unit 1

The Islamic world united by religion and culture across regions from Spain to Southeast Asia.

Dar al-Islam

Chinese dynasty known for technological innovation and Neo-Confucian revival.

Song Dynasty

A blend of Confucian, Buddhist, and Daoist thought; dominant in East Asia.

Neo-Confucianism

System of land-based hierarchy in Europe and Japan, with lords, vassals, and serfs.

Feudalism

Dar al-Islam

The Islamic world united by religion, culture, and language across regions from Spain to Southeast Asia.

Song Dynasty

Chinese dynasty known for economic growth, technological innovation, and Neo-Confucianism.

Neo-Confucianism

Revival of Confucian thought with influences from Buddhism and Daoism.

Feudalism

A political and social system based on land exchange for service in medieval Europe and Japan.

Delhi Sultanate

Muslim rulers who governed parts of India and spread Islam in South Asia.

Srivijaya Empire

Maritime Buddhist kingdom in Southeast Asia that controlled Indian Ocean trade routes.

Bhakti & Sufi movements

Mystical and devotional forms of Hinduism and Islam that emphasized love and union with the divine.

Mamluk Sultanate

Islamic empire in Egypt ruled by former slave soldiers; resisted Mongol invasions.

Trans-Saharan Trade

Caravan routes across the Sahara trading salt, gold, and slaves.

Indian Ocean Trade Network

Maritime trade system connecting East Africa, the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia.

Silk Roads

Land trade routes connecting China to Europe, spreading goods, ideas, and diseases.

Mongol Empire

Nomadic empire that connected much of Eurasia and promoted trade and stability.

Columbian Exchange

Transfer of crops, animals, people, and diseases between the Americas and Afro-Eurasia.

Triangular Trade

Trade network connecting Europe, Africa, and the Americas (manufactured goods, slaves, raw materials).

Atlantic Slave Trade

Forced transport of millions of Africans to the Americas for plantation labor.

Mercantilism

Economic policy aiming to maximize exports and accumulate precious metals for the mother country.

Joint-stock companies

Businesses owned by investors; funded colonization and trade (e.g., Dutch East India Company).

Encomienda system

Spanish labor system where colonists could demand labor from Indigenous people in exchange for “protection.”

Manchu (Qing) Dynasty

Non-Han Chinese dynasty that ruled China from 1644–1912; expanded borders and upheld Confucian traditions.

Ottoman Empire

Islamic empire based in modern Turkey; known for military power and religious tolerance under the millet system.

Mughal Empire

Muslim empire in India known for religious tolerance and monumental architecture like the Taj Mahal.

Gunpowder Empires

Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal empires that used gunpowder to expand and rule their domains.

Syncretism

Blending of beliefs and cultures (e.g., Sikhism, Vodun).

Absolutism

Political system in which monarchs held total power by divine right (e.g., Louis XIV).

Scientific Revolution

European movement emphasizing reason, observation, and experimentation to understand the natural world.

Industrial Revolution

Transition to machine-based production starting in Britain, transforming economies and societies.

Capitalism

Economic system based on private ownership and profit through market competition.

Marxism

Political theory that advocates for the working class to overthrow capitalism and create a classless society.

Imperialism

Domination of one country over another politically, economically, or culturally.

Social Darwinism

Belief that stronger nations or races are naturally superior; used to justify imperialism.

Nationalism

Strong loyalty and pride in one’s nation or ethnic group, often leading to independence movements.

Enlightenment

Intellectual movement promoting reason, liberty, and the idea that governments should serve the people.

French Revolution

Revolution that ended monarchy in France and spread ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity.

Haitian Revolution

Successful slave revolt that established the first Black republic and ended French control in Haiti.

Meiji Restoration

Period of modernization and industrialization in Japan beginning in 1868.

Opium Wars

Conflicts between Britain and China over the opium trade; resulted in Chinese defeat and unequal treaties.

Berlin Conference

European meeting in 1884–85 that divided Africa among imperial powers with no African input.

White Man’s Burden

Racist idea that Europeans had a duty to “civilize” non-Western peoples through colonization.

World War I

Global conflict (1914–1918) caused by nationalism, militarism, alliances, and imperial rivalries.

Treaty of Versailles

Treaty that ended WWI; blamed Germany and imposed harsh reparations and territorial losses.

Great Depression

Worldwide economic crisis beginning in 1929 that led to unemployment and political instability.

Totalitarianism

A government system with complete control over all aspects of life (e.g., Stalin, Hitler).

World War II

Global war (1939–1945) between the Axis and Allied powers; ended in Allied victory and widespread destruction.

Cold War

Ideological conflict between the US (capitalism) and USSR (communism), without direct large-scale war.

Decolonization

Process by which colonies in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean gained independence after WWII.

Non-Aligned

Group of states that did not side with either the US or USSR during the Cold War.