Social Studies - Africa, Mongols, and Japan

Savanna

Large flat area of land with very few trees in Africa

Caravan

Groups of people or animals traveling together, often for a long journey

Quran

The Islamic sacred book

Trans-Sahara

To travel across the Sahara

Islam

A monotheistic faith and the belief in Muhammad and his teachings

Muhammad

The man responsible for spreading Islamic religion

Ghana

Empire in ancient Africa

Mali

Empire in ancient Africa

Songhai

Empire in ancient Africa

Niger river

A large river flowing through west African kingdoms, used for trade/travel

Timbuktu

Major trading city located along the Niger River

Salt and gold

Two most valuable goods traded trans-Sahara

Mansa Musa

Leader of Mali, famous pilgrimage to Mecca

Yurt

Circular tent of felt/skin on collapsible framework

Nomad

People with no permanent home, follow food and water

Steppe

Large flat area of land with very few trees in Asia

Clan

A groups of close knit and interrelated families

Gobi desert

Vast desert in northern China/Mongolia

China and gunpowder

Mongols wanted to conquer China due to advancements such as gunpowder

Genghis khan

Leader of mongol empire at its peak

Marco Polo

Venetian explorer who wrote “II Milione” about his experiences with the mongols

Archipelago

A chain of islands

Bushido

Feudal Japanese code of conduct samurai

Samurai

Feudal Japanese warrior

Feudalism

Political and social system where land is exchanged for services

Yayoi

First inhabitants of Japan

Origami

Paper folding art popularized in Japan

Shogun

Feudal Japanese military leader

Where was the Silk Road located?

Through Asia, from the east coast into Western Europe

What was traded on the Silk Road?

All types of foods:silk, slaves, spices, ideas, religion

Why was the Silk Road significant?

It allowed for new ideas to be spread from one area of the world to another. This includes inventions, religions, farming techniques and much more. -cultural diffusion