Final Study Guide

World History Final Exam Study Guide, Fall 2017

If you can write 7-minute responses to the following questions or statements, you will do well on the final.

1) China experienced a period of rebirth that was just as significant to world history as the European Renaissance. Discuss.

2) From a world historical point of view, the period from 500 AD to 1400 AD should be thought of as part of the Classical Era, rather than as a “post”-Classical, “late” Classical or Medieval period. The experiences of Islamic, Mongol, Chinese and Byzantine civilizations during this period illustrate why. Discuss.  (WHY DOESN’T THE WESTERN CIV TIMELINE WORK FOR WH?)

3) The Mongols got a bad rap. In fact, they should be respected as a significant civilization that made long-term contributions to the development of the Eurasian world. Discuss.

4) What were the Sand and Sea Roads? Were they as significant as the Silk Road?

5) If you were a Classical era woman, why might you want to live in the Mongol civilization?

6) Does history really repeat itself? In what ways can ISIS be seen as a 21^st century version of the Mongols?

7) Is it still useful to study the Classical Greeks, even now in the 21^st century? Why or why not?

8) China was the economic superpower of the Classical Eurasian world. Discuss.