Unit 4

There can be little doubt, however, that the [Islamic] conquests were made easier by the exhaustion of the Byzantine and Sasanian Empires due to prolonged warfare, the confusion that reigned in the Sasanian ruling house, the disruption caused by recent enemy occupation in Syria and Iraq, the destruction wrought by immense floods in southern Iraq, the disaffection of many of the subjects of the two empires for religious or other reasons, the convenience of inner lines of communication that the Muslims enjoyed, and the like.

Fred Donner, The Early Islamic Conquests, Princeton University Press, 1981

According to the information in the excerpt, one reason Islam was able to spread was because —

• geography made invasion easy

• neighboring empires were weak

• nearby revolts were taking place

• Muslim soldiers were highly trained

At first, one cuts letters in beech wood. One fills a trough level with fine sandy [clay] of the reed-growing seashore. Wood-cut letters are pressed into the sand, then the impressions become negative and form letters [molds]. At this step, placing one trough together with another, one pours the molten bronze down into an opening. The fluid flows in, filling these negative molds, one by one becoming type. Lastly, one scrapes and files off the irregularities, and piles them up to be arranged.

— Korean scholar Seong Hyeon, fifteenth century

The process the author describes in the excerpt contributed to —

• the refinement of sword making in Japan

• the growth of metal mining in western China

• the diffusion of movable type printing across Asia

• the development of the porcelain industry in Korea

Which series of empires correctly match their location on the map?

• I Roman Empire, II Charlemagne’s Empire, III Islamic Empire

• I Islamic Empire, II Byzantine Empire, III Charlemagne’s Empire

• I Charlemagne’s Empire, II Byzantine Empire, III Islamic Empire

• I Byzantine Empire, II Charlemagne’s Empire, III Islamic Empire

Which number on the map is the Islamic holy city of Mecca?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Christianity and Islam were important institutions in the reconsolidation of Europe following

the collapse of the Roman Empire because both —

• commanded believers to act morally

• served as unifying influences on culture

• attracted many nonbelievers to convert

• provided a model for political organization

The unifying of the Frankish kingdom by Clovis likely contributed to —

• the use of Latin in Roman Catholic services

• the decline of scholarship and formal education

• the abdication of the last western Roman emperor

• the increasing role of Roman Catholicism in Europe

The medieval Church was a unifying force in Europe after the fall of Rome because it offered

—

• indulgences for sinners

• stability and security

• redistribution of wealth

• multiple sets of beliefs

Which of Justinian’s actions reflects the close connection between church and state in the

Byzantine Empire?

• He built large churches such as the Hagia Sophia.

• He developed and published Christian tenets.

• He relocated the capital from Rome to Byzantium.

• He was crowned head of the church by the Pope.

Which factor contributed to the division of Western and Eastern Churches into Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy?

• Declining interest in the Crusades

• Growing power of Islamic caliphates

• Opposing opinions on Christian theology

• Dwindling trade across European kingdoms

Under the manorial system, nobles were required to provide serfs with which of the following?

• food

• education

• protection

• livable wage