Review of Historical Trade and Cultural Exchange

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to historical trade, cultural exchange, and the impacts of various innovations and empires.

Champa Rice

A drought-resistant rice variety from Vietnam that allowed for double harvests, significantly increasing China's population.

Dar al Islam

A term that refers to regions where Islam is the dominant religion and cultural and trade prosperity flourishes.

House of Wisdom

A major intellectual center in Baghdad where scholars from various cultures collaborated and preserved ancient works.

Mansa Musa

The king of Mali known for his pilgrimage to Mecca and for spreading wealth across regions, impacting economies.

Pax Mongolica

A period of peace within the Mongol Empire that facilitated safe trade and cultural diffusion across vast distances.

Silk Road

An ancient trade route connecting China to Europe, famous for the exchange of luxury goods and innovations.

Indo-European Trade Network

Trade routes in the Indian Ocean where goods like silk, spices, and gold were exchanged, enabled by navigational innovations.

Trans-Saharan Trade Routes

Trade routes across the Sahara Desert, crucial for the gold-salt trade and involving caravans for safety.

Cultural Diffusion

The spread of cultural beliefs and social activities from one group to another, often seen in trade and religious expansion.

Feudalism

A social and economic structure in medieval Europe characterized by the exchange of land for military service and labor.

Gunpowder

An innovation introduced to Europe by the Mongols, leading to advancements in military technology.

Bubonic Plague

A devastating disease that spread through increased trade and contact, significantly reducing Europe's population.

Sufis

Holy mystics in Islam who acted as missionaries, spreading the faith across South and Central Asia.

Mamluks

Former slaves who rose to power and established an empire in Egypt.