Unit 1: The Global Tapestry (copy)

The Global Tapestry

A metaphor representing the period 1200–1450, highlighting the interconnectedness of local and regional influences that shaped people's lives.

Legitimacy

The factors that justify why a ruler or system is seen as rightful, which could be based on religion, ancestry, military success, or a mix of these.

Administration

The methods rulers use to control their territories, including bureaucracy, local elites, tribute systems, and military governance.

Economy

Sources of wealth for states, which could include land taxes, trade tariffs, tribute, state monopolies, or coerced labor.

Social Order

The hierarchical ranking of people within a society based on class, caste, ethnicity, religion, or gender.

Centralized Bureaucracy

A governing structure where the central authority exerts control through a system of officials and standardized practices, as seen in Song and Ming China.

Decentralized Feudalism

A political system where local feudal lords hold power, characterized by personal loyalties and military obligations, typical of medieval Europe and Japan.

Foot Binding

A cultural practice in Song China where women’s feet were bound to fit into small shoes, reflecting societal ideals of beauty and gender hierarchy.

Mita

An Inca labor system requiring tribute labor for public projects, military service, and agricultural work, demonstrating state control over labor.

Sufism

A mystical form of Islam that emphasizes personal, direct experiences with the divine and has played a significant role in spreading Islamic practices.

Vassalage

The system where lesser lords pledge loyalty and service in exchange for land or protection from a more powerful lord, a key feature of feudalism.

Caliphate

A form of Islamic political leadership that claims to represent the Muslim community and is ideally led by a caliph, rooted in early Islamic authority.

Sharia

Islamic law derived from the Qur'an and Hadith, guiding the moral and legal framework of Muslim societies.

Caste System

The social hierarchy in South Asia that categorizes individuals based on their social roles, typically linked to occupational and social boundaries.

Mandala Politics

A political model in Southeast Asia characterized by overlapping circles of influence rather than fixed borders, where power dynamics shift based on relationships.

Analects

A collection of sayings and ideas attributed to Confucius, emphasizing moral and ethical guidelines for governance and personal conduct.

Civil Service Examination

A competitive examination system in China that recruited government officials based on their knowledge of Confucian texts, affecting the governance structure.

Hajj

The pilgrimage to Mecca that is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, representing a significant religious duty for Muslims.

Templo Mayor

The main temple in Tenochtitlan, central to Mexica (Aztec) religious and political life, symbolizing the power of the Aztec empire.

Quipu

A record-keeping device used by the Inca, consisting of knotted cords that conveyed numerical information and administrative data.

Skilled Artisans

Craftspeople who utilize specialized skills in production processes, contributing to economic growth and social status in medieval European towns.