Mongol Empire, Afro-Eurasian Trade Networks, and Maritime Exploration

Vocabulary flashcards reviewing key historical terms, empires, trade routes, and figures from the lecture notes on the Mongol Empire, Trans-Saharan trade, East African city-states, and Chinese maritime expeditions.

Temujin

The birth name of the Mongol leader who unified the unstable Mongol nation before being recognized as Chinggis Khan, supreme leader of the Mongol empire.

Chinggis Khan

The supreme leader of the unified Mongol empire who launched massive military conquests across China, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East.

Ortughs

State-approved merchant associations supported by the Mongols to encourage trade and share business losses.

Yuan Dynasty

The Mongol dynasty created in China after its conquest, whose unification of China led people to believe the Mongols were granted the Mandate of Heaven.

Kublai Khan

The Mongol ruler of the Yuan dynasty whose policies evolved to support Confucianism, build Daoist temples, and adopt Chinese administrative practices.

Ming Dynasty

The Chinese dynasty established after rebelling against and ousting the Mongols, which re-established civil administration and removed Mongol cultural influences.

Ilkhanate

The Mongol realm in Persia that embraced Persian culture and Islam, while engaging in Eurasian diplomacy involving European realms and the Pope.

Russian Orthodox Church

The religious institution in Russia that flourished under Mongol rule while the Mongols extracted tribute without direct occupation.

Sand Roads

Trans-Saharan trade routes across the Saharan desert linking North Africa and the Mediterranean world with West Africa via camel caravans.

Swahili Civilization

An East African coastal civilization composed of independent city-states that adopted Islam and expanded through trade with Arab merchants.

Greater Zimbabwe

An East African kingdom that grew in power and wealth through agricultural capacity, banana production, and the gold trade.

Chinese Maritime Voyages

Large-scale Indian Ocean expeditions launched by China to enroll foreign states into the tribute system, which were later halted by Confucian officials who deemed them a waste of resources.