AP World History - Chapter 19 Test Study Guide                                                                            Rosenbaum  

To do well on this test, be sure you know the following:

1)      What the Iberian Peninsula is, what it’s major Christian kingdoms were and it’s importance to global exploration

2)      Know what Granada was, what happened to it and why Ferdinand and Isabella were important

3)      Why the arquebus and rapier helpful in conquering the Americas

4)      Know what the Aztec macuahuitl was and why it was not as useful as the rapier

5)      Know why weapons like the macuahuitl indicated Native American complacency

6)      Know who Jared Diamond is and why his ideas are important in understanding this period in history

7)      Know why reading is considered a key advantage for Pizarro in his victory over the Incas.

8)      Who was Bernal Diaz del Castillo and why was he so important 

9)      Who were the Tlaxcalans, what happened at Cholula and why did this all matter for Cortez and the Aztecs

10)   Be able to explain why the Spanish / Portuguese conquerors sought to recreate their social system  

11)   Be able to explain the encomienda system, exactly when it was sanctioned by the crown, and who an encomendero was  

12)   Know who Alexander VI was, what the Inter caetera was and why an encomendero had ‘spiritual’ obligations 

13)   Know why the Treaty of Tordesillas divided the New World between Spain and Portugal.  

14)   Know about the difficulties of Spanish colonization and what was done regarding the need for labor 

15)   Know why Havana, Santa Domingo and San Juan were important to the Spanish?  

16)   Know why the Spanish navy, specifically ships called galleons, help to make Spain the center of world finance 

17)   Know why Spanish conquest signaled the end for many of the indigenous Caribbean Indians.  

18)   Know who Rudyard Kipling was and be able to explain the concept / practice of the ‘White Man’s Burden’  

19)   Know who Father de la Casas was and why he defended the Indian peoples  

20)   Know why missionary work was important to the Spanish and how was the church involved in governing 

21)   Know what a mestizo is, why it was a reality of the times and how these people were able to exist in ‘two worlds’. 

22)   Know why racial distinctions are ‘socially constructed’ and how this allowed the Spanish to disregard human rights 

23)   Know what peninsulares and creoles were and how their similarities / differences created a social hierarchy  

24)   Be able to explain about ‘The Great Exchange’, especially with regards to agriculture  

25)   Know why population growth has a direct effect on economic expansion and why that was important during this time 

26)   Know who the letrados were, what the Recopilacion was, and what a viceroyalty was 

27)   Know what became the ‘cash crop’ in Brazil and who ended up working the plantations 

28)   As Spain’s power decreased in the 18^th C, know what did the French/English/Dutch did, especially in the Caribbean

Veteran’s Day Assignment                                                                                                                                                        Rosenbaum

 For many, Veteran’s Day has come to mean ‘let’s go shopping’...or ‘I’m sleeping in.’ However, there is a history behind this ‘day off’ that should be remembered and honored by all. Veteran’s Day began nearly a century ago as Armistice Day. It was a celebration of the end of the Great War, better known as the First World War or ‘the war to end all wars’. But, as we all know, human nature isn’t scripted and it doesn’t follow good intentions which is why wars continue to this day.

 Over the next two days, you will be watching a PBS Video called ‘War Letters: Stories of Courage, Longing and Sacrifice.’ It is a compilation of letters that have been written by America’s soldiers to loved ones at home, and from loved ones to those at war. Through original footage and re-enactment, PBS has put these letters to video and produced a memorable and moving documentary. In addition, many well known celebrities such as Joan Allen, Edward Norton, Giovanni Ribisi, and Kevin Spacey narrate the letters. Here is a description from the DVD jacket:

 “War Letters tells the story of American wars from the viewpoint of the men and women on the front lines and those who waited at home. The film features breathtaking eyewitness accounts of famous battles, intimate declarations of love and longing, poignant last letters written only days before soldiers were killed, and many profound and memorable expressions of exhilaration, fear, whimsy, exasperation, anger and patriotism. Full of poetry, compassion, humor, determination and raw emotion, the featured letters ultimately transcend the subject of war and address some of the most powerful contradictions of the human condition.”

 While I would love to say, ‘I hope you enjoy the film!’, much of what you are about to see is disturbing and deeply saddening. It is not my intention to depress you, just show you that life has more grey to it than black and white. It will make you think about the time each of has been given, however fleeting, on this earth.

 Lastly, know that the American soldier is sent to fight by our elected civilian leaders. Soldiers do not make policy and they aren’t the decision makers. However, they are in the ‘line of fire’ and are ordinary people who face extraordinary situations. Give thanks that the vast majority of us will never have to.

 Your Assignment

 For Thursday, write a ‘Letter to the Editor’ / ‘Thank You Letter’ about how War Letters made you feel. You do not have to mention the movie but can if you feel it would be helpful. You may wish to include a summary of a story or two to help you describe your feelings. The heading should read ‘To the Editor’ and it will be sent to the Register Star for consideration.

 After printing the first letter, change the heading to read ‘Dear Veteran’ and print a second copy without your phone number. This copy will be hand delivered to the Stratton Veterans Administration Medical Center in Albany. Last year I delivered about 100 letters to over 50 veterans in a nursing and assisted living facility at the hospital. Many of these men are WWII and Korean War veterans who will not be with us much longer. 

If you do only one homework assignment all year, I encourage you to complete this one. Your thanks cost nothing but a few moments of your time and is a purely selfless act that will mean so much to someone.  

Due Date:          Thursday, November 5th

Delivery Date: Tuesday,  November 10th