Honors History Midterm Review

Feudalism

A social system where nobility held lands from the Crown in exchange for military service, while peasants worked the land for them.

Black Plague

A devastating global epidemic of bubonic plague that struck Europe in the 14th century, killing approximately half of the population.

Renaissance

A cultural movement that began in the 14th century in Florence, Italy, characterized by a revival of interest in art, literature, and humanism.

Mona Lisa

A famous painting by Leonardo da Vinci, known for its subject's enigmatic expression.

Printing Press

An invention by Johannes Gutenberg that revolutionized the spread of information and made books more accessible to the public.

Humanism

An intellectual movement during the Renaissance that focused on human potential and achievements, often centering around classical texts.

Lutheranism

A branch of Protestant Christianity derived from the teachings of Martin Luther, emphasizing faith alone and the authority of scripture.

Calvinism

A branch of Protestantism founded by John Calvin, which emphasizes predestination and a strict moral code.

Five Pillars of Islam

The five basic acts of worship in Islam: Shahada (faith), Salah (prayer), Zakat (almsgiving), Sawm (fasting), and Hajj (pilgrimage).

Janissaries

Elite soldiers in the Ottoman Empire, often taken from Christian families.

Mercantilism

An economic theory that emphasizes the role of the state in managing the economy through protectionism and regulation.

Columbian Exchange

The exchange of goods, ideas, and diseases between the New World and the Old World following the voyages of Christopher Columbus.

Divine Right of Kings

The belief that monarchs derive their authority directly from God.

Absolute monarch

A ruler who holds unrestricted power over the government and the lives of the people.

Glorious Revolution

The 1688 overthrow of King James II of England, resulting in William and Mary ascending to the throne.

Inquisition

A group of institutions within the Catholic Church aimed at combating heresy.

Index of Banned Books

A list of publications that were deemed heretical by the Catholic Church.

Patron

A wealthy individual who supports artists and writers financially.

Realism

An artistic representation aimed at depicting subjects as they appear in everyday life.

Fresco

A painting technique involving water-based pigments applied to wet plaster.

Scholars

Individuals dedicated to studying and promoting knowledge and learning.

Vernacular

The language or dialect spoken by the ordinary people in a particular region.

Baroque

An artistic style characterized by dramatic expression, rich detail, and grandeur, prevalent in Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries.

Enlightenment

An intellectual movement in the 17th and 18th centuries emphasizing reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional authority.

Social Contract

A theory in political philosophy that individuals consent, either explicitly or implicitly, to form a government that is meant to protect their rights.

Industrial Revolution

A period of major industrialization in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, marked by the transition to new manufacturing processes.

Capitalism

An economic system characterized by private ownership of the means of production and their operation for profit.

Socialism

An economic and political system where the means of production are owned or regulated collectively by the community or the state.

Impressionism

An art movement developed in the late 19th century that focused on capturing light and natural scenes with loose brushwork.

Nationalism

A political ideology that emphasizes the interests and culture of a particular nation, often leading to the desire for independence.

Colonialism

The policy of acquiring and maintaining colonies, involving the establishment of political and economic control over the territory and people.

Secularism

The principle of separating religion from political, social, and educational institutions.

Agrarian Society

A society primarily based on agriculture as its means for sustenance and economic production.

Schism

A formal division within a religious community.

Renaissance Man

A person who is well-educated and excels in a wide variety of subjects or fields.

Theocracy

A system of government in which priests rule in the name of God or a god.

Hellenism

The spread of Greek culture and influence that began after the conquests of Alexander the Great.

Barter System

An economic system where goods and services are exchanged directly for other goods and services without money.

Colonial Economy

An economic system based on the exploitation of the resources and labor of colonies.

Sovereignty

The authority of a state to govern itself or another state.

Biopolitics

The intersection of human life, politics, and governance, focusing on the management of populations.