World History: Big Era 5

Interregional patterns of unity

Connections established among regions during Big Era 5.

Reasons for population decline

Decline of Big Empires, Plague, and climate changes.

Environmental impact of population growth in Afro-Eurasia

Deforestation occurred when cities and farming expanded.

Insufficient wood resources

Wood became inadequate for heat, construction, and metalworking.

Consequences of soil erosion

Soil eroded and degraded, negatively affecting agriculture.

Effects of river flooding

River flooding devastated villages, farmlands, and cities.

Impact of famines

Famines resulted in insufficient food for populations.

Migratory group effects

Migrating groups forced others to relocate and introduced new plants and animals.

Cultural diffusion through migration

Migrations spread crafts, farming technologies, warfare techniques, languages, and arts.

Byzantine Empire

A significant state in 600 CE known for its cultural and political influence.

Abbasid Caliphate

A powerful Muslim dynasty that flourished in 800 CE.

Mongol Empire

Established in 1237 CE, it became the largest unified land empire in history.

Ming Dynasty

A prominent Chinese dynasty that rose to power around 1400 CE.

Impact of trade on religion

Trade facilitated the spread of religions.

Growth of cities

Cities and manufacturing centers became larger due to increased trade.

Financial systems during trade

Banks, credit, and money systems encouraged regional and long-distance trade.

Geographical diversity in Africa

Africa features deserts, rainforests, and savannas.

Origin of early humans in Africa

Northern Africa's Rift Valley is considered the location of early humans.

Griots

Story-tellers that passed history orally to keep it alive

Nok culture

An ancient West African society known for iron production.

Denneh-Djeno

One of the earliest known African cities.

Mongol conquests

The Mongols united nomadic tribes through military conquest.

Genghis Khan's reputation

Genghis Khan was noted for his military strategies and vast empire.

Pax Mongolica

The period of peace initiated by the Mongol Empire, facilitating trade.

Rise of Islam under Muhammad

Muhammad's successors expanded Islam significantly after his death.

Caliph's role

A caliph is a successor or deputy of Muhammad in Islamic leadership.

Conflict within Islam

Internal conflicts arose, particularly between Sunni and Shia factions.

Abbasids' governance

The Abbasids expanded their empire and collaborated with religious leaders.

Effects of the Middle Ages on trade

Trade was disrupted, and economies shifted back to rural life.

Characteristics of Germanic kingdoms

Government loyalty was to family rather than centralized authority.

Spread of Christianity in Germanic tribes

Christian missionaries promoted beliefs through monasteries.

Charlemagne's legacy

Charlemagne united Germanic tribes and revived learning.

Feudal system structure

Feudalism is based on hierarchies among kings, knights, lords, and peasants.

Chivalry defined

A code of conduct for knights emphasizing bravery and honor.

Role of women in feudal society

Women had limited power; noblewomen could inherit land, but peasant women bore children and worked.

Church reform movements

Reforms began in the 900s to enhance Church power and organization.

Gothic architecture features

Gothic churches featured tall windows, pointed arches, and stained glass.

Goals of the Crusades

Crusades aimed to reclaim Jerusalem and reunite Christianity.

First Crusade outcomes

Crusaders captured Jerusalem in 1099 and divided the territory.

Impact of the Black Death

Resulted in population decline and economic changes in Europe.

Consequences of the Crusades

They resulted in increased trade, weakened feudalism, and lasting Muslim-Christian tensions.