Unit 1 Global Tapestry Vocabulary Review

A complete list of vocabulary terms and definitions covering global empires, trade routes, religious traditions, and socio-political systems from Unit 1 Global Tapestry.

Monotheistic

The belief in only one god.

City-State

Small independent regions governed like small kingdoms.

Mayans

A Meso-American empire known for astronomy and the calendar system.

Incas

The largest pre-Colombian civilization in the Andes mountain in South America.

Mexicas/Aztecs

Advanced indigenous civilization in central Mexico known for their capital city of Tenochtitlan and their agricultural techniques.

Mansa - Musa

The wealthy ruler of Mali who made an extravagant pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324-1325.

Kin based network

Decentralized political organization where families managed their own personal affairs and chores without a central government.

Swahili

East African culture, language, and people that developed from interactions between Africans and Indian Ocean peoples.

Ethiopia

African kingdom that remained Christian despite surrounding Muslim societies.

King

A hereditary ruler of a kingdom, at the top of the feudal system.

Vassals

People who received land from nobles in exchange for loyalty and service.

Feudalism

Medieval European system where land was exchanged for loyalty and military service.

Knights

An armed soldier who fought for monarchs and nobles.

Serfs

A bottom class worker or farmer who was bound to the land of a monarch, lord, or vassal, and could not leave the property.

The Great Schism

The split of the Catholic church over how the religion should be managed, dividing into the western Roman Catholic church and Eastern Orthodox Church in 1054.

Roman Catholic

The church governed by the pope, with a hierarchy including bishops and priests.

Byzantine Empire

The eastern half of the Roman empire that survived after the fall of Rome.

Caesaropapism

The idea that the leader of the state and the church are combined into one leader.

Sultans/Sultanate

A Muslim sovereign or ruler who holds supreme political and military power.

The Crusades

A series of wars launched by European Christians to reclaim land from Muslims.

Dynasty

When an empire is ruled by members of the same family for an extended period of time.

Confucius

A Chinese philosopher and teacher who created Confucianism, which was a core belief system in China and other Asian empires.

Buddhism

Indian based philosophy based on the teaching of Siddhartha that teaches a path to Nirvana.

Islam

Religion based on the teachings of Muhammed based around the five pillars.

Meritocracy

A political and social system where people are chosen, promoted, and rewarded based on their abilities, intelligence, and knowledge rather than family or friends.

Civil Service Exams

Exams used in China's golden age to promote education and determine if citizens were eligible to become government officials or hold other desired jobs.

Umayyads

The first major Islamic Dynasty after the death of Muhammed.

Abbasids

Second caliphate in Dar al-Islam known for bringing the Golden Age of Islam and moving the capital city to Baghdad.

Seljuks

Nomadic invaders from central Asia, staunch Sunnis, who ruled in the name of the Abbasid caliphs from the mid 11th century.

5 Pillars of Islam

The 5 core beliefs and mandatory practices that form the foundation of Muslim life: Shahada (faith), Salah (prayer), Zakat (alms), Sawm (fasting), and Hajj (pilgrimage).

Muhammed

Arab prophet who founded Islam, born in Mecca and lived from 570 to 632.

Dar al Islam

The Arabic/Islamic empire spanning regions across West Africa, Spain/South Mediterranean, and Southeast Asia.

Shia

Minority branch of Islam holding the belief that only a descendant of Muhammad can be a caliph.

Sunni

Branch of Islam that believes that the caliph could come from any member of the Muslim community.

Sharia Law

Islamic law infused into government and social life.

Syncretism

The combining or blending of two or more religions, including culture, language, and architecture.

Caliphs

A political or religious leader that serves as a successor to the prophet Muhammed and rules over the muslim community.

Silk Road

A vast network of interconnected trade routes that linked East Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean.

Sea Road

Extended trade networks in the Indian ocean, connecting south china to africa.

Sufis

A mystical branch of Islam whose followers were Islamic missionaries who played a major role in spreading Islam peacefully.

Footbinding

The practice of tightly wrapping young girls' feet to break the bones to stop growth, illustrating patriarchy.

The Grand Canal

Manmade water canal that stretches over 1,100 miles from Beijing to Hangzhou, used to transport goods and people across China.

Mandate of Heaven

The Chinese belief that rulers received the right to rule from Heaven.

Sand road

Major trade route that used camel caravans and focused on gold and salt trans-saharan trade.

Filial Piety

A confucian belief from Song China where people were expected to have extreme respect for someone's parents, elders, and ancestors.

Delhi Sultanate

The first Islamic government established within India from 1206 to 1520, centered in Delhi and controlling a large area of northern India.