World History Study Guide: Renaissance, Reformation, Scientific Revolution, East Asia & Islam

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the Renaissance, Reformation, Scientific Revolution, East Asian empires (Ming, Qing, Tokugawa), modern East Asian history, and Islamic origins, beliefs, and empires.

Renaissance

A period in the 1300s–1400s that originated in Italy and spread throughout Europe, characterized by humanism, individual achievement, classical learning, artistic creativity, and a renewed interest in Greek and Roman ideas, art, education, and science.

Protestant Reformation

A religious movement beginning in 1517 in Germany and spreading through Europe, prompted by challenges to Catholic Church corruption, indulgences, and abuses of power.

Martin Luther

A religious reformer who challenged Catholic teachings and helped initiate the Protestant Reformation in 1517.

King Henry VIII

English king who broke away from the Catholic Church in the 1530s and established the Church of England.

Catholics

Christians who follow the Pope, Church traditions, and seven sacraments, believing that both faith and good works are important for salvation.

Protestants

Christians who reject papal authority, emphasize the Bible and salvation through faith alone, and generally recognize fewer sacraments.

Counter-Reformation

The Catholic Church's effort to reform itself and respond to the Protestant Reformation.

Council of Trent (1545–1563)

A meeting of Catholic leaders that reaffirmed Catholic beliefs and addressed Church corruption.

Inquisition

A Catholic institution that investigated and punished suspected heresy.

Index of Forbidden Books

A list of books that Catholics were prohibited from reading.

Jesuits

A Catholic religious order that spread Catholicism through education and missionary work.

Scientific Revolution

A movement in 1500s–1600s Europe where scientists began questioning traditional explanations by utilizing observation, experiments, and mathematics.

Scientific Method

A process of using observation, experimentation, and testing to reach conclusions.

Ming Dynasty

A Chinese dynasty (1368–1644) that restored Chinese rule after Mongol control, rebuilt the Great Wall, supported Zheng He's voyages, restricted foreign trade and outside influence, and fell due to corruption, rebellions, famine, financial problems, and Manchu invasion.

Eunuchs (Ming China)

Castrated male servants working in the imperial palace, some of whom became powerful government officials and helped manage imperial affairs.

Qing Dynasty

A Chinese dynasty (1644–1912) led by Manchu rulers that expanded China's territory, maintained Confucian traditions, restricted foreign trade mainly to Canton, and eventually fell due to foreign defeats, rebellions, unequal treaties, and demands for reform.

Tokugawa Shogunate

A military government in Japan (1603–1868) that maintained peace, stability, and a strict social hierarchy, enforced isolation through the Sakoku policy, and fell due to Western pressure, economic problems, and opposition to the shogunate.

Sakoku

An isolationist policy under the Tokugawa shogunate that restricted foreigners, Christianity, and Japanese travel abroad.

Emperor (Feudal Japan)

The traditional and symbolic ruler of Feudal Japanese society.

Shogun

The military leader with actual political power in Feudal Japanese society.

Daimyo

Powerful landowning lords who controlled territories in Feudal Japan.

Samurai

Warriors in Feudal Japan who served daimyo and adhered to the code of bushido.

Peasants (Feudal Japan)

Farmers in Feudal Japanese society who produced food and paid taxes.

Great Wall of China

A defensive barrier built and expanded over centuries to protect China from northern invasions, which was greatly rebuilt and strengthened by the Ming dynasty.

Zheng He

A Ming Chinese admiral and explorer in the 1400s who led naval expeditions to expand trade, diplomacy, and demonstrate Chinese power.

Opium Wars

Conflicts fought in 1839–1842 and 1856–1860 between China and Western powers (including Britain) over opium trade disputes, leading to China losing control over trade and being forced to open ports.

Treaty of Nanjing

An 1842 treaty ending the First Opium War that opened Chinese ports and ceded Hong Kong to Britain.

Matthew C. Perry

An American commodore who arrived in Japan in 1853 with warships to pressure the nation into opening trade.

Treaty of Kanagawa

An 1854 treaty in which Japan agreed to open its ports to American ships.

Boxer Rebellion

An anti-foreign and anti-Christian uprising in China from 1899 to 1901 directed against Western influence.

Meiji Restoration

An 1868 event in Japan that restored imperial rule and modernized Japan into an industrial and military power.

Japanese Rule in Korea

The period from 1910 to 1945 during which Japan annexed and ruled the Korean peninsula.

Kim Il-sung

The first leader of North Korea who established communist rule.

Kim Jong-un

The current leader of North Korea who assumed power in 2011.

Muhammad

The founder and prophet of Islam who began receiving revelations around 610 CE in Mecca, Arabia, which Muslims believe were messages from Allah.

Quran

The holy book of Islam containing revelations that Muslims believe Allah delivered to Muhammad.

Sharia

Islamic body of law based on the Quran and other Islamic teachings.

Mosque

A Muslim place of worship and prayer.

Caliph

A political and religious successor to Muhammad who served as the leader of the Muslim community.

Shahada

The declaration of faith in one God and in Muhammad as His prophet; the first of the Five Pillars of Islam.

Salah

The pillar of Islam requiring prayer five times daily.

Zakat

The pillar of Islam requiring the giving of charity to people in need.

Sawm

The pillar of Islam requiring fasting during the month of Ramadan.

Hajj

The pillar of Islam requiring a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime, if physically and financially able.

Sunni Islam

The branch of Islam that believed the Muslim community should choose its leader following Muhammad's death in 632 CE and accepted Abu Bakr as the first caliph.

Shi'a Islam

The branch of Islam that believed leadership should remain within Muhammad's family following his death in 632 CE and supported Ali as the rightful successor.

Ottoman Empire

A Sunni Islamic empire (1299–1922) spanning Anatolia, the Middle East, southeastern Europe, and North Africa; operated as a powerful military and trade empire that allowed Christians and Jews to practice their religions under specific restrictions and taxes.

Safavid Empire

An Islamic empire (1501–1736) in Persia (modern-day Iran) that established Shi'a Islam as its official religion and exhibited less tolerance toward Sunni Muslims, pressuring some to convert.

Mughal Empire

An empire in India (1526–1857) where Muslim rulers governed a mostly Hindu population, uniquely blending Persian, Islamic, and Indian cultural influences.

Akbar

A Mughal emperor (reigned 1556–1605) who promoted religious tolerance and cooperation with Hindus.

Shah Jahan

A Mughal emperor (reigned 1628–1658) who commissioned the construction of the Taj Mahal.

Taj Mahal

A mausoleum located in Agra, India, built during the 1600s by Shah Jahan for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal.

Aurangzeb

A Mughal emperor (reigned 1658–1707) who expanded the empire's borders but enforced stricter Islamic policies and taxes on non-Muslims.