World History Final

Primary Source

An original, firsthand document created during a specific time period.

Secondary Source

A document that analyzes a specific event based on a primary source.

Complex Societies

Societies placed near rivers that took advantage of food sources and the ability to grow crops, e.g., Mesopotamia in the Indus Valley.

World’s 3 biggest Religions

Generally includes Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism.

Four Characteristics of a Country

Population, Territory, Government, and Sovereignty.

Sovereignty

The ability to be independent.

Absolute Monarchy

A form of government where a single ruler has complete power.

Constitutional Monarchy

A form of government where power is shared with an elected legislature.

Indian Ocean Trade

A network of maritime routes connecting regions around the Indian Ocean, facilitating trade of goods like silk and gunpowder.

Caliph

A title used for a leader in the Muslim Community, e.g., Abbasid Caliphate.

Ibn Battu

A famous Muslim traveler and scholar who documented the diversity of the Islamic World.

Swahili

Refers to Bantu-speaking people or their language; central to the cultural identity of East Africa.

Great Zimbabwe

An ancient archaeological site in present-day Zimbabwe that prospered due to control of trade routes for gold and ivory.

Mandate of Heaven

An ancient Chinese concept that kings used to assert their right to rule.

Mongol Empire

The largest empire in history founded by Genghis Khan, spanned from East Asia to Eastern Europe.

Chinese Emperors

Held political power and considered themselves the 'son of heaven'.

Japanese Emperors

Played a symbolic role, acting as the head of state during ceremonial duties.

Shinto

The traditional religion of Japan woven through Japanese culture.

Hangul

The native writing system of the Korean language.

Fall Of Rome

A complex collapse due to various long-term events, not a single occurrence.

Vikings

Sailors from Northern Europe who settled in various Western European regions.

Byzantine Empire

Known as the Eastern Roman Empire, established in 330 CE, with Eastern Orthodox Christianity as its main religion.

Great Schism

The division between the Roman Catholic Church (West) and Eastern Orthodox Church (East) that occurred in 1054 CE.

The Crusades

A series of religious wars initiated by the Catholic Church to reclaim the Holy Land from Muslims.

Cahokia

The largest urban settlement of Native Americans located in present-day Illinois.

Teotihuacan

Referred to as the City of the Gods, it was one of the most influential cities in Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica.

Mayan

A prominent Mesoamerican culture known for its calendar systems and unique writing.

Polynesian Migrations

The movement of people across the Pacific Ocean, primarily in boats.

Rapa Nui

Also known as Easter Island, famous for its moai statues.

Mughal Empire

A prominent empire in the Indian Subcontinent known for religious tolerance and art such as the Taj Mahal.

Safavid Empire

A significant empire in Persian history, recognized for its Shiah Islam and the Shah Mosque.

Ming Dynasty

One of China’s most prosperous dynasties, known for its voyages led by Zheng He.

Renaissance

A transformative period in European history characterized by advancements in art and culture.

Aztec

A powerful Mesoamerican civilization known for its architecture and capital city Tenochtitlan, eventually defeated by Hernán Cortés.

Inca

The largest empire in pre-Columbian America, located near the Andes Mountains and known for polytheism.