Early Europe, Africa, and Asia

Feudalism

A political system in which nobles are granted the use of lands that legally belong to their king, in exchange for their loyalty, military service, and protection of the people who live on the land

Manor

A large estate, often including farms and a village, ruled by a lord.

Crusades

A series of holy wars from 1096-1270 AD undertaken by European Christians to free the Holy Land from Muslim rule.

Astrolabe

An instrument used by sailors to determine their location by observing the position of the stars and planets

Silk Road

An ancient trade route between China and the Mediterranean Sea extending some 6,440 km (4,000 mi) and linking China with the Roman Empire. Marco Polo followed the route on his journey to Cathay.

caravan

A group of traders traveling together

Kinship

the state of being related to others

Renaissance

"rebirth"; following the Middle Ages, a movement that centered on the revival of interest in the classical learning of Greece and Rome

West African Kingdoms (Ghana, Mali, Songhai)

• trans-Saharan trade

• salt and gold

Chinese technology

Developed numerous improvements in agriculture, invented paper, acupuncture, gunpowder, collar harness, plow and wheelbarrow. The Great Canal was built for trade, coined money was made and used, cast iron was used for weapons and tools. The Chinese also developed gun powder, wood block printing, moveable type printing and the magnetic compass.

colony

A group of people in one place who are ruled by a parent country elsewhere.

Circumnavigation

sailing completely around something, such as the world

Columbian Exchange

The exchange of plants, animals, diseases, and technologies between the Americas and the rest of the world following Columbus's voyages.

Mansa Musa

Emperor of the kingdom of Mali in Africa. He made a famous pilgrimage to Mecca and established trade routes to the Middle East.

Impact of Columbian Exchange

destroyed indigenous culture and led to widespread death of Native Americans

Columbus' Voyage

1492. Landed in SAN SALVADOR. Marked beginning of SPANISH EMPIRE in Americas

Vikings in America

Eric the Red founded Greenland the first viking settlement in north america

Portugese Exploration

explored African coast and around the tip of Africa to find spices