WHAP Spring Final

Humanism

(school of thought of the Renaissance) Emphasis on the individual and the power of people helps to explain the other artistic and academic accomplishments of the era.

Rationalism

(Descartes) A philosophical viewpoint during the Enlightenment that asserts that reason should be the chief source for knowledge rather than sensory experience.

Secularism

A general movement away from religiosity and spiritual belief toward a rational, scientific orientation, a trend adopted by industrialized nations in the form of separation of church and state.

Absolutism

a political system in which a single monarch, usually a king or queen, holds complete and unrestrained power over a country.

Caravanserai

a roadside inn where travelers

could rest and refresh themselves and their

animals (located on major trade routes; Silk

Road).

Early European Explorers

Vasco da Gama (from Portugal, explored India);

Christopher Columbus (from Europe, explored North America);

Ferdinand Magellan (from Portugal, explored East Indies);

Sir Francis Drake (from England, circumnavigation of the world in a single expedition);

Hernan Cortes (from Spain, explored Aztec empire and cause its collapse);

John Cabot (from Italy, explored North America).

Neolithic Revolution

(agricultural revolution) (10000 BC – 2200 BC) marked the transition in human history from small, nomadic bands of hunter-gatherers to larger, agricultural settlements and early civilization.

Age of Enlightenment

(1685 – 1815) A philosophical movement that emphasized reason over superstition and science over blind faith. It was a time of great intellectual and cultural awakening, and it laid the foundations for many of the values and ideals that continue to shape modern Western society.

Industrial Revolution

(1760 – 1840) Time period of changes in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, transportation, and technology had a profound effect on the social, economic and cultural conditions of the times. Started in the UK and spread to Europe, North America, etc. Machines, steam for power, factories, and railroads were invented. Living conditions were poor: bad air quality, small houses, low pay.

Silk roads indian ocean trade

The Silk Road connected Asia, Europe, and Africa. Exported silk, spices, precious metals, etc. Spread cultural exchange and influenced the development of trade interactions and cultural ties between the West and the East.

The Indian Ocean trade network connected Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and East Asia. Traded spices, silk, gun powder, and slaves. Facilitated the spread of technologies and innovations, such as the adoption of the compass and the development of new sailing technologies, which had a lasting impact on the global economy and society and led to economic prosperity in port cities.

Han Dynasty

Imperial dynasty in China from 206 BCE–220 CE. Majority of Chinese culture came to be during this dynasty. Known for the development of the civil service and government structure; scientific advancements (paper), use of water clocks and sundials to measure time, and development of a seismograph. Religion was Confucianism. Defeated by the Wei dynasty.

Dar al Islam

“The House of Islam”—refers to the parts of the world where Muslims are in the majority and the rulers practice Islam.

Protestant Reformation

Religious reform movement in Europe in the 1500s. Resulted in the creation of a branch of Christianity called Protestantism (refers to the many religious groups that separated from the Roman Catholic Church due to differences in doctrine). Led by Martin Luther, a German Monk, who posted his 95 theses on the door of the castle church in Wittenberg. Luther argued that the church had to be reformed.

Renaissance

(1450-1650) a period of time where people began rediscovering classical texts and art from ancient Greece and Rome that changed and created new values socially, politically, and religiously in Europe (A rebirth of art and learning). Began in Italy and spread North. Shift toward new thinking: secularism, individualism (separating oneself from the crowd in terms of ideas and creations), humanism, and rationalism. Important person was Leonardo De Vinci.

Scientific Revolution

(1543 – 1687) Series of events that marked the emergence of modern science when developments in mathematics, physics, astronomy, biology (including human anatomy) transformed views about society and nature. Ways of thinking: abstract reasoning, quantitative thought, understanding how nature works, view of nature as a machine, and the development of an experimental scientific method. Major inventions: telescope, microscope, barometer, etc. Galileo Galilei (father of astronomy and physics) was important.

Zheng He

a Muslim explorer, voyager, and

navigator who greatly expanded the

economic reach of China in India, Africa,

and various countries in the Middle East.

Timur Lang

Turco-Mongol conqueror who founded the Timurid Empire in and around modern-day Afghanistan, Iran, and Central Asia, becoming the first ruler of the Timurid dynasty. His empire set the stage for the rise of the more structured and lasting Islamic gunpowder empires in the 16th-17th centuries. The last Central Asian conqueror to achieve great military successes as a leader of nomad warrior lords, ruling both agricultural and pastoral peoples on an imperial scale.

Guatama

(1500-1600s) Founding figure of Buddhism. He was a Hindu prince born into wealth and nobility, which he promptly rejected and then subsequently dedicated his life to finding an end to human suffering. The culmination of his search came while meditating beneath a tree, where he finally understood how to be free from suffering, and ultimately, to achieve salvation. Belief: human life is a cycle of suffering and rebirth, but that if one achieves a state of enlightenment (nirvana), it is possible to escape this cycle forever.

Chinggis Khan

(1170-1227) Elected

khagan of all Mongol tribes in 1206;

responsible for conquest of northern

kingdoms of China, territories as far west as

the Abbasid regions; died before the

conquest of most of the Islamic world.

Major Cash crops in the Atlantic Slave Trade

America to Europe: sugar, tobacco, cotton, and rice.

Europe to Africa: textiles, rum, and manufactured goods.

Africa to America: slaves.

Islam

A monotheistic religion founded in

the 7th century by the prophet Muhammad.

Islam is based on the belief in one God

(Allah) and the teachings of Muhammad as

recorded in the Quran, the holy book of

Islam.

Christianity

A monotheistic religion based

on the teachings of Jesus Christ as presented

in the New Testament of the Bible. It

emphasizes concepts such as love for all

people, forgiveness of sins through faith in

Jesus Christ, and eternal life after death.

HInduism

(India mostly) A polytheistic

religion that believes in Brahma, the creator

god, and his various incarnations including

Vishnu, Shiva, and Devi. Believe they will

be reincarnated (reborn) after death.

Judaism

Monotheistic religion developed

among the ancient Hebrews. Judaism is

characterized by a belief in one transcendent

God who revealed himself to Abraham,

Moses, and the Hebrew prophets.

Shintoism

Shinto means 'way of the gods' and is the oldest religion in Japan. Key concepts include purity, harmony, family respect, and subordination of the individual before the group. No founder or prophets and there is no major text which outlines its principal beliefs. Believe spirits are present in their natural surroundings.

4 Early River Valley Civilizations

Indus Valley Civilization: developed 1st accurate system of standardized weights and measures; created sculpture, pottery, jewelry, etc. from materials, such as terracotta, metal, and stone.

Ancient Egypt (the Nile): developed writing form of hieroglyphics; famous for its pyramids, pharaohs, mummies, and tombs.

Mesopotamia (Tigris and Euphrates rivers): developed writing system of cuneiform; advanced astronomical and mathematical knowledge, as well as artistic and literary accomplishments.

Chinese civilization (Yellow River): known for papermaking, printing, gunpowder and the compass.

Abbasid Caliphate

(750–1258) Arab dynasty that ruled over the Islamic world,

replacing the Umayyad Caliphate in 750 CE

and lasting until 1258. It was known for its

advancements in arts, science, and culture.

Crusaders

(1000-1300) Military campaigns taken by European Christians to take over the Holy Land and convert Muslims and other non-Christians to Christianity.

Kievan Rus

The first Russian settlement by the vikings, founded by Oleg in the 1800s.

Located in Eastern Europe and Western Russia.

Thrived because of their abundant supply of furs, beeswax, honey and slaves for export, and because it controlled three main trade routes of Eastern Europe.

Mongols

Nomadic people and formidable pastoralists who lived in the steppes of Central Asia, an area that stretches from present-day eastern Kazakhstan to western China. The Mongol empire lasted from 1206-1368 under the rule of Ghengis Khan. Their advanced technology and large army allowed them to conquer China, terrorized Eastern Europe, sacked Baghdad, and attacked the Mamluks in Egypt.

Chan’an China

Capital of the Sui and Tang dynasties, became one of the largest cities on earth. It had a diverse population of more than one million people from many parts of the world. A key staging center for the silk road caravans, it was a city of trade, culture, and wealth, and a center for the spread of Buddhism far and wide in China.

Columbian Exchange

the extensive movements of plants, animals, diseases, and peoples between the Old and New Worlds after Columbus made his voyage in 1492. Resulted in the massive movement of African men and women into the New World.

Treaty of Versailles

Treaty signed by Germany and the Allied Nations on June 28, 1919, formally ending World War One. The treaty required that Germany pay financial reparations, disarm, lose territory, and give up all of its overseas colonies. Led to “war guilt” in Germany.

Treaty of Westphalia

Signed in 1648, ended the Thirty and Eighty Years Wars (in the Holy Roman Empire) and created the framework for modern international relations. Granted religious tolerance to Lutherans and Calvinists in the Holy Roman Empire. It recognized Dutch independence, gave to France the provinces of Alsace and Lorraine.

Treaty of Torddesillas

(1494) An agreement

between the Kingdoms of Spain and

Portugal that defined where each could

explore and claim lands. Divided the rights

to colonize all lands outside of Europe.

Lateen Sail

(Maritime technology used in

the 1400s) Triangular sail that allowed ships

to sail against the wind, increasing

maneuverability and making early oceanic

sailing possible.

Astrolabe

(Maritime tech) Small devices used in Europe and the Arabic world in the Middle Ages that could measure the altitude of objects above the horizon, determine the exact time of day and time of year, and calculate position on the earth. Used for making astronomical measurements and for navigation.

Printing Press

Invented by Johannes Gutenberga in 1436; Device for applying pressure to an inked surface resting upon a print medium (such as paper or cloth), thereby transferring the ink. It marked a revolution in communication and greatly impacted society by spreading literacy (especially across Europe).

Penicillan

Invented by Alexander Fleming in 1928. It is an antibiotic that fights against bacterial infections. The invention of penicillin, and other antibiotics, dramatically improved mankind's ability to resist and fight back against deadly diseases. Used in mass amounts during the World Wars to treat wounds.