Cycles of History: From Ancient to Modern Times

Tripartite of History

Divides history into Ancient, Medieval, and Modern periods.

Ancient Period

Spans from 3000 BCE to 500 CE.

Middle Ages

Covers 500 CE to 1500 CE, includes Early, High, Late.

Modern Era

Begins in 1500 CE and continues to present.

Silk Road

Ancient trade route connecting East and West.

Indian-Ocean Trade

Maritime trade network connecting Africa and Asia.

Trans-Saharan Trade

Trade routes across the Sahara Desert.

Mongol Empire

Established vast territory, facilitated trade and cultural exchange.

Black Death

Plague that devastated Europe in the 14th century.

Renaissance

Cultural revival in Europe, emphasizing art and humanism.

Italian Renaissance

Focused on classical art and literature in Italy.

Northern Renaissance

Emphasized religious reform and literature in Northern Europe.

Ferdinand and Isabella

Unified Spain through marriage and political strategies.

Reconquista

Christian reconquest of the Iberian Peninsula from Muslims.

Inquisition

Religious tribunal to maintain Catholic orthodoxy in Spain.

Mercantilism

Economic theory promoting government regulation of trade.

Columbian Exchange

Transfer of goods, ideas, and diseases between continents.

Protestant Reformation

Movement challenging Catholic Church authority in the 16th century.

Act of Supremacy

Declared Henry VIII as head of the Church of England.

Council of Trent

Catholic response to Reformation, addressing church reforms.

30 Years War

Conflict in Europe over religion and political power.

Mesoamerican Civilizations

Includes Mayan, Aztec, and Inca cultures before contact.

Ming China

Dynasty that shifted from expansionist to isolationist.

Gunpowder Empires

Empires characterized by military dominance using gunpowder.

Sunni

Islamic sect following Abu Bakr's leadership.

Shia

Islamic sect following Ali's leadership.

Absolutism

Political system where a ruler holds absolute power.

Constitutionalism

Government limited by law and constitution.

Louis XIV

French king known as the Sun King.

Peter the Great

Russian czar who modernized and expanded Russia.

English Civil War

Conflict between monarchy and Parliament in England.

Glorious Revolution

Bloodless overthrow of King James II.

Scientific Revolution

Period of advancements in scientific thought and inquiry.

Geocentric

Earth-centered model of the universe.

Heliocentric

Sun-centered model of the universe.

Social Contract

Theory on the relationship between individuals and government.

John Locke

Philosopher advocating natural rights and government consent.

Thomas Hobbes

Philosopher supporting absolute monarchy for societal order.

Montesquieu

Advocated separation of powers in government.

Voltaire

Promoted freedom of speech and religious tolerance.

French Revolution

Revolution against monarchy leading to political change.

Estates General

Assembly representing France's three estates before revolution.

Reign of Terror

Period of extreme political repression during French Revolution.

Congress of Vienna

Meeting to restore European stability after Napoleon.

Enlightenment

Intellectual movement emphasizing reason and individualism.

Bolívar

Leader of South American independence movements.

1st Industrial Revolution

Transition to industrialization using coal and steam.

Militarism

Policy of building up strong armed forces.

Socialism

Economic system advocating for collective ownership.

Communism

Political ideology aiming for classless society.

Nationalism

Strong identification with one's nation or culture.

Berlin Conference

1884 meeting to regulate European colonization of Africa.

Opium Wars

Conflicts between China and Britain over opium trade.

M.A.N.I.

Acronym for militarism, alliances, nationalism, imperialism causes of WWI.

Zimmerman Telegram

Secret message proposing German-Mexican alliance in WWI.

Treaty of Versailles

1919 agreement ending WWI, imposing harsh penalties on Germany.

Russian Revolution

1917 uprising leading to the fall of the czar.

Red Army

Bolshevik army in the Russian Civil War.

White Army

Anti-Bolshevik forces in the Russian Civil War.

Spheres of Influence

Regions where a foreign power has exclusive rights.

Fall of the Qing

Collapse of the last imperial dynasty in China.

Bolshevik Revolution

1917 uprising transforming Russia's political landscape.

Dawes Plan

1924 plan to stabilize Germany's economy post-WWI.

Great Depression

Global economic downturn beginning in 1929.

Rise of Fascism

Authoritarian movement gaining power in Europe pre-WWII.

World War II

Global conflict from 1939 to 1945.

Stalingrad

Turning point battle in WWII, Soviet victory.

Midway

Crucial naval battle, U.S. victory against Japan.

D-Day

Allied invasion of Normandy, June 6, 1944.

Cash and Carry

U.S. policy allowing arms sales to allies.

Lend-Lease

U.S. program supplying allies with military equipment.

Pearl Harbor

Japanese attack leading to U.S. entry into WWII.

Cold War

Geopolitical tension between U.S. and USSR post-WWII.

Proxy Wars

Conflicts where superpowers support opposing sides.

Korean War

1950-1953 conflict between North and South Korea.

Cuban Missile Crisis

1962 confrontation over Soviet missiles in Cuba.

Glasnost

Gorbachev's policy promoting openness in the USSR.

Perestroika

Reform policy aimed at restructuring Soviet economy.

War on Terror

Global military campaign post-9/11 against terrorism.