Focus Unit #1: Age of Revolutions

Mansa Musa

Ruler of Mali (r. 1307-1337). His extravagant pilgrimage through Egypt to Mecca established the empire's reputation for wealth in the Mediterranean world. Expanded Timbuktu and popularizes Islam in Africa.

Mali Empire

Rich and prosperous empire in West Africa who controlled the gold and salt trade in the Sahara. Founded by Sundiata and made renowned by Mansa Musa.

Ibn Battuta

Muslim traveler and scholar during the 14th century who documented his travels, illustrating the different practices of Muslim societies.

Gomes de Zurara

Wrote the Chronicles of Guinea, which painted Prince Henry as a hero and originated the idea of the African peoples being below the Europeans.

Francois Bernier

French physician, one of the first to classify humans by race.

Limpieza de Sangre

Spanish purity of blood laws, ranking people according to their "clean Christian blood".

The Spanish Inquisition

Religious court aimed at maintaining Catholic orthodoxy and converting non-Christians.

The Reconquista

Christian efforts to reclaim Iberian Peninsula from Muslims.

Hatuey

Taino chief (1478-1512) who resisted Spanish colonization in the Caribbean. First person to organize this kind of large-scale movement against Europeans.

Bartolome de las Casas

Spanish missionary advocating for indigenous rights, wrote many books about the atrocities commited in South America.

The Valladolid Debate

Debate (1550-1551) over treatment of indigenous peoples in Spanish colonies and the morality of slavery.

Queen Nzinga Mbande

African queen who resisted Portuguese colonization in Angola. Symbol of African resistance through diplomacy.

Decolonization

Process of gaining independence from colonial rule.

Olaudah Equiano

Former enslaved African who wrote an autobiography advocating for abolition.

Chattel Slavery

System where individuals are treated as personal/legal property.

The Middle Passage

Voyage transporting enslaved Africans to the Americas.

The Maafa

Term for the Transatlantic Slave Trade (1526-1808), including the displacement of Africans and their plight.

Abolitionism

Movement to end slavery and promote freedom.

Zera Yacob

Ethiopian philosopher advocating for rational thought and ethics, "The world is good", Hatata (natural law theory, in which laws of nature determine what things ought to do), objective morality.

Anton Amo

African philosopher, first African to study in Europe. Concerned with truth, human experience. Logical Treatise of 1738, argued for radicalized dualism.

John Locke

Philosopher known for theories on government and natural rights, as well as liberalism (inclusion of primary Enlightenment ideals). Supported religious toleration, natural laws/rights, and the social contract theory (people should revolt if government is terrible).

The Social Contract & Natural Rights

Philosophical concepts about governance and individual freedoms. Hobbes: submit to government for rules/laws // Locke: give some power to government for rules/laws.

1619 & the Origins of American Slavery

Year enslaved Africans first arrived in Virginia, the start of American slavery.

Benjamin Banneker

African American mathematician and abolitionist who surveyed Washington D.C. American scientist, recognized by influential people like Jefferson.

Thomas Jefferson & The Declaration of Independence

Author of the document asserting American independence.

The 1788 U.S. Constitution

Framework for the government of the United States.

Autocracy

Rule by 1, government by a single person with absolute power. Dictatorships and absolute monarchies.

Oligarchic-Aristocracy

Rule by few, a small group of elite individuals, especially power that is used selfishly/despotic. Klepto, pluto, or theocracies.

Democracy

Rule by many, system of government by the whole population, typically through elected representatives. Republics and constitutional monarchies.

The Old Regime

Socio-political system in France before the French Revolution. Louis XIV instituted absolute rule. The economy deteoriated and crop failure made people desperate. Succession was a problem as both Louis XV and Louis XVI were not good leaders.

The National Assembly

French revolutionary assembly (1789-1791), formed under Tennis Court Oath to represent the Third Estate. Feudalism is abolished, creates constitutional monarchy.

The Legislative Assembly

French government body during the early stages of the Revolution (1792-1793).

The National Convention

Assembly that governed France during the Revolution's radical phase (1792-1795). Created Reign of Terror, many were executed under Maximilien Robespierre. Slavery is abolished.

The Directory

Government in France post-Revolution, characterized by corruption (1795-1799) and overthrown by Napoleon.

Radical

Extreme change for a new status quo.

Liberal

Change and reform from old status quo.

Moderate

Keep status quo, however they are open to slow, careful change.

Conservative

Conserve and keep status quo.

Reactionary

Extreme change back to the old status quo.

Queen Marie Antoinette

Austrian, last queen of France before Revolution, executed. Seen as outsider and enjoyed decadence, making people hate her even more.

The Declaration of Rights of Man & Citizen

Fundamental document of the French Revolution written in 1789, asserting rights. Symbolized Enlightenment ideals, and added legitimacy.

Olympe de Gouges

Advocate for women's rights, she wrote the Declaration of the Rights of Woman. Supported a constitutional monarchy, executed.

Maximilien Robespierre & the Jacobins

Oversaw Reign of Terror, radicalists who controlled the National Convention.

The Reign of Terror

Period of extreme violence during the French Revolution.

Napoleon Bonaparte

French military leader, became emperor and reformed France. Tried to restore slavery in Haiti. Very good speaker from Corsica, military genius.

The Napoleonic Code

Legal code established by Napoleon, influencing many legal systems today. Promoted individual rights and general freedom for white men. Lessened rights for women, brought slavery back, and dismantled the republic.

Francois Mackandal

Leader of a slave revolt in Saint-Domingue which used poison to kill slave owners. Dies and by legend, turns into mosquito. Builds slave network, becomes symbol of resistance.

Dutty Boukman

Haitian vodou priest, inspired the Haitian Revolution. A maroon who led the beginning of the Haitian Revolution.

Toussaint Louverture

Leader of the Haitian Revolution established Haitian independence. Wrote the 1801 Haitian Constituion. Flipflops between different sides, depending on who will abolish slavery.

Jean-Jacques Dessalines

The first ruler of independent Haiti, declared its independence and ratified the 1805 Haitian Constitution. Ordered massacre of white people, and brought back labor laws for all.

The 1801 Saint Domingue Constitution

First constitution of Haiti, emphasizing freedom and equality but also kept some old institutions like forced labor. L'Ouverture names himself as governor-for-life.

The 1805 Haitian Constitution

Established Haiti as a republic, affirming independence, with the controversial use of naming all Haitian inhabitants as black. Dessalines declared the emperor of Haiti.