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WorksheetsRise and fall of empires, Main ideas
Total questions: 18
Worksheet time: 31mins
Identify the main idea of the following paragraph
By now, you have learned about several major empires. Just to review, the term empire refers to a central state that exercises political control over a large amount of territory containing many diverse groups. Often, this centralized power rules from one or several capital cities. We usually refer to an empire as if it were a single unit. But, because empires are so large, they are often divided into smaller, more manageable political units, usually called provinces.
Provinces and centralized power
Political structures
Diversity in different empires
A review of the term empire
Identify the main idea of the following paragraph
For an empire to grow, one state has to take control of other states or groups of people. To better understand these processes, historians can compare specific empires against one another.
By comparing different empires, historians see that the process of growth had some similarities and some differences across empires. The Achaemenid Persian Empire under Cyrus the Great grew substantially in less than 30 years and reached its greatest extent within 75 years. The Roman Republic was founded in the sixth century BCE, but the Roman Empire didn’t reach its greatest extent until 117 CE.
How historían compare the growth of empires
Historic techniques
Empires control
The Persian Empire
Identify the main idea of the following paragraph
Empires grow for different reasons. The Persian Empire of the Achaemenids was built largely through military conquest. The Maurya Empire in India used a combination of political sabotage, religious conversion, and military conquest to expand its rule. The Romans, although a militaristic society, did not generally set out to conquer territory. But, they did get involved in many wars. After defeating enemies, Rome usually offered them some level of citizenship in exchange for loyalty.
A comparison of the reason why empires can grow
The Persian and Maryam Empire
Román citizenship
Román military system
Identify the main idea of the following paragraph
The main point is that imperial growth is about a central state extending political control over territory and people. This can be achieved by military, economic, or cultural means—usually a combination of these factors!
The factors that contribute to the growth of empires
Central power expansion
A combination of factores
Mr. John Wick is always the answer
What have historians found by comparing the process by which different empires have risen?
All empires rose the same way
There are no similarities between how different empires rose
There are some similarities, but the process of growth is not identical between empires
Wait what are you talking about?! I’m only a kid with no knowledge... or maybe...
Identify the main idea of the following paragraph
Alexander of Macedon is remembered as one of the great empire builders of history. But how much of his success was due to his personal qualities? The rapid rise of Alexander’s empire was an example of the process by which a small state can grow into a huge empire. It also demonstrated how events and circumstances beyond the central state play a role in the state’s success in building an empire.
Alexander of Macedon
An example of of how empires grow
The qualities of Alexander
The role of central states
Identify the main idea of the following paragraph
Although he is often remembered for being the father of Alexander the Great, Philip II of Macedon—who reigned from 359 BCE to 336 BCE—was an accomplished king and military commander in his own right. He set the stage for his Alexander’s victories over Persia. Philip II used bribery, warfare, and threats to secure his kingdom, and without his insight and determination, history might never have heard of Alexander.
How Phillip II set the stage for Alexander the Great
Alexander and Philip’s empire
How history learned of Alexander
Alexander’s Victory
Identify the main idea of the following paragraph
In 336 BCE, after Philip was killed, Alexander embarked on the great campaign his father had been planning: the conquest of the mighty Persian Empire. Alexander had impressive military leadership abilities, but he was also aided by political instability in Persia. Alexander's victories convinced many local rulers to swap Persian imperial control for Alexander's rule. Alexander did not drastically challenge existing administrative systems, rather, he adapted them for his purposes. By 327 BCE, the Persian Empire was firmly under his control.
Alexander’s conquest of Persia can be viewed as a change in leadership, as well as an act of territorial expansion. The territory that constituted the Persian Empire remained largely intact under Alexander’s rule. Several factors, including the existing conditions in the Persian Empire and the imperial foundations laid by his father, combined with Alexander’s military skill to make his imperial adventure successful.
Alexander’s conquest of Persia
The factors that allowed Alexander to grow his Empire
The imperial foundations laid by Alexander’s father and Alexander’s ruling abilities
Like, seriously, this is crazy, crazy I say! Alexander was just crazy!
Alexander's father was:
Philip II
Aristotle
Sophocles
Hammurabi
When did Alexander take power over Macedonia?
After Philip II was murdered
After Alexander's mother died
After Alexander killed his father
After Philip II became ill and died
The main idea is supported by what?
concluding sentences
details
What does the MAIN IDEA of a story tell the reader?
The most important idea about a topic or a story.
The conflict of the story
An American art form began in 1938. That’s when the first comic book starring Superman came out. The Man of Steel was a superhero. Kids and adults both enjoyed these comic books.They liked the fact that the good guy always won. The comics sold well. Soon Batman and Robin had their own series of comic books. Over time Marvel Comics came up with more superheroes. They launched Spiderman and X-Men. These characters were very popular. Toys, games, and clothing featured them. Now, all these comic book characters have had their own movies.
What is the main idea?
Chocolate is a very popular gift to give during the holidays.
What supporting detail would go with this main idea?
Archaeologists study the past through artifacts that they discover.
What supporting detail would go with this main idea?
