Midterm Review for Freshman World History 2024-25

Fall of the Roman Empire

Decline of centralized authority in 476 CE.

Early Medieval Europe

Rise of Germanic kingdoms after Rome's fall.

Timeframe of Middle Ages

Roughly from 500 CE to 1500 CE.

Feudalism

Political system based on land for loyalty.

Manorialism

Economic system of self-sufficient estates.

Religious Influence

Catholic Church as central guiding institution.

Christianity

Dominant religion with the Pope's authority.

Monasteries

Centers for education and preservation of knowledge.

Great Schism

1054 split between Catholic and Orthodox Churches.

Papal Authority

Disputes over the Pope vs. Patriarch's power.

Structure of Medieval Society

Hierarchy: King, Lords, Vassals, Serfs.

Germanic Invasions

Tribes invaded Western Roman Empire, causing collapse.

Role of Vikings

Raids led to creation of feudal systems.

Emperor Justinian

Reigned 527-565 CE, sought to reconquer territories.

Corpus Juris Civilis

Foundation of modern civil law established by Justinian.

Founder of Islam

Muhammad, Prophet, lived 570-632 CE.

Hijra

Muhammad's migration to Medina in 622 CE.

Rightly Guided Caliphs

Leaders who expanded the Islamic Empire post-Muhammad.

Five Pillars of Islam

Core practices: faith, prayer, almsgiving, fasting, pilgrimage.

The Qur'an

Holy book of Islam, God's word to Muhammad.

Sunni vs. Shi'ite

Disagreement on caliph's selection and leadership.

Spread of Islam

Expanded through conquests, trade, and missionary work.

Ottoman Empire

Largest Islamic empire, founded in 1299.

Safavid Empire

Founded in Persia, established Shi'ism as state religion.

Mughal Empire

Founded in India, known for cultural achievements.

Magna Carta

1215 document limiting king's power in England.

Reconquista

Effort to reclaim Iberian territory from Muslims.

Medieval Women

Limited rights, often managed households or worked.

Humanism

Focus on individual achievement and classical texts.

Northern Renaissance

Emphasized realism and religious themes in art.

Dante's Divine Comedy

Journey through afterlife reflecting medieval beliefs.

Patrilineal Society

Inheritance traced through the father.

Matrilineal Society

Inheritance traced through the mother.

Griots

Oral historians and storytellers in West Africa.

Mongol Rule

Kublai Khan established Yuan Dynasty in China.

Shogunate System

Power held by shogun, emperor's role symbolic.

Southeast Asia Religions

Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam spread through trade.