World History Review

Flashcards for vocabulary review.

India as a Trade Intersection

India's central location facilitated trade between East Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, fostering economic and cultural exchange.

Quid Pro Quo (Religion ↔ Politics)

Local rulers gained legitimacy through religious support and patronage, forming a reciprocal relationship with religious institutions.

Varna System

A hierarchical social structure in Hinduism, consisting of Brahmins (priests), Kshatriyas (warriors), Vaishyas (merchants), and Shudras (laborers).

Jizya Tax

A tax imposed on non-Muslims in Islamic-ruled territories, incentivizing conversion to Islam and generating revenue for the ruling power.

Technology & Agriculture (Song China)

Innovations like iron tools and Champa rice significantly increased agricultural productivity and supported population growth in Song China.

Flying Cash

A form of paper currency used during the Song Dynasty to facilitate long-distance trade and financial transactions.

Scholar-Officials (Song China)

Educated bureaucrats selected through civil service exams who administered the government, reducing the power of the aristocracy.

Khmer Empire

A dominant empire in mainland Southeast Asia that served as a cultural bridge between Indian and Chinese influences, known for its impressive architecture and irrigation systems.

Feudalism & Decentralization

A decentralized political system where power was held by local lords due to weak central authority and frequent warfare.

Christianity as Universalizing Faith

A religion that spread widely through missionary work, monastic orders, and the political conversion of rulers, appealing to diverse populations.

Pope Urban II

The Pope who called for the Crusades to reclaim Jerusalem and assist the Byzantine Empire against Muslim expansion.

Reconquista

The centuries-long Christian reconquest of the Iberian Peninsula from Muslim rulers, culminating in 1492 with the fall of Granada.

Ghazis

Islamic warriors who fought to expand the Ottoman Empire's territory, driven by religious zeal.

Janissaries

An elite infantry force in the Ottoman army, composed of soldiers often taken from Christian children and converted to Islam.

Hapsburgs

A powerful Catholic dynasty that ruled over vast territories in Europe, contrasting with the earlier Roman Empire's unity.

Renaissance

A period of renewed interest in classical art, literature, and philosophy, promoting secularism, humanism, and inspiring exploration.

Atlantic System

A complex trade network involving Europe, Africa, and the Americas, which exchanged slaves, sugar, and silver, impacting global demographics and economies.

Encomiendas

A labor system used by the Spanish colonizers, granting land and indigenous labor to Spanish settlers in the Americas.

Columbian Exchange

The exchange of crops, animals, and diseases between the Old World (Europe, Asia, Africa) and the New World (Americas), transforming agriculture and demographics.

Protestant Reformation Goal

A movement aimed at reforming the Catholic Church by addressing issues such as indulgences and hierarchical corruption.

Palace Schools

Ottoman educational institutions established to train bureaucrats and government officials.

Madrassas

Ottoman religious schools that trained religious leaders and scholars.

Tekkes

Ottoman Sufi centers that provided education and spiritual guidance to followers of Sufism.

Enlightenment

An influential intellectual movement emphasizing reason, liberty, and progress, shaping political and social reforms.

Declaration of Independence

A foundational document inspired by Enlightenment ideals, declaring the independence of the United States from British rule and influencing revolutionary movements worldwide.

Reign of Terror

A period of extreme violence and mass executions during the French Revolution, led by radical factions.

Restoration (1815)

The post-Napoleonic era marked by the restoration of monarchies in Europe, aiming to re-establish political stability.

On the Origin of Species (1859)

A groundbreaking scientific work by Charles Darwin that introduced the theory of evolution through natural selection.

World War I: MAIN

The major causes of World War I: Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, and Nationalism.

Mercantilism

Economic policy focused on maximizing exports and accumulating precious metals.

Absolutism

A political system where a ruler holds unlimited power.

Scientific Revolution

A period of major advances in science (astronomy, physics