History Vocab

caste

a social class system where people are born into a group and cannot change it

scheduled classes

in india, groups officially recognized by the government as disadvantaged and face discriminations under the caste system

partisan

strongly supporting one political party or side

non- partisan

not supporting or favoring any political party

corruption

dishonest conduct by those in power typically involving bribery or fraud.

hierarchy

a system where people or groups are ranked above or below others

feudalism

medieval political system where land was exchanged for loyalty and military services

serf

a peasant who was legally tied to land owner by lord

noble

a person of high rank in society, often owning land

fief

land granted by a lord to a vassal

vassal

someone who recieved land from a lord in return for loyalty

papacy

the office and authority of the pope

papal supremacy

the belief that the pope has authority over all christian leaders

absolute monarch

a king or queen with complete control over the government

constitutional monarch

a monarch whose power is limited by a constitution or laws

censorship

controlling what people can say, hear, read, or watch

nobility

the social class of people with high rank, wealth, and power (usually nobles and lords)

clergy

religious leaders such as priests and bishops

bureaucracy

a system of government with many departments and officials carry out rules and decisions.

islam

A monotheistic religion founded by the Prophet Muhammad and teaches about the one god Allah

arab

A person from the Arab world (Middle East/North Africa) who shares Arabic culture or language.

muslim

follower of islam

jihad

a struggle or effort to follow or defend isalm

the hijj

pilgrimage muslims take to mecca

monotheism

belief in one god

polytheistic

belief in many gods

pilgrimage

a religious journey to a scared place for a religious reason

ramadan

the islamic month of fasting

schism

a split within a religious group

caliph

a spiritual and political leader in Islam, regarded as the successor to Muhammad.

imam

a muslim religious leader or prayer leader

sectarian

conflict or divisions between different religious groups.

pagan

someone who follows polytheistic religions

missionary

someone sent to spread a religion

proxy war

Conflicts where major powers support opposing sides instead of fighting directly

Janissaries

Elite soldiers in the Ottoman Empire. they were taken from christian families as little boys and converted to Islam, and trained them to serve the ottoman empire

nomadic

 Moving from place to place rather than living permanently in one location.

millet system

Ottoman system allowing religious groups to govern themselves.

balkans

region in southeasten europe

secular

not related to religion

crusades

religious wars between christians and muslims for control of holy lands

remission of sins

forgivness of sins

martyr

someone who dies for their religious beliefs

scapegoat

a person unfairly blamed for problems

bubonic plague

deadly diseases spread by fleas on rats

pneumonic plague

a form of the plague affecting the lungs

buboes

painful swollen lumps caused by the plague

anti semitism

prejudice or discrimination against jewish people

flagellants

people who whipped themselves as punishment for sins during the plague

penance

acts done to show regret for sins

flying buttress

exterior support used in gothic cathedrals

gothic architecture

medieval style with tall buildings, pointed arches, and stained glass

renaissance

period of renewed interest in art, science, and classical learning

humanist

a scholar focusing on human potential and classical studies

classical

related to ancient greek and roman culture

indulgence

payment to the church for forgiveness of sins

purgatory

a place where souls are purified before heaven

heretic

someone who beliefs that oppose official church teachings

heresy

beliefs that go against official church doctrine

excommunicate

to officially remove someone from the church

salvation

being saved from sin and going to heaven

protestant

christian who belongs to a church that broke away from the catholic church during the reformation

reformation

movement to reform the catholic church that lead to protestant churches

counter-reformation

catholics church’s response to the reformation

the inquisition

a series of church court that investigated and punished people accused of heresy

heliocentric theory

the idea that the sun was the center of the solar system

geocentric theory

the idea that the earth was the center of the solar system

covert

to change religions

auto-da-fe

public punishment of heretics during the inquisition

judaizer

someone accused of secretly practicing judaism

conversos

jews or muslims in spain who converted to Christianity

the enlightenment

movement emphasizing reason, science, and individual rights

decentralized societies

societies that have their power spread out among local leaders or groups

centralized government

government where power is held by a single authority or governing body

council of elders

groups of respected older leaders making decisions

griot

west african storyteller and historian

monsoon

seasonal wind affecting indian ocean

supply and demand

 Economic rule that prices depend on how much of something exists and how much people want it

market economy

economy where prices are determined by buyers and sellers

planned economy

economy controlled by the government

stereotype

an oversimplified belief about a group

conquistador

spanish conqueror of the americas

alliance

agreement between groups to help eachother out

tribute

giving money, goods, or services to a stronger power as a sign of loyalty or submission

encomienda system

spanish system forcing indigenous people to work for settlers

terrance farming

farming on stepped hillsides

quipu

inca system of knotted cords used for record-keeping

chinampas

aztec floating gardens used for farming

mita system

inca labor system requiring citizens to work for the government

civil war

war between groups within the same country

columbian exchange

 Transfer of plants, animals, people, and diseases between the Americas and the Old World.

the middle passage

route used to transport enslaved africans to the americas

slave coffle

a line of enslaved people chained together

literacy

the ability to read and write

Revisionist History

when people rethink or change how past events are explained using new evidence or ideas

Idealism / Idealist

The belief that principles, values, or ideals are more important than practical concerns.

Pragmatism / Pragmatist

a way of thinking that focuses on what works in real life, rather than what is ideal or perfect

Heterodoxy

Beliefs or opinions that differ from accepted or orthodox views.

Desecrate

To disrespect, damage, or make a scared place or object unholy.

Apostate

A person who abandons or rejects a religious belief, faith, or cause.