Global Interactions and Empires (1450–1750)

A set of flashcards covering key concepts, events, and terminology related to global interactions and empires from 1450-1750.

Globalization

The process by which the world became interconnected, particularly between the western and eastern hemispheres.

Maritime Trade

Trade conducted via the sea, which became more important than land-based trade due to technological advancements.

Gunpowder Empires

Empires like the Ottoman and Mughal that gained strength from advancements in weaponry and gunpowder technology.

Janissaries

Elite infantry units that formed the Ottoman Sultan's household troops and bodyguards, often made up of Balkan Christian captives.

Mughal Empire

An empire in South Asia established by descendants of Mongol invaders, known for its cultural achievements and the construction of the Taj Mahal.

Tokugawa Shogunate

The feudal government in Japan that unified regional lords and ruled from Edo, marked by its isolationist policies.

Neo-Confucianism

A philosophical movement that emerged in China during the Ming and Qing dynasties, combining Confucian thought with Buddhist and Daoist elements.

Columbian Exchange

The widespread transfer of plants, animals, culture, human populations, and diseases between the Americas and the Old World following Columbus's voyages.

Middle Passage

The sea route taken by slave ships from West Africa to the Americas, notorious for its brutal conditions.

Silk Road

Trade routes connecting the East and West that declined in importance during the 1450-1750 period as maritime trade grew.