How can religious similarities promote greater understanding and tolerance?

Question

im supposed to answer this question for world history but I don't understand what its asking.

Answer 1

Hi there! Absolutely no worries, World History can be complicated! I especially recommend watching and studying videos from creators such as Heimler's History, as many of these AP-specific creators have reviewed in-depth questions such as this.

That being said, this question is asking a "cause-effect" question. The cause is religious similarities and the effect is greater understanding and tolerance. Depending on the answer format required for this question, the depth of your analysis on how religious similarities promote greater tolerance will change. For instance, if you are only asked to provide a simple thesis statement, it might look something like this:

Religious similarities promote greater understanding and tolerance because they allow for easier syncretic religious movements, more cultural touchpoints between groups of people, etc etc etc (all example lines of reasoning, not actual fleshed-out ideas).

On the other hand, if you were asked to provide an entire SAQ, DBQ, LEQ, or other essay type (if you are not taking an AP level class, which is perfectly fine!), I would absolutely recommend brainstorming some potential proper nouns to throw at the wall for this type of prompt. The second you read religious similarities, I would recommend jotting down a few examples that come to mind-- perhaps the evolution religions such as Buddhism along the Silk Road, Santeria in the Caribbean, or the combination of various religions and philosophies in Japan. Next, when you see the key phrase understanding and tolerance, I would recommend connecting as many examples of this as possible. Trade routes, specific moments of syncretic behavior within religions, or other such events that you can point to as an example of tolerance and understanding. I especially recommend going down a route on Islam. Mention Al-Andalus, tolerant laws for the Dhimmi (People of the Book), etc etc as well as the successful trade and cultural exchanges going on within the various Gunpowder and Islamic empires.

I hope that at least gave you a jumping off point! I was sure if you needed help with an AP history course or otherwise, so I tailored it to the AP level but if you would like some more fine-tuning to my answer, please let me know! I'll try to reply back soon. Happy holidays!