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The Polabian Slavs constituted a singular, unified nation inhabiting a single, contiguous territory along the Elbe River.
Answer: False
Explanation: The historical and geographical evidence indicates that the Polabian Slavs comprised various tribes inhabiting a region rather than a single, contiguous nation. Their territory extended from the Baltic Sea to the Ore Mountains, encompassing diverse groups.
What collective term refers to the West Slavic tribes who inhabited the Elbe river region and are also known as Elbe Slavs or Wends?
Answer: The Polabian Slavs
Explanation: The collective term for these West Slavic tribes inhabiting the Elbe river region is Polabian Slavs, also known as Elbe Slavs or Wends.
Which geographical features defined the approximate territory of the Polabian Slavs?
Answer: The Baltic Sea in the north, the Saale river and Limes Saxoniae in the west, the Ore Mountains and Western Sudetes in the south, and medieval Poland in the east.
Explanation: The approximate territory of the Polabian Slavs was defined by the Baltic Sea to the north, the Saale river and Limes Saxoniae to the west, the Ore Mountains and Western Sudetes to the south, and medieval Poland to the east.
The Bavarian Geographer lists the Obotrites as having the largest number of *civitates* among the tribes east of the Elbe mentioned in the document.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Bavarian Geographer lists the Veleti (Uuilci) with 95 *civitates*, the Obotrites (Nortabtrezi) with 53, and the Sorbs (Surbi) with 50. Therefore, the Obotrites did not have the largest number.
The Great Soviet Encyclopedia classifies the Polabian Slavs into four main tribal groups: Obotrites, Veleti, Lusatian Sorbs, and Wagrians.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Great Soviet Encyclopedia classifies the Polabian Slavs into three main tribal groups: the Obotrites, the Veleti, and the Lusatian Sorbs. Wagrians were a subgroup often associated with the Obotrites.
The Redarier were considered the most significant tribe within the Veleti confederation.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source material explicitly identifies the Redarier as the most important tribe within the Veleti confederation.
The Ucri tribe, located along the Ucker river, gave its name to the modern Uckermark region.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source confirms that the Ucri tribe, situated along the Ucker river, is the etymological origin of the modern Uckermark region.
The Hevelli tribe, known for settling the Havelland, was a major component of the Obotrite confederation.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Hevelli, who settled the Havelland, are described as being loosely connected to the Veleti confederation, not a major component of the Obotrite confederation.
The Sorbian confederation primarily encompassed tribes along the Baltic coast, distinct from those near the Saale river.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Sorbian confederation was primarily located in the Elbe-Saale region. Tribes along the Baltic coast, such as the Obotrites and Veleti, constituted different confederations.
According to Joachim Herrmann, the core Sorbian tribes included the Lusici and Milceni, influencing areas far west into Bavaria.
Answer: False
Explanation: Joachim Herrmann identified the Colodici, Siusler, and Glomaci as the core Sorbian tribes. While the Lusici and Milceni were associated with the broader Sorbian sphere, Herrmann's core group and their influence extended westwards into regions like northeastern Bavaria, but the statement misidentifies the core tribes and the extent of influence.
The Bavarian Geographer, compiled around 830 AD, lists several Central European tribes. Which tribe is mentioned as having the highest number of *civitates* (95)?
Answer: The Veleti
Explanation: The Bavarian Geographer lists the Veleti (Uuilci) as having the highest number of *civitates*, numbering 95, among the tribes detailed in the document.
Which three main tribes does the Great Soviet Encyclopedia classify as Polabian Slavs?
Answer: Obotrites, Veleti, and Lusatian Sorbs
Explanation: The Great Soviet Encyclopedia classifies the Polabian Slavs into three principal tribes: the Obotrites, the Veleti, and the Lusatian Sorbs.
The Obotritic confederation primarily included tribes located in which general region?
Answer: Eastern Holstein and the area between Wismar Bay and Schweriner See.
Explanation: The Obotritic confederation primarily encompassed tribes situated in eastern Holstein and the region between Wismar Bay and Schweriner See.
Which confederation included the Kessinians, Circipani, Tollensians, and the important Redarier tribe?
Answer: The Veleti confederation
Explanation: The Veleti confederation, also known as the Liutizians or Wilzians, included the Kessinians, Circipani, Tollensians, and the significant Redarier tribe.
The Hevelli, a tribe settled in the Havelland, were described in the source as being loosely connected to which larger tribal group?
Answer: The Veleti
Explanation: The Hevelli, who inhabited the Havelland, were described in the source material as being loosely connected to the Veleti confederation.
Which of the following tribes was located near the Saale river, according to the source's description of the Sorbian confederation's surroundings?
Answer: The Chutici
Explanation: According to the source's description of the Sorbian confederation's environs, the Chutici tribe was located near the Saale river.
Archaeological evidence suggests the first Slavs arrived in Central Europe, including regions like Slovakia and Bavaria, in the first half of the 6th century.
Answer: True
Explanation: Radiocarbon dating and archaeological findings, such as Prague-type pottery, indicate the initial Slavic settlement in Central Europe, including regions like Slovakia and Bavaria, occurred in the first third of the 6th century.
Archaeological evidence places the initial arrival of Slavs in Central Europe, including regions like Bavaria and Slovakia, around which period?
Answer: The first third of the 6th century
Explanation: Archaeological evidence, particularly radiocarbon dating, indicates the initial arrival of Slavs in Central Europe, including regions such as Bavaria and Slovakia, occurred in the first third of the 6th century.
Polabian military society became increasingly militarized starting around the 9th and 10th centuries due to pressure from which groups?
Answer: The Holy Roman Empire and Scandinavian Vikings.
Explanation: The increasing pressure exerted by the Holy Roman Empire and Scandinavian Vikings from the 9th and 10th centuries onwards compelled Polabian society to become more militarized. Leaders organized defensive structures and armed forces.
The 983 Slavic rebellion successfully halted German expansion east of the Oder river but had little impact west of it.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 983 Slavic rebellion significantly halted German expansion east of the Elbe River, leading to the loss of territories and bishoprics like Brandenburg and Havelberg. Its impact was primarily on the eastern frontier of the Holy Roman Empire.
Prince Gottschalk of the Obotrites unified tribes and encouraged Christian missionary activities in the 11th century.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source confirms that Prince Gottschalk of the Obotrites unified tribes, expanded territory, and promoted Christian missionary activities and the establishment of bishoprics during the 11th century.
Bishop Absalon is depicted suppressing Slavic paganism by destroying the idol of the Slavic god Svantevit at Arkona.
Answer: False
Explanation: The historical depictions and sources indicate that Bishop Absalon is associated with the destruction of the idol of the Slavic god Svantevit at Arkona, not Perun. Therefore, the statement is false.
The Wendish Crusade of 1147 successfully converted large numbers of Liutizi tribes to Christianity but failed to secure Saxon control.
Answer: False
Explanation: While the Wendish Crusade of 1147 resulted in devastation and forced baptisms, it did not achieve widespread voluntary conversion of the Liutizi. Crucially, it did help secure Saxon control over Wagria and Polabia, contrary to the statement.
King Valdemar the Great and Duke Henry the Lion cooperated to defeat the Obotrites, leading to the division of conquered lands.
Answer: True
Explanation: The cooperation between King Valdemar the Great and Duke Henry the Lion in the late 1150s led to the defeat and death of the Obotrite prince Niklot, after which they divided much of the conquered territory among their vassals.
Following the 1164 Obotrite revolt, Henry the Lion decided to subjugate the Slavs completely rather than keep them as allies.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 1164 revolt led Henry the Lion to conclude that it was more manageable to retain the Slavs as allies. Consequently, he reinstated Pribislav as a vassal prince, rather than subjugating them completely.
In 1168, the Danes conquered the Rani stronghold of Arkona and allowed their prince, Jaromar, to rule as a pagan vassal.
Answer: False
Explanation: Following the conquest of Arkona in 1168, the Danes allowed Prince Jaromar of the Rani to rule, but only as a Christian Danish vassal, not as a pagan one.
What was the immediate consequence of the significant Slavic rebellion in 983?
Answer: The destruction of bishoprics like Brandenburg and Havelberg, halting German expansion east of the Elbe.
Explanation: The immediate consequence of the significant Slavic rebellion in 983 was the destruction of bishoprics like Brandenburg and Havelberg, effectively halting German expansion east of the Elbe River.
In the 11th century, which Obotrite prince is noted for unifying tribes, conquering some Liutizi tribes, and encouraging bishopric establishments?
Answer: Gottschalk
Explanation: Prince Gottschalk of the Obotrites is noted for unifying tribes, conquering some Liutizi tribes, and encouraging the establishment of bishoprics in the 11th century.
Bishop Absalon of Denmark is famously depicted destroying the idol of which Slavic god at Arkona?
Answer: Svantevit
Explanation: Bishop Absalon of Denmark is famously depicted destroying the idol of the Slavic god Svantevit at Arkona.
What was a key outcome of the Wendish Crusade of 1147, despite its limited immediate success?
Answer: The securing of Saxon control over Wagria and Polabia.
Explanation: A key outcome of the Wendish Crusade of 1147 was the securing of Saxon control over Wagria and Polabia, despite its limited success in achieving widespread voluntary conversion.
The cooperation between King Valdemar the Great and Duke Henry the Lion in the late 1150s resulted in the death of which Obotrite prince?
Answer: Niklot
Explanation: The cooperation between King Valdemar the Great and Duke Henry the Lion in the late 1150s led to the death of the Obotrite prince Niklot.
What decision did Henry the Lion make regarding Prince Pribislav after the 1164 Obotrite revolt?
Answer: He reinstated Pribislav as a vassal prince, finding it more manageable to keep Slavs as allies.
Explanation: After the 1164 Obotrite revolt, Henry the Lion decided to reinstate Pribislav as a vassal prince, deeming it more manageable to maintain alliances with the Slavs.
In 1168, after conquering the Rani stronghold of Arkona, the Danes allowed the Rani prince Jaromar to rule under what condition?
Answer: As a Christian Danish vassal.
Explanation: After conquering Arkona in 1168, the Danes allowed Prince Jaromar to rule under the condition that he become a Christian Danish vassal.
The Margraviate of Brandenburg was established primarily due to which event?
Answer: The Slavic prince Pribislav bequeathing his lands to Albert the Bear.
Explanation: The Margraviate of Brandenburg was established primarily due to Prince Pribislav, a Christian Hevelli prince, bequeathing his lands to Albert the Bear upon his death.
The Polabian language, though extinct, has living descendants spoken by a significant population in Germany today.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Polabian language is indeed extinct. While the Sorbian languages, spoken by a minority in Germany, are descendants of Polabian dialects, they are distinct languages, and the direct Polabian language itself has not survived.
The Lusatian Sorbs were incorporated into the Kingdom of Germany by the 14th century, with most of their population becoming Germanized.
Answer: True
Explanation: While many Slavic populations in the region were Germanized by the 14th century, the Lusatian Sorbs, descendants of the Milceni and Lusici, retained their distinct identity in Lusatia, though they were incorporated into the Kingdom of Germany.
According to the source, what historical process led to the gradual assimilation and Germanization of the Polabian Slavs?
Answer: Conquest by Saxons and Danes starting from the 9th century, followed by assimilation within the Holy Roman Empire.
Explanation: The gradual assimilation and Germanization of the Polabian Slavs resulted from conquest by Saxons and Danes starting in the 9th century, followed by their integration within the Holy Roman Empire.
Which of the following is identified as the only known descendant group of the Polabian Slavs that has retained its distinct identity and culture?
Answer: The Sorbs
Explanation: The Sorbs are identified as the sole known descendant group of the Polabian Slavs that has maintained its distinct identity and culture into modern times.
By the 14th century, what was the general status of most Slavic populations in the region that was once Polabia, according to the source?
Answer: They were largely assimilated and Germanized, though Sorbs retained identity.
Explanation: By the 14th century, most Slavic populations in the region that was once Polabia had been assimilated and Germanized, although the Sorbs managed to retain their distinct identity.
Social Structure, Economy, and Warfare
Danish military tactics against the eastern Polabian Slavs primarily involved heavy cavalry charges and siege warfare.
Answer: False
Explanation: Danish military tactics against the eastern Polabian Slavs primarily involved quick coastal and river raids, utilizing crossbows and longbows, rather than heavy cavalry charges or extensive siege warfare.
A Polabian prince's title was *voivod*, and his power was absolute within his territory.
Answer: False
Explanation: A Polabian prince's primary title was *knez*. The term *voivod* referred to a governor of smaller territories under the prince. Furthermore, the prince's power was not absolute and was often limited by other structures.
Among the Obotrites, the *knez*'s power was significantly limited by a local senate, similar to the Rani prince's situation.
Answer: False
Explanation: The power of the Rani prince was limited by a local senate and high priest. In contrast, the *knez*'s importance among the Obotrites tended to increase, and the description of significant limitation by a senate is not accurate for the Obotrites in this context.
The *gord* in a Polabian town was the lower area housing merchants and nobility, situated below the main citadel.
Answer: False
Explanation: In a Polabian town structure, the *gord* referred to the fortified citadel itself, containing the barracks, citadel, and princely residence. The lower area housing merchants and nobility was known as the *urbs* or *suburbium*.
The majority of Polabian Slavs were primarily engaged in trade and warfare, with agriculture playing a minor role.
Answer: False
Explanation: The majority of Polabian Slavs were peasants whose primary economic activities were agriculture and animal husbandry. Trade and warfare were significant but not the primary engagement for the majority.
A 'kuritz' was a type of fortified settlement or *gord* used for defense in Polabian society.
Answer: False
Explanation: The term 'kuritz' referred to a unit of farmland used for taxation purposes in Polabian peasant society, not a fortified settlement.
Polabian ships were generally larger and heavier than those used by the Danes and Swedes, making them suitable for open-sea warfare.
Answer: False
Explanation: Polabian ships were typically lighter and lower than those of the Danes and Swedes, making them more suitable for riverine and coastal raids rather than extensive open-sea warfare.
Danish military campaigns against the eastern Polabian Slavs were characterized by which of the following tactics?
Answer: Quick coastal and river raids, often destroying crops and settlements.
Explanation: Danish military campaigns against the eastern Polabian Slavs were characterized by quick coastal and river raids, often destroying crops and settlements, rather than heavy cavalry charges or prolonged sieges.
What was the title of a Polabian prince, and what was the role of a *voivod*?
Answer: Prince title was *knez*; *voivod* governed smaller territories under the prince.
Explanation: A Polabian prince was typically titled *knez*. A *voivod* served as a governor of smaller territories, often based around fortifications, under the prince's authority.
How did the power structure of the Rani prince differ significantly from that of the Obotrite prince?
Answer: The Rani prince's power was limited by a local senate and high priest, whereas the Obotrite *knez*'s importance grew.
Explanation: The power of the Rani prince was constrained by a local senate and a high priest, whereas the Obotrite *knez*'s authority, particularly after his demise, tended to increase in prominence.
In a typical Polabian town structure, what was the function of the *gord*?
Answer: The fortified citadel containing the barracks, citadel, and princely residence.
Explanation: In a typical Polabian town structure, the *gord* served as the fortified citadel, containing the barracks, citadel, and princely residence, protected by defensive structures.
What were the primary economic activities for the majority of Polabian Slavs?
Answer: Agriculture and animal husbandry.
Explanation: The primary economic activities for the majority of Polabian Slavs were agriculture and animal husbandry, with most living as peasants in small villages.
What does the term 'kuritz' refer to in the context of Polabian peasant society?
Answer: A unit of farmland used for taxation purposes.
Explanation: In the context of Polabian peasant society, a 'kuritz' referred to a unit of farmland, which was used as the basis for calculating grain taxes owed to the *voivot*.