History Notes

Emperor

Someone who rules an empire, communicates with gods, and possesses magical powers.

Yamato clan

A powerful Japanese clan that controlled southern Japan and established a system of governance.

Prince Shotoku

A Yamato prince who established a centralized government in Japan and introduced Buddhism.

Centralized government

A governmental system where all power is concentrated in a central authority, in this case, the emperor.

Heian period

A period in Japanese history from 794 to 1185 CE known for its art, culture, and the decline of imperial power.

Imperial Court

The ruling court of the emperor, marked by luxury and separation from the common people.

Shogun

A military commander and the de facto ruler of Japan, holding more power than the emperor.

Samurai

Warriors who served the shogun and daimyo, adhering to the bushido code.

Feudal system

A hierarchical system where land was exchanged for loyalty and military service in medieval Japan.

Buddhism

A religion introduced by Prince Shotoku emphasizing spiritual practice, characterized by meditation.

Confucianism

A philosophical system stressing moral values and ethical governance, influencing Japanese leadership during the Heian period.

Governing provinces

Dividing Japan into prefectures, with governors appointed to administer them.

The Black Death

A devastating pandemic that swept through Asia, Europe, and North Africa, causing a dramatic decline in population.

Pandemic

An outbreak of disease that occurs over a wide geographic area.

Bubonic plague

The most common form of plague during the Black Death, transmitted through fleas and affecting the lymphatic system.

Pneumonic plague

A highly contagious form of plague that attacks the respiratory system, spread through air.

Septicemic plague

The deadliest form of plague caused by the entry of bacteria directly into the bloodstream.

Caffa

A trading city on the Black Sea where the Black Death is said to have initially spread to Europe.

Quarantine

Isolating individuals or groups to prevent the spread of disease; a practice that became common during the plague.

Flagellants

A religious movement during the Black Death, where individuals whipped themselves to atone for sins.

Scapegoat

A person or group blamed for the troubles of others; during the plague, Jews were commonly scapegoated.

Peasants' Revolt

A major uprising in 1381 in England caused by the demands for higher wages and better conditions post-Black Death.

Louis XIV

A significant historical figure known for his absolute monarchy in France, impacting future governance.

Medical ignorance

The lack of understanding about diseases and germs during medieval times, resulting in ineffective treatments.

Autopsy

A post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death, which increased in practice following the Black Death.

Health boards

Local authorities established after the Black Death to enforce sanitary measures.

Merchant class

The rising middle class formed from skilled labor and trade that emerged following the population shifts caused by the Black Death.

Economic influence of the Church

The role of the Church as a significant landowner and influencer in medieval Europe, impacting feudal systems.

Cultural Renaissance

An era of renewed interest in art, literature, and learning based on classical sources that arose after the Black Death.

Trade routes

Paths used for commerce that expanded dramatically in early Europe, influencing the economy and culture.

Herbal remedies

Medicinal treatments using plants which were commonly used due to the lack of scientific knowledge about diseases.

Social hierarchy

The arrangement of individuals in a society based on power, wealth, and occupation, significantly affected by the Black Death.

Labor shortages

A situation where the unavailability of workers leads to increased wages and diminished power for feudal lords.

Guilds

Associations of craftsmen or merchants who oversee the practice of their craft in a particular area, ensuring quality and regulating trade.

Black Plague diversity

The variation in the impact of the plague on different regions, with some areas facing severe mortality while others were less affected.

Increase in crime

As populations dwindled and law enforcement diminished, some towns faced rising criminal activity in the aftermath of the plague.

Taxation policies

Financial demands placed on populations by rulers, which led to discontent and revolts due to inflation and labor costs.

Epidemic management

The strategies employed by authorities to cope with the spread of diseases, which improved health systems post-Black Death.

Religious pessimism

The decline in faith in institutions like the Church as people sought answers for the suffering caused by the Black Death.

Population recovery

The gradual return to population levels after the catastrophic loss experienced during and after the Black Death.

Agricultural change

Shifts in farming practices influenced by labor shortages, resulting in more efficient production methods in the wake of the plague.

Medical formalization

The establishment of more structured approaches to healthcare and understanding of diseases post-Black Death.

Surgeon training

The development of surgical practices and increased knowledge around human anatomy following the devastation of the Black Death.

Empirical investigation

The practice of learning through observation and experimentation, which gained traction after the Black Death.

Isolation practices

Quarantine measures taken during outbreaks of disease to control the spread.

Devolution of authority

The reduction of power held by feudal lords as a result of changing economic dynamics post-Black Death.

Survival economics

The financial adaptations made by individuals in response to the labor shifts caused by the effects of the Black Death.

Urbanization

The increase in population density in urban areas as a direct consequence of the labor shortages after the Black Death.

Trade expansion

The significant growth in commerce brought forth by the increased mobility encouraged by the aftermath of the plague.

Community support systems

New communal approaches to aiding those affected by the plague, intended to rebuild and help the surviving members of society.

Social unrest

The widespread dissatisfaction leading to revolts, largely spurred by economic hardship following the demographic shifts of the Black Death.

Cross-continental trade

The exchange of goods and ideas that flourished in the wake of increased connections following the Black Death.