Unit 2 Key Terms

Magnetic Compass

An instrument used for navigation and orientation that shows direction relative to the geographic cardinal directions (north, south, east, and west). Invented in China during the Han Dynasty.

Rudder

A primary control surface used to steer a ship, boat, submarine, hovercraft, aircraft, or other conveyance that moves through a fluid medium (generally air or water). First used in ancient China around the 1st century AD.

Junk

A type of ancient Chinese sailing ship, characterized by its fully battened sails. ____

were developed during the Han Dynasty (220 BC-200 AD) and further evolved during later dynasties.

Mongol Empire

The largest contiguous land empire in history, founded by Genghis Khan in 1206. It stretched from Eastern Europe to the Sea of Japan, extending northwards into Siberia, westwards into parts of Eastern Europe, and southwards into the Indian subcontinent, Indochina, and the Iranian Plateau.

Kashgar

An ancient city in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China. It was a prominent stop on the Silk Road, serving as a major hub of trade and cultural exchange.

Samarkand

A city in modern-day Uzbekistan, which was one of the most important cities on the Silk Road. It is known for its historical sites and rich cultural heritage.

Caravanserai

Roadside inns where travelers could rest and recover from the day's journey. They supported the flow of commerce, information, and people across the network of trade routes covering Asia, North Africa, and Southeast Europe, especially along the Silk Road.

Money Economy

An economic system where goods and services are exchanged primarily using money rather than through bartering.

Flying Cash

A type of paper currency developed during the Tang Dynasty in China. It is considered one of the earliest forms of banknote.

Paper Money

Currency issued on paper; it was first developed in China during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) and was widely adopted during the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD).

Banking Houses

Financial institutions that provided services such as loans, deposits, and transfers. They were instrumental in the development of trade and commerce during the Middle Ages and Renaissance in Europe.

Bill of Exchange

A written order used primarily in international trade that binds one party to pay a fixed sum of money to another party at a predetermined future date. It was an important financial instrument used to facilitate trade and reduce risks.

Hanseatic League

A commercial and defensive confederation of merchant guilds and their market towns in Northwestern and Central Europe. It dominated trade along the coast of Northern Europe, from the Baltic to the North Sea, during the late Middle Ages and early modern period.

Mongols

A group of nomadic tribes from Central Asia who created a huge empire in the 13th and 14th centuries.

Khan

A title given to Mongol leaders, meaning ruler or king.

Kuriltai

A meeting or assembly of Mongol chiefs where important decisions, such as choosing a new khan, were made.

Genghis Khan

The founder of the Mongol Empire, who united the Mongol tribes and began their conquests.

Khanate

A region ruled by a khan. After Genghis Khan's death, his empire was divided into several khanates.

Pax Mongolica

A period of peace and stability across the Mongol Empire that allowed trade and communication to flourish.

Kublai Khan

The grandson of Genghis Khan who established the Yuan Dynasty in China.

Yuan Dynasty

The dynasty established by Kublai Khan in China, which ruled from 1271 to 1368.

Zhu Yuanzhang

The founder of the Ming Dynasty, who overthrew the Yuan Dynasty.

Ming Dynasty

The Chinese dynasty that followed the Yuan Dynasty, known for strengthening the Great Wall and sending explorer Zheng He on voyages.

Batu

A Mongol leader, grandson of Genghis Khan, who led the Golden Horde in invasions of Europe.

Golden Horde

A Mongol khanate that ruled over parts of Russia and Eastern Europe.

Moscow

A major city in Russia that grew in importance under Mongol rule and later became the center of the Russian state.

Hulegu

Another grandson of Genghis Khan who led the Mongol conquest of much of the Middle East.

Il-khanate

A region in Persia (modern-day Iran) ruled by Hulegu and his descendants.

Gobi Desert

A large desert in Northern China and Southern Mongolia that the Mongols called home.

Siege Weapons

Tools and machines used to break into fortified places, like castles or cities, during a siege.

Cannon

A large gun that uses gunpowder to fire heavy projectiles, used in warfare.

Uyghur Alphabet

A writing system used by the Uyghur people of Central Asia, which influenced the Mongol script.

White Lotus Society

A secret religious group in China that often led uprisings against ruling governments, including against the Yuan Dynasty.

Bubonic Plague

Also known as the Black Death, this deadly disease spread across Europe and Asia in the 14th century, killing millions.

Malacca (Melaka)

A powerful trading port in Southeast Asia, located on the Malay Peninsula, which was a crucial hub in the Indian Ocean trade network.

Gujarat

A region in western India that was an important center for trade and commerce, known for its rich merchants and vibrant port cities.

Swahili city-states

A group of coastal cities in East Africa, such as Kilwa and Zanzibar, that were important trading centers in the Indian Ocean trade network.

Calicut

A major trading city on the southwest coast of India, known for its spices and other goods. It was an important stop for traders from the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.

Spice Islands

A group of islands in Southeast Asia, particularly the Maluku Islands in Indonesia, known for producing valuable spices like cloves, nutmeg, and mace.

Indian Ocean Basin

The vast area of the Indian Ocean, which was a major route for trade and cultural exchange among Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

Monsoon Winds

Seasonal winds in the Indian Ocean that change direction twice a year, allowing sailors to travel across the ocean more easily by timing their voyages with these winds.

Lateen Sails

Triangular sails that allowed ships to sail against the wind, improving navigation and speed for sailors.

Stern Rudder

A device attached to the back of a ship that helped sailors steer more accurately and control their ships better.

Astrolabe

An ancient instrument used by sailors to determine their latitude by measuring the angle between the horizon and a celestial body, like the sun or stars.

Indian Ocean Slave Trade

The trade of enslaved people across the Indian Ocean, where people from Africa were taken to the Middle East, India, and other parts of Asia.

Diaspora

The spread of people from their original homeland to other places, often creating communities with shared cultural or ethnic backgrounds.

Zheng He

A Chinese explorer and admiral who led several voyages across the Indian Ocean, reaching as far as Africa and the Middle East, promoting trade and collecting tribute for the Ming Dynasty.

Mali

A powerful empire in West Africa during the 13th to 16th centuries, known for its wealth and trade.

Sundiata

The founder of the Mali Empire, who united the region and established its prosperity.

Mansa Musa

One of the most famous rulers of Mali, known for his immense wealth and his pilgrimage to Mecca, which showcased the riches of Mali to the wider world.

Songhai Kingdom

A large empire in West Africa that succeeded Mali and became one of the largest Islamic empires in history.

Timbuktu

A major cultural and trading city in the Mali Empire, known for its universities and libraries that attracted scholars from across the Islamic world.

Mecca

The holiest city in Islam, located in modern-day Saudi Arabia, where Muslims make a pilgrimage called the Hajj.

Trans-Saharan Trade

Trade routes that crossed the Sahara Desert, connecting West Africa with North Africa and the Mediterranean. Goods like gold, salt, and ivory were traded.

Sahara Desert

The largest hot desert in the world, located in North Africa. It was a significant barrier but also a trade route for the trans-Saharan trade.

Oases

Fertile spots in the desert where water is available, allowing vegetation to grow and people to settle or rest during long journeys.

Arabian Desert

A large desert in the Arabian Peninsula, covering parts of several countries including Saudi Arabia. It was crossed by important trade routes in the Islamic world.

Camel Saddles

Special saddles designed for camels, making it easier to transport goods across deserts. Camels were essential for trade in arid regions like the Sahara and Arabian deserts.

Black Death

A deadly disease, also known as the Bubonic Plague, that spread across Europe, Asia, and Africa in the 14th century, killing millions of people.

Marco Polo

An Italian explorer from Venice who traveled to Asia and documented his experiences in a book, giving Europeans a glimpse of life in the East.

Ibn Battuta

A Muslim traveler and scholar from Morocco who journeyed across the Islamic world and beyond, recording his travels in detailed writings.

Margery Kempe

An English mystic who traveled on pilgrimages to holy sites in Europe and the Middle East, and wrote one of the earliest autobiographies in English, detailing her spiritual experiences and travels.

Swahili

A language and culture that developed along the East African coast, blending African, Arab, Persian, and Indian influences due to extensive trade.

Urdu

A language that developed in South Asia, combining elements of Hindi, Persian, Arabic, and Turkish, used widely in Pakistan and parts of India.

Gunpowder

A Chinese invention that revolutionized warfare, used in guns and cannons to propel projectiles.

Hangzhou

A major city in China, known for its cultural and economic prosperity, especially during the Song Dynasty.

Samarkand

An important city on the Silk Road in Central Asia, known for its rich history, culture, and as a center of trade and Islamic learning.

Kashgar

Another key city on the Silk Road, located in present-day China, which served as a trading hub and a meeting point for various cultures.

Constantinople

The capital of the Byzantine Empire, now Istanbul, known for its strategic location between Europe and Asia and its rich history and culture.

Champa Rice

A type of rice that grows quickly and is resistant to drought. It was introduced to China from Vietnam and allowed farmers to harvest two crops a year, leading to more food and population growth.

Bananas

A nutritious fruit introduced to Sub-Saharan Africa by Indonesian sailors. Bananas provided a new food source that helped increase the population.

Sugar

A crop that became highly demanded, especially in Europe. Its cultivation spread to many regions, and it played a significant role in the economy.

Citrus Crops

Fruits like oranges and lemons, which were introduced to new areas through trade, enriching diets and providing essential vitamins.

Overgrazing

When animals eat too much grass in an area, leading to the land becoming barren and unable to support vegetation.

Deforestation

The clearing of forests for agriculture or other uses, leading to the loss of trees and negative effects on the environment.

Soil Erosion

The wearing away of the top layer of soil due to factors like wind, water, or farming practices, which can reduce the land's fertility and ability to support crops.