History Final Exam

  1. Select and answer TWO of the following questions in the form of an essay. Be sure to use FACTS to support your answer and to answer ALL parts of the question. EACH essay is worth 50 POINTS.
  2. Discuss the history of Sub-Saharan Africa before 1500, while addressing the following questions. Which cultures did you find most interesting, and why? What sorts of crops were most important to Sub-Saharan Africa? What impact did world religions such as Christianity and Islam have on Africa? Why, in your opinion, are figures such as Mansa Musa not very well-known in modern times, despite their tremendous wealth and influence?
  3. Discuss the rise and expansion of Islam, from its origins with Mohammed in Mecca to the vast empire of the Umayyad Caliphate. What are Islam's central practices and beliefs? Why was this new religion so appealing to a wide array of people? How did Islamic rulers treat practitioners of other religions, such as Christianity and Hinduism? What influence did Judaism and Christianity have on Muslim belief? BE SPECIFIC.
  4. Briefly discuss the rise and spread of the Mongol Empire across Eurasia. Who were the key leaders during the process? How did a simple, nomadic people manage to create the largest empire in world history? Mention and discuss at least THREE places that were directly impacted by the Mongols and their empire.