SAT II World History : 500 C.E. to 1500 C.E.

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT II World History

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Example Questions

Example Question #91 : 500 C.E. To 1500 C.E.

Which Asian warlord founded the Uyan Dynasty in China?

Possible Answers:

Qin Shi Huang

Tokugawa 

Asoka the Great 

Kublai Khan 

Genghis Khan

Correct answer:

Kublai Khan 

Explanation:

The Uyan Dynasty (also called the Yuan Dynasty) was founded by the Mongolian warlord Kublai Khan in 1271. Kublai Khan was the grandson of Genghis Khan, and he inherited a large swathe of Genghis’ massive territorial conquests. Kublai Khan established his capital at Beijing and proceeded to conquer and unify the rest of (what was at the time) China.

Example Question #92 : 500 C.E. To 1500 C.E.

The Battle of Talas fought between the Abbasid Caliphate and the Tang Dynasty of China was important for __________.

Possible Answers:

ending the influence of Confucianism among the people of the Abbasid Caliphate and ensuring the rise of Islam in the Middle East

halting westward Chinese expansion and allowing the Islamic faith to spread into central Asia

spreading the Islamic faith into the Chinese Kingdom 

halting eastward expansion of the Islamic faith and ensuring that East Asia would be cut off from the rest of the world for several centuries

temporarily closing off the trading routes of the Silk Road, leading to widespread poverty and economic stagnation in China

Correct answer:

halting westward Chinese expansion and allowing the Islamic faith to spread into central Asia

Explanation:

The Battle of Talas (751 C.E.) is an important battle in determining the direction of human history. It was fought between the westward expanding Tang Dynasty of China and the eastward expanding Muslim Caliphate of the Abbasids. It resulted in overwhelming victory for the Abbasids and halted the westward expansion of China permanently. It also allowed Islam to spread into Central Asia relatively unopposed and ensured Abbasid control of the Silk Road. 

Example Question #6 : East And Southeast Asia From 500 C.E. To 1500 C.E.

Daimyos were feudal rulers in which Asian society?

Possible Answers:

Khmer

Mongol

China

Japan

Korea

Correct answer:

Japan

Explanation:

For several centuries Japanese society operated under a feudal structure very similar to that of Europe during the same time period. Vast areas were ruled over by daimyos who owned land and owed allegiance (in theory) only to the shogun. The samurai fought for the daimyo and the peasants worked the land. 

Example Question #93 : 500 C.E. To 1500 C.E.

The Khmer Empire arose in which modern-day country?

Possible Answers:

Malaysia

Nepal

Cambodia

China

Sri Lanka

Correct answer:

Cambodia

Explanation:

The Khmer Empire was the dominant political power in Southeast Asia from the ninth century C.E. to the fifteenth century. The empire arose in modern-day Cambodia and at various times spread to incorporate parts of modern-day Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. Famous Khmer rules include Jayavarman II and Suryavarman II. 

Example Question #94 : 500 C.E. To 1500 C.E.

Which of these warlords established the Yuan Dynasty in China? 

Possible Answers:

Genghis Khan

Oda Nobunaga

Kublai Khan

Alaric the Visigoth

Asoka the Great

Correct answer:

Kublai Khan

Explanation:

The Yuan Dynasty was established by Kublai Khan (grandson of Genghis) in 1271 in China. The reign of the Yuan Dynasty lasted a little short of a hundred years before the Mongolians packed up and went home to rule over the much more manageable territory of Mongolia. It was replaced by the long-lasting Ming Dynasty. 

Example Question #9 : East And Southeast Asia From 500 C.E. To 1500 C.E.

Which of these Chinese dynasties was ruled by Mongolian rulers? 

Possible Answers:

Yuan Dynasty

Han Dynasty

Song Dynasty

Qin Dynasty

Ming Dynasty

Correct answer:

Yuan Dynasty

Explanation:

The Yuan Dynasty ruled China from 1271-1368 and is notable for being the first dynasty established by foreigners in China. It was ruled by Mongolians, first under the famous Kublai Khan (grandson of Genghis). 

Example Question #95 : 500 C.E. To 1500 C.E.

All of the following were features of Mayan civilization EXCEPT which answer choice?

Possible Answers:

An economy based on agriculture

The construction of large pyramids

A diet that included corn (maize) as a staple

The prevalence of a monotheistic religion

Settlements in the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico.

Correct answer:

The prevalence of a monotheistic religion

Explanation:

Part of Mayan civilization was polytheism, a religious system in which multiple gods are worshipped. Therefore, "The prevalence of a monotheistic religion" is the correct answer because it was not a feature of Mayan civilization. The other answer choices are true of Mayan civilization.

Example Question #96 : 500 C.E. To 1500 C.E.

Pakal is the most famous ruler of which civilization? 

Possible Answers:

Olmec

Shoshone

Sioux

Mayan

Aztec

Correct answer:

Mayan

Explanation:

Pakal reigned for almost seventy years from the city of Palenque in the Mayan civilization. He is remembered as a builder of great works and a recorder of historical events.

Example Question #2 : North And South America From 500 C.E. To 1500 C.E.

Which of these factors is considered the most likely cause of the collapse of the Mayan civilization?

Possible Answers:

Drought and agriculture failure

Foreign conquest

Weak administration

Flooding and deforestation

Diseases introduced by Europeans

Correct answer:

Drought and agriculture failure

Explanation:

The collapse of the classical Mayan civilization has long been considered somewhat mysterious. It happened around the eighth or ninth century CE, so long before the arrival of the Europeans. The leading theory is that drought and agricultural failure led to a massive famine and the loss of much of the population. Once such a large proportion of the population had died, there were not enough people left to maintain the administration of the empire.

Example Question #3 : North And South America From 500 C.E. To 1500 C.E.

Which of these statements about the Aztec Empire is true?

Possible Answers:

None of the other answer choices is true.

Their capital was in the mountains of modern-day Peru.

They lacked a written language.

They were pacifist and creative.

They were defeated following Portuguese invasion.

Correct answer:

They lacked a written language.

Explanation:

The Aztec were a warring civilization who lived in what is now Mexico before the arrival of the Spanish in the sixteenth century. The Spanish quickly obliterated the Aztec Empire and massacred its people. The Aztecs were certainly not a peaceful people, and they engaged in human sacrifices for religious purposes. It is true that they did not have a written language. 

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