Social Studies Midterm Quiz

What were the two eras of prehistory and what was the difference between them?

• Mesolithic: fishing, gathering

• Neolithic: settled, farming

• Neolithic: nomads, hunting

• Paleolithic: nomads, hunting

What is the difference between a primary and secondary source?

• Primary: eyewitness (diary, photographs)

• Primary: culmination of secondary sources

• Secondary: eyewitness (diary, photographs)

• Secondary: culmination of primary sources

Why did the first civilizations develop in river valleys?

• Lack of natural resources

• Annual flooding provided silt/nutrients

• Isolation from other civilizations

• Abundance of precious metals

How did the Maurya empire under Ashoka unite India?

• Cultural assimilation

• Economic dominance

• Religious tolerance and pillars of Ashoka

• Military conquest

What was the key to the dynastic cycle in China?

• Military conquest

• Democratic elections

• Divine right of kings

• Mandate of Heaven (right to rule China, blessing from the gods)

How did Confucianism impact Chinese culture in positive and negative ways?

• Positive: brought order to China based on filial piety, Negative: women did not have rights

• Positive: emphasized military strength, Negative: led to corruption

• Positive: encouraged individualism, Negative: discouraged education

• Positive: promoted equality, Negative: led to social unrest

What is hellenism?

• The spread of Greek culture/Cultural diffusion

• A self-sufficient economic system

• A decentralized government based on the acquisition of land

• The study of the physical features on the earth

What were the causes and effects of the fall of the Roman Empire?

• Causes: religious conflict, Effects: political stability

• Causes: isolation, Effects: cultural diffusion

• Causes: constant fighting, Effects: economic prosperity

• Causes: empire too large/expensive to protect, Effects: decentralized government in Western Europe

What were the causes and effects of the opening of the Silk Road?

• Causes: China was isolated, Effects: China open to trade and cultural diffusion

• Causes: military conquest, Effects: pax mongolica

• Causes: religious tolerance, Effects: spread of Christianity

• Causes: technological advancements, Effects: industrial revolution

What were the similarities between the impact of geography on Japan and Greece?

• Isolated: mountains/archipelagos = decentralized government, Peninsula = trade

• Isolated: forests/lakes = centralized government, Peninsula = trade

• Isolated: plains/oceans = decentralized government, Peninsula = trade

• Isolated: deserts/rivers = centralized government, Peninsula = trade