Enriched World History (Mr. Palmieri)
Semester One Unit Three: ASIA, 500 bce-1500 ce
Semester One Unit Four: AFRICA AND THE AMERICAS, 500 bce-1500 ce
In this unit we will study civilizations which developed in Asia and Africa. We will explore trade networks such as
Trans-Saharan Trade, Indian Ocean Trade, and the Silk Road which connected societies and spread new ideas from
one place to another.
All questions and assignments in italics should be completed (written out) when you come to class on the day with
which they are listed. Assignments in CAPS are due on the day with which they are listed.
Monday, October 19: RESEARCH PAPER FIRST DRAFT DUE
Tuesday, October 20: Ancient India, p. 69-75
1. Describe each of the four varna? What are jati?
2. Define dharma, karma, and reincarnation
3. Write an additional question you are curious about after doing the reading
Wednesday, October 21: Ancient India, p. 76-81
4. Who was Ashoka and what were his accomplishments?
5. Give an example of how literature, math, and astronomy flourished under the Guptas
6. Write an additional question you are curious about after doing the reading
Thursday/Friday, October 22/23 (EXDAY): Religion in China, p 87-93
7. What is the “Mandate of Heaven” and what importance does it have for Chinese political institutions?
8. Describe main tenets (beliefs and practices) of Confucianism.
9. Describe main tenets (beliefs and practices) of Daoism.
10. Write an additional question you are curious about after doing the reading
Monday, October 26: Wednesday, October 21: Qin, and Han China, p 94-99
11. How did emperor Qin Shihuangdi centralize his control over China?
12. In what ways was Qin’s rule strict and overbearing to the people of China?
13. What were effective methods of governance by Han China?
14. Write an additional question you are curious about after doing the reading
Tuesday, October 27: Tang, Song and Yuan China, p 264-269 and the Silk Road
15. Discuss ways in which Tang China was connected to the world via the Silk Road
16. What were important inventions of Song Dynasty China?
17. What restrictions and privileges did upper class women have in Song China (infographic)
18. Write an additional question you are curious about after doing the reading
Wednesday, October 28: the Mongol Conquests, p 270-277
19. Who was Genghis Khan and what were his achievements?
20. Discuss where the Mongols conquered and the civilizations they encountered.
21. What new religious and cultural ideas emerged in China?
22. Write an additional question you are curious about after doing the reading
Thursday, October 29: Ming China and the Treasure Ship Journeys of Zheng he: No textbook homework
Monday, November 2: Korea and Japan, p. 278-283
23. How did ideas from China and elsewhere affect Japan and Korea?
24. Define: shogun, shogunate, samurai, and daimyo
25. What happened to the Mongol invasions of 1274 and 1281?
26. Write an additional question you are curious about after doing the reading
Tuesday, November 3: Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean Trade, p. 290-295 and 240-241
27. How did the geography of the region affect Southeast Asia politically and culturally?
28. Before 1400, what religions had the most influence on Southeast Asia? After 1400, what religion began to
gain many converts?
29. How did the monsoon winds influence trade on the Indian Ocean?
30. Write an additional question you are curious about after doing the reading
Wednesday, November 4: Asia Unit Review
Thursday, November 5: UNIT THREE ASIA TEST
Monday, November 9: Africa, p 242-246
1. Describe the economy of kingdom of Ghana.
2. Who was Mansa Musa and what does he demonstrate about the empire of Mali?
3. Write an additional question you are curious about after doing the reading
Tuesday, November 10: East and South Africa, p 247-254
4. What ideas did the Bantus spread south and east in Africa?
5. Describe the Swahili culture of the east coast of Africa.
6. How did the civilization of Zimbabwe prosper?
7. Write an additional question you are curious about after doing the reading
Thursday, November 12: South America (packet pages 1-2)
8. Describe the concepts of ayllu and mit'a
9. Describe what the text calls verticality or vertical integration
10. What crops and products were important to Andean economy?
Friday, November 13: The Inca (packet pages 3-4)
11. How did the Inca ensure control over conquered regions?
12. Describe the Inca capital, Cusco
13. What challenges did the Inca face after 1525?
Monday, November 16: Mayans and Teotihuacan (packet pages 5-8)
14. How did Teotihuacan provide for year-round agriculture?
15. Describe the political organization of the region of Mayan civilization.
16. What theories exist to explain the decline of Mayan civilization?
Tuesday, November 17: The Aztecs (packet pages 9-10)
17. What role did sacrifice play in Aztec society?
18. What similarities can you see between the Aztec Empire and the Roman Empire?
Wednesday, November 18: UNIT FOUR AFRICA AND THE AMERICAS QUIZ