Unit 2 Review and Study Guide: The Silk Roads

Vocabulary and key identifications from the Unit 2 lecture on The Silk Roads.

Silk Roads

A trade route that connected all of Eurasia.

Caravanserai

Inns and places for people, especially traveling merchants and caravans, to rest and recuperate.

Infrastructure

The building of canals and buildings to help your city and trade.

Silk

A luxury good from China made from silkworm thread; China had a monopoly on this resource.

Black Death

A disease that was part of the Bubonic plague, killing half of Europe's population and leading to a quest for knowledge.

Bills of exchange

A system where regions made paper and metal money so they didn’t have to trade goods for goods.

Hanseatic League

A league of Central and Northern European states that supported each other like the EU.

Constantinople

The new capital of the Roman Empire, which became the Byzantine Empire under Constantine.

Swahili Coast

The trade coast of West Africa.

Kilwa

An urban Swahili state with a population of 15,000 to 18,000 people.

Ghana

A kingdom that had extensive trade networks along the Silk and Sea Roads.

Mali

A major trade center known for its wealth.

Songhai

An empire in Africa founded by Sunni Ali, known for military strength and control of land.

Yuan Dynasty

The dynasty established by the Mongols during their empire, after unifying China.

Ming Dynasty

The dynasty following the collapse of the Mongol Empire, focused on rebuilding and maritime trade.

Khanate

The states of the Mongol Empire.

Golden Horde

A Khanate in Russia with a sophisticated government, separate from other Khanates.

Malay sailors

Skilled sailors from present-day Indonesia who spread their language and crops to Madagascar.

Monsoons

Winds that change direction during certain seasons, aiding sailors in navigation.

Lateen sails

Triangular sails that improved sailing efficiency in maritime trade.

Astrolabes

Ancient navigational instruments that help find direction using star charts.

Kingdom of Srivijaya

A major trade center in India.

Dhow

Preferred boats used by Arabs and Indians, characterized by lateen sails and long hulls.

Junk

A larger preferred boat used by Chinese and Southeast Asians, featuring batten sails and oars.

Arabian camel

A breed of camel from Arabia capable of carrying larger loads for caravan transport.

Pochteca

Professional Aztec merchants who undertook private trading expeditions.

Quipu

A knot-tying system used by the Incas for record-keeping.

Qadi

An Islamic religious judge.

Sharia

The laws governing the lives of Muslims.

Eunuchs

Castrated guards who protected women’s quarters in Asia.

Muscovy

The Tsardom of Russia that eventually became known as Russia (Moscow).

Hundred Year’s War

A prolonged conflict between England and France, lasting 100 years.

Renaissance

A period in Europe that focused on the revival of classical knowledge after the Mongol influence.

Humanism

A cultural and intellectual movement centered around human values and ethics.

Pastoralists

Nomadic peoples who roamed with livestock, utilizing horses and bows.

Guerilla tactics

Unconventional military tactics employed by forces like the Mongols.

Genghis Khan

The founder of the Mongol Empire who expanded through conquest.

Kublai Khan

Grandson of Genghis Khan, known for being kinder to the people and improving infrastructure.

Leo Africanus

A traveler who documented the geography of the Nile Valley.

Hongwu

The founder of the Ming dynasty, instrumental in restoring Chinese greatness.

Marco Polo

A traveler who chronicled his journey along the Silk Roads.

Ibn Battuta

Arabic traveler and scholar who documented his extensive travels in 'Rihlah'.

Xuanzang

A Buddhist monk who popularized Buddhism by integrating it with Daoism and Confucianism.

Mansa Musa

The ruler of the Mali Empire known for his immense wealth and commitment to education.

Melaka (Malacca)

A city in India pivotal in connecting the trade of the Silk Road and maritime routes.

Novgorod

A trade city in Russia, part of the Hanseatic League, connecting Europe to Asia.

Timbuktu

A wealthy trade city in Africa known for its gold and ivory commerce.