The Global Tapestry: The World in 1200–1450

Flashcards covering key concepts, terms, and ideas from the lecture on The Global Tapestry in the context of global history from 1200 to 1450.

Global Tapestry

A metaphor illustrating how people's lives were shaped by local and regional influences while being increasingly woven into larger patterns.

Legitimacy

The reason people accept someone as a rightful ruler, often based on religion, ancestry, military success, or prosperity.

Administration

The methods used by rulers to control territory, involving bureaucrats, local elites, tribute, military governors, and record-keeping.

Social Order

The hierarchical organization of society, including class, caste, ethnicity, religion, and gender, along with their reproduction.

Belief Systems

Organized systems of thought or religion that shape law, education, and social roles, often used by rulers to justify power.

Sūfism

A mystical Islamic belief system that emphasizes personal experiences of God and often aids converts in culturally diverse communities.

Caste

A social hierarchy system in South Asia linked to occupation, status, and rigid boundaries that persist through various political changes.

Neo-Confucianism

A revival of Confucian thought that emphasizes moral governance, social order, and education while often integrating Buddhist ideas.

Mita

An Andean labor system requiring individuals to perform public service, reflecting the Inca's administrative methods.

Tribute

Goods or labor paid by conquered peoples to the ruling empire, signifying subordination while maintaining some local governance.

Feudalism

A decentralized political system where nobles held land in exchange for loyalty and service, forming the basis of societal organization in medieval Europe.

Confucianism

An ethical and social philosophy that stresses restoring political order through familial relationships and civic duties.

Abbasid Caliphate

An Islamic state known for its cultural and intellectual achievements, particularly during its golden age of scholarship and trade.

Buddhism

A religion based on the teachings of the Buddha that emphasizes the problem of suffering and offers a path towards liberation.

Islam

A monotheistic faith founded by Prophet Muhammad, marked by the Five Pillars which guide belief and practice within the Muslim community.

Dynasty

A sequence of leaders from the same family, often used in historical context to refer to ruling family lines in states such as China or Europe.

Mercantilism

An economic theory where trade generates wealth, forming the basis for many states' strategies to grow economically and politically.

Ritual Power

The use of religious or ceremonial practices to legitimize and consolidate authority among rulers.