Review Packet for Unit 2: Networks of Exchange (1200 CE - 1450 CE)

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on key concepts discussed in the lecture notes for Unit 2, focusing on the Networks of Exchange from 1200 CE to 1450 CE.

Silk Roads

Trade routes that connected China with the West, facilitating cultural, technological, and commercial exchange.

Mongol Empire

A vast empire created by nomadic tribes from Central Asia that unified under leaders like Genghis Khan.

Khanates

Regions into which the Mongol Empire divided after the death of Genghis Khan, ruled by his descendants.

Cultural Diffusion

The spread of cultural beliefs and social activities from one group of people to another, which was facilitated by the Mongol Empire.

Trans-Saharan Trade

Trade routes that crossed the Sahara desert, linking sub-Saharan Africa with North Africa.

Zheng He

A Chinese explorer of the Ming dynasty whose voyages promoted trade and cultural exchange in the Indian Ocean.

Diasporic Merchants

Merchants who move away from their homeland and settle in new places, influencing local culture and economy.

Cultural Syncretism

The blending of different cultural elements, illustrated in East Africa through the convergence of local languages and Arabic influence.

Salt

A highly valuable commodity in trans-Saharan trade, essential for food preservation and enhancing flavor.

Mansa Musa

The ruler of the Mali Empire who is known for his pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj) and for spreading wealth and promoting education.