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Themes of Modern World History

Total questions: 20

Worksheet time: 40mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Which is true of the "big picture" view of the world?

a)

It approaches history as a study of separate regions with few interconnections.

b)

It examines history from a global perspective and identifies common patterns.

c)

It focuses on history based on the influence of classical civilizations of the Mediterranean world.

d)

It values global connections and patterns over events on the national and regional levels.

2.

Historians often divide history into periods of time based on...

a)

major turning points.

b)

historical patterns.

c)

historical connections.

d)

spatial frames.

3.

Which historical investigation would have the broadest spatial frame?

a)

a study of the reign of King Tutankhamen of Egypt

b)

a study of the development of cuneiform writing in Sumer

c)

a study of the architecture of the Qing dynasty period in China

d)

a study of the Silk Road trade routes between Europe and Asia

4.

Which of the following is a “habit of mind” useful for studying history?

a)

looking for global patterns over time and space

b)

making judgments based on universal standards

c)

keeping your focus exclusively on a single region

d)

all of the above

5.

Values that many consider to be universal standards such as democracy and human rights

a)

may not be accepted everywhere across time.

b)

are an example of a human-environment interaction.

c)

are not important to think about when studying history.

d)

should be used to judge the worth of historical societies.

6.

Two broad themes of history are integration and difference. Integration refers to the ways in which

a)

universal standards are examined in historical context.

b)

human rights for all groups have expanded over time.

c)

peoples of the world have been drawn together.

d)

research brings together historical concepts.

7.

The spread of the bubonic plague from Asia to Europe in the 14th century best illustrates which theme of world history?

a)

cultural interaction

b)

economic structures

c)

human-environment interaction

d)

political structures

8.

The concept of cultural diffusion would most likely be used by a historian to explain

a)

the fall of an empire.

b)

the outbreak of war in a region.

c)

the growth and spread of a religion.

d)

the establishment of an absolute monarchy.

9.

Which topic would fall under the theme of social structures?

a)

forms of government

b)

gender roles and relations

c)

the development of religions

d)

the rise of industry

10.

During which period has human technology affected the environment?

a)

throughout history

b)

since the invention of the steam engine

c)

since the discovery of climate change

d)

throughout the 20th century

11.

Which theme would historians most likely consider first when examining the Great Depression?

a)

human-environment interaction

b)

economic structures

c)

cultural interaction

d)

political structures

12.

Which historical question requires an interregional view?

a)

How did the slave trade affect Africa, Europe, and the Americas?

b)

How did China change between the Han, Tang, and Ming dynasties?

c)

What technology did the ancient Egyptians use to construct the pyramids?

d)

Where did George Washington learn the military skills to lead a revolution?

13.

Which historical event would fit under the theme of political structures?

a)

the overthrow of the French monarchy

b)

the writing of the American Constitution

c)

the establishment of the German nation

d)

all of the above

14.

Historians would consider the theme of _____ when examining recovery efforts in Europe after World War II.

a)

economic structures

b)

cultural interaction

c)

political structures

d)

all of the above

15.

Which statement about colonial North America addresses social structures?

a)

Many immigrants came from Germany.

b)

The British imposed a series of unpopular taxes.

c)

Some colonies were chartered by the king.

d)

Women took care of the home and garden.

16.

Which theme of Modern World History focuses on how people gain knowledge about their world and about new discoveries?

a)

Religion & Ethics

b)

Role of Technology

c)

Power & Authority

d)

Revolutions

17.

Which theme of Modern World History focuses on cultural characteristics that can be a both dividing and uniting factors?

a)

Globalization

b)

Violence & Dehumanization of Life

c)

Nationalism

d)

Interaction with the Environment

18.

Which theme of Modern World History focuses on the desire for conquest and expansion?

a)

Interaction with the Environment

b)

Economics

c)

Revolutions

d)

Empire Building

19.

Technology has allowed for far greater bloodshed in the 20th and 21st centuries - along with a new view of the importance of life - including topics such as genocide. Which theme of Modern World History is this related to?

a)

Power & Authority

b)

Violence & Dehumanization of Life

c)

Globalization

d)

Economics

20.

Questions about wealth and how it should be distributed are key in discussing the theme of...

a)

Economics.

b)

Religion and Ethics.

c)

Revolutions.

d)

Nationalism.