Africa, Mongols, and Japan study guide for quiz.

Savanna

A large flat area of land with very few trees, specifically in Africa.

Caravan

A group of people or animals traveling together, often for a long

journey.

Trans-Sahara

Travel across the Sahara.

Quran

Islam sacred book

Islam

A monotheistic faith (one god) and the belief of Muhammad and his teachings

Muhammad

The first Islamic preacher

Ghana

African empire that ruled from 1037-1075 A.D.

Mali

The next African empire after Ghana

Songhai

Empire after Mali, the biggest of the 3

Niger River

River that runs through Africa, the home to many cities

Timbuktu

Trading city along the Niger river

Salt and gold

The biggest import/export in West Africa

Mansa Musa

Ninth Mali ruler who was devoted to Islam

Marco Polo

venetian explorer who wrote ‘II Milione’ about his experiences with the Mongols.

Yurt

A circular tent of felt or animal skin on a collapsible framework

Nomad

People who have no permanent home, but travel from place to place

following food and water.

Steppe

A large, flat area of land with very few trees, specifically in Asia

Clan

A group of close knit and interrelated families

Gobi desert

A large desert in east Asia in mostly Mongolia, Russia, and China

China and gunpowder

Gunpowder was invented by Chinese alchemists trying to make a potion to live forever

Genghis Khan

Mongolian ruler born in 1162 who united tribes and conquered China and expanded Mongolia to modern Iran.

Archipelago

A chain of islands

bushido

Feudal Japanese code of conduct for samurai

Samurai

feudal Japanese warrior

Feudalism

Political and social system where land is exchanged for services

yayoi

first inhabitants of Japan

origami

Paper folding art popularized in Japan

shogun

feudal Japanese military leader

Silk Road—Where?

Through Asia, from the east coast into Western Europe

Silk roads—What was traded?

All types of goods: silk, slaves, spices, ideas, religion

Silk roads—Why was it significant?

It allowed for new ideas to be spread from one area of the world to another. This includes inventions, religions, farming techniques, and much more. -CULTURAL DIFFUSION