Time Period 1 Vocabulary

Silk Road

a vast network of interconnected land and sea routes that facilitated trade, cultural diffusion, and the spread of technology and disease across Eurasia from China to the Mediterranean Sea, with its name derived from the luxury silk that was a highly desired commodity in the West.

Black Death

a devastating bubonic plague pandemic that swept Eurasia and North Africa in the mid-14th century, killing an estimated 75-200 million people and significantly altering society.

Stirrup

a metal loop or frame attached to a horse's saddle that supports the rider's feet, improving control, balance, and combat effectiveness.

Saddle

a critical innovation that allowed for the efficient transport of goods and people across difficult terrains like the Sahara Desert, revolutionizing long-distance trade by distributing cargo weight and providing stability for both the rider and the camel.

Yoke

a figurative sense of oppressive rule or control, often implying a loss of freedom or burdensome systems. A prominent example is the "Mongol Yoke," which describes the often-harsh and controlling Mongol rule over Slavic populations after the Mongol conquests.

Steppe

a vast, dry, temperate grassland that served as a crucial geographic and cultural corridor for nomadic pastoralists, like the Mongols, facilitating long-distance trade, warfare, and cultural exchange across Eurasia

Samarkand

a major city and cultural hub on the Silk Roads, located in modern-day Uzbekistan, known for its significant role in trade, magnificent architecture, and as a center of Islamic scholarship and learning under Timur's empire. It served as a crucial stopping point for caravans between China and the Mediterranean and became a testament to the commercial wealth and cultural exchange along these routes.

Banking Houses

a financial institution, often a family business, that managed merchant transactions such as deposits, investments, loans, and currency exchange, enabling safer and more efficient interregional trade by utilizing bills of exchange. These networks of banking houses, found in places like the Silk Roads and the Islamic world. Credit + safer from thieves

Caravanserai

a roadside inn or large hostel built along major trade routes, like the Silk Road, that provided shelter, water, and food for traveling merchants and their caravans, serving as crucial centers for the exchange of goods, cultures, and information.

Hangzhou

the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty and one of the world's largest cities with a population exceeding one million. Strategically located on the Grand Canal and the East China Sea, it was a major center for maritime and internal trade, exporting goods like silk, porcelain, and tea via the Silk Roads and maritime routes.

Baghdad

the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate (750-1258 CE), a major global intellectual and cultural center during the Golden Age of Islam, and a key hub on medieval trade routes. Center for translation, scholarship, and the exchange of ideas across cultures, before its fall to the Mongols in 1258.

Sogdian Merchants

Iranian traders from the ancient region of Sogdiana (modern Uzbekistan and Tajikistan) who played a crucial role in the Silk Road trade from roughly the 4th to the 8th centuries CE. They established diasporic communities along trade routes, acting as "cultural bees" to spread goods, ideas, languages, and traditions across Central and East Asia.

Silk

highly valued Chinese luxury fabric itself and the broader "Silk Roads" network that facilitated its trade and the exchange of ideas across Eurasia.

Relay Trade

a system of long-distance commerce where goods are passed from one merchant to another, changing hands multiple times along a route before reaching their final destination.

Caravan

a group of merchants, pilgrims, or travelers who journey together for safety and efficiency, typically using animals like camels or horses to transport goods and people across land,

Flying Cash

a Chinese system of credit certificates that allowed merchants to deposit money in one location and withdraw the equivalent amount in another, eliminating the need to carry large sums of heavy metal coins for long-distance trade

Paper Money

legal currency issued on paper, developed in China as a convenient alternative to metal coins, beginning in the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE) as "flying cash" and becoming more widespread during the Song Dynasty (11th century).

Currency

a system of money in general use as a medium of exchange, fulfilling the economic functions of a unit of account, a store of value, and a medium of exchange.

Indian Ocean Sea Lanes

lanes throughout the Indian Ocean connecting East Africa, the Persian Gulf, India, Southeast Asia, and southern China.

Monsoon Winds

seasonal wind patterns, particularly in the Indian Ocean region, that reverse direction seasonally. These predictable, strong winds facilitated trade along the Indian Ocean routes by allowing sailors to plan voyages and established distinct wet and dry seasons in South and Southeast Asia.

Lateen Sails

a triangular sail that enabled ships to sail against the wind (tacking), greatly increasing maneuverability and allowing for early oceanic navigation by catching winds from different directions, unlike earlier square sails.

Dhow

a traditional one- or two-masted Arab sailing vessel with lateen (triangular) sails used for trading heavy goods, particularly in the Indian Ocean and Red Sea.

Swahili City States

independent, urban-based centers of trade along the East African coast that flourished from the 11th century onward. Characterized by a unique culture blending African and Arab traditions, they acted as intermediaries in the Indian Ocean trade network, connecting goods from Africa's interior with Asia and the Middle East.

Gujarat

a region in western India that became a major center for Indian Ocean trade and manufacturing from the medieval period onward. It was known for exporting commodities like cotton textiles and indigo, receiving gold and silver in return, and producing leather goods, carpets, and silk.

Camel Caravan

a group of people traveling with camels, primarily for trade, communication, or pilgrimage, using the camels' ability to traverse harsh desert environments.

Sultanate Of Malacca

a thriving, powerful city-state centered on the vital Strait of Malacca from around 1400 to 1511, becoming a major Islamic trading hub and the center for the spread of Islam in Southeast Asia before its fall to the Portuguese. It controlled the most important maritime route between the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea, amassed wealth through trade and tariffs

Great Zimbabwe

the powerful capital of a southern African trading kingdom from the 11th to 15th centuries. Walls and tower of the Great Enclosure, which served as a seat of power, religion, and administration for a society that derived wealth from gold, ivory, cattle, and agriculture, and controlled vital trade routes to the Indian Ocean coast.

Malay

a designation for peoples of Southeast Asian origin who settled the Malay Peninsula, parts of Indonesia, and the Philippines. 2) The Malay language, which served as a lingua franca for trade and communication across the Malay world, especially during the Malacca Sultanate.

Southernization

the process of various economic and technological innovations that originated in Southern Asia and then spread to other parts of the world, including the Middle East, East Asia, Africa, and eventually Europe

Junks

a type of Chinese sailing ship characterized by fully battened sails, a central rudder, and watertight bulkheads, developed by the Song Dynasty and used for extensive voyages in the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia.

Eunuchs

castrated men employed in royal courts, particularly in China and the Middle East, who served as trusted, non-hereditary officials, advisors, and servants.

Kilwa

a powerful and wealthy Swahili Coast city-state (modern-day Tanzania) that flourished between the 11th and 15th centuries by controlling trade in gold, ivory, and other goods from the African interior with merchants from the Indian Ocean World

Swahili Language

the language and the Swahili Coast culture that emerged from the mixing of Bantu-speaking Africans and Arab traders in East Africa, becoming a hub for Indian Ocean commerce from the 8th to the 16th centuries.

Magnetic Compass

a Chinese invention that significantly improved navigation by allowing sailors and travelers to determine direction, even when celestial navigation (using stars) was not possible. It is an instrument with a magnetic needle that aligns with Earth's magnetic field to point north

Astrolabe

an ancient astronomical and navigational instrument used to determine latitude by measuring the altitude of stars and planets, thus aiding in long-distance sea travel and the creation of trade networks during the Age of Exploration.

Stern Mounted Rudder

a steering device mounted at the back of a ship that significantly increased maneuverability and control, allowing ships to beat into the wind, navigate narrow channels, and facilitate long-distance trade and the Age of Exploration. Originally a Chinese invention, the stern rudder spread to other cultures,

Diasporic Communities

groups of people with a shared heritage or homeland who are dispersed across different geographic locations, maintaining a collective identity and cultural connection to their place of origin while adapting to new environments.

Entrepots

a port, city, or trading center where goods are brought for import, export, storage, or collection and distribution, effectively serving as a hub for long-distance trade and facilitating the exchange of commodities for traders.

Zheng He

the Muslim eunuch admiral who commanded seven massive naval expeditions for the Ming Dynasty of China from 1405 to 1433. These voyages showcased Chinese power, reestablished the tribute system by collecting tribute from foreign rulers, and facilitated trade across the Indian Ocean, reaching as far as East Africa.

Trans-Saharan Trade

the network of trade routes across the Sahara Desert connecting North Africa and the Mediterranean world with sub-Saharan Africa, primarily from 1200-1450 CE. This network facilitated the exchange of gold, salt, slaves, and other goods.

Oases

a fertile area in a desert where water from underground sources (springs, aquifers) surfaces, creating a vital hub for human settlement, agriculture, and trade along arid routes like the Trans-Saharan trade.

Camel Saddle

a specialized system of gear that increased the stability, comfort, and carrying capacity of camels, revolutionizing desert travel and facilitating the growth of long-distance trade.

Timbuktu

a historically significant city in Mali, West Africa, that served as a major center of the Trans-Saharan Trade, known for its trade in gold, salt, and ivory and its development into an important intellectual and spiritual capital of Islam.

Sahara Desert

the world's largest desert, a vast, arid region in North Africa that served as a barrier but was also a vital conduit for the Trans-Saharan trade routes, facilitating the exchange of goods like gold and salt, as well as the spread of Islam to sub-Saharan Africa via camel caravans and oases.

Sahel

a vast, semi-arid transition zone in Africa located between the Sahara Desert to the north and the more humid savannas to the south, stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea.Meaning "shore" or "coast" in Arabic

Gold-Salt Trade

the ancient and medieval trans-Saharan trade route that connected West Africa with North Africa and the Middle East, where gold from West Africa and salt from the Sahara Desert were exchanged. Also spread of Islam.

Berbers

the indigenous peoples of North Africa who were instrumental in the development of the trans-Saharan trade network and the spread of Islam. lifestyles ranging from settled farmers to nomadic merchants and herders.

Song Dynasty (East Asia)

Chinese dynasty (960-1279) known for economic prosperity, urbanization, and technological innovation.

Neo-Confucianism (East Asia)

Revival of Confucian philosophy blended with Buddhist and Daoist ideas during the Song era.

Filial Piety (East Asia)

Confucian idea emphasizing respect and obedience toward one's parents and elders.

Civil Service Exam (East Asia)

Confucian-based examination system used to recruit bureaucrats in imperial China.

Sinification (East Asia)

The process by which non-Chinese societies come under the influence of Chinese culture.

Champa (Wet field) Rice (East Asia)

Fast-ripening rice from Vietnam that increased agricultural output in China.

Tribute System (East Asia)

Diplomatic practice where surrounding states paid tribute to China in exchange for trade and protection.

Grand Canal (East Asia)

Massive canal network linking northern and southern China, boosting internal trade.

Foot Binding (East Asia)

Chinese practice of tightly binding girls' feet to keep them small as a sign of beauty and status.

Woodblock Printing (East Asia)

Early printing technology where text/images were carved into wooden blocks for mass copying.

Emperor (East Asia)

Supreme political ruler in imperial China regarded as the "Son of Heaven."

Dynastic Rule (East Asia)

Government where power is passed down through a ruling family line.

Mandate of Heaven (East Asia)

Chinese belief that rulers ruled with divine approval, which could be lost if they governed poorly.

Scholar Gentry (East Asia)

Educated land-owning elite who held most bureaucratic positions in China.

Eunuch (East Asia)

Castrated officials who worked in the emperor's court and often held great political influence.

Ming Dynasty (East Asia)

Chinese dynasty (1368-1644) that restored native rule after the Mongols, emphasized Confucian traditions, and expanded trade and culture.

Koryo (East Asia)

Korean dynasty (918-1392) heavily influenced by Chinese culture.

Heian Period (East Asia)

Japanese era (794-1185) known for aristocratic culture and the rise of courtly traditions.

Fujiura (East Asia)

A powerful Japanese aristocratic family that controlled politics during the Heian period by dominating the imperial court.

Shogun (East Asia)

Military commander who held actual political power in Japan.

Samurai (East Asia)

Warrior class in feudal Japan who served the shogun and followed the bushido code.

Five Pillars (Dar al-Islam)

Core duties of Islam: faith, prayer, charity, fasting, and pilgrimage to Mecca.

Umma (Dar al-Islam)

The global community of Muslim believers.

Dhimmi (Dar al-Islam)

Non-Muslim communities living under Islamic rule and protected after paying tax.

Sunni (Dar al-Islam)

Largest branch of Islam, believing the caliph should be chosen by the Muslim community.

Shia (Dar al-Islam)

Branch of Islam believing leadership should remain in Muhammad's family.

Sharia Law (Dar al-Islam)

Islamic law code derived from the Qur'an and the Hadith.

Jizya (Dar al-Islam)

Special tax paid by non-Muslims living in Islamic states.

Qu'ran (Dar al-Islam)

Holy book of Islam believed to be the word of God revealed to Muhammad.

Ulama (Dar al-Islam)

Scholars and religious leaders in Islam who interpret the Qur'an and Islamic law.

Seljuk Empire (Dar al-Islam)

Turkic Sunni Muslim empire that dominated the Middle East in the 11th-12th centuries.

Mamluk Sultanate (Dar al-Islam)

Military slave dynasty that ruled Egypt and defeated the Mongols in the 13th century.

Umayyad Caliphate (Dar al-Islam)

First major Islamic caliphate centered in Damascus that spread Islam into North Africa and Spain.

Abbasid Caliphate (Dar al-Islam)

Islamic caliphate (750-1258) known for its cultural and scientific Golden Age in Baghdad.

House of Wisdom (Dar al-Islam)

Center of learning in Baghdad where scholars translated and preserved classical texts.

Sufis (Dar al-Islam)

Islamic mystics who spread Islam through personal devotion and missionary work.

Battle of Talas (Dar al-Islam)

751 CE battle where the Abbasid Caliphate halted Chinese westward expansion and introduced paper to the Islamic world.

Battle of Tours (Dar al-Islam)

732 CE battle where Frankish forces stopped the advance of Muslim Umayyad forces into Western Europe.

Cordoba (Dar al-Islam)

Cosmopolitan Muslim capital in Spain, notable for its wealth and scholarly culture.

Viziers (Dar al-Islam)

High-ranking political advisors or ministers in Islamic governments.

Madrasa (Dar al-Islam)

Islamic school or college where students studied the Qur'an and other subjects.

Ibn Battuta (Dar al-Islam)

Muslim traveler and scholar who documented his journeys throughout the Islamic world in the 14th century.

Hinduism (South Asia/Southeast Asia)

Major Indian religious tradition based on dharma, caste, and reincarnation.

Buddhism (South Asia/Southeast Asia)

Religion founded by Siddhartha Gautama that teaches the path to enlightenment.

Caste System (South Asia/Southeast Asia)

Hindu social hierarchy that divides people into hereditary classes.

Sati (South Asia/Southeast Asia)

Ritual in which a widow would throw herself on her husband's funeral pyre.

Delhi Sultanate (South Asia/Southeast Asia)

Muslim government that ruled northern India and spread Islam in South Asia.

Khmer Empire (South Asia/Southeast Asia)

Powerful Southeast Asian empire (802-1431) centered in present-day Cambodia, known for its Hindu-Buddhist culture, advanced irrigation systems, and the temple complex of Angkor Wat.

Bhakti Movement (South Asia/Southeast Asia)

Indian devotional movement emphasizing personal devotion to Hindu gods.

Buddhist Monasticism (South Asia/Southeast Asia)

Religious practice in which monks and nuns live in monastic communities devoted to meditation, study, and spreading the teachings of the Buddha.

Mahayana Buddhism (South Asia/Southeast Asia)

Buddhist branch that worships the Buddha and bodhisattvas as divine beings.

Theravada Buddhism (South Asia/Southeast Asia)

Oldest Buddhist tradition stressing individual enlightenment and monastic life.