World History Review

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from world history notes.

5 Characteristics of a Civilization

Advanced cities, specialized workers, complex institutions, record keeping, and advanced technology.

Hammurabi’s Code

First written law code from Babylon; 'eye for an eye' system, showed class-based justice.

Catholic Reformation

Catholic Church’s response to the Protestant Reformation; Council of Trent, Jesuits, Inquisition.

Christian Sects (Branches)

Major branches include Catholicism, Protestantism, and Eastern Orthodox.

Muhammad

Founder of Islam, received the Qur’an from Allah.

Allah

Arabic word for God in Islam.

Qur’an

Holy book of Islam, believed to be the literal word of God.

Mecca

Islam’s holiest city, birthplace of Muhammad.

Five Pillars of Islam

Faith, Prayer, Charity, Fasting (during Ramadan), Pilgrimage (Hajj).

Sunni and Shi’a

Two main branches of Islam; Sunni = community chooses leader, Shi’a = leader must descend from Muhammad.

Monotheism

Belief in one God (Judaism, Christianity, Islam).

Confucianism

Chinese philosophy based on respect, filial piety, education, and social roles.

Daoism

Philosophy focused on living in harmony with nature and the Dao.

Legalism

Chinese philosophy advocating strict laws and harsh punishments.

Hinduism

Indian religion; reincarnation, karma, dharma, caste system, and moksha.

Caste System

Rigid social hierarchy in India tied to Hindu beliefs.

Alexander the Great

Macedonian king who spread Greek culture (Hellenism) through conquest.

Hellenistic Period

Blend of Greek, Egyptian, Persian, and Indian cultures after Alexander’s empire.

Julius Caesar

Roman general who became dictator; his assassination ended the Roman Republic.

Pax Romana

200-year peace and prosperity period in Rome.

Reasons for Fall of Rome

Corruption, invasions, economic struggles, overexpansion, weak leadership.

Athens vs. Sparta

Athens: democratic, cultural; Sparta: military, oligarchic.

Mandate of Heaven

Belief that Chinese rulers were given divine right to rule.

Dynastic Cycle

Rise, fall, and replacement of dynasties in China.

Shi Huangdi

Qin emperor; used Legalism, built Great Wall, standardized currency.

Chinese Dynasties

Zhou (Mandate), Qin (Legalism), Han (Confucianism).

Silk Roads

Trade network connecting China to Europe; spread goods, culture, disease.

Islamic/Indian Scientific Discoveries

Algebra, medicine, astronomy, zero, decimals.

African Trade

West Africa: gold-salt trade; used trans-Saharan routes and camel caravans.

Feudalism

Political system where land is exchanged for loyalty and service.

Byzantine Empire

Eastern Roman Empire; preserved Roman culture; capital = Constantinople.

Jerusalem

Holy city for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Crusades

Religious wars to retake Holy Land; led to increased trade and cultural exchange.

Parliament

English law-making body that limited royal power.

Magna Carta

1215 document limiting English monarchy’s power.

Black Death

Bubonic plague that killed 1/3 of Europe’s population.

Hundred Years’ War

Conflict between England and France; advanced weapons like the longbow.

Estates General

French assembly of clergy, nobles, and commoners (had little power).

Renaissance – Causes & Effects

Trade, rediscovery of classical knowledge; led to humanism, art, science.

Key Renaissance Values

Humanism, secularism, individualism, classicism.

Golden Ages of Civilizations

Examples: Gupta India, Abbasid Caliphate, Han China, Pax Romana.

Lorenzo de Medici

Wealthy patron of the arts; key figure of Italian Renaissance.

Protestant Reformation

Religious reform against Catholic Church abuses; led by Martin Luther.

Mongols

Created largest land empire; promoted trade, cultural exchange, religious tolerance.

Land Empires

Ottoman, Mughal, Ming, Qing.

Scientific Revolution

Use of reason and observation; thinkers: Copernicus, Galileo, Newton.

Age of Exploration – Causes & Effects

Driven by gold, glory, God; led to colonization and cultural exchange.

Descartes

“I think, therefore I am”; emphasized reason and doubt.

Enlightenment Philosophes

Locke (natural rights), Montesquieu (separation of powers), Voltaire (freedom of speech).

Absolute vs. Constitutional Monarchy

Absolute: king holds all power; Constitutional: king limited by laws.

Bastille

Prison stormed in 1789; symbolized the start of the French Revolution.

Louis XVI

King of France during revolution; executed for treason.

Committee of Public Safety

Controlled France during Reign of Terror; led by Robespierre.

Robespierre

Radical revolutionary leader behind Reign of Terror.

Reign of Terror

Period of mass executions; aimed to purge enemies of revolution.

Napoleon

Took power after Revolution; spread reforms, created Napoleonic Code, conquered much of Europe.