WORLD HISTORY FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE
MIDDLE AGES EUROPE
What was the major problem reformers objected to in the church - corrupt practices that damaged
spiritual authority
What branches of the U.S. government did the papal Curia resemble - legislative and judicial
How did the architecture of Gothic cathedrals inspire reverence for God - they soared upward and were
filled with light
What does the construction of Gothic cathedrals tell us about the people’s religious beliefs – people
worked long and hard to build the cathedrals with few tools because their beliefs were so strong
What were the economic advantages of the Crusades – younger sons could gain wealth to purchase
land. Merchants profited by supplying Crusaders and by engaging in other trade
Why were there multiple Crusades lasting for many years – The balance of power was not decisive, and
the advantage was traded back and forth through a series of campaigns
What goal united the Children’s and Spanish Crusades – the desire to capture Muslim lands for
Christianity
Why did many Spanish people of other faiths convert to Christianity – to avoid being charged as heretics
and possibly executed
How did the failure of the later Crusades weaken the power of the pope – it shook people’s faith and
resulted in more power for kings
In what way did the Crusades benefit people of all faiths – they led to increased trade between Europe
and Southwest Asia
How did farmers take advantage of the warming climate during the Middle Ages – planted crops in new
areas and developed more productive farming methods
What were some disadvantages of the three-field system – farmers would have to work harder to farm
the additional land
Why were merchants the first workers to form guilds – they were the most numerous and prosperous
workers during the Middle Ages
Why were trade fairs held in towns - towns were centrally located
In what ways were towns such an important force for change – they drew large numbers of people,
making changes in the social order necessary
Why was lack of hygiene more of a problem in towns and cities than in the country – the crowed urban
conditions increased smells and health hazards
Why did Christian scholars travel to Muslim libraries - to study ancient works of scholarship
Why were most students from the merchant class – their parents were wealthy enough to send their
sons to study
How did William the Conqueror begin the unification of England – by taking control of all of England’s
territories
Why was King John reluctant to sign the Magna Carta – it took power from the king and granted it to the
nobles
Why did Pope Clement V move from Rome to Avignon in France – to obey King Philip IV, who got him
elected pope
How did John Wycliffe’s beliefs further weaken the power of the pope – Wycliffe taught that the Bible,
not the Church, was the authority and model for Christian life
Why did the plague divide rather than unite people - the fear of catching the disease drove people –
even family members – apart
Why was the longbow such an effective weapon – it could fire repeated volleys of arrows
Why did the English try to discredit Joan of Arc – because of her victory in battle and successful
restoration of the French crown to Charles VII
How did geography play a role in ending Viking attacks in Europe - warmer climate caused many people
to choose farming over raiding
In what way might a lord also be a vassal - a lord might be a vassal to a greater lord, such as the king
How did feudalism compare to the Aryan caste system - both were systems of inherited social class
How did religion support the feudal system - Church reinforced idea that status was ordained by God
How did strategy and technology combine to create the culture of the knight – saddles and stirrups
made possible mounted units that could defeat enemy soldiers
How did the relationship of lords and knights exemplify the system of feudalism – knights were vassals
who received land from lords in exchange for military service
How did the literature of the 12th century support the code of chivalry - it conveyed the ideals of
knighthood and the knight’s duties to God, his lord, and his lady
Why were excommunication and interdiction feared by kings and nobles – lessened rulers’ power over
their subjects, potentially affecting eternal life
Why were the pope and the German emperor willing to accept the terms of the Concordat of Worms –
each felt he had gained some power
Why did Frederick I use the name Holy Roman Empire instead of Roman Empire of the German Nation –
the new name expressed a strong relationship with the Church and a desire to spread beyond Germany
ANCIENT GREECE
How did nearness to the sea help alleviate Greek resource shortages – allowed access to regions that
could provide the resources
Why did most Greeks identify with their local community instead of Greece as a whole – geography
nourished small independent communities
How did the moderate climate foster civic life – by allowing frequent outdoor meetings and discussions
What were the Mycenae’s strength – ridges and wall made city secure; string central rule; trade with
other cities; able to adapt Minoan culture
What were advantages and disadvantages of the city-state as a form of government – advantages small,
easy to control, centralized; disadvantages controlled little territory, many rivals nearby, greater chance
for conflict
Why would tyrants set up building programs – to reward supporters and secure loyalty of ordinary
people
Why was logic and public speaking emphasized more in Athens than in other city-states - Athenians
settled many matters by debate
Why didn’t Spartans resist their austere system – Spartan boys were taken from their homes at age 7
and underwent military training until age 30. They must have thoroughly internalized Spartan values
What advantages did Greece enjoy during the Persian Wars – superior weapons and military tactics
How does an aristocracy differ from an oligarchy – Members of the nobility rule aristocracies; a small
group, not necessarily members of the nobility, rules an oligarchy
How did paying public officers strengthen Athenian democracy – let Athens use talents of citizens who
otherwise could not afford to hold office
What evidence exists to suggest that Pericles also pursued policies that were not democratic – use of
Delian League funds for purposes not approved by members, such as public projects
Why would Pericles not have been satisfied with securing Athens’ political and economic strength? Why
did he also demand the city-state’s artistic glorification – it was a way for Pericles to honor and win favor
with the Greek gods; Athenians thought surrounding themselves with beauty was valuable in itself
How did Greek plays represent expressions of civic pride – by demonstrating Athenian values such as
justice and freedom of speech; by showing off prosperity with lavish productions
Who held the advantage during the Peloponnesian War (and why) – Sparta, because of its militarism
and interior location
Why was the plague that struck Athens in the 2nd year of the Peloponnesian war so devastating crowded conditions allowed the disease to spread quickly
How does the trial of Socrates reflect on Athenian democracy – It suggests that Athenians set limits on
freedom of speech when controversial opinions were expressed
What was the military consequence of the lack of unity among Greek city-states - they were vulnerable
to outside attacks, such as those mounted by the Macedonians
Why did Philip II allow city-states to control local affairs – it made rebellions less likely; uninterested in
local matters
Why did the Egyptians welcome Alexander – they had been mistreated by their leaders; Alexander
allowed some conquered territories to govern themselves in local matters
Why did Alexander’s troops remain loyal for over a decade – his personality, the joy of conquest, the
spoils of victory
Why were astronomy, math, and physics promoted in Alexandria - applicability to agriculture and
navigation
What is the difference between Stoicism and Epicurianism - Stoicism emphasizes virtue, focuses on what
the individual can control; Epicurianism focuses on harmony between body and mind
ANCIENT ROME AND EARLY CHRISTIANITY
How was early Rome a multicultural society – three cultures from the outset: Latins, Greeks, and
Etruscans
What were the differences and similarities between Rome’s patricians and plebeians - both could vote,
but plebeians could not hold important government positions
What was the advantage to writing down the laws - everyone who was able to read could know what
the law said
Why do you think the Romans gave full citizenship to conquered people living close to Rome – to ensure
their loyalty to Rome
How did Scipio use Hannibal’s love for Carthage as a weapon – he forced Hannibal to choose between
defending his home and conquering Rome
How did limiting the size of Roman estates help the poor – It would enable small landowners to succeed
How did Augustus’ rule set the stage for the Pax Romana – His stable government system withstood
changes in leadership
What effect did the system of roads have on the Roman Empire – connected the vast empire, enabled
trade and military action
What factors contributed to the fall of the Roman Republic - economic inequality, military upheaval,
civil war, the rise of Caesar
What role did Julius Caesar play in the decline of the republic and the rise of the empire – Caesar helped
restore order, then seized power. His occupation of Rome and his rule as dictator effectively ended the
republic
How were Jesus’ teachings at odds with Roman values and religious ideas - taught love and acceptance
rather than strength and power; taught monotheism vs. worship of many gods
Why was Rome threatened by Jesus - he was popular; he preached to the poor and powerless
Why was the apostle Paul so important to the spread of Christianity - Paul traveled widely and
interpreted Jesus’ teachings in ways that distinguished them from Jewish law by eliminating some Jewish
practices, which made the religion more accessible to non-Jews
Why did Christian persecution rise as the Pax Romana crumbled – The worse Rome’s problems became,
the more leaders needed a scapegoat
Why do you think church leaders could not agree about the new religion - interpretations varied;
leaders wanted power
How did establishing a church structure help Christianity spread - people gained access to church
teachings more easily
What did Jesus emphasize in his early teachings - God’s personal relationship to each person;
importance of people’s love for God, their neighbors, their enemies, and themselves; God would offer
eternal life to those who repented their sins
Why did the early Christians face persecution from the Romans – refusal to worship Roman gods; used
by some Roman rulers as scapegoats for political and economic troubles
What was the importance of the Nicene Creed – it defined the Church’s basic beliefs 77
Which is more important in the decline of the Roman Empire, the economy or the military – the
economy because it affected how soldiers were paid
Why did the empire continue to fail despite Diocletian’s reforms and effective rule - too much depended
on his iron-fisted rule; the empires problems had spread too widely
How does control of Byzantium offer trade and defensive advantage to cultures on the Black Sea – is the
only passage to the Mediterranean; can provide or deny sea access to cultures on the Black Sea
Why do you think the Western Empire was unable to field an army to stop the Germans from invading –
couldn’t pay mercenaries, citizens were indifferent, commanders were fighting among themselves
Why did so many Germanic tribes begin invading the Roman Empire – to flee from the invading Huns
Why did the eastern half of the empire survive after the split - it held the empire’s centers of trade and
wealth, and its capital was well protected
Name the three main parts of government under the Roman republic – consuls, senate, and assembly
Why did the Roman emperors persecute Christians - they disobeyed Roman authority by refusing to
worship Roman gods
How did the Western Roman Empire fail - Over many years, Germanic and other invaders overran the
western half, which had been weakened by internal problems
What aspects of Roman culture influenced future civilizations – European languages might sound
different; legal systems might not place as much emphasis on personal rights
EUROPEAN RENAISSANCE AND THE REFORMATION
How did the cities of Italy help create the Renaissance - city life included wealth, leisure time, exchange
of ideas
Describe the Medici family – they supported the arts and culture while publically executing enemies and
ruling as dictators
How did humanism influence Renaissance ideas – focused on people and their achievements, so art and
thought became more concerned with the here and now
Why did church leaders and wealthy merchants support the arts – showed their importance by having
portraits painted and decorating churches and other public places
What were the differences and similarities between upper-class Renaissance men and women – both
were expected to know the classics, but most women lacked political power
In what ways was Renaissance art revolutionary - use of perspective; revealed the subjects personality
How did Leonardo da Vinci’s scientific studies help his art - allowed him to make his art more realistic
Why was it important that writers began writing in the vernacular - more accessible to everyday people;
possible to read literature without learning Latin
Why do you think Machiavelli’s writings remain popular - people still interested in getting and keeping
power
Why and how did an increase in wealth affect the spread of the Renaissance - Merchants and rulers
could sponsor artists and writers
How did the northern Renaissance differ from the Italian Renaissance - stronger interest in realistic art;
more of an emphasis on changing society
What factors influenced the trend toward a more realistic style of art - artists could travel and thereby
learn better techniques; oil paints made more realistic, subtle paintings possible
What similarities were there in the works of Desiderius Erasmus and Thomas More - both wanted to
improve society; both believed that greed caused problems
How did Elizabeth I contribute to the Renaissance - she was well educated and supported writers and
artists
How did the Elizabethan Age reflect the values of the Italian Renaissance - focus on art and literature,
positive view of humans and human nature
Why was the Bible the first book printed with movable type - many Europeans were religious
In what ways did Renaissance art connect to the past – copied Greek and Roman styles; created religious
works
In what ways did Renaissance art break with the past – increase in secular art, more realistic style, use of
vernacular, emphasis on the individual
How did printing and publishing affect social reforms - made social reforms more widespread because
information, including Christian humanist works, was distributed more widely and freely
Why was the invention of the printing press so important – it made more information available not only
to scholars but also to ordinary people
What reasons did humanists give for wanting to reform society - they wanted people to live a Christian
life. To do so they had to give up greed, corruption, and war and provide education for women and
children
How did the availability of cheap books spread learning - more people could afford books and the ideas
could be shared with those who could not read. More information led to more discoveries; literacy
increased
Why did German rulers want to challenge the political power of the Church - resented distant control;
new ideas were weakening the Church
What practices of the Catholic Church in the 1500s might have disturbed ordinary churchgoers – Popes
pursued worldly affairs; some priests drank and gambled
Why was Martin Luther unhappy with the sale of indulgences - people thought that buying an
indulgence would get them into heaven
What caused Luther’s ideas to spread through Germany – his words were printed; his ideas allowed
people to think about and express their own dissatisfaction with the Church
What in Luther’s teachings inspired the peasants to revolt - Luther taught that people were free to make
their own decisions about religion. The peasants wanted more freedom
Why was Charles V unable to force the Protestant princes back into the Catholic Church even after
defeating them in war - Luther’s ideas were too strong; the abuses in the Catholic Church caused people
to lose faith
Why did Henry VIII need either a divorce or an annulment - to marry a woman who could give him a son
How did Elizabeth I deal with the question of religion - she returned England to Protestantism and
established a state church
What political, economic, and social factors helped bring about the Reformation - Political: rise of
competing states; rulers resented pope’s control. Economic: rulers jealous of Church’s wealth; merchants
resented paying Church taxes. Social: people questioned Church; printing presses spread ideas critical of
Church
Where did the term Protestantism come from - from German princes who protested
In what ways did Calvin’s leadership of the city of Geneva, Switzerland, demonstrate his religious beliefs
– sinful people need guidance, so everyone obeyed strict rules
What lasting influence did the Anabaptists have – Anabaptists beliefs influenced the Amish, Mennonites,
Quakers, and Baptists of today
How did Jesuit reforms help the Catholic Church keep its members from becoming Protestant - their
schools helped educate priests to do better work; students learned more about Catholic theology;
missionaries did good works and made converts
Why did the Catholic Church feel the need for reforms, and what did the church leaders do Protestantism was reducing Catholic membership; Church investigated corruption; supported Jesuits;
used Inquisition; called Council of Trent; created Index of Forbidden Books
What were the results of the Council of Trent – disregard for Christian humanism and liberal movements
within the Church; better educated Catholic bishops and clergy; clearly defined Catholic doctrine