Unit 3 HIST 1010 Burke

Nomadic Invasion

The movement of nomadic tribes into Europe and Asia, characterized by horseback fighting, speed in attacks, and lack of permanent settlements for defense.

Seljuk Turks

Turkish nomads who entered Persia in the early 11th century, known for being Sunni Muslims and engaging in conflicts with local groups.

Battle of Manzikert

The battle that diverted Sultan Alp Arslan from Egypt, leading to the control of the Anatolian peninsula by the Seljuk Turks.

Hashshashin

A secret Shiite group formed in response to persecution by the Seljuks, known for their assassinations.

Genghis Khan

Mongol leader who unified the Mongol tribes by 1206 CE and created a vast empire, utilizing advanced military tactics.

Pax Mongolica

A period of peace and stability under Mongol rule that increased trade between Asia and Europe.

Feudalism

A social and economic system prevalent in medieval Europe, where land was owned by nobles who provided military service to a king.

Vassals

Nobles who owed allegiance and military service to a king in exchange for land, called fiefs.

Peasants

Agricultural workers and craftspeople tied to the land, who provided labor, taxes, and military service to lords.

Monasteries

Religious communities where monks lived, studied, and preserved knowledge, acting as centers for education and early industry.

Charlemagne

King of the Franks who united Western and Central Europe; crowned Emperor of the Romans by Pope Leo III in 800 CE.

Reconquista

The period of conflict from the 8th to the 15th century where Christian kingdoms fought to reclaim territory from Muslim rule in the Iberian Peninsula.

Crusades

Religiously sanctioned military expeditions from the late 11th to the late 13th centuries aimed at reclaiming Jerusalem and the Holy Lands from Muslim control.

The Black Death

The devastating plague that swept through Europe in the mid-14th century, killing 30-50% of the population.

Johannes Gutenberg

Inventor of the printing press, responsible for the spread of information and making books cheaper in Europe.

Suleiman the Magnificent

The 10th Ottoman Sultan, known for his military expansion and administrative reforms that strengthened the empire.

Timur (Tamerlane)

A conqueror who established a large empire in the late 14th century, known for his brutality and military prowess.

Treaty of Tordesillas

A 1494 agreement dividing newly discovered lands in the Americas between Spain and Portugal.

Zheng He

Chinese admiral who led seven maritime expeditions during the Ming dynasty, expanding China's influence.

Indulgences

Payments made to the Catholic Church that claimed to remit punishments for sins, contributing to criticisms leading to the Reformation.

John Wyclif

A theologian who argued for church reform and the primacy of the Bible over church authority.

Martin Luther

German monk who initiated the Protestant Reformation by nailing the 95 Theses to a church door in 1517.

Predestination

Calvinist belief that God has already determined who will be saved, distinguishing it from Catholic teachings.

Spanish Inquisition

A tribunal established in the Catholic monarchy to maintain Catholic orthodoxy and persecute heretics.

Thirty Years' War

A series of conflicts from 1618 to 1648 primarily within the Holy Roman Empire, driven by religious disputes between Catholics and Protestants.

Aztec Empire

Mesoamerican civilization that fell to Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes in the early 16th century.

Inca Empire

South American civilization known for advanced engineering, such as agricultural terraces and intricate road systems.

Quipu

A system of knotted strings used by the Inca for recording information.

Bubonic Plague

One form of the plague with a 50% mortality rate, transmitted through fleas and causing significant population decline.

Feudal System

A hierarchical system in medieval Europe where lords owned land and vassals provided military service.

Meritocracy

A system in which individuals are rewarded based on ability and talent rather than wealth or social class.

Gothic Architecture

A style of architecture that emerged in the 12th century, characterized by pointed arches and flying buttresses.

Reconquista Wars

The series of military campaigns by Christian states to recapture territory taken by Muslims in the Iberian Peninsula.

Ottoman Empire

A major Islamic empire that lasted from the late 13th century into the early 20th century, renowned for its cultural achievements and military prowess.

Mongol Invasions

The series of military campaigns by Genghis Khan and his successors in the 13th century that established Mongol dominance across Eurasia.

Safavid Empire

An Islamic state that ruled Persia from the early 16th to 18th centuries, known for its establishment of Shia Islam as the state religion.

Women in Islam

The status and rights of women in Muslim societies, influenced by local customs and Islamic teachings.

Genoa and Venice

Italian city-states that became major maritime and trade powers during the Renaissance.

The Renaissance

A cultural revival in Europe from the 14th to the 17th century, characterized by a renewed interest in art, science, and classical antiquity.

Crusader States

Christian kingdoms established in the Holy Land during the Crusades.

Hernan Cortes

Spanish conquistador who led the expedition that resulted in the fall of the Aztec Empire.

Hernando Pizarro

Spanish conquistador who conquered the Inca Empire and executed Atahualpa.

Christopher Columbus

Italian explorer known for his 1492 voyage that opened the Americas to European colonization.

French and Indian War

Conflict between Britain and France in North America from 1754-1763, part of the larger Seven Years' War.

Middle Ages

Period in European history from the 5th to the late 15th century, marked by the feudal system and rise of the Catholic Church.

Humanism

An intellectual movement of the Renaissance emphasizing the study of classical texts and human potential.

Gunpowder Empires

States that were formed in the early modern period that used gunpowder technology to expand their territories.

Papacy

The office of the pope, considered the spiritual leader of the Catholic Church.

Shari'ah

Islamic law derived from the Quran and the Hadith.

Kanun

Secular laws in the Ottoman Empire that could supersede religious laws when necessary.

Theravada Buddhism

The oldest branch of Buddhism, emphasizing individual enlightenment and mindfulness.

Buddhism

A major world religion based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, or Buddha.