History Review: Middle Ages to Industrial Revolution

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards based on lecture notes covering European history from the Middle Ages through the Industrial Revolution, including key concepts, political systems, and economic transformations.

Christianity

Monotheistic religion which follows the practices of Jesus Christ.

The Church

In Christianity, it includes the religion and its community of believers.

The Crusades

Religious wars between Christians from Europe and Muslims in the Middle East who wanted to retake Jerusalem.

Feudalism

Political, social and economic system of the Middle Ages based on ties of dependance between Suzerain & Vassal.

The Pope

Head of the Church in Medieval Society.

Tithe

Church tax used as a source of income for the Church in the Middle Ages.

Dowry

Donations that monks & nuns had to give to the Church to cover living expenses.

Fiefdom

Also known as a seigneury, it is land given by a Suzerain to his Vassal.

Humanism

Ideology inspired by Ancient Greek and Roman philosophers that believed humans are capable of using reason to understand the word.

Renaissance

Period from 15th - 17th centuries marked by Scientific, cultural and religious renewal.

Reformation

Challenges to the Catholic Church during the Renaissance, leading to the creation of new Protestant Churches.

Individual

Each human being, considered on their own separately from society.

Science

Knowledge acquired through observation, experimentation and reasoning.

Heliocentrism

A discovery during the Renaissance that the Sun is at the centre of the universe.

Geocentrism

The theory that the Earth is at the centre of the universe.

Counter-Reformation

Measures implemented by the Catholic Church to slow the spread of Protestantism.

Society of Jesus

Missionaries sent out to spread Catholicism throughout the world as part of the Counter-Reformation.

Inquisition Tribunals

Courts that would arrest and put on trial anyone who was not Catholic.

Age of Exploration

Period from 15th 16th centuries during which Europeans explored territories unknown to them.

Colonialism

The control, occupation and exploitation of a territory and its people by another state or country.

Empire

A group of territories and people ruled by one single power.

Slavery

The practice or system of owning people as legal property, denying them rights or freedoms.

World Economy

System of commercial trade that operates on a global scale.

Mother country

Country that controls one or more colonies.

Colony

A territory controlled by another country and occupied by people of that country.

Triangular Trade

The trading system established in the 16th and 17th century involving Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

Citizen

An individual who has rights within a society and can participate in government.

The Enlightenment

A period during the 18th century in which philosophers introduced new ideas about knowledge, social structures and power.

Political Regime

A system of organizing power in a society or a form of government.

Revolution

Major political or social changes that profoundly change a society.

Separation of powers

Political principle that divides power into executive, legislative, and judicial branches.

Social Hierarchy

Classification of groups within a society based on rank or position.

Social contract

Jean Jacques Rousseau's idea that citizens hold power and sovereignty and agree to share it with political institutions.

Parliamentary Monarchy

A political system where power is shared between a King and a Parliament.

Executive power

The power to enforce the law.

Judicial power

The power to interpret the law and judge whether laws were broken.

Legislative power

The power to make the laws.

Absolute monarchy

A regime where the King has supreme power by divine right.

Capitalism

Economic system in which capital (money) is invested in private business in order to make a profit.

Mode of Production

Method used to produce goods.

Urbanization

Increasing concentration of the population in cities.

Division of labor

Separating factory work into distinct tasks done by different people.

Bourgeoisie

The class of business owners and entrepreneurs who owned the means of production during industrialization.