post classical civilizations

Origins of Judaism

Judaism began with the Hebrews in the Middle East as one of the first monotheistic religions

Origins of monotheism

The idea that there’s only one God, began with Judaism and later influence, Christianity and Islam

Abraham

Founding father of Judaism, Christianity and Islam

Moses

A teacher in Judaism, who led Hebrews out of slavery in Egypt and receive the 10 Commandments

Diaspora

The scattering of the Jewish people from their homeland, especially after Roman conquest

Spread of Islam

Spread through conquest, trade in missionaries after Muhammad’s death across the Middle East

Muhammad’s successors

after Muhammad died, caliphs continued to expand the Islamic empire

Caliphs

Political and religious leaders of the Muslim world after Muhammad

Sunnis

A major branch of Islam that believed and qualified person could be caliph

Shiites

Branch of Islam, that believed only descendants of Muhammad could be caliph

Golden age of Islam

A period of major achievements in science, medicine, math and literature in the Islamic world

Mongol empire

Largest land, empire in history, known for brutal conquests, but promoted trade and intolerance

Genghis Khan

Founder of the Mongol empire, united nomadic tribes of central Asia

Kublai Khan

grandson of Genghis ruler of the Yuan Dynasty in China, who was very welcoming to foreigners

medieval empire

Refers to European kingdoms during the middle ages

Dark ages

Term used to describe the middle ages after the fall of Rome, where there was very little economic and cultural progress

Feudalism

Political system where land was exchanged for loyalty and military service, Ex. King‘s, Noble‘s, knights, and peasants

Manorialism

Economic side of feudalism, Lord’s owned land and peasants worked it in return for protection

Role and power of the Church

The Catholic Church was the most powerful institution in medieval Europe, which influenced politics, education, and daily life

Crusades and impact

A series of religious wars by Christians to reclaim the holy land, which resulted in increased trade and weakened feudalism

King John

English king who was forced by Nobles to sign the Magna Carta

Magna Carta

A document that limited the power of the English king and established certain legal rights

Resurgence of Europe

Increased trade led to agricultural improvements, and the growth of towns and cities

Black death

Killed 1/3 of Europe’s population and led to labor shortage’s and weakened the feudal system

Formation of modern nation states

The creation of a centralized government with defined orders and national identity

West African trading empires

Controlled gold and salt trade through Ghana, Mali, and Songhai

Ottoman Empire

A religiously tolerant Islamic empire, which conquered Constantinople

Constantinople

Capital of the Byzantine Empire, which later became Istanbul under the Ottomans

Suleiman

Expanded the Ottoman empire and created a fair legal system

Gunpowder empire

Empires that used gunpowder weapons to expand and control territory