World History Flashcards

Flashcards for vocabulary review of world history lecture notes.

Religious Mysticism

Adherents within religions focusing on mystical experiences that bring them closer to divine through prayer and meditation.

Siddhartha Gautama

A young Hindu prince who rejected wealth and became the Buddha (Enlightened One), founding Buddhism.

Four Noble Truths

In Buddhism, the four principles that explain the nature of suffering and how to overcome it.

Theravada Buddhism

A branch of Buddhism emphasizing meditation, simplicity, and nirvana as renunciation of consciousness and self.

Mahayana Buddhism

A branch of Buddhism characterized by great ritual, spiritual comfort, and a more complex approach with greater spread.

Jesus of Nazareth

The central figure of Christianity, believed by his followers to be the Messiah and Son of God.

Confucianism

A philosophy founded by Confucius, focused on restoring political and social order through five fundamental relationships.

The Analects

Collected thoughts and sayings of Confucius, dealing with restoring political and social order.

Brahma

In Hinduism, the one supreme force who created everything, with gods like Vishnu and Shiva as manifestations.

Dharma

In Hinduism, the rules and obligations of your caste, following which will move you towards Brahma.

Moksha

In Hinduism, the highest state of being, representing internal peace and release of the soul.

Qur’an

In Islam, the holy book containing the words of Allah as revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.

Five Pillars of Islam

The core beliefs and practices of Islam: confession, prayer, charity, fasting during Ramadan, and pilgrimage to Mecca.

Abbasid Dynasty

An Islamic empire from 750-1258 CE with its capital in Baghdad, known for its golden age of arts and sciences.

House of Wisdom

A library and translation center in Baghdad during the Abbasid Dynasty.

Mamluks

An Egyptian group that defeated Mongols in Nazareth, helping to preserve Islam in the Near East.

European Feudalism

A European hierarchical social system of the Middle Ages based on land ownership and loyalty.

Three-Field System

An agricultural system used in feudal manors where three fields were used in rotation for fall, spring, and lying empty to replenish nutrients.

Code of Chivalry

A code regulating conduct among lords, condemning betrayal and promoting mutual respect.

Primogeniture

The practice of passing land down to the eldest son, limiting women's ability to own land.

Magna Carta

A document signed by King John of England in 1215, reinstating the rights of the nobles and laying the foundation for Parliament.

Spanish Inquisition

Effort by Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand where residents were forced to convert to Christianity.

Song Dynasty

A Chinese dynasty (960-1279) known for its advancements but also the subordination of women, including foot binding.

Neo-Confucianism

A revival of Confucianism that incorporated Buddhist ideas about the soul.

Code of Bushido

Code of conduct followed by Samurai: loyalty, courage, honour

Delhi Sultanate

An Islamic kingdom in Delhi established by invaders.

Khmer Empire

A Hindu empire in Southeast Asia (9th-15th century) that built the Angkor Wat temple.

Hausa Kingdoms

A series of state system kingdoms off the Niger River that achieved economic stability through long-distance trade.

Hanseatic League

A trade alliance in northern Europe that drove toward nationhood, increased social mobility, and architectural shifts.

Scholasticism

The growth of education and knowledge, leading to the founding of universities and study.

Crusades

Military campaigns by European Christians to convert Muslims and non-Christians and combat religious questioning.

Inquisition

A formal interrogation and prosecution of perceived heretics with punishments.

Mongol Empire

Ruthless warriors destroying cities but remained peaceful after settling into cities.

Mansa Musa

Ruler that built the capital of Timbuktu and expended the kingdom beyond Ghana

Bubonic Plague

Started in Asia in the 14th century and carried by merchants - killed about 1/3 people

Renaissance

As trade increased, people moved to the cities and an influx of money was experienced - a lot of money went to studying the past

Humanism

Focus on personal accomplishment, happiness, and life on earth instead of living for the goal of salvation

Johannes Gutenberg

Invents the printing press - made books easy to produce and affordable, and accessible to everyone

Martin Luther

German monk who published his list of complaints against the church

Calvinism

John Calvin: predestination - only a few people would be saved by God, great influence in Scotland and France

Scientific Method

Led to Industrial Revolution, and many rejecting the church - atheists (believe no god exists), deists (believe God exists, but is passive)

Elizabethan Age

Age of expansion, exploration, colonization in New World - golden age

Charles I

Succeeded James in 1625 - signed Petition of Rights (limiting taxes and forbidding unlawful imprisonment) - ignored it for the next 11 years

Oliver Cromwell

Established the English Commonwealth violent against Catholics and Irish - highly resented

James II

Succeeded Charles II after his death - highly disliked, fear he would make England a Catholic county - driven from power by Parliament (Glorious Revolution)

Cardinal Richelieu

Chief advisor to the Bourbons who compromised with Protestants instead of fighting with them

Peace of Westphalia

German states affirmed to keep the peace with each other

Peter the Great

Designed and adapted Russia in to westernized fashion

Catherine the Great

Ruled from 1762-1796 - education and Western culture - serf conditions were of no importance to her

Devshirme

Enslaved Christian children and turned them into warriors called Janissaries

Akbar

Succeeded Babur from 1556 to 1605 - united India further with religious toleration, did give Muslim landowners (zamindars) power to tax

Sunni Ali

Songhai ruler that ruled from 1464-1493 - navy, central administration, financed Timbuktu

King Alfonso I

Catholic - converted his people

National Seclusion policy

policy where prohibited Japanese from traveling abroad, but strict government had to institute a rigid social class model

Ana Nzinga

Resistance to colonizers

Jacques Dessalines

The governor-general in 1804

Jose Morelos

achieved Mexican independence in 1821 and continued Hidalgo's revolt

Napoleon Bonaparte

commander during France's military buildup

Samory Toure

led resistance against French colonizers

Hernando Cortes

Landed on coast of Mexico in 1519 to Exploit the Aztec Empire of their gold and spices

Francisco Pizarro

Took over Inca Empire in 1531 partially due to spreading disease to them

Peninsulares

Spanish officials governing the colonies- top of the colonial class system

Creoles

Spanish born in colonies to Spanish parents - barred from high positions but were educated and wealthy

Mestizos

Those with European/Native American ancestry

Mulattos

Those with European/African ancestry

Mary Wollstonecraft

women should have political rights, including voting and holding office

Thomas Hobbes

government should preserve peace/stability - all powerful rule who ruled heavy-handed

National Assembly

body formed in 1789 out of protest and peasants storming the Bastille shortly after

Estates-General

governing body infrequently called by the kings

Seven Year's War

war over claims in the Ohio River Valley between Britain and France known as the French and Indian War in America

Monroe Doctine

US President Monroe declared Western Hemisphere off-limits to Europeans

Opium Wars

war that the British brought on China to continue trading opium

Boxer Rebellion

Chinese peasant nationalists attempted to rebel by slaughtering Christian missionaries and controlling foreign embassies

Lusitania

sinking that made the US reconsider neutrality