Introduction to Major Civilizations (1200 - 1450)

Continuity and Change

The ability of civilizations to maintain stability while experiencing transformations due to various factors.

Trade Networks

Key routes like the Silk Roads, Indian Ocean, and Trans-Saharan that enabled cultural, technological, and economic exchanges.

Cultural Diffusion

The spread of religions, technologies, and ideas across regions, impacting different civilizations.

Comparative Analysis

The process of comparing and contrasting the political, economic, and cultural traits of civilizations.

Song Dynasty

A Chinese dynasty known for its centralized bureaucracy, economic growth, and technological innovations.

Confucian Principles

The philosophical foundation of the Song Dynasty's government and civil service exam system promoting meritocracy.

Champa Rice

A significant agricultural innovation that contributed to economic growth in China during the Song Dynasty.

Technological Innovations

Key inventions from the Song Dynasty, including gunpowder, the compass, and printing technology.

Neo-Confucianism

A cultural movement in China that blended Confucian, Buddhist, and Daoist ideas during the Song Dynasty.

Heian Period

A time in Japan marked by cultural achievements and the dominance of the imperial court and aristocracy.

Kamakura Shogunate

The military government established in Japan during the Kamakura period, shifting power to the samurai class.

Zen Buddhism

A significant religious influence in Japan during the Heian period, impacting culture and aesthetics.

Geography's Role

Japan's islands and mountainous terrain contributed to its cultural isolation and unique development.

Abbasid Caliphate

The dominant Islamic state in the Middle East, known for its political structure centered in Baghdad.

Mamluk Sultanate

A prominent successor state that emerged after the decline of the Abbasid Caliphate.

Islamic Golden Age

A period of significant advancements in science, mathematics, medicine, and philosophy in the Islamic world.

Cultural Exchange

The spread of Islam through trade and conquest, leading to rich cultural interactions in cities like Baghdad and Cairo.

Delhi Sultanate

A series of Muslim dynasties that ruled northern India, marked by military conquests and Islamic governance.

Indo-Islamic Architecture

A cultural syncretism resulting from the exchange between Islamic and Hindu traditions during the Sultanate period.

Mali Empire

A powerful West African state known for its wealth in gold and significant trade routes.

Mansa Musa

A famous ruler of the Mali Empire known for his wealth and pilgrimage to Mecca.

Timbuktu

A center of trade and Islamic learning in the Mali Empire, known for its cultural and educational significance.

Swahili City-States

Independent city-states on the East African coast that played a crucial role in the Indian Ocean trade network.

Cultural Syncretism

The blending of African, Arab, and Persian influences in Swahili culture, evident in language and religion.

Byzantine Empire

The continuation of the Roman Empire in the East, characterized by a strong centralized government and trade hub.

Hagia Sophia

An architectural marvel of the Byzantine Empire, symbolizing its religious and cultural significance.

Feudalism

A decentralized political structure in Western Europe where lords granted land to vassals for military service.

Manorial System

The economic structure in Western Europe where peasants worked the land in exchange for protection.

Catholic Church

The most powerful institution in Western Europe, influencing politics, education, and culture during the medieval period.

Crusades

Significant military campaigns that increased contact between Europe and the Middle East, impacting trade and cultural exchange.