Social Studies Essential Elements

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4. What is a peninsula?

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Area of land surrounded by water on three sides

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4. Give an example of a peninsula

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Florida, India, Italy

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5. What is an archipelago?

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A group of Islands

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5. Give an example of an archipelago

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Hawaii, Bahamas, Greece

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6. What is a delta?

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Fan shaped area at the mouth of a river

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6. Give an example of a delta

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Nile, Mississippi, Ganges

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11. What do B.C. and A.D. mean?

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Before Christ and Anno Domini

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12. What do B.C.E. and C.E. mean?

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Before Common Era and Common Era

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13. What are the features of a civilization?

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Geography Religion Achievements Politics Economics and Social Structures

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14. What is polytheism?

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Belief in MANY gods

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15. What is monotheism?

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Belief in ONE god

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16. What is the time period before writing called?

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Prehistory

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17. What is the time period after writing called?

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History

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18. What are some things that are unique about the Paleolithic Time Period

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Hunt, Gather, Nomadic, Live in small groups

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18. What are some things that are unique about the Neolithic Time Period

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Farm, Tame/Herd, Live in Villages, Jobs, Government

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18. What are some things that are similar for the Paleolithic and Neolithic time periods?

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Can't Write and Used Stone Tools

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19. List three advantages that caused people to settle in river valleys.

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Water, Fertile soil, Silt, Travel, trade and food

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20. What is an empire?

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Large area of land united under one ruler

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21. In what modern day country was Mesopotamia located?

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Iraq

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22. What are two examples of Mesopotamian contributions to later civilizations?

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Wheel, Plow, Number system based on 60, Levee, Sail, Irrigation, cuneiform

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23. What are two examples of Egyptian contributions to later civilizations?

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Ink, papyrus, shadoof, embalming, pyramids, fractions, bandages, medical specialties, number system based on 10

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24. What is one example of a contribution from ancient India?

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Sanitation Systems, Planned Communities, and Kiln-dried Bricks

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25. What is one example of a contribution from ancient China?

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Silk Weaving, Bronze work, compass, fireworks, gunpowder

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26. What is a dynasty?

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A series of rulers from the same family

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27. Who was the founder of Judaism?

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Abraham

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28. What is the holy book of Judaism?

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Torah

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29. What set of laws make up the core belief of Judaism?

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10 commandments

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30. Because of their geography of mountains and peninsulas what did the Greeks rely on for food and trade?

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Mediterranean Sea

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31. What are two examples of Greek contributions (other than government) to later civilizations?

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Geometry, Architecture, Scientific Method

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32. What is a Democracy?

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Rule by Many

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32. Give a modern example of a democracy

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USA, India, France

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33. What is a Monarchy?

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Rule by one king or queen

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33. Give a modern example of a monarchy.

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Great Britain, Spain, Bhutan, Jordan

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34. How did the location of Rome help it to conquer the Mediterranean?

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It was in the center

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35. What is a Republic?

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When citizens elect their representatives

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36. Name two ways the Republic of Rome influenced the modern US government.

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Veto, Impeachment, Legislative and Executive Branches, Senate

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37. Name two examples (other than government) of Roman contributions to later civilizations.

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Roads, Cement, Arches, Calendar

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38. Who was the founder of Christianity?

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Jesus

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39. How did the Roman Empire help to spread Christianity?

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Roads, Common Language, Pax Romana, Edict of Milan, Conversion of Constantine

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40. Give two examples of why the Middle Ages is also known as the Dark Ages.

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Lack of Education, Lack of New Advancements, Short life span, illnesses, Lack of hope for life getting better

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42. What organization had the most power during the Middle Ages?

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The Christian/Catholic Church

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43. Who was the founder of Islam?

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Mohammad

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44. What is the holy book of Islam?

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Koran

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45. What make up the core belief of Islam?

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5 pillars

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46. What are followers of Islam called?

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Muslims

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47. What are two contributions from Islamic Culture?

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Algebra, checks, Astrolabe, Medical Encyclopedia, and Arabic Numerals

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48. What are the two mountain chains that cut off India from the rest of Asia?

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Hindu Kush and Himalayas

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49. What is the holy book of Hinduism?

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Vedas

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50. Why do Hindus consider all life sacred?

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They believe in Reincarnation

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51. Who was the founder of Buddhism?

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Siddhartha Guatama

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52. What is the holy book of Buddhism?

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Tripitiki

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53. What makes up the core belief of Buddhism?

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4 Noble Truths

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54. What three features helped Chinese culture to develop in isolation?

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Gobi Desert, Himalayas, and the Great Wall of China

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55. What are two ways Chinese culture influenced Japan?

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Confucius Thought, Buddhism, and Writing

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56. What are two natural resources of Africa?

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Gold and Salt

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57. What is one contribution of ancient African cultures?

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Smelting and Bronze art