World History Final Study

Oasis

A fertile area in a desert where water is available, allowing for vegetation and human settlement.

Sharia

Islamic law derived from the Quran and the Hadith, governing the moral and legal aspects of a Muslim's life.

Sunni Muslims

The largest denomination of Islam, which believes that the community should select its leaders, and recognizes the first four caliphs as rightful successors to Muhammad.

Shiite Muslims

A branch of Islam that holds that only the descendants of Muhammad through his cousin Ali and daughter Fatimah are rightful leaders.

Caravan

A group of travelers, often merchants, journeying together across deserts or through hostile territories for safety.

Jihad

An Arabic term meaning 'struggle' or 'striving,' often used to refer to the spiritual struggle against sin, and sometimes interpreted as a physical struggle in defense of Islam.

Five Pillars of Islam

The five basic acts of worship that are considered the foundation of a Muslim's faith and practice: Shahada (faith), Salah (prayer), Zakat (almsgiving), Sawm (fasting during Ramadan), and Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca).

Hajj

The annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, which is a mandatory religious duty for Muslims who are physically and financially able to undertake it at least once in their lifetime.

Quran

The holy book of Islam, believed to be the word of God as revealed to Muhammad through the angel Gabriel.

Bedouins

Nomadic Arab tribespeople who traditionally inhabit desert regions and are known for their herding and trading lifestyles.

Caliph

A title for the chief Muslim civil and religious ruler, regarded as the successor to Muhammad.

Muhammad

The founder of Islam, regarded by Muslims as the last prophet sent by God to guide humanity.

Islamic Empire Expansion

Islam spread through trade, military conquest, and an appealing message (community, social justice, and equality), while the caliphate helped maintain unity and governance.

Appealing Values of Islam

Monotheism, community, social justice, the promise of salvation, clear moral guidelines, and a sense of belonging attracted many converts.

Golden Age of Islam

A period characterized by advancements in mathematics (algebra), astronomy (astrolabe), medicine (hospitals and surgical techniques), and architecture (mosques and palaces).

Fief

A parcel of land granted by a lord to a vassal in exchange for loyalty and service.

Lay Investiture

The appointment of bishops and other church officials by secular leaders, which led to conflicts over the authority of the church.

Charlemagne

King of the Franks who united much of Western Europe during the early Middle Ages and was crowned Emperor of the Romans in $800\text{ AD}$.

Anti-Semitism

Prejudice against, hatred of, or discrimination against Jews.

Infrastructure

The basic physical and organizational structures and facilities needed for the operation of a society, such as roads and bridges.

The Vikings

Scandinavian seafarers known for their raids and trade across Europe from the late $8^{th}$ to early $11^{th}$ century.

Canon Law

The body of laws and regulations developed or adopted by ecclesiastical authority, for the governance of the Christian church and its members.

Chivalry

The medieval knightly system with its religious, moral, and social code, emphasizing bravery, honor, and respect for women.

Dark Ages

A period characterized by political fragmentation, loss of centralized authority, decline in trade, and a decrease in literacy and cultural achievements following the fall of the Roman Empire.

Church Control

The maintenance of power over kings and emperors through excommunication, the ability to grant or withhold legitimacy to rulers, and the influence of papal authority.

Pope Gregory VII vs. King Henry IV

A specific historical conflict over lay investiture that exemplified the struggle between papal authority and secular rulers.

Manor

A self-sufficient community including agricultural land, a village, and the lord's residence, producing its own food, goods, and services to reduce reliance on external trade.

Daimyo

A powerful Japanese feudal lord who ruled over a large area of land and had a private army of samurai.

Bushido

The traditional code of the Japanese samurai, emphasizing honor, bravery, and loyalty.

Wu Zhao

The only female emperor in Chinese history, who ruled during the Tang dynasty and was known for her strong leadership.

Shogun

A military leader in Japan who held significant power, often ruling in place of the emperor.

Genghis Khan

The founder of the Mongol Empire, who united the Mongol tribes and expanded the empire across Asia and into Europe.

Civil Service Exam

A rigorous examination system in China used to select candidates for government positions based on merit.

Kublai Khan

The grandson of Genghis Khan, he became the first Mongol emperor of China and founded the Yuan dynasty.

Tang and Song Dynasties' Golden Age

A period supported by advancements in technology, culture, trade, and governance, leading to economic prosperity and artistic achievements.

Impacts of Mongol Rule in China

Positives included increased trade and cultural exchange along the Silk Road, while negatives involved heavy taxation and military presence.

Noble Women's Opportunities in China vs. Japan

In China, noble women had limited rights and were often confined to domestic roles, while in Japan, some noble women could own property and had more social influence.

Mansa Musa

The $14^{\text{th}}$-century emperor of the Mali Empire, known for his wealth, pilgrimage to Mecca, and promotion of education and culture.

Artisan

A skilled craftsperson who creates handmade goods, often contributing to local economies and cultural heritage.

Gold and Salt Trade

A significant trade network in West Africa where gold and salt were exchanged, leading to wealth and the rise of powerful empires.

Amina of Zaria

A $16^{\text{th}}$-century queen of Zazzau (Zaria) in present-day Nigeria, known for her military prowess and expansion of her kingdom.

Oba

A title for a king or ruler in certain West African cultures, particularly among the Yoruba people.

Animism

A belief system that attributes spiritual essence to objects, places, and creatures, prevalent in many African cultures.

Swahili

A Bantu language widely spoken in East Africa, also referring to the culture and people along the East African coast.

African Diversity and Complexity

The continent is diverse due to its multitude of ethnic groups, languages, cultures, and ecosystems, and complex due to historical interactions, colonial legacies, and socio-economic challenges.

Cultural Blending

The result of trade facilitating the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultural practices, as seen in the East Indian Ocean Trade.

Societal Collapse

Caused by factors such as environmental degradation, economic instability, social unrest, and external invasions, as exemplified by Great Zimbabwe.

Impact of Geography

Geography influenced settlement patterns, agricultural practices, trade routes, and cultural exchanges, shaping the diverse lifestyles of African societies.

Diplomacy

The practice of conducting negotiations and maintaining relations between nations or groups.

Chinampa

A Mesoamerican agricultural technique involving the creation of floating gardens on shallow lake beds.

Pachacuti

The ninth Sapa Inca of the Kingdom of Cusco, known for expanding the Inca Empire and implementing significant administrative reforms.

Mita

A labor system used by the Inca Empire, requiring citizens to work on public projects for a certain period.

Tribute

A payment made by one state or ruler to another, often as a sign of allegiance or to secure protection.

Montezuma

The ninth ruler of the Aztec Empire, known for his dramatic confrontation with Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés.

Welfare

Programs and services provided by governments to support the well-being of citizens, particularly the disadvantaged.

Quipu

An ancient Incan device made of colored threads and knots used for record-keeping and communication.

Human sacrifice (Aztec and Incan societies)

Believed to appease the gods, ensure agricultural fertility, and maintain cosmic order.

Tenochtitlan

An advanced city built on an island in Lake Texcoco, using causeways, canals, and chinampas to manage water and agriculture efficiently.

Inca Empire management

Utilized advanced road systems, quipu for record-keeping, and a centralized government with a hierarchy of officials to manage their empire.

Mayan calendar

Consisting of the Tzolk'in and Haab', this system regulated agricultural cycles, religious ceremonies, and social events, influencing daily activities.

Guild

An association of artisans or merchants who control the practice of their craft in a particular town.

Parliament

A legislative body in the United Kingdom, historically developed during the High Middle Ages to represent the interests of the nobility and later the common people.

Estates General

A legislative assembly in France that represented the three estates: the clergy, the nobility, and the common people.

Magna Carta

A charter agreed upon in 1215 that limited the powers of the king and established certain legal rights for subjects (King John).

William the Conqueror

The first Norman King of England, who reigned from 1066 to 1087 and established feudalism in England.

Joan of Arc

A French peasant girl who became a national heroine by leading French troops to victory during the Hundred Years' War.

Crusades

A series of religious wars initiated by European Christians to reclaim the Holy Land from Muslim rule, occurring from the 11th to the 13th centuries.

Hundred Years War

A series of conflicts fought between England and France from 1337 to 1453, primarily over claims to the French throne.

Black Death

A devastating global epidemic of bubonic plague that struck Europe in the 14th century, leading to significant population decline and social upheaval.

Social impacts of the Black Death

Led to labor shortages and social mobility.

Social impacts of the Crusades

Stimulated trade and cultural exchange.

Social impacts of the Hundred Years War

Fostered national identity and weakened feudalism.

Urbanization factors in the High Middle Ages

The rise of trade, the growth of towns, the establishment of guilds, and the emergence of a merchant class.

Foundations of self-government

The formation of representative assemblies like Parliament and the Estates General, as well as the signing of the Magna Carta.

Humanism

A cultural and intellectual movement of the Renaissance that emphasized the study of classical texts, human potential, and achievements.

Patron

A person or group that provides financial support to artists, writers, and scholars, often influencing the direction of their work.

Vernacular

The language or dialect spoken by the ordinary people in a particular country or region, often used in literature during the Renaissance.

Indulgences

Payments made to the Catholic Church that were believed to reduce punishment for sins, which became a major point of contention during the Reformation.

Purgatory

In Catholic belief, a state of purification for souls who have died in a state of grace but still need to be purified before entering heaven.

Predestination

The doctrine that God has eternally chosen those whom he intends to save, associated with John Calvin's teachings.

Theocracy

A system of government in which priests rule in the name of God or a god, often seen in the context of the Protestant Reformation.

Inquisition

A group of institutions within the Catholic Church aimed at combating heresy and maintaining religious orthodoxy, often through trials and punishments.

Machiavelli

An Italian Renaissance political philosopher known for his work 'The Prince,' which discusses power dynamics and statecraft.

Leonardo Da Vinci

A Renaissance artist and polymath known for masterpieces such as the 'Mona Lisa' and 'The Last Supper,' as well as his contributions to science and engineering.

Michelangelo

An Italian sculptor, painter, and architect of the Renaissance, famous for works like the Sistine Chapel ceiling and the statue of David.

Raphael

An Italian painter and architect of the High Renaissance known for his beautiful Madonnas and the fresco 'The School of Athens.'

Johann Gutenberg

A German inventor who introduced printing to Europe with his mechanical movable-type printing press, revolutionizing the spread of information.

Henry VIII

King of England known for his six marriages and for initiating the English Reformation by breaking away from the Catholic Church.

Renaissance Cultural Shift

A shift from a focus on religious themes and the afterlife to an emphasis on humanism, individualism, and the appreciation of classical antiquity.

Elizabeth I

Queen of England from $1558$ to $1603$, known for her role in the English Renaissance and the defeat of the Spanish Armada.

John Calvin

A Protestant reformer whose teachings emphasized predestination and the sovereignty of God, significantly influencing the Reformed tradition.

Martin Luther

A German monk and theologian who initiated the Protestant Reformation by posting his Ninety-Five Theses, challenging the Catholic Church's practices.

Ignatius Loyola

The founder of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), who played a significant role in the Counter-Reformation and the spread of Catholic education.

Ferdinand and Isabella

The Catholic Monarchs of Spain whose marriage united Spain and who sponsored Christopher Columbus's voyages, leading to the Spanish Empire's expansion.

Impact of the Printing Press

Facilitated the rapid spread of ideas, literature, and religious texts, allowing for greater access to knowledge and contributing to the Reformation by disseminating reformist ideas.

Differences in Church Reformers

Reformers like Martin Luther emphasized salvation by faith alone and the authority of scripture, while others like John Calvin focused on predestination and a more structured church governance.

Catholic Church Response to the Reformation

The church responded with the Counter-Reformation, which included the Council of Trent, reforms in church practices, and the establishment of new religious orders to combat Protestantism.

Encomienda

A system in Spanish America that granted colonists the right to demand labor and tribute from Indigenous people.

Zheng He

A Chinese explorer and diplomat during the early Ming dynasty known for his voyages to Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and East Africa.

Columbus Debate

A discussion regarding the legacy of Christopher Columbus, focusing on his role in the discovery of the Americas and the impact on Indigenous populations.