Medieval Europe, Muslim Civilizations and Kingdoms, Trading States of Africa, Spread of Civilizations in East and Southeast Asia, and The Renaissance

Flashcards on Medieval Europe, Muslim Civilizations and Kingdoms, Trading States of Africa, Spread of Civilizations in East and Southeast Asia, and The Renaissance

Feudalism

A decentralized political system based on hierarchy on the land, where services and loyalty were exchanged for protection.

Serfs

Peasants bound to the land in the feudal system.

Great Schism

The separation of the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches due to theological disagreements.

Commercial Revolution

A period of significant trade growth in Europe, leading to new business practices, the rise of towns and the middle class, and the decline of feudalism.

Magna Carta

A document signed by King John of England in 1215, limiting his power and establishing the principle of following laws.

Crusades

Wars aimed at reclaiming the Holy Land from Muslim control, expanding Christian influence, and acquiring land and wealth.

Black Death

A deadly disease spread by fleas carried by rats, leading to economic and social changes in medieval Europe.

Constantine

Rebuilt Byzantium and renamed it Constantinople, making it a major trade hub between Europe and Asia.

Age of Justinian

Reached its greatest size under Emperor Justinian, known for Justinian's Code of Law and architectural marvels like the Hagia Sophia.

Mehmad II

Led the Ottoman attack on Constantinople using cannons, leading to its fall.

Janissaries

Christian boys taken and trained under Muslim ways.

Five Pillars of Islam

The foundation of Islamic life, including faith, prayer, charity, fasting, and pilgrimage to Mecca.

Sunni

Believed the successor should be a qualified friend. (majority)

Shiite

Believed the next ruler should be a descendant of Muhammad. (minority)

Umayyad Dynasty

The first Islamic ruling dynasty, known for rapid expansion but criticized for favoritism.

Abbasid Dynasty

Replaced the Umayyads, leading a cultural golden age focused on science, arts, and learning, with Baghdad as the capital.

Golden Age of Islam

Promoted science, mathematics, medicine, and literature under the Abbasid dynasty.

Savannah

Grasslands in Africa with wet and dry seasons.

Ghana

Known for the Gold and Salt trade.

Sundiata

Founder of the Mali empire.

Mansa Musa

The greatest ruler during this time of the Mali Empire.

Timbuktu

Capital city of the Mali Empire, a prosperous center for trade and learning.

Sunni Ali

Soldier King who did not fully embrace the Muslim ways. (Songhai)

Axum

A kingdom that had East Coast empires expanding from it.

Mansa Musa

Ensured peace and Justice (based on the teachings of the Quran) and promoted religious tolerance and freedom.

Gold and Salt Trade

Core of West Africa's wealth; salt was as prized as gold. Trade routes linked West Africa with North Africa and beyond.

Nubia

Ancient civilization along the Nile, noted for ironworking and cultural exchange with Egypt..

Swahili

Coastal culture and language blending Bantu and Arabic, developed through East African trade.

Rise of Tang

The Tang Dynasty was a conqueror that forced Vietnam, Tibet, and Korea to follow the new government.

Fall of Tang

Internal corruption and rebellion

Rise of Song

The song was focused on culture and economy more than military.

Fall of Song

In the 1200s, the Mongols overthrew the Song dynasty from the North.

Tributary States: remained self-governed

Remained self-governed, their rulers acknowledged Chinese supremacy and sent tributes to the Tang Empire.

The Gentry

Top of Chinese society. They valued scholarship more than physical labor.

Peasants

Most Chinese were peasants who worked the land, living on what they produced.

Merchants

Merchants had an even lower social status than peasants since their riches came from the labor of others.

Land Reform

Redistribution of land to peasants.

Song Inventions

the first use of Gunpowder in weapons, compasses for weapons, and movable type writing.

Mongols

The Great Wall made it difficult to achieve the Mongolian goals of conquering China.

Genghis Khan

One of the largest leaders in history, is known for imposing discipline, exacting loyalty.

Kublai Khan

Was the grandson of Genghis Khan and founded the Yuan dynasty.

Pax Mongolica

Stands for Mongol Peace.

Marco Polo

Traveled throughout China during the time of the Yuan Dynasty

Ming

Policies Chinese Run and Wanted China to be great again after foreign dominance

Terrace Farming

Greatly improved their productivity - Carved out land on mountains; used for irrigation.

Zheng He

Diplomats who led the biggest ventures during the Ming rule.

Hangul Alphabet

Korean phonetic symbols that represent the Korean Language.

Celadon

porcelain made in Korea with an unusual blue-green glaze.

Archipelago

Chain of islands (The land was very mountainous, making it difficult to farm.).

Yamato Clan

Early people were divided into Uji clans, sometimes led by a woman.

Shinto

A religion of nature.

Selective Borrowing

Officials chose that based on merit. Officials were educated sons of nobles.

Tokugawa Shogunate

Military government of Japan from 1603 to 1868.

Humanism

the primary intellectual movement during the Renaissance that emphasized the study of the humanities (grammar, logic, philosophy, and history)

Leonardo da Vinci

An Italian artist considered the ideal Renaissance man due to his varied talents.

Michelangelo

Italian painter also known for his sculpture, engineering, architecture, and poems.

Raphael

Renaissance painter who blended Christian and classical styles.

Cervantes

Spanish writer best remembered for 'Don Quixote'

Printing Revolution

Revolutionized the spread of knowledge by making books more accessible and affordable.

Utopia

A satirical work depicting an ideal society.

Satire

Literary technique that uses humor, irony, and ridicule to mock social norms and politics.

Durer

Known for woodblock, engravings, and oil paintings. Blending Northern European detail with Italian perspective.

Jan Van Eyck

Pioneered oil painting techniques, enhancing realism and detail.