HIST 100: ID Terms (midterm)

cahokia (700-1400)

who: cahokia’s were Mississippian native Americans who were farmers, builders, and traders who grew maize

what: large urban city with earthly mounds (used to show power)

where: present day st Louis, missouri

significance: largest and most complex urban center

toltecs (900-1100)

who: mesoamerican people known for their warriors, builders, and artisans 

what: powerful civilization that ruled central Mexico 

significance: shaped mesoamerican art, architecture, and religion; culture influenced the Aztecs

chimu empire (900-1470)

pre Incan empire known for its advanced irrigation and urban planning

who: chimu people in northern coast of southamerica

where: chan chan (modern day Peru)

significance: largest and most advanced civilization before the Inca; developed complex cities and irrigation systems

universalizing religions (300-600)

belief systems that seek to appeal to people from all cultures

where: buddhism (india to asia), christianity (Middle East to Europe), islam (Mecca and Medina to afro Eurasia)

five pillars of islam

significance: defined muslim beliefs and practices

what: proclaim there is one god (alla) and Muhammad is his prophet, pray 5 times daily facing Mecca, take a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in lifetime, fast from sunrise to sundown during the month of ramadan, pay alms in the form of taxation to alleviate hardships of the poor

sunnis (632 CE)

who: muslim people who believed political succession should be through Muhammad

where: originated in Arabian peninsula but spread across afro eurasia

significance: led to the formation of Umayyad and abbasid caliphates; largest branch of islam 

shiites (632 CE)

who: muslim people who believed political succession should be through Ali

significance: sunni- shiite division was one of the most important and lasting splits in islam 

civil service examinations

who: used by the Chinese imperial government to select bureaucrats based on merit rather than birth

what: examination testing knowledge on confucianism 

when: developed during Han dynasty and expanded under tang and song 

significance: promoted a merit based bureaucracy and strengthened confucian values

roman catholicism

largest branch of christianity led by the pope; centered in Rome, Italy (Western Europe) 

significance: inspired major historical movements like the reformation and counter reformation 

greek orthodoxy

emphasized authority of church councils rather than the pope; centered in Constantinople (Eastern Europe) 

significance: foundation for byzantine empire

vikings

who: Scandinavian warriors from Norway, Sweden, and Denmark 

what: traders explorers, and warriors known for their raids and settlements in europe

significance: expanded trade networks and cultural exchange across Europe 

monasticism

religious way of withdrawing from society andfocusng on christianity and prayer; monks (buddhism) and nuns (christianity) dedicate their lives to religious devotion 

when: buddhism - 4th to 5th century, christianity - 3rd to 4th century 

jizya

who: imposed by muslim rulers to christians and jews living under islamic rule

what: tax paid by non-muslims if you lived under islamic rule

significance: symbolized religious and social stricture reflecting tolerance and hierarchy; allowed non muslims to practice their faith while contributing to the state and living under islamic rule

sufism (12th-17th century) 

who: sufis (muslims focused on spiritual practice and achieving a personal connection with God)

what: emphasizes personal spiritual experience and closeness to God (alla); practices include meditation, music, poetry, art, etc. 

where: originated in Middle East and spread through afro eurasia

significance: influenced literature, music, and art in islamic world; spread islam peacefully 

entrepots (17-19 century)

who: main users were merchants, traders, and shipping companies

what: trading center where goods are imported, stored, and exported without paying heavy duties

significance: enabled global trade and helped connect economies; promoted the spread of cultures, ideas, and technologies

delhi sultunate (1206-1256)

who: founded and ruled by muslim dynasties

what: series of muslim led kingdoms that ruled northern India; most powerful of the Turkish muslim regimes

where: delhi, India

significance: marked the beginning of muslim rule in India; India was a cultural mosaic because of its tolerance

mali empire (1226-1610)

who: founded by mansa musa

what: west african empire that grew wealthy through trade, especially in gold and salt

significance: major center of trade and culture; wealth under mansa musa spread knowledge of africans riches to Europe and Middle East 

song china (960-1279)

what: known for technological innovations like gunpowder and compass; emphasized civil service exams and merit based bureaucracy 

flying cash

who: merchants and traders in china during tang and song dynasty 

what: allowed merchants to deposit money in one location and withdraw it in another, reducing the need to carry large amounts of coins

significance: made long distance trade safer and more efficient; fueling economic growth in chine

mongols (1206-1260)

who: people from inner eurasia; lived in tents and hunted and herded livestock; Genghis khan is leader 

what: created mongol empire; known for military strategy and horseback warfare

significance: connected east and west, facilitating the Silk Road and spread of technology, ideas, and disease (Black Death)

yuan dynasty (1271-1368)

who: founded by kublai khan; part of mongol empire

what: mongol ruled dynasty in china

significance: unified china after song dynasty 

Black Death (1346-1353)

rats were infected with pathogens, fleas bit rats then bit humans 

affected climate - caused drought and famine

spread of plague across eurasian world was believed to be a punishment from God

Ottoman Empire (1299-1922)

where: modern day Turkey

what: empire with a stance of religious tolerance, military strength, and innovative measures

significance: controlled major trade routes between Europe and Asia

Topkapi palace

who: residence of ottoman sultans and center of government 

significance: symbolized power and wealth of ottoman empire

sultans

who: muslim rulers of Ottoman Empire; seen as caretakers of islamic faith; promoted for more mosques to spread their faith 

devshirme

a system where each village was forced to levy tasks of handing over christian boys (ages 8-18) and were forced to learn islam, speak Turkish, and serve

significance: created a bureaucracy and military that strengthened the ottoman state; represented control over christian populations

Safavid empire (1501-1722)

who: founded by ismail

where: centered in Persia (modern day Iran)

significance: established shiite as the official state religion in Persia 

renaissance (1430-1550)

what: a revival that emphasized humanism and the study of greek and roman ideas 

significance: inspired new ways of thinking that led to the scientific revolution and enlightenment; encouraged humanism, changing how people viewed themselves and society 

humanism

what: focused on human potential, individual achievement, and the study of greek and roman texts

significance: shifted European thought from a religious centered view to one focused on human experience

sikhism

what: monotheistic religion that emphasizes equality, service, honesty, and devotion to one God

significance: emerged during a time of religious conflict between hindus and muslims so offered a message of unity and tolerance; influenced social reform, human rights, and community service globally 

inquisition

who: led by the Catholic Church under authority of the pope

what: church courts aimed at identifying, trying, and punishing people holding beliefs against church teachings

significance: used torture and public trials to maintain religious unity; strengthened power of the Catholic Church 

taints

indigenous people who lived in the greater Antilles; known to be very welcoming because they were curious of europeans; first people encountered by Christopher Columbus

caribs

lived in lesser Antilles; known to be aggressive and warlike; were suspicious and wary of europeans

Inca (1438-1533)

where: south america

what: largest empire in the americas in 1400s

significance: had an elaborate system of sending messages using runners and quipus 

Aztecs (1428-1521)

who: indigenous mesoamerican people led by moctezuma

what: organized, wealthy empire known for military power, religion, trade, and architecture; conquered by Hernan cortes

significance: practice polytheistic religion; but impressive architecture

columbian exchange

what: transfer of plants, animals, people, diseases, and ideas between the old world and new world

significance: massive population decline among people due to old world diseases; led to Atlantic slave trade

conquistadors

who: spanish and portugese soldiers, explorers, and adventurers 

what: European conquerors who led military expeditions to claim new territories in the americas for Spain and Portugal 

signifance: conquered empires (aztec and Inca); carried old world disease; spread European culture, language, and religion

encomienda

labor system where spanish settlers were granted the right to collet labor and enslave indigenous people

encomenderos

people who forced indigenous people to pay a tax and sometimes convert to catholicism 

chattel slavery (1500s-1800s)

who: europeans enslaved africans and brought them to the americas

what: enslaved people were treated as property/ bought and sold, and whose children were brought into slavery

significance: led to forced migration of millions of africans; caused human suffering; shaped racial hierarchies and racism 

Atlantic system

network of trade linking Europe, Africa, and americas across the Atlantic Ocean; triangular trade changing goods, enslaved africans, and cases crops

Mughal empire (1526-1857)

what: muslim dynasty that ruled much of South Asia; embraced a tolerant religious policy 

significance: promoted religious tolerance and encouraged dialogue between hindus and muslims

mercantilism

what: theory and system that believed a nation’s strength depended on its wealth; worlds economic system is fixed

significance: led to global trade networks like the Atlantic system

chartered companies (16-18 centuries)

who: created by European monarchs and governments 

where: across Europe and colonial regions of Asia, Africa, and americas

what: business that received special permission by the government to to trade, colonize, and govern certain territories 

significance: spread European influence and established global trade networks

elmina castle

fortified castle located on coast of west Africa

forts were used as holding cells for captive africans - they were locked up for days before being forced on slave ships that would make a voyage across middle passage 

significance: became a central hub for atlantic  slave trade; symbolizes the violence of European imperialism and human suffering caused

middle passage (early 1500s to mid 1800s)

what: sea voyage that transported enslaved africans across Atlantic Ocean to americas as part of the atlantic slave trade

significance: more than 12 million africans were forcibly brought to new world to be ensalved; foundation for racism and systematic hierarchies

marie séraphique

what: slave ship that carried enslaved africans across Atlantic Ocean

significance: provides one of the most detailed visual records of middle passage, displaying brutality and dehumanization 

L’Aurore (late 19th to early 20th century)

what: French newspaper focused on justice, truth, and defense of individual rights

significance: symbol of freedom of the press and fight for justice

little ice age (14th century to mid 19th century) 

what: period of global cooling with colder temperatures, shorter growing seasons, and harsh winters

where: northern hemisphere (Europe, North America, parts of Asia)

significance: led to crop failures and famines; encouraged technological and cultural adaptations (new farming methods, better ships, new diet, etc)

protestant reformation (1500s)

who: led by Martin Luther

what: religious reform movement that challenged authority and practices of roman Catholic Church and turned to scriptures in the bible

significance: split western christianity; served as a justification for colonization for slavery and motivation for conflict

counter reformation

what: catholic church’s response to protestant reformation - aimed to stop spread of protestantism and revive catholic church

significance: reaffirmed Catholic doctrines (authority of pope); reformed corrupt practices within the church; slowed spread of Protestantism 

mamluks

enslaved soldiers trained as warriors in islamic world

Tokugawa shogunate (1630s to mid 1800s)

who: founded by Tokugawa Ieyasu in Tokyo, japan

what: military government that controlled Japan maintaining strict social order and restricted foreign influence and christianity 

significance: enforced a strict social hierarchy and policies of isolation

oceania (800-1500s)

what: australia, New Zealand, islands of southwest pacific)

significance: europeans used wealth they amassed and extracted from the new world to fund explorations in the pacific world

manchu

who: nomadic people from china who founded the Qing dynasty

significance: founded Qing dynasty, which became one of the largest and most powerful empire in china 

canton slavery (1700s to 1800s) 

what: trade policy that limited all foreign trade to single ports in canton 

significance: regulated and restricted trade; became a trade hub for the exchange of enslaved labor and workers

muscovy

who: Russian rulers and subjects (Ivan II and Ivan IV)

what: Russian principality that grew power after decline of mongol rule; became center of political power in Russia 

where: Moscow in present day Russia 

significance: ended mongol rule in Russia 

treaty of Westphalia (1648)

what: treaty that ended the protestant reformation and aimed to promote stability in Europe

significance: ended Protestant reformation and established the idea that each ruler could determine their own state’s religion 

great plaza of Isfahan (late 1500s to early 1600s) 

what: massive public square built under Shah Abbas I - included shah Abbas mosque on one end and markets and trading stalls on other

where: isfahan, iran 

significance: showed Safavid power and wealth; reflected advanced city design linking religion, commerce, and government in one place 

taj mahal (1631-1648)

what: a marble mausoleum designed by an indian architect of Persian origins in India

significance: described by UNESCO as “jewel of muslim art in India” 

enlightenment (1685 to late 17th century)

where: france and england

what: period that involved the spread of ideas of having faith, reason, universal laws, and knowledge

significance: people started to seek equality; contributed to revolutions for balance of power 

philosophes

who: enlightenment thinkers in France who applied the idea of enlightenment and applied reason and scientific method to analyze and critique society 

significance: shaped enlightenment thought promoting reason, tolerance, and human rights

scientific method

what: involves making observations, forming a hypothesis, conducting experiments, collecting data, and draining conclusions to develop/ test theories

significance: laid foundation for modern science and challenged the church’s control over knowledge 

creoles (1500s-1780s)

who: people of European descent who were born in the americas

what: denied equal power and status

significance: division between creoles and peninsular created social and political tension in Latin America

peninsulares (1500s-1780s)

who: people who were born in Spain or Portugal but lived in the Americas 

what: held highest position in government, church, and military 

Muhammad (570-632)

founded Mecca (islam religion) 

cared for others and gave back to those who were less fortunate

urged people to submit to one god (alla)

Wu Zetian (624-705)

elevated buddhism as favored state religion under tang empire

fell in love with gazing and created a secret police force to spy on those who were against her (forceful ruler)

charlemagne (768-814)

crowned holy royal emperor by the pope (Western Europe)

mansa musa (1312-1332)

Mali’s most famous emperor

made a hajj (pilgrimage) to Mecca)

Joan of arc

French peasant girl who claimed to receive visits from God instructing her to help the French king reclaim his throne during the hundred years war against England

mimar sinan (1490-1588)

celebrated ottoman architect during ottoman empire

pope clement VI (14-15th century)

issued papl bulls asking public not to blame jews for the Black Death 

hongwu (1328-1398)

first ming emperor for ming dynasty

Isabella of castille and Leon (1451-1504)

fought for catholicism against islam

from iberian world

Ferdinand of aragon (1452-1516)

married Isabella of castille and leon

fought for catholicism against islam 

bartolome de las casas (1484-1566)

spanish priest who brought awareness to abuses that indigenous people faced in the 16th century 

moctezuma II (1502-1520)

ninth emperor of the aztec empire

hernan cortes (1485-1547)

spanish conquistador who invaded mesoamerica

captured moctezuma and wanted to take over Aztecs for power and wealth 

Atahualpa (1502-1533) 

fought with his brother over who would take the throne; won battle and was last emperor of Inca empire

queen Nzinga (1583-1663)

ruled present day Angola for 37 years

tried to have other countries feud with each other to protect her people from slavery - began to use guerrilla warfare 

olaudah equiano (1745-1797)

enslaved person in carribean and US who wrote his experiences

Martin Luther (1483-1546)

openly challenged authority and power of Roman Catholic Church 

ismail (1501-1524)

first shah of Safavid empire; made Shiism official state religion 

akbar (1556-1605)

Mughal emperor skilled in politics and military tactics 

embraced a tolerant religious policy and aimed to make alliances and invited leaders from other religions to learn about other cultures 

Tokugawa leyasu (1543-1616)

founded Tokugawa shogunate

Catherine the great (1762-1796)

longest reigning Russian empress

saw herself as an “enlighten despot”

expanded Russia’s territory