Download important civilizations

Civilization
River valley
Civilizations
IMPORTANT CIVILIZATIONS
Location
Major Characteristic
Egypt, Mesopotamia, Indus River
Valley, Huang He
They were part of the first
civilizations in which people lived
in cities and developed systems of
writing.
Roman Empire
Present-day Italy, Europe
Dynastic China
Asia
Byzantine Empire
Arab Islamic Empire
At the crossroads of Europe & Asia
From Spain through the
Middle East to Persia
(Spain, Egypt, Syria, Arabia,
Persia)
Mesoamerican Civilizations
Present-day Mexico &
Central America
West African Kingdoms
West Africa
Advances in law and architecture
enabled Romans to control a vast
empire.
12 Tables of Roman Law
A succession of ruling families
gained power, later became weak
and/or corrupt, and were then taken
over by a different family
promising to restore peace &
prosperity.
The Byzantine Empire was the
Eastern half of the Roman Empire
and continued for 1000 years after
the fall of Rome. Known for its
legal code (Justinian’s Code) , art
and architecture.
Arab Empire at its height (800 AD)
was even larger than the Roman
Empire. During the Golden Age of
the Arab Empire, they excelled in
math, medicine, and architecture.
Pre-Columbian civilizations were
highly developed with art,
architecture, religion, military
capability
Powerful kingdoms arose around
the 8th C.
Kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and
Songhai controlled the gold-salt
trade.
Reason for Rise/Fall
The rivers deposited rich soils in
annual floods allowing farmers to
grow surplus crops –making
possible the rise of civilizations
Reasons for decline:
Political weakness
Military decline
Economic Problems, Invasions
Dynastic system continued for
thousands of years, ending in 1912
with the Manchu Dynasty’s
downfall.
Empire began to unravel from
continuous attack by the Ottoman
Turks.
Reason for its rise: Islam united
Arab tribes with a common religion
and language (Arabic). Arabs set
out on a “holy war” against nonbelievers, conquering through their
desert-fighting skills & enthusiasm
Invasion by Spanish and
Portuguese conquerors caused
decline, as did introduction of
diseases for which native
population had no immunity.
West African civilizations were
weakened by the slave trade and
destroyed further by European
imperialism.
Belief System
MAJOR BELIEF SYSTEMS
Where it Was Found
Present-day Israel, Lebanon and
Jordan
Monotheism – belief in one god
Ten Commandments
Old Testament (Torah)
China
(begun by Confucius,
551-479 BC)
The role of each person is to act properly towards those with whom he/she
shares a relationship. Each person should accept his role and honor
others. This creates balance and harmony in the world.
Mandate of Heaven All interactions based on the five relationships.
Judaism
Confucianism
Christianity
Major Beliefs or Practices
Middle East
Jerusalem
Jesus of Nazareth
India, China, Korea, Japan
Buddhism
Monontheism
Christian Conduct – act charitably towards others
Follow the New Testament and Old Testament
Three main sects: Roman Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants
Only by giving up worldly desires can one reach “Nirvana”, or peace
Four Noble Truths
Eightfold Path to Enlightenment
Siddhartha Gautama- The Buddha
Reincarnation – Rebirth in another life
Karma
Hinduism
Modern India
Good ‘fit’ between Hinduism and the Indian caste system
Islam
Islamic
Fundamentalism
Middle East
Started by Mohammed
Five Pillars of Faith: Faith, Charity, Prayer, Fasting, Pilgrimage
Middle Eastern Countries –
e.g., Iran
Belief in returning to what they see as the basic values of Islam.
Government is based on the Koran
Turning Point
Fall of Rome
476 A.D.
Birth of Islam
(622 – 632)
Mongol Conquests
(1200’s)
European Encounter with
Native Americans
(1492)
TURNING POINTS IN HISTORY
Describing the
Turning Point
Because of political weakness, economic
problems, military decline and invasions,
Rome fell. A period of great turmoil
followed. Invaders burned estates and seized
Roman lands. The Emperor was overthrown.
Its Impact on the World
Fall of Constantinople
(1453)
French Revolution
(1789)
Perry’s Arrival in Japan
(1853)
Russian Revolution
(1917)
Dropping the Atom Bomb
On Japan
(1945)
Dissolution of the Soviet Union
(1991)
Government
FORMS OF GOVERNMENT
Major Feature or Idea
First developed in Athens in 5th C. BC
Democracy
System in which citizens participate in
government decision making by voting.
Feudalism
Divine Right
Absolutism
Fascism
Totalitarianism
Examples
Social & political system that often emerged
in areas where central government was weak.
Nobles exchanged promises of military and
political support in exchange for control over
vast tracts of land.
Europe
Monarchs justify their right to rule on the
“blessing of God”
LouisX IV of France
Japan
TYPES OF ECONOMIC SYSTEMS
Economic System
Traditional
Feudal
Mercantilist
Capitalist
Major Features
Example
Communist
Revolution
Neolithic Revolution
Commercial Revolution
Scientific Revolution
French Revolution
MAJOR REVOLUTIONS
When and Where (who)
Effects/Changes/Impacts
Industrial Revolution
Russian Revolution
Chinese Revolution
Cuban Revolution
Iranian Revolution
MAJOR UPRISINGS
Uprising or Protest
Protestant Reformation
(1517)
Sepoy Mutiny
(1857)
Boxer Rebellion
(1899-1900)
Major Causes
Major Effects