generations.
. . . “You should take steps now to cease
military resistance. Otherwise, we shall
resolutely employ this bomb and all our other
superior weapons to promptly and forcefully
end the war.” . . .
7. This paragraph from a 1945 Allied leaflet
warned the
(1) Czechs of a German invasion
(2) Americans in Hawaii of a Japanese attack
(3) Koreans of a Russian invasion
(4) Japanese civilians of a United States attack
8. Which function of the United Nations is
based on the concept of collective security?
(1) providing health services
(2) coordinating global peacekeeping
(3) monitoring educational programs
(4) assisting in agricultural research
9. The Nuremberg Trials are considered an
important event in the 20th century because
they
(1) brought an end to genocide
(2) condemned the use of nuclear weapons
(3) ruled on provisions for the postwar
occupation of Germany
(4) established principles of responsibility for
human rights violations
68
Rise of Communism (1918 – 1991)
Communism is both a system of government and an economic system.
Economic system
Goal
to have people equally share all
goods
Problems people do not get to become rich
Government system
forces decisions on the country through an totalitarian
dictatorship.
people don't have many rights
Pure communism does not work forever--see Russia and China.
In Capitalism (or market economy) , the main motivation for entrepreneurs (people who start their
own businesses – private property) was profit. Government should have no involvement with the
economy--they should keep their "hands off" (known as laissez faire).
Pure capitalism with no government involvement leads to major societal problems, particularly in the
industrial age. The working class becomes exploited by the entrepreneurs seeking profit. The
working class receives none of the benefits and is even placed in danger.
The rich got richer and the poor got poorer.
Karl Marx and Frederick Engels wrote The Communist Manifesto as an outline of what they saw as
the perfect economic society: one where the workers controlled the economy for the benefit of
everyone. All resources of a country would be collected and redistributed evenly. Everyone would be
equal, so there would be no class differences.
Communism struck a chord with the exploited workers. The
Manifesto was published at a time when many revolutions were
taking place.
This was a dramatic threat to those whose power came from having
money (like kings, czars, and other rich people).
"Working men of the world UNITE!"
During World War I in Russia, the government was losing power in
Russia. The people were starving, but Czar Nicholas was
concentrating on fighting World War I and keeping his money.
Communists in Russia known as Bolsheviks led by V.I. Lenin (center) promised all Russians "Peace,
Bread, and Land".
The Bolshevik Revolution turned Russia into the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
The USSR immediately withdrew from World War I and focused on feeding the people.
Although communism was mainly a philosophy for industrialized countries like England, the
Bolsheviks adapted it to fit agricultural Russia. All of the resources began to become collectivized
into communes or state owned farms and factories. Production dropped and people starved.
69
Lenin started a New Economic Policy (NEP) to improve agricultural and industrial production. The
NEP introduced elements of capitalism in the Soviet Union.
Progress was made, but slowly.
Josef Stalin took over leadership of the Soviet Union after Lenin's death. He saw that the young
communist state would fail if it did not industrialize more rapidly.
He increased his control of the totalitarian state and forced more collectivization on the Soviet people
through his Five Year Plans to industrialize through heavy industry.
When some farmers in Ukraine resisted collectivization, Stalin burned their crops and forced
starvation--millions of people died. When factory owners refused to cooperate, they were killed or
imprisoned. Stalin's brutal tactics dragged the country into the industrialized world.
The production of consumer goods (toasters, umbrellas, cars) was NOT emphasized. By the time
World War II occurred, the Soviet Union was more prepared for war than in World War I. But having
fought Germany in two world wars, Stalin wanted to make sure that Germany could never be powerful
enough to attack again. This brought the Soviet into conflict with its ally, the United States, after
World War II.
The Cold War (1945 – 1991)
The Cold War was a period of tension between the two superpowers after World War II:
communist Soviet Union and its allies
capitalist and democratic United States and its allies
At the end of the war, the Soviet Union controlled much of Eastern Europe, while the US and allies
controlled the west.
The Soviet
Union
encouraged (with money, troops) other countries in the world to become communist and the United
States encouraged them not to. Fighting broke out in some areas.
Many countries decided not to be allies of either side (nonaligned nations) and took aid from both.
70
The Soviet Union expanded its totalitarian control over its "satellite" nations--Eastern Europeans had
little freedom.
Since both sides had enough nuclear weapons to destroy the world many times over, neither wanted
an outright ("hot") war. The Cold war avoided total destruction...
This table lists events and concepts related to the Cold War.
Event/Concept
Yalta Conference
Iron Curtain
Formation of the United
Nations
Truman Doctrine
Marshall Plan
Berlin Airlift
NATO
Warsaw Pact
Invasion of Hungary
1956/Czechoslovakia 1968
Berlin Wall
Invasion of Afghanistan
Vietnam/Korean Wars
The Cuban Missile Crisis
(1963)
Description
Near end of World War II; USSR and western powers divided
Europe into East and West; Soviets controlled East
After World War II, Churchill called the “line” between US and
allies (NATO) and Soviet Union and allies (Warsaw Pact) in
Europe
Like League of Nations (failed) after World War I; Council of
nations designed to avoid another world war by creating a place
to solve problems peacefully. Has been successful.
Policy of US to use $ and military and contain communist
takeovers around the world during the Cold War
$ to Western Europe from US after World War II to discourage
countries from becoming communist
East Germany (USSR) cut off West Berlin from rest of world. US
airlifted supplies to West Berlin
Military defense alliance of US and Western Europe against
Soviet Union and Eastern Europe (Warsaw Pact)
Military defense alliance of Soviet Union and Eastern Europe
against US and Western Europe (NATO)
Warsaw Pact troops invaded to quell pro-democracy movements
in governments. Totalitarian tactic to suppress opposition.
Built by East Berlin (USSR) to keep citizens from fleeing to free
West Berlin.
USSR invaded Afghanistan to solidify communist government,
could not control country.
example of Truman Doctrine--communist forces in north of
countries invaded south and tried to take over, US supported
south with military, money. Korea-no change, Vietnam-now
communist.
The US attempted to contain the threat of nuclear missiles in
Cuba through the use of Kennedy’s naval blockade
71
Regents Practice
1. A key principle of the economic theory of
communism is
(1) restoration of a bartering system
(2) organization of workers’ unions
(3) government ownership of property
(4) privatization of business
2. One reason the Bolsheviks gained peasant
support during the Russian Revolution was
because the Bolsheviks promised to
(1) redistribute land
(2) abolish communes
(3) bring modern technology to Russian farms
(4) maintain an price-support program
3. Lenin’s promise of “Peace, Land, Bread”
during the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 was
made in an effort to
(1) end France’s occupation of Russia
(2) gain popular support to overthrow the
government
(3) restore Czar Nicholas II to power
(4) resolve conflicts between farmers of diverse
ethnic backgrounds
“. . . The replacement of the bourgeois by the
proletarian state is impossible without a violent
revolution. The abolition of the proletarian
state, i.e., of all states, is only possible through
‘withering away.’ . . .”— V. I. Lenin, 1917
4. This quotation is associated with
(1) imperialism (3) communism
(2) capitalism (4) militarism
5. Which leader based his rule on the ideas of
Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels?
(1) Neville Chamberlain
(2) Vladimir Lenin
(3) Adolf Hitler
(4) Jiang Jieshi (Chiang Kai-shek)
6. Which statement about both the Bolshevik
Revolution in Russia and the rise of fascism in
Germany and Italy is accurate?
(1) Economic conditions led to political change.
(2) Industrialization hindered development.
(3) Goals were achieved by peaceful means.
(4) Communist ideals fueled both movements.
7. Which statement describes one major
aspect of a command economy?
(1) Supply and demand determines what will
be produced.
(2) Most economic decisions are made by the
government.
(3) The means of production are controlled by
labor unions.
(4) The economy is mainly agricultural.
8. Five-year plans and collectivization are
most closely associated with
(1) Joseph Stalin (3) Adolf Hitler
(2) Mikhail Gorbachev (4) Deng Xiaoping
9. Under communism in the former Soviet
Union, people were required to
(1) reject modern technology
(2) limit the size of their families
(3) honor their ancestors and religious
traditions
(4) put the interests of the state before
individual gain
10. Under Joseph Stalin, peasants in the
Soviet Union were forced to
(1) become members of the ruling party
(2) support the Russian Orthodox Church
(3) join collective farms
(4) move to large cities
11. Joseph Stalin’s policies in Ukraine during
the 1930s directly resulted in
(1) widespread starvation
(2) agricultural self-sufficiency
(3) the development of cottage industries
(4) the use of subsistence farming techniques
12. Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, and
Communist Russia were similar in that each
(1) protected individual rights
(2) elected their leaders through popular vote
(3) supported market-based economies
(4) established totalitarian governments
13. Totalitarian governments are characterized
by the
(1) elimination of heavy industry
(2) use of censorship and secret police
(3) lack of a written constitution
(4) support of the people for democracy
72
14. The political climate of the Cold War
caused the world’s two superpowers to
(1) cooperate in halting the spread of
communism
(2) colonize Africa and Asia
(3) compete economically and militarily
(4) protect human rights
15. After World War II, the Soviet Union
maintained control of many Eastern European
nations mainly because these nations were
(1) a source of new technology and skilled
labor
(2) near warm-water ports on the
Mediterranean Sea
(3) extensions of communist power
(4) members of the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization (NATO)
16. Which group of countries became Soviet
satellites after World War II?
(1) France, Spain, Great Britain
(2) Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary
(3) Switzerland, Austria, Belgium
(4) Turkey, Greece, Italy
17. The Marshall Plan was designed to stop
the spread of communism by providing
(1) government housing to refugees
(2) military assistance to Vietnam
(3) funds for economic recovery in war-torn
European nations
(4) nuclear weapons to North Atlantic Treaty
Organization (NATO) members
18. Which United States foreign policy was
used to maintain the independence of Greece
and Turkey after World War II?
(1) containment (3) nonalignment
(2) neutrality (4) militarism
19. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization
(NATO) was initially formed to
(1) promote religious freedom
(2) defend Western Europe from Soviet
aggression
(3) isolate member nations from the rest of the
world
(4) stop the flow of immigration between
member nations
20. One reason for the construction of the
Berlin Wall in 1961 was to
(1) promote reunification of East Germany and
West Germany
(2) keep East Germans from fleeing to the
Western sector of Berlin
(3) complete the post–World War II rebuilding
of Berlin
(4) meet the requirements of the North Atlantic
Treaty Organization (NATO)
21. The Truman Doctrine, Korean War, crisis
in Guatemala, and Soviet invasion of
Afghanistan were all
(1) reasons for the Industrial Revolution
(2) examples of Japanese imperialism
(3) events of the Cold War
(4) causes of World War II
22. During most of the Cold War period, which
two nations were divided into communist and
noncommunist parts?
(1) China and Mongolia
(2) Vietnam and Korea
(3) Pakistan and Ireland
(4) Poland and Cuba
23. Which event illustrates the policy of
containment?
(1) Nuremberg trials (1945–1946)
(2) Hungarian revolt (1956)
(3) launching of Sputnik (1957)
(4) naval blockade of Cuba (1962)
“Korea Divided at 38th Parallel”
“Hungarian Revolution Crushed”
“Missile Sites Spotted in Cuba”
24. The events in these headlines contributed
to the
(1) development of peacetime alliances
(2) collapse of the Soviet Union
(3) rejection of imperialism by Western nations
(4) tensions between the superpowers
25. Which Cold War event occurred last?
(1) Cuban missile crisis
(2) Korean War
(3) fall of the Berlin Wall
(4) Berlin blockade
73
Collapse of Communism (1991)
In the 1980's the Soviet Union stared to have major problems.
Citizens in the USSR and Eastern Europe began to demand more and more rights (speech, press,
religion), economic goods (toasters, umbrellas, cars), and freedom to rule themselves.
The usual Soviet reaction to such grumblings would be to send in the tanks and squash the problem.
However, the Soviet Union was broke due to an extended arms race with NATO.
The Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev introduced western economic (perestroika) and governmental
(glasnost) reforms into the Soviet Union to try save the country.
Eventually, the Berlin Wall was destroyed and the Cold War ended as the Soviet Union broke up into
numerous republics. Eastern European countries removed their totalitarian governments, and
Germany unified (again). Ethnic rivalries are creating tension in the former Soviet Union. In Russia,
for example, the province of Chechnya is attempting to gain its independence. The Chechens have
been warring with Russia for some time and have even used terrorist tactics. All are experimenting
with varying degrees of democracy and capitalism (a free market economy) where people own their
own businesses and produce products according to supply and demand.
Regents Practice
1. One reason Mikhail Gorbachev
implemented the policies of glasnost and
perestroika in the Soviet Union was to
(1) eliminate freedom of speech and press
(2) destroy the power of the opposition party
(3) dominate the governments of Eastern
Europe
(4) encourage political discussion and
economic reform
2. The goal of Mikhail Gorbachev’s policies of
perestroika and glasnost was to
(1) expand collectivization and communes
(2) develop Soviet nuclear weapons
(3) stimulate economic growth and political
discussion
(4) stop expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization (NATO) into Eastern Europe
3. One way in which Vladimir Lenin’s New
Economic Policy and Mikhail Gorbachev’s
policy of perestroika are similar is that both
(1) allowed elements of capitalism within a
communist economic system
(2) strengthened their country’s military
defenses
(3) supported censorship of news and of
personal correspondence
(4) increased tensions during the Cold War
4. One way in which Lech Walesa, Mikhail
Gorbachev, and Nelson Mandela are similar is
that each
(1) led the people of his nation toward a more
democratic government
(2) fought for power for the black majority over
the white minority
(3) worked to end communism in his country
(4) refused to participate in the United Nations
5. What has the end of communism in the
Soviet Union caused many countries in
Eastern Europe to do?
(1) shift to a command economy
(2) maintain a communist form of government
(3) pursue free-market economic policies
(4) join the Warsaw Pact
6. The destruction of the Berlin Wall and the
breakup of the Soviet Union signify the
(1) end of the Cold War
(2) collapse of the Taliban
(3) strength of the Warsaw Pact
(4) power of the European Union
74
Collapse of Imperialism and the Modern World (1919 – present)
China
Communism in China took a slightly different route.
After declining steadily since the Boxer Rebellion, the
Chinese empire lost power in the early 20th century.
Sun Yat-sen (left) advocated for a democratic
governmental system, but eventually capitalist
warlords and rich landlords led by Chiang Kai-shek
(right) ruled China.
Again, the rich were getting richer and the poor were
getting poorer.
Mao Zedong led a communist revolution against
Chiang's nationalist government with the support of the
poor peasants. Mao solidified his control of China
during the Long March. The peasants became Mao's
base of power when he established the People's
Republic of China. Chiang was pushed from mainland
China and established the Republic of China on
Taiwan.
Like Stalin, Mao used brutal, totalitarian tactics to collectivize China. The Great Leap Forward
disrupted the country's economy in an attempt to collectivize, leaving millions dead. Mao used
students to push his Cultural Revolution and change the way the country thought about communism.
Again, the country was severely disrupted.
Pure communism has never been successful. Communist countries must eventually integrate some
ideas from capitalism. In China, Deng Xiaoping implemented capitalist economic policies called the
Four Modernizations to jump start the communist economy. Deng had a catch phrase: "I don't care if
a cat is red (communist) or white (capitalist), as long as
it catches mice (economic prosperity)." However, civil
rights reforms have not taken place.
In 1989, students staged a large demonstration for
rights in Tiananmen Square. The communist regime
sent in tanks and crushed the protest. Deng's catch
phrase: "Free markets, not free people."
75
Regents Practice
1. The Communist Revolution in China was
primarily supported by the
(1) warlords (3) factory owners
(2) peasants (4) gentry
Base your answers to questions 2 and 3 on the
passage below and on your knowledge of
social studies.
. . . (1) Internally, arouse the masses of the
people. That is, unite the working class, the
peasantry, the urban petty bourgeoisie and the
national bourgeoisie, form a domestic united
front under the leadership of the working class,
and advance from this to the establishment of
a state which is a people’s democratic
dictatorship under the leadership of the
working class and based on the alliance
of workers and peasants.
(2) Externally, unite in a common struggle with
those nations of the world which treat us as
equals and unite with the peoples of all
countries. That is, ally ourselves with the
Soviet Union, with the People’s Democracies
and with the proletariat and the broad masses
of the people in all other countries, and form an
international united front. . . . Source: Mao TseTung [Mao Zedong]
2. Mao Zedong is suggesting that China
(1) create a government under the leadership
of industrialists
(2) give up its independence and become a
part of the Soviet Union
(3) rely on the United Nations for economic aid
(4) join with the Soviet Union in communism
3. In this passage, Mao Zedong uses ideas of
(1) Thomas Malthus
(2) Adam Smith
(3) Karl Marx
(4) Jiang Jieshi (Chiang Kai-Shek)
4. One way in which Joseph Stalin’s five-year
plans and Mao Zedong’s Great Leap Forward
are similar is that both plans were
(1) efforts to reduce human rights violations
(2) policies to improve relations with the West
(3) methods used to control population growth
(4) attempts to increase agricultural and
industrial production
5. What was one social change Mao Zedong
instituted in China after 1949?
(1) granting legal equality for men and women
(2) requiring arranged marriages
(3) adopting the practice of foot binding
(4) mandating Confucianism as the state
philosophy
6. One way in which the Great Leap Forward
and the Four Modernizations are similar is that
each was an attempt to
(1) increase farm and factory output
(2) develop a democratic government
(3) strengthen economic ties with communist
neighbors
(4) reduce the gap between rich and poor
7. Which set of events in 19th- and 20thcentury Chinese history is in the correct
chronological order?
(1) Great Leap Forward → Opium Wars →
Long March → Four Modernizations
(2) Four Modernizations → Long March →
Opium Wars → Great Leap Forward
(3) Opium Wars → Long March →
Great Leap Forward → Four Modernizations
(4) Long March → Four Modernizations →
Great Leap Forward → Opium Wars
8. In 1989, the government of China
responded to the challenge of protests in
Tiananmen Square by
(1) halting trade with the West
(2) allowing democratic elections
(3) sending in tanks and troops to end the
demonstrations
(4) calling for a special session of the United
Nations Security Council
9. The gathering at Amritsar (1919), the rallies
in Soweto (1976), and the demonstrations in
Tiananmen Square (1989) directly resulted in
(1) rejection of Western ideas
(2) promises of economic reform
(3) movements toward democracy
(4) violence against the protestors
76
India
Mohandas Gandhi led India to independence from Great Britain.
Gandhi and other members of the Indian National Congress used
nonviolent protests called civil disobedience(refusing to obey unjust
laws) to free India.
Some examples are:
the Salt March (manufacture salt without paying British tax)
the Quit India movement (wear homespun clothing, not
clothing made in mercantile factories in Britain)
hunger strikes
However, Gandhi could not free India from religious conflict
between Hindus and Muslims.
When India was granted its independence, it
was partitioned into two countries:
India (Hindu)
East (now Bangladesh) and West
Pakistan (Muslim)
Although the current governments have had
success in feeding their over 1 billion
inhabitants, many problems exist between the
countries, including:
ethnic and religious conflict
a nuclear arms race
dispute over the northern provinces of
Kashmir and Jammu
Regents Practice
1. Mohandas Gandhi’s protests in India were
a response to Great Britain’s
(1) support of Zionism
(2) practice of humanitarianism
(3) introduction of socialism
(4) policy of colonialism
2. Mohandas Gandhi’s protests were often
successful because of his application of
(1) an appeasement policy
(2) civil disobedience
(3) traditional caste beliefs
(4) divide-and-conquer principles
3. Which event in Indian history could be
considered a result of the other three?
(1) Salt March
(2) Amritsar Massacre
(3) Sepoy Rebellion
(4) passage of the Independence Act
4. Between 1945 and 1947, the differences
between the Hindus and the Muslims in India
led to the
(1) Sepoy Mutiny
(2) Salt March
(3) policy of nonalignment
(4) partitioning of the subcontinent
77
Middle East
After World War II, Middle Eastern nations gained
their independence, mainly from France and
Great Britain.
In 1948, the Zionists (Jewish nationalists) were
successful in their quest--to create a Jewish
homeland country in Palestine called Israel. This
homeland was promised to the Zionists by the
British in the Balfour Declaration of 1921.
Unfortunately, the Arab countries in the region did
not want them there and did not like that Israel
took more land than was given by the United
Nations.
And, there was the problem of the Palestinians
who lived there already.
Yassir Arafat, a Palestinian nationalist leader, has been trying to return the Palestinians to their
homeland for many years. The Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) sometimes used terrorism
to try to advance their cause.
Turkey
Turkey was the area in the Middle East controlled by the Ottoman Empire until its defeat in World War
I. A Turkish general named Mustafa Kemal Ataturk successfully resisted Allied attempts at taking
territory held by the now defunct Ottoman Empire. By 1920, the modern nation of Turkey was given
sovereignty. Ataturk, with great foresight, instituted reform policies that westernized and
modernized the new nation of Turkey. Some traditional practices were discarded, factories and
infrastructure were built, education and government were revamped, and women's rights were
established.
Oil
The world's largest oil reserves are in the Middle East, which makes it a very important place for
every industrialized country. Modernized countries are very dependent on Middle Eastern oil and try
to exert pressure on the nations there to increase their influence there. Many Arab nations banded
together to form (OPEC) Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries to try to control the world’s
oil supply in favor of the Middle East. OPEC raised US prices of oil in the 1970’s because of the US
support for Israel during one of the Middle Eastern wars.
In 1991, The US and its allies fought the Persian Gulf War against Iraq
because Iraq threatened their oil supply from Kuwait.
In Iran, revolutionaries removed the western influenced Shah (king) from power
an created a Muslim fundamentalist (religious) state led by the Ayatollah
Khomeini with laws based on the Koran. Some Islamic fundamentalists in the
region even use terrorism to remove the western influence from their countries.
78
Regents Practice
Base your answer to question 1 on the
passage below.
. . . In order to obtain Arab support in the War,
the British Government promised the Sherif of
Mecca in 1915 that, in the event of an Allied
victory, the greater part of the Arab provinces
of the Turkish Empire would become
independent. The Arabs understood that
Palestine would be included in the sphere of
independence. In order to obtain the support of
World Jewry, the British Government in 1917
issued the Balfour Declaration. The Jews
understood that, if the experiment of
establishing a Jewish National Home
succeeded and a sufficient number of Jews
went to Palestine, the National Home might
develop in course of time into a Jewish State. .
— the Report of Palestine Commission, 1937
1. Which idea is supported by the passage?
(1) The British made no promises to either the
Arabs or the Jews.
(2) The Arab-Israeli conflict can be traced in
part to British promises.
(3) The United Nations did not try to prevent
conflict in the Middle East.
(4) Only the Jews were promised an
independent state in Palestine.
2. Which document is most closely associated
with the Arab-Israeli conflict?
(1) Balfour Declaration
(2) Kyoto Protocol
(3) Communist Manifesto
(4) Treaty of Nanjing
• Pamphlet on the philosophy of Zionism
• Balfour Declaration
• Oslo Accords
3. These documents are most closely
associated with the controversy over
(1) efforts by the United Nations to restrict child
slavery and indentured servitude
(2) production of oil by the Organization of
Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)
(3) trade agreements established by the World
Trade Organization (WTO)
(4) control of land in the Middle East by
Palestinians and Jews
A Jewish State Is Created”
“Six-Day War Results in Major Arab
Losses”
“Withdrawal Begins from West Bank”
4. Which situation is referred to in these
headlines?
(1) Persian Gulf War
(2) Scramble for Africa
(3) conflict between Israelis and Palestinians
(4) collapse of the Ottoman Empire
5. Which statement about Turkish leader
Atatürk is an opinion rather than a fact?
(1) He promoted modernization.
(2) His efforts led to the development of
industries.
(3) He encouraged people to wear westernstyle clothing.
(4) His major accomplishment was the
separation of church and state.
6. One way in which Atatürk of Turkey and Ho
Chi Minh of Vietnam are similar is that both
(1) led nationalist movements in their countries
(2) formed communist governments
(3) kept their countries out of the United
Nations
(4) led their countries during the Cold War
7. The Organization of Petroleum Exporting
Countries (OPEC) is known for its efforts to
(1) develop workable alternatives to fossil fuels
(2) bring Western oil to the Middle East
(3) stop the export of oil to non-Arab nations
(4) establish production quotas to control the
price of oil
8. In Iran, the Revolution of 1979 and the rise
of Islamic fundamentalism resulted in
1. an increase in woman’s rights
2. the westernization and modernization of
the nation
3. a return to many traditional customs
4. the introduction of a democracy
9. Which event can be considered a conflict
brought about in part by a religious reform
movement?
(1) World War I (3) World War II
(2) Cuban Revolution (4) Iranian Revolution
79
Africa
Nationalism in Africa was a huge force in independence movements.
African leaders like Jomo Kenyatta (left) and Kwame Nekrumah lead their
countries to independence. This independence movement for all Africans was
known as Pan-Africanism.
However, because the Europeans drew the colonies' boundaries across tribal
boundaries, the nation’s immediately had ethnic conflicts and sometimes civil
war.
South Africa gained its independence from the British
Empire. However, its biggest issue was not independence from Europe, it was
apartheid. Apartheid is the legal discrimination against black people, even
though white people are the minority in South Africa. Blacks were 72% of the
population (Zulu, Xhosa, Sotho, Tswano, and others) while Whites were 16%
(British, Dutch Boers) For many years, the government of South Africa refused
to repeal apartheid despite huge international economic pressure like boycotts.
The African National Congress, banned until the 1990's, was the political voice
of South African blacks. One of its leaders, Nelson Mandela, was imprisoned for years by the
apartheid regime. When apartheid was ended, he was elected president.
Regents Practice
1. One similarity in the actions of Ho Chi Minh
Base your answers to questions 5 and 6 on the
and Jomo Kenyatta was that both leaders
passage below.
(1) introduced Western ideas to their societies
. . . Above all, we want equal political rights . I
(2) established democracy
know this sounds revolutionary to the Whites in
(3) led nationalist movements
this country, because the majority of voters will
(4) supported separation of church and state
be Africans. This makes the White man fear
democracy. But this fear cannot be allowed to
2. African Nationalists of the 20th Century
stand in the way of the only solution which will
A. Leopold Senghor
guarantee racial harmony and freedom for all.
B. Jomo Kenyatta
The ANC [African National Congress] has
C. Julius Nyerere
spent half a century fighting against racialism.
D. ________________________
When it triumphs it will not change that policy. .
(1) Atatürk [Mustafa Kemal]
— Nelson Mandela, Speech, 1964
(2) Ho Chi Minh
5. This passage describes the opposition of
(3) José de San Martín
the African National Congress to the
(4) Kwame Nkrumah
(1) revival of colonialism
(2) rivalries between tribes
3. The policy of strict racial separation and
(3) practice of apartheid
discrimination that was implemented in the
(4) introduction of a coalition government
Republic of South Africa is called
(1) collectivization (3) intifada
6. Which generalization can be supported by
(2) apartheid (4) communism
this passage?
(1) Racism has disappeared in South Africa.
4. Which situation existed under the policy of
(2) The African National Congress has
apartheid in South Africa?
changed its social goals.
(1) All people were guaranteed suffrage.
(3) Giving the vote to black Africans will result
(2) The black majority held the most power.
in racial domination.
(3) Society was controlled by white minority.
(4) Nelson Mandela opposed political division
(4) Social inequality was eliminated.
based on color.
80
Latin America
After WW II Latin America has been in transition. Governments have been changing from
dictatorships to democracies. Additionally, Latin American nations have been dominated by a few
wealthy landowners. (the peninsulares and creoles)
In some countries, the military has gained control of Latin
America and the Catholic Church continues to be a huge
influence in the lives of Latin American people.
Many Latin American countries have signed the North
American Free Trade Agreement which was originally a
trade agreement between US, Canada, and Mexico to
lower trade restrictions (like tariffs)
peninsulares
creoles
Mulattoes and
Mestizos
In 1959, Fidel Castro began the Cuban Revolution that
overthrew the dictator Batista. Fidel Castro was
Slaves
successful because he promised to redistribute land to
the peasants and he created communism in Cuba. Cuba
remains one of the world’s only communist nations.
Cuban dictator Fidel Castro has struggled to maintain communism after the collapse of his ally, the
USSR.
Regents Practice
(4) collective security
1. The social class system in Latin America
during the 16th and 17th centuries reflects the
(1) dominance of Spanish-born nobility
(2) emerging equality between classes
(3) influence of mestizo economic power
(4) increasing social mobility of Native
American Indians
4. Kim Jong Il and Fidel Castro are 21stcentury
leaders who believe in the ideas of
(1) Karl Marx
(2) Adam Smith
(3) Siddhartha Gautama
(4) Jean-Jacques Rousseau
2. What was a major cause of the civil wars in
many Central American nations in the 1970s
and 1980s?
(1) economic differences between social
classes
(2) end of slavery in the encomienda system
(3) rapid economic reform
(4) oil production policies
5. One way in which Ho Chi Minh, Fidel
Castro,
and Kim Jong Il are similar is that each
(1) set up democratic governments
(2) used Marxist political principles
(3) overthrew a ruling monarch
(4) promoted Confucian principles
• Organization of American States (OAS)
• European Union (EU)
• North American Free Trade Agreement
(NAFTA)
3. These organizations and agreements are
examples of
(1) political isolation
(2) military alliances
(3) regional cooperation
6. Although Cuba has lost support from many
nations, one reason Fidel Castro has remained
in power is that he has
(1) established free trade with the United
States
(2) opposed communism
(3) prohibited the practice of Catholicism
(4) raised the standard of living for many
Cubans
81
Current Trends
Urbanization--Industrialization of developing nations has led to a move of
the population to cities. The cities usually do not have adequate
infrastructure to handle the influx of population, which creates poor living
conditions. Also, to accommodate the new population, cities must expand
and destroy natural areas in favor of new houses, factories, roads, etc.
Urbanization has led to the decline of many traditional beliefs (like the caste
system in India).
Green Revolution--The rapidly growing population must eat or starve to
death. Many scientists have dedicated themselves to improving the food
supply.
The result is the Green Revolution--a series of new discoveries which
increases the amount of food which can be produced. Examples are new
farming techniques (like hydroponics) and high yield gains (like rice and
wheat).
Environment--In developing countries, the environmental issues take a
back seat to improving quality of life. For example, the Amazon rainforest is
being destroyed at an alarming rate to make way for farmland to feed the
people of South America.
Also, these countries care little about the pollution their new industrialization
creates; pollution is linked to global warming.
Human rights--The UN created the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
to standardize what rights each individual on the planet is entitled to. Most
of these ideas came out of the Enlightenment. Many nations around the
world do not act in accordance with this declaration.
Also, many people are demanding self-determination--the right to choose
your own government.
Nuclear Weapons--The end of the Cold War reduced the threat of global
nuclear destruction. However, it also removed some of the security of the
technology to create nuclear weapons. Many nations have developed
nuclear capability in the past few years, creating new arms races (like India
and Pakistan).
Some countries may even be willing to sell this technology to terrorists...
82
Regents Practice
1. The breakdown of traditions, increased
levels of pollution, and the expansion of slums
are negative aspects of
1. militarism
3. Collectivization
2. pogroms
4. urbanization
2. In India, urbanization affected society by
(1). Reinforcing Hindu beliefs
(2) encouraging native arts and crafts
(3) weakening the traditional caste system
(4) increasing the number of farmers
3. Since the 1960s, famine in many parts of
the world has been reduced by
(1) increased urbanization
(2) global warming
(3) laissez-faire capitalism
(4) the Green Revolution
“India Strives for Grain Self-Sufficiency by
1970”
“New Wheat Variety Grows in Arid Climate”
“Chemical Fertilizer Use Rises 10% in 1960”
“Sri Lanka’s Rice Production Increases 25%
in Three
Years”
4. These newspaper headlines from the 1960s
and1970s describe some of the results of the
(1) Sepoy Mutiny
(2) Kashmir crisis
(3) Green Revolution
(4) Computer Revolution
5. During the late 20th century, in which area
did deforestation become a serious problem?
(1) Great European Plain
(2) Amazon Basin
(3) Deccan Plateau
(4) Great Rift Valley
6. The global problems of pollution, acid rain,
and the breakdown of the ozone layer indicate
a need for
(1) greater international cooperation
(2) increased urbanization
(3) a balance of trade between nations
(4) an increase in space exploration
7. The problems created by the deterioration
of the Earth’s ozone layer and increases in the
amounts of acid rain suggest a worldwide need
for
(1) rapid industrialization of developing
economies
(2) better health-care programs
(3) nuclear-powered electric generating
facilities
(4) stricter pollution regulations
“Women of Kuwait Demand the Right to
Vote”
“Property Inheritance Still Limited for
Women of Nepal”
“Women in Jordan Form Alliance to
Increase Political Representation”
8. Which conclusion is supported by these
headlines?
(1) Equal rights for women continues to be a
global concern.
(2) Women are not active in political issues.
(3) Women have achieved equality in the area
of education.
(4) Communist governments have insured
equal rights for women.
9. The Armenian massacre, the Holocaust,
and the Rape of Nanking are examples of
(1) appeasement policies
(2) resistance movements
(3) Russification efforts
(4) human rights violations
10. Which statement about the spread of
nuclear weapons is a fact rather than an
opinion?
(1) Nations possessing nuclear weapons
should not have to limit the production of
weapons.
(2) The spread of nuclear weapons was a
smaller problem in the 1990s than it was in the
1970s.
(3) The United States and Russia signed the
Strategic Arms Limitation Treaties during the
1970s.
(4) Only developing nations are concerned
about the spread of nuclear weapons.
83
Genocide
The world has often turned a blind eye to human rights violations. This began to change after the
Holocaust of the 20th century.
The pursuit of self-determination, (self-rule) or the denial of it, has often led to violence. In these
cases people have been killed for reasons such as religious affiliation of ethnic background.
These problems range from the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia in the 1970s, to the present day situation
in the Balkans.
Khmer Rouge: The Khmer Rouge were a group of communist
guerillas, led by Pol Pot, that gained control of Cambodia after
the withdrawal of American troops from the Vietnam War. The
initiated a reign of terror, killing over a million people to
remove all western influence from the country. This gross
violation of human rights ended when Vietnam invaded and
occupied the country in 1979. In the 1990s, the United Nations
negotiated a peace settlement, and began the democratic
process in Cambodia.
Another example of tribalism leading to gross human rights
violations is the civil war in Rwanda between
the Hutu and Tutsi. Tribal rivalries had
groups, often leading to violence since
had concluded a peace agreement to end the
Unfortunately, it was short lived. The Hutu
genocide against the Tutsi, killing more than a
This was ended when a Tutsi rebel army
time, UN Peacekeeping forces have worked to
existed for years between these
independence. In 1994, the United
violence in their country.
dominated Rwandan army initiated a
million of them in under a year.
seized the government. Since this
end the violence, with little success.
Balkans
Yugoslavia was created at the end of World War I. It contained various ethnic and religious groups.
After World War II, this area was dominated by the Soviet Union. After the fall of communism, the
various ethnic and religious groups, including the Orthodox Christian Serbs, the Roman Catholic
Croats, the Muslim Albanians, and others, attempted to separate from Yugoslavia and form their
own nations. The nations of Croatia, Slovenia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina all gained
independence at this time. However, this independence came at a price. War and ethnic violence
have devastated this once united country. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, many non-Serbs were either
killed or forced out of the country by Serb forces. This policy was called
Ethnic Cleansing. Gross violations of human rights occurred, such as
the systematic rape of non-Serb women, and the widespread use of
terrorism and death.
The Yugoslav army, under Slobodan Milosevic, fought to keep nonSerbs from breaking away from Yugoslavia. During the 1990s, he used
his army to terrorize ethnic Albanians in Kosovo, who were asking for
self-rule. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) finally put a
stop to this violence, and Milosevic was put on trial for war crimes. The
former Yugoslavia continues to face many problems regarding ethnic
strife.
84
Regents Practice
1. Armenians under Ottoman rule and
Cambodians under the Khmer Rouge both
experienced
(1) an outbreak of the plague
(2) human rights violations
(3) economic sanctions
(4) an agricultural revolution
2. A major goal of the Hutu-led regime in
Rwanda in mid-1994 was to
(1) eliminate the Tutsi minority
(2) align with the Soviet Union
(3) promote ethnic tolerance
(4) strengthen ties with Belgium
3. During the 20th century, global attention
was drawn to the Armenians of the Ottoman
Empire, the Tutsis of Rwanda, and the Muslims
of Kosovo because these groups were all
victims of
(1) nuclear power accidents
(2) human rights violations
(3) environmental disasters
(4) the AIDS epidemic
4. Which statement about the Balkan
Peninsula since 1995 is most accurate?
(1) Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia are now
both controlled by Yugoslavia.
(2) Ethnic tensions and conflict continue to be
a problem in much of the region.
(3) Slobodan Milosevic of Serbia became the
first democratically elected leader of the region.
(4) The Balkan Peninsula has become one of
the most prosperous regions in Europe.
5. In the late 20th century, what was a
problem common to the Balkans, Rwanda, and
Indonesia?
(1) disposal of nuclear waste
(2) ethnic or religious conflicts
(3) drought and famine
(4) overcrowding of urban centers
6.The late 20th-century conflicts in Rwanda,
Yugoslavia, and India were similar in that each
was caused by the
(1) deforestation conducted by multinational
companies
(2) collapse of communism
(3) intervention of United Nations
peacekeeping forces
(4) rivalries between ethnic groups
7. Ethnic cleansing in Bosnia, the killing fields
of Cambodia (Kampuchea), and the dirty war in
Argentina are all examples of
(1) nationalist revolts
(2) human rights violations
(3) international terrorism
(4) religious conflicts
8. The Armenian Massacre, the “killing fields”
of the Khmer Rouge, and Saddam Hussein’s
attacks against the Kurds are examples of
(1) apartheid
(2) enslavement
(3) human rights violations
(4) forced collectivization
9. The treatment of the Armenians by Ottoman
Turks in the late 19th and early 20th centuries
and the treatment of Muslims by the Serbs of
Yugoslavia in the 1990s are both examples of
(1) coalition rule
(2) liberation theology
(3) universal suffrage
(4) human rights violations
10. A study of Spain during the late 1400s, the
Balkan States during the early 1900s, Rwanda
during the 1990s, and Central Asia today
shows that
(1) civil disobedience is an effective way to
bring about change
(2) people have been encouraged to question
tradition
(3) colonial rule has a lasting legacy
(4) ethnic conflicts have been a recurring issue
in History
85
Test Taking Tips
There are 15 themes covered in Global History.
They are:
-Change
-Turning points
-Belief systems
-Geography and environment
-Economic systems
-Political systems
-Culture and intellectual life
-Nationalism
-Imperialism
-Diversity and independence
-Justice and human rights
-Movement of people and goods
-Science and technology
-Conflict
-Modern Global Connections and interactions
To study for the thematic essay, I've made a flash card for each theme, and on the back I write a
thesis and 2 examples of history I could use, along with 5 or so bullet points summarizing what I can
write in each body paragraph (for example, if the flash card topic was Justice and human rights, I
would write "Jews in Nazi Germany" with 5 bullet points on the important facts about it, and then
under that I could write "Indians under the British Colonial Empire" with 5 bullet points on Gandhi’s
contribution on freeing India from being imperialized by the British). I've done about 3 practice tests,
and I've noticed that information definitely comes back to you when you do problems and check your
answers. The DBQ shouldn't be hard at all, nothing to worry about, it practically writes itself. Just do
old regents for practice and use the flash card system and you will be more than fine! Also, there is a
generous curve, so if you get an 85% or higher, your grade will be curved to 100%!
86
Change –Ideas
Thesis: The ideas of individuals have had a significant influence on groups, nations and regions.
Martin Luther
 Martin Luther’s protest against Catholic Church changed way Europeans practiced Christianity
and produced divisions in Christianity
 The abuses of the Church included the sale of indulgences (pardons) for sins and Priests living
lavish lifestyles.
 Luther published his 95 Thesis (protests) against the Catholic Church which led to the
formation of Protestant Christianity.
 Luther preached that all you needed to be saved was faith and not your priest.
 Violent protests followed in Germany and new Protestant Christian religions were formed and
the power of the Catholic Church was weakened in Europe.
Karl Marx
 Karl Marx saw history as a class struggle and with industrialism; he saw the bourgeoisie
(business owners) taking advantage of the proletariats (workers).
 Marx and Frederick Engels wrote the pamphlet The Communist Manifesto which supported a
worker’s revolution to overthrow the business owners.
 Marx believed in the idea of sharing the wealth or creating a classless society where
everybody would be equal.
 Some Marxist ideas of Communism took place in the Soviet Union, China, and Cuba.
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Turning Points
Thesis - Political, economic, and social conditions have often led to turning points that have changed
the course of history for nations and peoples.
Neolithic Revolution
 Change from hunting and gathering to farming
 Caused by cultivating crops and domesticating animals
 Effects were the development of civilizations as people permanently settled
 Effects were the development of social classes based on work that you did
 Effects were that new technologies developed in response to the need for better tools and
weapons to go along with the new way of living
French Revolution
 Change from absolute monarchy to limits on monarchies and more rights in government
 Caused by unfair treatment of 3rd estate (class) with least amount of land and heaviest taxes
 Caused by severe economic crisis from overspending and food shortages
 Effects were that the French Revolution influenced revolutions in Latin America
 Effects were that the middle class gained power in government and began to place limits on
Monarchs or ousted them in favor of other forms of government
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Belief Systems
Thesis: There are a variety of belief systems practiced throughout the world today. Many of these
beliefs have developed massive followings, and as a result, have had a considerable amount of
influence on culture in the areas where they are practiced.
Confucianism
 Confucius lived in China, when there was mass disorder and shameful moral standards.
 Confucius believed that the only cure was to have an orderly society with mutual respect.
 It was taught that if everyone knew their place in society, then order would prevail.
 Chinese culture still stresses Filial Piety-One should respect their elders.
 The “five relations,” between king and subject, father and son, man and wife, older and
younger brother, and friend and friend, are of utmost importance even today in China.
Hinduism
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Hinduism is a polytheistic religion where salvation is achieved through becoming spiritually one
with the Gods.
Hindus believe in reincarnation, the endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth until oneness is
reached.
Reincarnation is influenced by karma(good or bad results based on past actions), and dharma
(fulfilling one's duty in life).
The culture in India is influenced by the caste system, which is a rigid class system based on
the ideas of karma and dharma.
Even though the caste system is illegal today, it is still practiced in some rural parts of India.
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Human and Physical Geography
Thesis: Geographic features can positively or negatively affect the development of a nation or
region.
Greece – Mountains
 Mountains caused the creation of city-states (polis) in Greece and prevented cultural diffusion
 Athens was a direct democracy with voting and a focus on education
 Sparta was a strict military based society ruled by an oligarchy (small group of people)
 Yet, there was a broad unifying Greek culture with a common language, common mythology,
and periodic Olympic games.
 Greek states worked together to defeat a Persian invasion but later Athens and Sparta fought
each other and were weakened in the Peloponnesian War.
Aztecs – Island
 Settled on island of Lake Texcoco left little room for cultivation (farming) of crops.
 Aztec solution was floating gardens made of rafts and mud to grow corn, tomatoes, and beans
 Capital city of Tenochtitlan was a big marketplace where goods and ideas were exchanged
 The Aztecs used their wealth to extend their empire and tribute (payment) flowed into the
island.
 The Aztec began their empire by overcoming the limitations of their island home.
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Justice and Human Rights
Thesis: Throughout history, the human rights (basic rights – life, liberty, equality) of certain groups of
people have been violated. Efforts have been made to address these violations.
Jews in Nazi Germany
 One of Adolf Hitler's main goals once taking control of Germany was the extermination of all
European Jews.
 The Jewish population of Europe had often been persecuted due to their religious difference
from the majority Christian population.
 The Holocaust was the systematic murder of over 6 million Jews and 9 – 12 million others.
 Jewish rights were limited and they were restricted to a separate part of town, called a Ghetto,
could no longer run businesses, nor could they marry outside of their race.
 As World War II progressed, Hitler began forcing them into concentration camps, where they
were either immediately murdered, usually by poison gas, or used as slave labor until they
died.
 After WWII, war criminal trials at Nuremburg were set up for leaders who committed Human
Rights violations and the United Nations wrote the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Indians under British Colonial Rule
 British took economic control of India’s cotton industry using Indians for labor and new markets
 British practiced discrimination of Indians two main religions Hinduism and Islam – Sepoy
Rebellion was the result
 British forced Indians to learn English which helped Indians to unify against British rule
 Gandhi used passive resistance to battle British control urging Indians to make their own cloth
–Homespun Movement
 Gandhi drew international support with his hunger strikes and Salt March end British gave up
control of India after WWII.
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