Unit 2 (Units 3-4) Focus Terms

Gunpowder Empires

The Ottoman, Safavid and Mughal Empires that established centralized states.

Suleiman the Great

Leader of the Ottoman Empire who took over the weakened Byzantium Empire and expanded areas to Northern Africa.

Ottoman Empire

A Sunni Islamic empire founded by the Seljuk Turks from Central Asia, known for establishing a strong navy and their influence from the Middle East to Southern Europe.

Millets

Communities established by the Ottoman Empire that allowed people to govern themselves with their own religions.

Janissary Corps

Military leadership of the Ottoman Empire.

Harem

A place in the Ottoman Empire where women were taken to the capital for marriage to the Sultan, involved in religious and governmental roles.

Devshirme

Process of kidnapping young boys and converting them to Islam to serve in the Ottoman military and government.

Safavids

A small landlocked Shi’ite empire in the Central Asian and Middle Eastern region.

Shah Abbas

Leader of the Safavid Empire known for enforcing Shi'ism and promoting national unity.

Delhi Sultanate

A dynasty in India ruled until Babur's conquest.

Babur

Founder of the Mughal Dynasty in India who conquered Northern India.

Mughal Dynasty

A dynasty in India established by Babur that aimed to balance various religions.

Akbar The Great

Mughal leader who sought to unify multiple faiths into a single Divine Faith.

Divine Faith

Belief that all religions share common ideals, promoted by Akbar the Great.

Jizyah Tax

A tax on non-Muslims that was eliminated by Akbar the Great to promote religious harmony.

Aurangzeb

Grandson of Akbar who reverted his reforms and reinstated the Jizyah Tax.

Mayan City States

Kingdoms located in Northern Guatemala that utilized bureaucracies to manage agriculture and infrastructure.

Mexica

Migrants who founded Tenochtitlan and were a dominant force in the Aztec Empire.

Azteca

Migrants from Northern America who established an empire with a complex political system in Tenochtitlan.

Political System

Organizational structure among local leaders, such as families, within the Aztec Empire.

Inca

A South American empire that prospered in the Andean region through forceful expansion and a labor system.

Chaco and Cliff Dwellings

Cliff cities of the Mesa Verde civilization that adapted to their environment.

Mesa Verde

A civilization in Northern America that organized with hierarchies to survive in a desert.

Cahokia

A Native American group known for their agricultural trade potential and monumental mounds.

Treaty of Verdun

Agreement that established the boundaries of European nation states under King Charlemagne.

3 Popes Crisis

A situation where three popes were elected simultaneously, weakening the Catholic Church.

Investiture Crisis

A conflict over kings appointing bishops, threatening papal authority.

Protestant Reformation

Movement led by figures like Martin Luther that challenged the Catholic Church's authority.

Martin Luther

German priest and key figure in initiating the Protestant Reformation.

Jean Calvin

French theologian influential in the development of Protestantism.

Sola Fide

Latin term meaning 'faith alone,' a central belief in Protestantism.

Sola Scriptura

Latin for 'by scripture alone,' a challenge to Catholic authority.

Predestination

Belief that God determines one's fate, conflicting with the idea of free will.

Yuan Dynasty and Marco Polo

Marco Polo's travels introduced navigational technologies to Europe.

Christopher Columbus

Explorer who sought a route to China, leading to the discovery of the Americas.

Bartholomew Diaz

Explorer who discovered the Cape of Good Hope but did not reach his final destination.

Vasco De Gama

Explorer who found a sea route to India around Africa.

Atlantic Trade Route

Route established by Columbus that connected Europe with the Americas.

Ferdinand and Isabella and Reconquista

Military campaigns aimed at expelling Muslims from Spain.

Montezuma and Myth of Quetzalcoatl

Narrative regarding the Aztec emperor's perception of the Spanish as gods.

Hernan Cortez and Conquering of Aztecs

Cortez captured Montezuma and conquered the Aztec Empire.

Francisco Pizarro and Conquering of Incas

Pizarro used the Mita system against the Incas post-conquest.

Treaty of Tordesillas

1494 agreement splitting newly discovered lands between Spain and Portugal.

Treaty of Augsburg

Agreement establishing national religious choice amidst conflicts.

Columbian Trade

Cultural exchange and trade resulting from European colonization of the Americas.

Maritime

Relating to sea travel or trade.

Portuguese Area of Trade

Portugal's expansion and establishment of trade routes in Asia and Brazil.

Spanish Silver Trade

Spain's exploitation of silver for purchases in Europe and inflation of its economy.

Dutch East India Tea Company (VOC)

The Dutch company's trade and investment operations in Asia.

Mercantilism

Economic system where colonies provide resources to the mother country.

Ohio River Valley Trade

Trade rich region sought by Britain and France for its agricultural potential.

Fur Trade

Trade involving the transportation of furs for exchange.

Zheng He

Islamic Chinese explorer who conducted extensive voyages.

Ming Dynasty

Period that limited European trade to specific ports.

Tokugawa Dynasty

Japanese period characterized by limited European interaction.

Encomiendas

System of forced labor used by Spanish colonists.

Headright System

System of land grants to settlers for each indentured servant brought.

Indentured Servants

Laborers who agreed to work for a set number of years for passage to America.

Centralized States

Empires with authority consolidated in a central location.

Pueblo and Pope Rebellion

Uprising by Pueblo leaders against Spanish oppression.

Fronde

Rebellion in France against centralized power due to heavy taxation.

Cossack Revolts

Resistance by Cossacks against forced assimilation into Russia.

Marathas and Mughals

Indian confederation that resisted Aurangzeb's Islamic imposition.

Ana Nzinga

African leader who resisted Portuguese expansion through alliances.

Metacom (King Philip’s War)

Conflict in North America between indigenous tribes and colonists.

Maroon Societies

Communities of escaped African slaves in the Americas.

Mercantilism and Slavery

Economic system linked to the exploitation of African slavery.