World History - Lecture Notes Vocabulary Review

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the lecture notes for exam preparation.

BCE/CE and BC/AD

BCE (Before Common Era) is equivalent to BC (Before Christ); CE (Common Era) is equivalent to AD (Anno Domini). Dates count down toward 0 in BCE/BC and then move forward in CE/AD; there is no year 0 in the traditional dating system.

Neolithic Revolution

The transition from hunting and gathering to farming and domesticating animals, leading to food surplus and the rise of settled communities and civilizations.

Hunters and Gatherers

Societies that obtain food by hunting animals and gathering wild plants, typically nomadic before the adoption of agriculture.

Pastoralists

People who herded and domesticated livestock as their main livelihood during the transition from hunting and gathering to settled life.

Domestication

The process of breeding and taming wild plants and animals for human use, enabling agriculture and stable settlements.

Metallurgy

The science and craft of extracting, refining, and working metals; essential for tools and weapons in early civilizations.

River Valley Civilizations

Early civilizations that emerged in fertile river basins (e.g., Mesopotamia, Egypt, Indus Valley, China).

Fertile Crescent

Arc of fertile land in the Near East from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean; cradle of Mesopotamian civilizations.

Mesopotamia

“Between rivers” region (Tigris and Euphrates) in the Fertile Crescent; site of early writing (cuneiform) and irrigation.

Indus Valley Civilization

Early South Asian civilization known for planned cities, drainage systems, and urban organization.

Dravidians

Original inhabitants of the Indus Valley region; associated with the Dravidian language/cultural group.

Dynasty

A succession of rulers from the same family; a common form of governance in many ancient civilizations.

Theocracy

A government ruled by religious leaders or under divine authority.

Slavery

A system in which people are owned as property and compelled to work; its presence and role varied across civilizations.

Emperor

A supreme ruler, especially in early Chinese dynasties, at the top of the social and political hierarchy.

Nobles

Landholding or aristocratic class above commoners; held political and social power in many societies.

Farmers

The primary producers of food in many ancient hierarchies; central to sustenance and economy.

Artisans

Skilled craftworkers (e.g., potters, metalworkers) who contributed to the economy and technology.

Merchants

Traders and dealers in goods; often socially valued differently and sometimes looked down upon in traditional hierarchies.

Central Asia

Region in the middle of Eurasia, home to the five -stan countries and vast steppes; important in medieval and ancient migrations.

Urals

Mountain range dividing Europe and Asia; marks the geographical boundary between European Russia and Asian Russia.

Five Stans

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan—countries in Central Asia.

Mesoamerica

Cultural region in North America (mainly Mexico and parts of Central America) where Maya and Aztec civilizations flourished.

Latin America

Region of the Americas south of the Rio Grande, including the Caribbean, Central America, and South America.

East Asia

Region including China, Japan, and the Koreas; sometimes Tibet and Taiwan are included in broader definitions.

Southeast Asia

Region including Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and the Philippines.

Africa regions

Division of Africa into regions like West Africa, East Africa, North Africa, and South Africa for study and communication.

Characteristics of a Civilization

• Advanced Cities: Large, organized urban centers with structured governments and economies. - Specialized Workers: People performing specific skilled trades or distinct occupations (e.g., artisans, priests, soldiers) beyond basic farming. - Complex Institutions: Structured systems such as government, religion, and education that support a civilization. - Record Keeping: Systems of writing and documentation used to record laws, trade, history, and administration. - Advanced Technology: The use and development of tools and techniques, including metallurgy, that advance a society. - Food Surplus: Extra food production beyond immediate needs, allowing population growth, trade, and labor specialization.

Major Cities of the Indus Valley Civilization

Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa were major cities of the Indus Valley civilization, both noted for their advanced urban planning, sophisticated urban layout