UNIT vocal
Unit 1: The Global Tapestry
Imperial – Related to an empire or ruling over many lands.
Bureaucracy – A system of government where officials help run things.
Centralized – Power is concentrated in one place or ruler.
Decentralized – Power is spread out among different rulers or groups.
Artisanal – Handmade goods made by skilled workers.
Manufactured – Goods made in large amounts, usually in factories.
Song Dynasty – Chinese dynasty known for advancements in technology and government.
Confucianism – A philosophy based on respect, family, and learning.
Filial Piety – Respect for parents and elders.
Champa Rice – A fast-growing rice that helped feed many people in China.
Porcelain – A fancy, smooth pottery often used for plates and vases.
Abbasid Caliphate – A Muslim empire that advanced science, trade, and learning.
House of Wisdom – A learning center in Baghdad for scholars.
Feudalism (Vassal System) – A system where land is given in exchange for loyalty and service.
Manorialism – A system where peasants work land owned by a lord in exchange for protection.
Coerced Labor – Work that people are forced to do, often unfair or harsh.
Serfdom – Peasants working the land but having little freedom.
Buddhism – A religion focused on ending suffering and finding peace.
Mahayana – A branch of Buddhism that believes in helping others reach enlightenment.
Theravada – A branch of Buddhism that focuses on self-improvement.
Hinduism – A religion from India with beliefs in karma, dharma, and many gods.
Bhakti – A Hindu practice focusing on love and devotion to a god.
Monasticism – Living as a monk, separate from society for religious reasons.
Judaism – A religion that follows the teachings of the Torah and believes in one God.
Christianity – A religion based on the teachings of Jesus.
Islam – A religion founded by Muhammad, following the Quran.
Sufism – A mystical version of Islam focused on personal connection to God.
Missionaries – People who spread their religious beliefs to new places.
Civil Service Exam / Meritocracy – A test used to pick government workers based on skill.
Tributary System – A system where weaker states pay respect or gifts to a stronger state.
Neo-Confucianism – A mix of Confucian, Buddhist, and Daoist ideas.
Footbinding – A painful tradition in China of binding women’s feet to keep them small.
Woodblock Printing/Paper – Early printing method that helped spread knowledge.
Timbuktu – A famous African city known for trade and learning.
Crusades – Religious wars between Christians and Muslims over holy land.
Grand Canal – A huge waterway in China that helped trade and travel.
Zheng He – A Chinese explorer who traveled the Indian Ocean.
Genghis Khan - the founder and first khan of the Mongol Empire.
Unit 2: Networks of Exchange
Commercial – Related to trade and business.
Camel Saddle – A seat for riding a camel, making travel easier.
Caravan – A group of travelers moving together for safety.
Caravanserai – Roadside inns for traders traveling long distances.
Credit – A system of buying something and paying later.
Textiles – Fabrics and cloth used for clothing and trade.
Khanates – Regions ruled by descendants of Genghis Khan.
Astrolabe – A tool to help sailors navigate using the stars.
Compass – A device that shows direction and helped improve sea travel.
Diaspora – Groups of people moving away from their homeland.
Indigenous – Native to a specific place.
Monsoon Wind – Seasonal winds that helped sailors trade in the Indian Ocean.
Epidemic – A disease that spreads quickly among people.
Bills of Exchange – A document promising payment for trade.
Banking House – A place where people stored and borrowed money.
Silk Roads – Trade routes connecting Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
Porcelain – A fancy ceramic highly valued in trade.
Uyghur Script – Writing system used by the Uyghur people in Central Asia.
Arabic Numerals – The number system we use today, developed in the Middle East.
City-State – A city that acts as an independent country.
Ming Dynasty – Chinese dynasty known for exploration and trade restrictions.
Admiral Zheng He – A Chinese explorer who led massive trading voyages.
Trans-Saharan – Trade routes across the Sahara Desert.
Mali – A powerful West African empire known for gold and trade.
Sub-Saharan – The area of Africa south of the Sahara Desert.
Gunpowder – Explosive material that changed warfare.
Urbanization – Growth of cities as more people move there.
Indian Ocean Trade – A trade network connecting Africa, India, and Asia.
Marco Polo – A traveler who wrote about his experiences in China.
Ibn Battuta – A Muslim traveler who explored and documented the world.
Flying Cash – A paper money system used in China.
Paper Money – Currency made from paper instead of metal coins.
Banks – Institutions that manage money and loans.
Black Plague/Death – A deadly disease that killed millions in Eurasia.
Mansa Musa – A ruler of Mali known for his wealth and pilgrimage.
Unit 3: Land-Based Empires
Tax Farming – Collecting taxes by hiring private collectors instead of government officials.
Tribute System – A way for empires to gain wealth by making smaller states pay them.
Protestant – A Christian group that broke away from the Catholic Church.
Catholic – The branch of Christianity led by the Pope.
Usury – Charging high interest on loans.
Indulgences – Payments made to the Church to reduce punishment for sins.
Sunni – A branch of Islam that believes leaders should be chosen by the community.
Shi’a – A branch of Islam that believes leaders should be descendants of Muhammad.
Sikhism – A religion combining elements of Hinduism and Islam.
Banner – Military units used by the Qing Dynasty.
Queue Hairstyle – A hairstyle forced on Chinese men by the Qing rulers.
Tsar – A ruler of Russia (similar to an emperor).
Boyar – Russian nobles who owned land.
Cossack – Warriors and horsemen from Russia.
Westernization – Adopting European ideas and technology.
Hagia Sophia – A famous church in Istanbul that became a mosque.
Devshirme – A system where the Ottoman Empire took boys from Christian families and trained them for government or military jobs.
Janissary – Elite soldiers in the Ottoman Empire.
Millet – A system in the Ottoman Empire that allowed different religious groups to govern themselves.
Alhambra Decree – A law that expelled Jews from Spain.
Miniatures – Small, detailed paintings.
Divine Faith – A religion created by Mughal Emperor Akbar to combine different beliefs.
Taj Mahal – A famous tomb built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan.
Mausoleum – A large tomb for important people.
Zamindars – Local landowners who collected taxes for the Mughal Empire.
Marathas – A group in India that resisted Mughal rule.
Renaissance – A period of cultural and artistic revival in Europe.
Divine Right – The idea that kings rule because God chose them.
Caste System – A social system in India dividing people into classes.
Serfdom – A system where peasants were tied to the land and worked for nobles.
Peter the Great – Russian ruler who modernized Russia.
Qing Dynasty (China) – The last imperial dynasty of China.
Ottomans (Middle East) – Powerful Islamic empire controlling much of the Middle East and Europe.
Safavids (Middle East) – A Persian empire known for Shi’a Islam.
Mughals (India) – A Muslim empire ruling India, known for art and architecture.
Fall of Constantinople – The Ottomans conquered the Byzantine capital in 1453.
Turkish Sultan – The ruler of the Ottoman Empire.
Unit 4: Transoceanic Interconnections
Maritime – Related to sea travel.
Caravel – A small, fast ship used for exploration.
Trading Post – A small settlement focused on trade.
Northwest Passage – A hoped-for route through North America to Asia.
Columbian Exchange – The transfer of goods, plants, animals, and diseases between the Americas and the rest of the world.
Eastern Hemisphere – The half of the Earth containing Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Western Hemisphere – The half of the Earth containing North and South America.
Smallpox – A deadly disease that spread during the Columbian Exchange.
Plantations – Large farms growing crops like sugar and cotton.
Tokugawa – A ruling family in Japan that isolated the country.
Encomienda – A Spanish system where colonists controlled land and Native American labor.
Hacienda – A Spanish estate that produced crops for wealth.
Indentured Servants – Workers who agreed to labor for a set time in exchange for passage or land.
Chattel Slavery – A system where slaves were treated as property.
Mercantilism – Economic policy focusing on accumulating wealth through trade.
Joint Stock Company – A business where investors buy shares.
Atlantic System – Trade network linking Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
Vodun – A religion blending African beliefs with Christianity (also known as Voodoo).
Maroons – Escaped slaves who formed their own communities.
Casta System – A racial hierarchy in Spanish colonies.
Kongo – A powerful African kingdom involved in trade with Europeans.
Asante – A West African empire that traded gold and slaves.
Reconquista – The Spanish campaign to reclaim land from Muslims.
Cash Crop – A crop grown for profit rather than food (e.g., tobacco).
Sakoku – Japan’s policy of isolating itself from foreign trade.
Viceroy – A governor ruling a colony on behalf of a king.
Mestizo – A person of mixed European and Native American ancestry.
Our Lady of Guadalupe – A Catholic symbol in Latin America.
Middle Passage – The brutal journey of enslaved Africans to the Americas.
Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade – The trade of enslaved people across the Atlantic Ocean.
Prince Henry the Navigator – Portuguese prince who encouraged exploration.
Silver – A valuable metal that drove global trade.
Potato – A crop from the Americas that became a staple in Europe.
Creole – A person of European ancestry born in the Americas.
Christopher Columbus – Explorer who reached the Americas in 1492.
Unit 5: Revolutions
Enlightenment – A movement focused on reason, science, and individual rights.
Natural Rights – The idea that people are born with rights like life, liberty, and property.
Social Contract – A theory that governments exist because people agree to be governed.
Nationalism – Strong loyalty to one's country or cultural group.
Abolition – The movement to end slavery.
Feminism – The belief in equal rights for women.
Suffrage – The right to vote.
Nation-State – A country with its own government and culture.
19th Century Liberalism – Political ideas focused on freedom, democracy, and individual rights.
Jamaica Letter – A letter by Simón Bolívar promoting independence for Latin America.
Urbanization – The growth of cities as people move there for work.
Capital – Money or resources used for investment.
Factory System – A system where goods are made in factories instead of by hand.
Specialization – Workers focusing on a single part of production.
Steam Engine – A machine that uses steam to power factories and transport.
Internal Combustion Engine – A machine using fuel to create movement, like in cars.
Fossil Fuels – Natural sources like coal and oil used for energy.
Telegraph – A communication device that sent messages over wires.
Meiji Restoration – Japan's effort to modernize and industrialize.
Laissez-Faire – The idea that the government should not interfere in business.
Capitalism – An economic system based on private ownership and profit.
Stock Market – A place where people buy and sell shares in businesses.
Standard of Living – The quality of life based on wealth and resources.
Labor Union – A group of workers who fight for better conditions and wages.
Socialism – An economic system where wealth is shared to reduce inequality.
Communism – A system where the government controls all businesses and resources.
Middle Class – People between the wealthy and poor, often professionals or business owners.
Working Class – People who work in factories or farms, often for low wages.
American Revolution – A war for independence from Britain (1775–1783).
French Revolution – A movement in France to overthrow the monarchy (1789–1799).
Haitian Revolution – A successful slave revolt that led to Haiti’s independence.
Latin American Revolutions – Wars for independence from European rule.
Declaration of Independence – A document declaring the U.S. independent from Britain.
Coal Mines – Places where coal was dug for fuel and industry.
Liberalism – The belief in democracy, rights, and freedoms.
Industrial Revolution – A period of technological advancement and increased production.
Semitism – Relating to Jewish culture and traditions.
Specialization of Labor – Workers focusing on specific tasks to improve efficiency.
Telephone – A device used for long-distance communication.
Railroad – A network of trains used to transport goods and people.
Steamships – Ships powered by steam that made travel faster.
Coal/Iron – Essential materials for industrial growth.
Karl Marx – Philosopher who developed the ideas of socialism and communism.
James Watt – Inventor who improved the steam engine.
Simón Bolívar – Leader of Latin American independence movements.
Unit 6: Industrialization and Global Capitalism
Imperialism – The practice of powerful nations taking control of weaker ones.
Social Darwinism – The idea that strong nations are "naturally" superior.
White Man’s Burden – A belief that Europeans had to "civilize" other races.
Anti-Colonialism – Resistance against foreign rule.
Christian Missions – Groups spreading Christianity to colonized areas.
Congo Free State – A brutal Belgian colony in Africa known for forced labor.
Settler Colonialism – Colonists moving permanently to new lands.
Sphere of Influence – Areas controlled economically or politically by powerful nations.
Suez Canal – A waterway in Egypt connecting Europe and Asia.
Sepoy Mutiny – A rebellion by Indian soldiers against British rule.
British Raj – The period of British rule in India.
Serfdom – A system where peasants worked the land without freedom.
Buddhism – A religion focused on peace and enlightenment.
Open Door Policy – A U.S. policy demanding free trade with China.
Xhosa – An ethnic group in South Africa.
Raw Materials – Natural resources used in production (like cotton or metals).
Finished Goods – Products made from raw materials.
Quinine – A medicine that helped protect against malaria.
Guano – Bird droppings used as fertilizer.
Palm Oil – An important trade product used in cooking and industry.
Opium Wars – Wars between China and Britain over drug trade.
Urbanization – The growth of cities.
Economic Imperialism – Controlling a country’s economy without direct rule.
Migration – The movement of people to new places.
Receiving Society – The society where migrants move.
Prejudice – Unfair treatment based on race or background.
Great Famine – A massive food shortage that caused deaths and migration.
Enclave – A small community of people from the same cultural background.
Chinese Exclusion Act – A U.S. law that blocked Chinese immigration.
White Australia Policy – A law restricting non-European immigration.
East India Company – A British company controlling trade in India.
Dutch East India Company – A Dutch trade company.
Banana Republic – A small country dependent on fruit exports.
Canal System – Waterways built for transport.
Photography – The invention of cameras.
King Leopold II – A Belgian king responsible for colonizing the Congo.
Unit 7: Global Conflict
Bolsheviks – A group that led the Russian Revolution and supported communism.
Propaganda – Media used to spread ideas and influence public opinion.
Pogroms – Organized attacks against Jewish communities.
Nationalism – Strong pride in one’s nation or ethnic group.
No Man’s Land – The dangerous land between enemy trenches in war.
Gulag – Harsh prison camps in the Soviet Union.
Treaty of Versailles – The agreement that ended World War I and punished Germany.
Spanish Flu – A deadly pandemic that spread after World War I.
League of Nations – An international group meant to keep peace after World War I.
Mandates – Territories controlled by foreign nations after World War I.
Great Depression – A global economic crisis in the 1930s.
Hyperinflation – When money loses its value rapidly.
New Deal – A plan to help the U.S. recover from the Great Depression.
Five-Year Plans – Soviet programs to boost industry and economy.
Collectivization – The Soviet Union’s policy of taking control of farms and land.
Fascism – A political system with extreme nationalism and authoritarian rule.
Indian National Congress – A group working for India’s independence from Britain.
Zionism – A movement supporting a Jewish homeland in Palestine.
East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere – Japan’s plan to control and unify Asia.
Enabling Act – A law that gave Hitler full control of Germany.
Totalitarianism – A government that controls all aspects of life.
Militarism – A focus on military strength and war preparation.
Total War – War involving all parts of a country’s resources and people.
Firebombing – Bombing cities to destroy them with massive fires.
Atomic Bomb – A powerful weapon used by the U.S. on Japan in World War II.
Genocide – The deliberate killing of an entire group of people.
Holocaust – The mass murder of Jews by Nazi Germany.
Holodomor – A famine in Ukraine caused by Soviet policies.
United Nations – An international group formed to promote peace.
Self-Determination – The idea that people should choose their own government.
Russian Revolution – A movement that overthrew the Russian monarchy in 1917.
Spanish Civil War – A war in Spain between fascists and republicans.
Lenin – Leader of the Russian Revolution and first ruler of Soviet Russia.
Decolonization – The process of colonies gaining independence.
New Economic Plan – Lenin’s program to allow some private business in Soviet Russia.
Partition of India – The division of India into India and Pakistan in 1947.
Mao Zedong/Long March – The communist leader of China and his military retreat.
Sun Yat-sen – The first leader of modern China.
World War I – A global war from 1914 to 1918.
World War II – A global war from 1939 to 1945.
Alliance – Agreements between countries for protection.
Total War – A war involving entire nations and economies.
Adolf Hitler – The dictator of Nazi Germany during World War II.
Unit 8: Cold War and Decolonization
Superpowers – The most powerful countries (U.S. and Soviet Union during the Cold War).
Marshall Plan – U.S. aid program to rebuild Europe after World War II.
Non-Aligned Movement – Countries that stayed neutral during the Cold War.
NATO – A military alliance led by the U.S.
Warsaw Pact – A military alliance led by the Soviet Union.
Anti-Colonialism – Movements against foreign rule.
Iron Curtain – The division between communist and capitalist Europe.
Containment – The U.S. policy of stopping the spread of communism.
Proxy War – Wars where powerful countries support smaller nations instead of fighting directly.
Nuclear Proliferation – The spread of nuclear weapons to different nations.
Deterrence – The idea that nuclear weapons prevent war.
MAD (Mutually Assured Destruction) – The belief that both sides would be destroyed in nuclear war.
Contras – A rebel group in Nicaragua supported by the U.S.
Great Leap Forward – A failed attempt by China to modernize quickly.
Cultural Revolution – A movement in China to remove old traditions and strengthen communism.
Land Redistribution – Governments taking land from the rich and giving it to the poor.
38th Parallel – The border between North and South Korea.
Berlin Wall – A wall separating communist East Berlin from capitalist West Berlin.
Cuban Missile Crisis – A tense conflict between the U.S. and Soviet Union over nuclear missiles in Cuba.
Détente – A period of relaxed tensions between the U.S. and Soviet Union.
Star Wars (SDI) – A U.S. missile defense plan against nuclear attacks.
Glasnost – Soviet policy allowing more openness and free speech.
Perestroika – Soviet policy for economic reforms.
Tiananmen Square – A protest in China that was violently suppressed.
Partition of India – The division of India into India and Pakistan.
Satyagraha – Gandhi’s method of nonviolent resistance.
Israel – A Jewish state created in 1948.
Metropole – The parent country of a colony.
Apartheid – The racial segregation system in South Africa.
Al-Qaeda – A terrorist group responsible for the 9/11 attacks.
Nuclear Weapons – Powerful bombs that could destroy entire cities.
Korean War – A war between North and South Korea.
Vietnam War – A war between communist North Vietnam and capitalist South Vietnam.
Ho Chi Minh – Communist leader of Vietnam.
Cold War – A period of tension between the U.S. and Soviet Union.
Khmer Rouge – A brutal communist government in Cambodia.
Nelson Mandela – Leader of the fight against apartheid in South Africa.
Unit 9: The Present
Cellular – Wireless communication technology.
Internet – A global network for communication and information.
Shipping Container – A method for transporting goods worldwide.
Petroleum – Oil used for fuel.
Birth Control – Methods to prevent pregnancy.
Green Revolution – Agricultural advances to increase food production.
GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms) – Crops changed to grow better.
Vaccines – Medicine that prevents diseases.
Antibiotics – Medicine that kills bacteria.
Tuberculosis – A lung disease.
HIV/AIDS – A virus that weakens the immune system.
Alzheimer’s – A disease affecting memory.
Deforestation – Cutting down forests.
Desertification – Land becoming desert due to environmental damage.
Greenhouse Gas – Gases that trap heat and cause climate change.
Climate Change – Long-term changes in Earth’s temperature and weather.
WTO (World Trade Organization) – A group that regulates global trade.
Free Market Policy – An economic system with little government control.
Knowledge Economy – An economy based on technology and education.
Production Economy – An economy focused on making goods.
Multinational Corporation – A business operating in many countries.
UN Declaration of Human Rights – A statement of global human rights.
Feminism – The fight for gender equality.
U.S. Civil Rights Act – A law banning racial discrimination.
Green Belt Movement – A movement promoting environmental protection.
Consumer Culture – A focus on buying and selling goods.
Reggae – A music style from Jamaica.
Bollywood – India’s film industry.
United Nations – An international group promoting peace and cooperation.
Radio – A communication device that spreads information.
Heart Disease – A leading cause of death worldwide.
Deng Xiaoping – A Chinese leader who introduced economic reforms.
Civil Rights Act – A law promoting equality.
World Bank – An organization providing financial aid to countries.
Social Media – Online platforms for communication.
World Cup – A global soccer tournament.
K-Pop – Korean pop music.
Anime – Japanese animated TV shows and movies.
Norman Borlaug – Scientist behind the Green Revolution.