World History Review Flashcards

A comprehensive set of flashcards based on key concepts and facts from world history lectures.

How did the Song Dynasty maintain political power?

Through a centralized bureaucracy and the civil service exam based on Confucianism.

What agricultural innovation helped the Song Dynasty grow?

Champa rice — fast-ripening, drought-resistant rice from Vietnam.

Name three key technological advancements of the Song Dynasty.

Gunpowder, the compass, and printing technology (movable type).

What was the role of Confucianism in Song society?

It emphasized filial piety and social hierarchy, forming the basis for meritocracy.

What is foot binding and what did it symbolize?

A patriarchal practice showing female subjugation and status.

What is Neo-Confucianism?

A blend of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism.

What is sinification?

The spread and adoption of Chinese culture in places like Korea, Japan, and Vietnam.

What happened to the Abbasid Caliphate in this era?

It fragmented but its influence persisted culturally and religiously.

What was the House of Wisdom?

A center of learning in Baghdad where scholars preserved and expanded upon classical knowledge.

How did Islam spread during this time?

Through merchants, Sufi missionaries, and military conquest.

What is the significance of the Delhi Sultanate?

It was a Muslim state in India that influenced Indian culture despite resistance.

Who were the Mamluks?

Military slaves who established a powerful Islamic empire in Egypt.

What role did Sufis play in spreading Islam?

They used personal connection and mysticism to spread Islam peacefully.

How did Hinduism influence South Asia?

It reinforced the caste system and was dominant in cultural life.

How did Buddhism spread in the region?

Through monasteries and trade networks.

What was the Vijayanagara Empire?

A Hindu kingdom in southern India that resisted Islamic expansion.

What was the Srivijaya Empire known for?

Controlling maritime trade routes in Southeast Asia.

What is the significance of the Khmer Empire?

It built Angkor Wat, showing Hindu and later Buddhist influence.

How did Indian Ocean trade affect religion in Southeast Asia?

It led to the diffusion of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam.

What is feudalism?

A decentralized political system where land is exchanged for loyalty and military service.

What is manorialism?

An economic system of self-sufficient estates worked by serfs.

What unified Western Europe in this period?

The Catholic Church, which influenced politics and daily life.

What were the Crusades?

Holy wars aimed at reclaiming Jerusalem that also increased trade and cultural exchange.

What made the Mali Empire wealthy?

Control of the trans-Saharan gold-salt trade.

Who was Mansa Musa and why is he important?

Mali’s ruler known for his Hajj and showcasing African wealth and Islam.

What were Swahili city-states?

East African trading cities that prospered from Indian Ocean trade.

What was Great Zimbabwe known for?

Its wealth from trade and impressive stone architecture.

What was a major result of trans-Saharan trade?

The spread of Islam and connection to the Islamic world.

What was the political structure of the Maya?

Independent city-states with shared culture, advanced in astronomy and math.

How did the Aztecs maintain power?

Through a tribute system and religious human sacrifices.

What is Tenochtitlan?

The Aztec capital, built on a lake with chinampas for farming.

What was the Inca Empire's labor system called?

The Mit’a system — mandatory public service for the state.

How did the Inca control their empire?

Through extensive road systems across the Andes Mountains.

What were the major trade routes in this period?

Silk Roads, Indian Ocean Trade, and Trans-Saharan Trade.

What goods and ideas spread via the Silk Roads?

Luxury goods (silk, spices), Buddhism, and technology.

What helped Indian Ocean trade flourish?

Monsoon winds and maritime technology like the compass and lateen sail.

What was exchanged along the Trans-Saharan routes?

Gold, salt, and Islam.

What is cultural diffusion?

The spread of ideas, technologies, and religions across societies.

What types of goods were traded along the Silk Roads?

Luxury goods like silk, porcelain, textiles, and spices; technologies like paper, gunpowder, and the compass.

What religions and philosophies spread along the Silk Roads?

Buddhism, Neo-Confucianism, and Islamic ideas.

What cities were major hubs along the Silk Roads?

Samarkand and Kashgar.

How did the Mongol Empire impact the Silk Roads?

It protected and stabilized trade routes, boosting commerce and safety.

What was a Caravanserai?

Inns along the Silk Roads where merchants and travelers could rest and resupply.

What was the political structure of the Mongol Empire after Genghis Khan?

Divided into four khanates: Yuan (China), Golden Horde (Russia), Ilkhanate (Persia), Chagatai (Central Asia).

What was Pax Mongolica?

A period of Mongol peace that ensured safety on trade routes and boosted exchange.

How did the Mongols promote cultural exchange?

Spread technologies and ideas like gunpowder, paper, and local artistic support.

What was the Mongols' stance on religion?

They practiced religious tolerance across their empire.

What were the negative effects of the Mongol Empire?

Spread of diseases, especially the Black Death.

What types of goods were traded in the Indian Ocean network?

Luxury goods (spices, gold, ivory) and everyday goods (timber, grain, horses).

What technologies helped Indian Ocean trade?

Astrolabe, lateen sail, and compass.

Name key Indian Ocean trading cities.

Swahili city-states (Kilwa, Mombasa, Zanzibar), Calicut (India), Malacca.

How did Islam spread through the Indian Ocean trade?

Through merchants and Sufi missionaries.

What is a Diaspora?

A scattered population maintaining cultural identity in foreign lands.

What goods were traded across the Sahara?

Salt, horses, textiles (north to south); gold, ivory, enslaved people (south to north).

Which empires dominated trans-Saharan trade?

Ghana, Mali (Mansa Musa), and Songhai.

How did camels affect Saharan trade?

Made desert travel and trade more efficient.

What cultural impact did trade have on West Africa?

Spread of Islam and rise of Islamic education in places like Timbuktu.

Who was Mansa Musa?

Ruler of Mali, known for his pilgrimage and vast wealth.

What major religions spread due to increased connectivity?

Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism.

What technologies spread across regions?

Gunpowder, printing, and paper-making.

Name 3 important travelers and their contributions.

Marco Polo (Yuan China), Ibn Battuta (Islamic world), Margery Kempe (Christian Europe).

What is Cultural Syncretism?

The blending of different cultures, seen in religion, art, and architecture.

What disease spread along trade routes in this period?

The Black Death (bubonic plague).

What were the effects of the Black Death?

Killed 1/3 of Europe's population; caused labor shortages and social change.

What crop spread from Southeast Asia to Africa and transformed agriculture?

Bananas.

What environmental issues were caused by population growth?

Deforestation and soil erosion.

How did the Black Death affect feudal systems?

Weakened them by reducing the workforce and shifting social structures.

What were the key differences between the Silk Roads, Indian Ocean, and Trans-Saharan trade?

Silk Roads: Overland; luxury goods; Buddhist and Islamic spread. Indian Ocean: Maritime; bulk/luxury goods; monsoon winds. Trans-Saharan: Camel caravans; gold-salt trade; Islamic spread in Africa.

Name major cities/centers in each trade network.

Silk Roads: Kashgar, Samarkand. Indian Ocean: Calicut, Malacca, Kilwa. Trans-Saharan: Timbuktu, Gao.

What did the Mongol Empire facilitate?

Trade, cultural diffusion, and spread of diseases.

How did the Indian Ocean network connect regions?

Through maritime trade linking Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

What was the impact of trans-Saharan trade?

Enriched African kingdoms and spread Islam.

What were the cultural consequences of connectivity?

Religious spread, technology transfer, and syncretic cultures.

What were the environmental consequences?

Spread of disease (Black Death), agricultural diffusion, and resource depletion.

What are the major land-based empires from 1450–1750?

Ottoman, Safavid, Mughal, Russian, and Qing Empires.

What were the Gunpowder Empires and how did they expand?

The Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal Empires; they used gunpowder, cannons, and military technology to dominate territory.

Define: Gunpowder Empires

States that used firearms to expand and consolidate power, especially in the Islamic world.

How did the Ottomans recruit government officials and soldiers?

Through the devshirme system—Christian boys were taken, converted, and trained as Janissaries or administrators.

What taxation system did the Ottomans use?

Tax farming—wealthy individuals collected taxes and kept a share.

Define: Devshirme System

Ottoman policy of taking Christian boys, converting them to Islam, and using them in military/government service.

How did rulers use religion to justify their rule?

Ottomans used Sunni Islam; Safavids promoted Shia Islam; Qing claimed the Mandate of Heaven; Russians used Orthodox Christianity.

Name architectural works used to show imperial power.

Taj Mahal (Mughal), St. Basil’s Cathedral (Russia), Hagia Sophia (Ottoman), Forbidden City (Qing).

How did art and architecture support rule?

It reflected divine or centralized authority and cultural blending.

How did gunpowder technology affect empire building?

Allowed empires to expand rapidly and conquer enemies more efficiently.

What economic strategies did empires use to grow?

Controlling trade routes, luxury goods production, tribute systems.

Which empire captured Constantinople in 1453 and how?

The Ottomans, using gunpowder and cannons.

What is syncretism and which empire encouraged it?

Blending of cultures/religions; the Mughal Empire under Akbar encouraged it.

What was the millet system?

Ottoman system that allowed religious communities to govern themselves under their own laws.

What caused religious conflict between Ottomans and Safavids?

Sunni (Ottoman) vs. Shia (Safavid) Islam rivalry.

What internal issues led to the decline of empires?

Corruption, weak leadership, and resistance to modernization.

What external pressures did empires face?

European maritime powers, loss of trade dominance, colonial encroachment (e.g., British in India).

What caused the decline of the Mughal Empire?

Aurangzeb’s strict policies, internal rebellion, and British intervention.

How did economies shift due to migration during imperialism?

Economic imperialism and a focus on raw material extraction and export for empire benefit.

What is economic imperialism?

Control through trade, investment, and debt instead of direct political rule.

Examples of economic imperialism?

British East India Company (India), United Fruit Company (Central America), Suez Canal (British control after Egyptian debt).

What were push and pull factors for migration?

Push: famine, poverty, war. Pull: jobs, land, better living conditions.

What is indentured labor?

Indian/Chinese workers migrated to colonies for labor contracts — often exploited.

Where did many Europeans migrate?

Settler colonies like Canada, Australia, and New Zealand for land and opportunity.

What caused Jewish migration in this era?

Pogroms and persecution in Eastern Europe → migration to U.S. and elsewhere.

What are ethnic enclaves?

Immigrant communities (e.g., Chinatowns) that preserved culture in host societies.