MMW 13 Sp25 Final Examination Study Guide

Flashcards for MMW 13 Sp25 Final Examination Study Guide

Francis Bacon

“Father of the Empirical Method,” English philosopher and statesman in late 16th early 17th century.

John Milton

17th century English poet who wrote Paradise Lost

Chinggis (or Genghis) Khan

Founder (and first khan) of the Mongol empire, consolidating the tribes in 1206.

Kublai Khan

Chinggis’ grandson. After his death in 1260, the Mongol empire split into four smaller parts.

Timur (or Tamur Lane)

Mongol ruler, not directly descended from Chinggis unlike others (peasant father from Uzbekistan). 1336 - 1405, incredibly successful: captured Delhi in 1398, defeated sultan of Egypt in 1400.

Jahangir

Fourth Mughal emperor, son of Akbar. Ruled from 1605 to 1627.

Akbar

Famous Mughal emperor (ruled 1556 - 1605), known as “Akbar the Great”. Removed most of the jizya, attempted reforms, massively expanded the empire. Widely known as one of the greatest Mughal emperors.

Ismail I

Founder of the Safavid Empire (founded in 1501). Son of an important figure to a group of Shi’ite Turkic warriors, managed to bring them together to fight for him and be ruled by him. Ruled from 1501 - 1524.

Abbas I

Safavid emperor from 1588 to 1629 who brought it to its peak. Famous both for reforms and the establishment of a slave system known as Gulam.

Selim I

Notoriously brutal/cruel Ottoman emperor who ruled from 1512 to 1520. Massively expanded the Ottoman empire, including defeating the Mamluk Sultanate in Egypt.

The Reconquista (and fall of Grenada)

Multi-century long process (beginning in the 8th century when the Umayyad Caliphate first took control of the iberian peninsula) to re-christianize Spain. Ended in 1492 when Granada, the last Muslim city, fell to Catholic forces.

Christopher Columbus

Italian explorer who was sponsored by the Spanish crown to voyage to India in 1492. Ended up landing in what is now the Bahamas. Went on four voyages, enslaving Indigenous people. This contact triggered the “Great Dying”.

Amerigo Vespucci

Italian navigator and cartographer who travelled to the “New World” from 1497 to 1504. Disseminated harmful misinformation about indigenous people like them being incestuous cannibals.

Vasco da Gama

Portuguese naval explorer who was the first European to sail to India, going around the Cape of Good Hope 1497-99. Him and Columbus wanted to sail to India but Columbus went west and Vasco de Gama went East and was successful.

Hernán Cortés

Spanish conquistador that marched on Tenochtitlan (Mexican capital) after making alliances with indigenous groups who were hostile to the Mexica (aka the “Aztecs”)

Bartolomé de las Casas

Missionary priest who participated in the Catholic evangelization of New Spain. Wrote about the Mexica-indigenous perspective; recorded Spanish brutality.

Zhu Yuanzhang (the Hongwu emperor)

Founder and first emperor of the Ming Dynasty. (ruled 1368 -1398). Former Buddhist monk who joined rebellions against the Yuan Dynasty, ultimately defeating it and establishing the Ming Dynasty in 1368.

Gao Qi

Ming dynasty poet who was offered imperial position which he refused. Ultimately arrested and brutally executed for his refusal to serve in government

Zheng He

Ming dynasty, led voyages to promote relationships with tributes, other kingdoms outside of China, and for other diplomatic purposes. Ships full of soldiers and weapons

Martin Luther

German theologian who became fed up with the corruption in the Catholic church (simony and selling of papal indulgences) that he nailed his 95 theses on the church door in 1517 and kickstarted the protestant reformation

Jean Calvin

French theologian during Protestant Reformation, founder of Calvinism

Michel de Montaigne

French theologian and philosopher. Created ideas from reformation

High Middle Ages

1100-1300 CE. A commercial and cultural world-system that flourished before the european-based Western empires grew powerful enough to expand. Surplus of income → cultural achievements, art, etc.; new level of integration; pre-capitalist; Middle East is a hing balancing the East and West

(Crisis of) the Late Middle Ages

1300-1500. Black Death (1347-1351) and the Great Famine (1315-1317) reduced the European population by half or more as the Little Ice Age began. Population recovery didn’t begin until 1500. Fighting and revolts such as the War of the Roses and the Hundred Years’ War between France and England.

The Little Ice Age

Period of global cooling (especially in Europe) beginning in the 13th century. One possible explanation is massive depopulation between the Black Death, the Great Dying, and the Mongol conquests

Feudalism

an economic and class system of exploitation and hierarchy. Began during the Early Medieval Period in Europe and ended with capitalism. Peasants obliged to live on lord’s land. Peasants given protection and places to build their homes in exchange for labor and giving surplus to the lord.

land tenure vs. private property

Feudalism had no private property. The king owned all the land, but gave tenancy. Once Europe started to shift to capitalism, private property emerged.

Serfs

Feudal peasant class. Were required to live and work on their lord’s land and were not paid, but were provided with food for their families.

Fief

Term comes from the Latin word “feudum”. The property in feudal society that was owned by a lord and given to a vassal, that serfs would then labor and live on.

Manorialism

Lord lives in manor, serfs/peasants organized around manor in small units

The Black Death

Outbreak of plague (yersinia pestis) that originated in west Asia and spread along trade routes from 1348 - 1351. Killed anywhere between ⅓ to ½ of Eurasia’s population (though some scholars speculate up to 90%).

Trivium

Subdivision of the seven medieval liberal arts. Comprised of grammar, logic, and rhetoric

Quadrivium

The other division of the 7 liberal arts. Comprised of arithmetic, geometry, music, and astronomy.

memento mori (translation: “remember that you will die”)

Cultural and artistic trope highly prevalent in Medieval times reminding of the inevitability of death. Intended to remind people of the fragility of their lives and the purposelessness of earthly glory and indulgences.

the Dance of Death

Allegorical Medieval concept (going hand in hand with Memento Mori) representing the inevitable, all-equalizing power of death. Expressed in art, music, and poetry (famously by Hans Holbein).

neo-Confucianism

Chinese philosophical tradition that emerged in the Song Dynasty. More rationalistic and secularist than Buddhism and Daoism, and viewed by many as key to preserving the cultural heritage of China.

“the mandate of heaven”

Chinese political ideology that justified the rule of an emperor by stating he was approved by the divine. If a ruler was overthrown, it was thought that they had lost divine approval. Similar to the divine right of kings in Europe.

translatio emperii (“transfer of empire”)

Concept in Middle Ages that viewed history as a linear succession of imperial power from one civilization to the next (empires and imperial power survive, but are transferred to a new civilization). Can be seen with Western Rome and the Holy Roman Empire. & ottoman empire

The Columbian exchange

exchange of goods, diseases, organisms, and people between the New World and Eurasia, especially Africa and Europe. Began after Columbus’s arrival to the Americas

The Great Dying

period of incredible loss of life of indigenous people (about 90% of the population) in the Americas following Columbus’s arrival due to war and especially disease.

Globalization 1.0

The initial growing global interconnectedness after the Columbian Exchange.

selling of indulgences

Practice in the Catholic church in the Medieval period in which a monetary contribution to the church was said to reduce punishment for sins. Johann Tetzel said “As soon as a coin in the coffer rings, a soul from purgatory springs.”, infuriating Martin Luther. This practice was one of the key reasons for the Protestant Reformation.

the Hindu caste system

Social hierarchy based on birth that assigns individuals into four categories: Brahmins (priests), Kshatriyas (warriors), Vaishyas (merchants/traders), and Shudras (laborers).

Protestantism

Branch of Christianity beginning in the 16th century during the reformation. Rejects papal authority and believes in the Bible as ultimate authority.

The Reformation

Religious and social movement from 1517 to 1648 that established Protestantism as a major branch of Christianity. Led to counter reformation by the Catholic church and massive amounts of religious violence

German Peasants’ War

An uprising by German peasants against upper classes from 1524 to 1525, inspired by the Reformation. Ultimately condemned by Luther.

The Counter-Reformation

Period of Catholic revival in the 16th and 17th centuries beginning in an attempt to address the protestant reformation. Addressed many of the abuses responsible for the reformation.

The Jesuit order

Part of counter reformation, a Catholic group founded by Saint Ignatius in 1534 (gaining oficial papal approval in 1540). Focused on missionary work to locations that had not been exposed to Christianity like Paraguay.

Spanish Armada

Fleet of Spanish ships sent to England in 1588 in an attempt to overthrow Queen Elizabeth I.

Transubstantiation

Catholic doctrine stating that the bread and wine consumed during the Eucharist transform into the literal body and blood of Christ (but maintain appearances). Opposed by protestantism.

Song dynasty

(960-1270s) Economic powerhouse, huge population, expansion of state and civil bureaucracy. Most notably expanded government and civil service exam. Civil service exam protected against patronage system, corruption, tyrants, bootlickers. Helped stability and for more people to get a better education.

Yuan dynasty

1270-1378. Mongol-led imperial dynasty in China, replaced the Song dynasty. Implemented a caste system: Mongols at top, then Semu (a mix of minority groups including Muslims), then Han peoples in the North, and at the bottom Southerners.

Ming dynasty

1378-1664. founded by Zhu Yuanzhong, who was a poor monk. he rose to leadership, built a following, became a warlord, created the empire! took measures against the Mongols. agricultural development, property protection. doesn’t like neo-confucian bureaucrats. increasing reliance on trade. Attempts to reject Mongol influences and restore Song dynasty-era traditions

Ottoman Empire

One of the three islamicate gunpowder empires. Founded by Osman 1 in 1299, but reached global power in 1453 with the conquest of Constantinople. Sunni Islam.

Safavid Empire

(1501-1736) One of the largest and long-lasting Iranian empires. Shi’a Islam state religion, reasserted Iranian identity, gunpowder empire, in conflict with Ottoman Empire. Large cultural influence–architecture, art, poetry

Mughal Empire

(1526-1857) Major South Asian empire. Another islamicate gunpowder empire, descended from Timurids, tolerant of hinduism because of the hindu majority, encouraged the sharing of ideas, and cultural flourishing like calligraphy and painting.

Mongol Empire

Largest contiguous empire in human history, arising from the unification of tribes in the central asian steppe by Genghis Khan in 1206. Lasted until the fall of the Yuan Dynasty in 1378. Mongols caused flourishing of arts and culture and peace along trade routes in a period known as the “pax mongolica”

Islamicate Culture

Regions where Islam had a large cultural influence

Mexica (Aztec) Empire

Empire that ruled from 1325 to 1521. had tribute states, controlled most of central + southern mexico and central america, demanded tribute sometimes in the form of human captives (had human sacrifice for religious purposes)

Incan Empire

About 12 million people, hadn’t invented the wheel yet likely because they didn’t use animals for transportation, lacked writing system, and yet were able to construct one of the greatest imperial states in human history along the western South American coast. Known for highway/road system and agricultural innovation (Machu Picchu)

Iroquois Empire

Confederacy of Native American tribes in the northeastern United States. Able to dominate other groups, low-level intertribal warfare and systems of slavery before Europeans. Part of 17th century Beaver Wars

Sack of Baghdad

Conquest of Baghdad by Mongols in 1258, led by Hulegu. Massive deaths from both killings and subsequent outbreaks of diseases. Marked the end of the Abbasid Caliphate and signaled a significant shift in power in the Islamic world.

Conquest of Constantinople

The capture of Constantinople by the Ottoman Empire in 1453 under the rule of Mehmet II “the conqueror”. Marked end of Byzantine Empire and massive shift in global power as the Ottomans took a position on the global stage.

Janissaries

Members of Ottoman elite troops. History’s first standing army!

Tenochtitlan

Massive and prosperous capital of Aztec/Mexica empire, in the middle of Lake Texcoco. Hernán Cortéz marched on Tenochtitlan in 1521 after alliance with Mexica’s enemies.

Devshirme

System adopted by the ottoman empire in which they would take young boys from neighboring Christian territories as a form of tax and raise them to be janissaries

Beaver Wars

 Intermittent wars fought in the 17th century (beginning in 1640) between the French, Iroquois Confederacy, and other indigenous tribes over the trade of beaver pelts.

St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre

St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre - Example of religious violence in the wake of the Reformation. 1572 massacre of Huguenots (French protestants) by Roman Catholics. Death toll is estimated to be 3000 - 5000

The English Revolution/Civil War

Series of civil wars fought from 1642 - 1651 in England over struggle for power between Charles I and Parliament. Ended after Charles II took the throne in 1650 and held a council in 1651.

Council of Trent

 Council hosted by Catholic Church from 1545 to 1563 during the Counter-Reformation. Focused on strengthening papal authority and addressing the grievances raised in the 95 theses.

Thirty Years War

a 30 year long war (1618 to 1648) primarily within the Holy Roman Empire that was started from a religious war between the catholics and the protestants. Grew to later involve several other European conflicts. Became war of attrition.

Skepticism

The start of questioning everything in a religion because of new ideas formed in the reformation.

Fideism

A doctrine created during the reformation that states that knowledge depends on faith or revelation

Medieval T-O map

A type of early map that depicts the known world as divided into three parts: Asia on the top, Europe on the bottom left, and Africa on the bottom left.

The Anthropocene

A new epoch beginning in 1610, marking the shift to a time where human activities have impacted the environment enough to constitute geological change

95 Theses

Propositions for debate on the selling of indulgences written by Martin Luther, which he nailed onto a church door in 1517. Started Protestant Reformation

Iconoclasm

The religiously motivated destruction of religious art and images. Occurred during the Protestant Reformation, based on the belief that the Bible is the ultimate authority and the second commandment warns against idolatry.

Purgatory

A believed intermediate state after death where a soul is cleansed of sins before ascending to heaven. Corrupt Catholic officials before the reformation sold indulgences, promising that by paying people could help their loved ones escape purgatory. Rejected by Protestants.

Doctrine of Election

Calvinist doctrine based around the idea of predestination, that God chooses some people to be saved and some not to be.

Charles I

King of England and Ireland from 1625 to 1649. Fought with Parliament over power so much that it provoked the English Civil War, leading to his execution in 1649.

Oliver Cromwell

Commander of cavalry who played essential role in the end of the English Civil War, advocated fiercely for the execution of Charles I, ruled as Lord Protector from 1653 until his death in 1658

studia humanitatis

Liberal arts curriculum emerging during the Italian Renaissance focusing on the study of grammar, literature, rhetoric, history, and moral philosophy. Primarily derived from Latin and Greek classics.

Renaissance humanism

Intellectual movement in the 16th century during the renaissance characterized by a resurgence in the study of the classical world, human potential, and the human body. Imitation of the classical past + christian notions. Celebrating the human form, human potential, and human achievement in this world. Opposite of previous idea that the body is sin and one should prepare for the afterlife instead of this one.

Mansa Musa

Supposedly the richest man ever that made a pilgrimage to Mecca. He gave out gold along the journey and built a mosque every Friday. He also caused a devaluation of gold which led to inflation. The Mali Empire reached its territorial peak during his reign.

The Mali Empire

 West African empire that flourished from the 13th to the 16th centuries, known for the wealth of its rules, especially Mansa Musa. At its peak, the Mali empire was the largest empire in West Africa, widely influencing the culture of the region through the spread of its language, customs, and laws.

The Middle Passage

 The forced voyage of enslaved Africans to the Americas known for its inhumane conditions (overcrowding, malnutrition, lack of sanitation), death rates, spread of disease and trauma. 

Royal African Company

A joint-stock, chartered corporation founded in 1672, the Royal African Company was granted a monopoly on the slave trade. Justified slavery using Christianity and drummed into people’s heads that slavery was normal and okay

Geocentrism

Cosmological model where the Earth is the center of the universe

Heliocentrism

Cosmological model where the sun is the center of our solar system

Empiricism

Idea that true knowledge comes from sensory experience and especially from evidence-based scientific proof and from observable, measurable facts (vs. logical reasoning or innate ideas). Important idea in Scientific Revolution, challenged the ideas of the church.

Inductive vs deductive reasoning

Deductive reasoning - producing knowledge out of yourself, out of things you already know. Inductive reasoning - building knowledge by going out finding things.

The scientific revolution

The scientific revolution fought against powerful, church backed knowledge and established empiricism and the scientific method as new methods of experimentation. Scientists and mathematicians saw themselves as “discovering the laws of nature” through math, physics, astronomy, biology, technology, and engineering. All enlightenment thinkers were Europeans, but it was a culmination of sharing knowledge with Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

The European Enlightenment

An intellectual movement in the 17th and 18th centuries that sought to improve society through fact-based reason and inquiry. It built on the Renaissance Humanism idea that people can do great things. A movement against tyranny and superstition, injustice, and irrationality.

Nicolaus Copernicus

A Renaissance-era mathematician, astronomer, economist and canon (Roman Catholic church official) from Poland. Published a book that showed his findings that the Earth is not the center of the universe. The book was dedicated to the Pope and allowed by the Catholic Church which shows how the Church initially was neither in support or denied his findings on heliocentrism, but later on as other astronomers expanded on his findings, that’s when they freaked out and called them heretics, etc.

Rene Descartes

(1596-1650) French philosopher, scientist, and mathematician that developed the scientific method, cartesian dualism, and “I think therefore I am”.

Cartesian Dualism

Philosophical concept developed by Rene Descartes that proposed that human beings consist of both a physical body governed by physical laws and an immaterial mind that is not subject to physical laws. He thought that the mind controls the body but is not made of material things.

Galileo Galilei

(1564-1642) Italian astronomer, physicist, and engineer that discovered that Earth is not only not the center of the universe, but we are moving through an infinite universe.

Isaac Newton

(1643-1727) English mathematician, physicist, astronomer, alchemist, theologian, and author who played a key role in the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment. Had beef with Leibniz.

The Rise of the West (aka The Great Divergence)

socioeconomic shift in which the Western World overcame pre-modern growth constraints and during the 19th century as the most powerful and wealthy world civilizations. “From peripheral economies to powerful empire-builders–beginnings of globalization, modernity, Westernization, and capitalism”

Niall Ferguson’s “Six Killer Apps”

Six functional complexes Niall Ferguson identified as allowing the Western World to emerge and dominate world: Competition - European decentralization fostered political and economic competition. Science - the Christian West advance academically and militarily. Private Property - widespread legal acquisition and ownership of land. Modern medicine - western medicine could double life expectancy. Consumerism - compelled economic growth. Work ethic - protestantism stressed hard work, saving, and literacy