ASSIGNMENT
Choose one of the questions below and answer it in the form of a brief but well-developed essay (2-3 pages in length, double-spaced with 1-inch margins, as Word files) Your essay should have an introduction that sets the historic context, a thesis, evidence or examples to prove your point, and a conclusion. Make specific references to the relevant information in sources (e.g. websites).
- How did the empires of Rome, China, and India try to meld together diverse peoples into a single state? Did it work? What common factors contributed to the fall of the Roman, Chinese, and Indian empires?
- Why were the Arabs able to conquer a vast empire in so short a time? What role did the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad play in making the Arabs an imperial people?
- What were the four chief ways in which world religions were spread? How did rulers and elites use religions to consolidate and justify their power and control over societies?
