Politics, Faiths, and 'Drang nach Osten'

These flashcards cover key concepts related to the political and religious dynamics in Europe, focusing on the Byzantine Empire, various migrations, and significant historical events.

Saints Cyril and Methodius

Known as the 'Apostles to the Slavs' for their missionary work.

Byzantine Empire

A powerful empire that influenced the Orthodox Christianity and extended its political influence until 1453.

Orthodox Christianity

Branch of Christianity that extended political influence from the Byzantine Empire.

Roman Catholicism

Branch of Christianity that competed for influence against Orthodox Christianity in Eastern Europe.

Bulgarian Empire

Established in 681, it embraced Eastern Orthodoxy.

Great Moravian Empire

Adopted Roman Catholicism in 833 before the reign of Rastislav.

Kievan Rus’

Adopted Orthodox Christianity in 988.

Hanseatic League

A commercial and defensive confederation of merchant guilds and market towns in Northwestern and Central Europe.

Drang nach Osten

A German phrase meaning 'drive to the east,' referring to the movement into Eastern Europe.

Ottoman Empire

An empire that expanded into the Balkan peninsula in the second half of the 1300s, sacking Constantinople in 1453.

Ashkenazi Jews

Jews of German origin who migrated during the Crusades.

Sephardic Jews

Jews who migrated from Spain, particularly during periods of persecution.

Teutonic Order

A medieval Catholic religious order involved in the Baltic Crusades.

Battle of Grunwald

A significant battle in 1410 where Polish-Lithuanian forces defeated the Germanic Teutonic Order.