AP World History : Demographic and Environmental History

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP World History

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Example Questions

Example Question #41 : Demographic And Environmental History

Which of these best describes the Aryans?

Possible Answers:

An agricultural community that arose in Sub-Saharan Africa

Nomadic people who settled in western Europe

Nomadic people who settled in northern India

An agricultural community that arose in ancient Mesoamerica

An agricultural community that arose in ancient Mesopotamia

Correct answer:

Nomadic people who settled in northern India

Explanation:

The Aryans were nomadic people, possibly from Europe, Iran, or Central Asia, who settled in northern India at the beginning of the Vedic Age.

Example Question #42 : Migration, Settlement, And Demography

Which of these is unique about the rise of Olmec civilization when compared to other foundational cultures?

Possible Answers:

Olmec civilization arose without an organized religion

Olmec civilization developed without a written language

All of these answers are accurate

Olmec civilization arose without a river to facilitate agriculture

Olmec civilization was dominated by women and power was strictly matrilineal

Correct answer:

Olmec civilization arose without a river to facilitate agriculture

Explanation:

The Olmec civilization arose in southern Mexico approximately 1,500 BCE. The Olmecs are considered the foundational culture of Mesoamerica and share many similarities with the Aztec and Mayan cultures which followed (such as human sacrifice and ball games). One thing that is unique about the rise of the Olmecs is that their civilization developed without a large river to facilitate agriculture.

Example Question #42 : Demographic And Environmental History

The Minoan civilization arose on the island of __________.

Possible Answers:

Aegina

Sicily

Corsica

Malta

Crete

Correct answer:

Crete

Explanation:

The Minoan civilization arose on the Mediterranean island of Crete around four thousand years ago (circa 2,000 BCE). The Minoans were heavily influential to the development of ancient Greek culture, religion, and identity.

Example Question #43 : Demographic And Environmental History

The Dravidians are native to __________.

Possible Answers:

the British Isles

the Iberian peninsula

the Indian subcontinent

the Italian peninsula

Central Asia

Correct answer:

the Indian subcontinent

Explanation:

The Dravidians are an ancient culture and people native to the Indian subcontinent. Around 1,500 BCE they were conquered by the Indo-European Aryans.

Example Question #44 : Demographic And Environmental History

What gave people the capability to abandon their nomadic lifestyle begin settling into permanent civilizations was __________.

Possible Answers:

agriculture

stone tools

writing

animal husbandry

Correct answer:

agriculture

Explanation:

Agriculture allowed people to grow a surplus of food, which allowed them to stay in one place. Previously, humans had to move from place to place as hunter-foragers to sustain a food source.

Example Question #45 : Demographic And Environmental History

Why are early cities important to historians?

Possible Answers:

They were where animals were first domesticated.

They show the first evidence of trade.

They show how urbanization changed culture.

They depict famous cave paintings.

Correct answer:

They show how urbanization changed culture.

Explanation:

Early cities show historians and other scholars what effect urbanization had on culture. By examining ancient artifacts, today's historians can gain a glimpse into the cultures of the first cities and compare those to artifacts of pre-civilization to ascertain how cities changed culture.

Example Question #46 : Demographic And Environmental History

Which of these dynasties is the earliest in the recorded history of China?

Possible Answers:

Zhou

Yuan

Xia

Han

Shang

Correct answer:

Shang

Explanation:

The Xia Dynasty in China reigned from approximately 2,000 BCE until approximately 1,600 BCE. Writing was invented in China sometime between 1,500 BCE and 1,100 BCE, making the Shang Dynasty the first dynasty in the recorded history of China. All of our modern understanding of the Xia Dynasty comes from Shang historians, writing at least a few hundred years after the decline of the Xia.

Example Question #47 : Demographic And Environmental History

In the late 4th and early 5th Centuries, a major migration of Germanic tribes occurred, originating from Central Europe, that would ultimately cause the collapse of the Western Roman Empire and set the groundwork for Western Europe. Which eastern steppe tribe facilitated this migration?

Possible Answers:

The Goths

The Vandals

The Alani

The Sarmatians

The Huns

Correct answer:

The Huns

Explanation:

The westward expansion of the Huns displaced more than a dozen Germanic tribes from Central Europe. This displacement forced them to seek refuge in the already collapsing Western Roman Empire, forever changing its demography and creating tensions that would lead to its total collapse.

Example Question #2 : Migration, Settlement, And Demography 600 Bce To 600 Ce

Name the large and wealthy city that was the imperial capital of the Eastern Roman, Byzantine, and, finally,  the Ottoman empire.

Possible Answers:

Rome

Anatolia

Troy

Constantinople

Athens

Correct answer:

Constantinople

Explanation:

First known as Byzantium, later renamed Constantinople, after the emperor when he moved the Roam capitol there. 

Example Question #2 : Migration, Settlement, And Demography 600 Bce To 600 Ce

The Vandals and the Ostrogoths were ______________.

Possible Answers:

Germanic tribes who invaded Rome and contributed to the demise of the empire

foreign mercenaries in the Roman army who famously converted to Christianity en masse following the Council of Nicaea

foreign mercenaries in the Roman army who came from North Africa and famously revolted after the fall of the Republic

foreign mercenaries in the Roman army who came from northern Europe and famously revolted after the death of Julius Caesar

German tribes who allied with the Roman Empire and expanded Roman territory into Southern Europe

Correct answer:

Germanic tribes who invaded Rome and contributed to the demise of the empire

Explanation:

The Vandals and the Ostrogoths are two Germanic tribes who were influential in Europe during the decline of the Roman Empire, the Vandals in particular contributed heavily to the demise of the empire. The Vandals sacked the city of Rome in 445 CE and the Ostrogoths sacked the city in 546 CE.

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