Chapter 1
Hominins-Term Referring to all Humans and their ancestors but not to Chimpanzees, gorillas or Orangutans
Carbon-14-Isotope of Carbon whose presence in organic material can be used to determine the approximate age of archaeological samples
Homo Sapien-Biological term for modern human beings belonging to the genus Homo specials, sapiens and subspecies sapiens
Paleolithic-The stone Age
Neolithic-The new stone age
Prehistory-Before written History
domestication-Manipulating plants and animals to better suit and help us
Chapter 2
Mesopotamia-Greek for “between the rivers”; the region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in today’s Iraq and eastern Syria
Cuneiform-The term meaning “wedge-shaped” for the writing system of the Summer in its Late staged when the script became completely phonetic
Pharaoh-The god-king who ruled the unified kingdom of Egypt from at least 3100 B.C.E, also means pink house
Hieroglyphs-The writing system of ancient Egypt, which consisted of different symbols, some pictorial and some phonetic, used on official inscriptions
Monotheism- Belief in only one god
Sargon-The first ruler to unify Mesopotamia. Changed the language of administration to Akkadian
Hammurabi’s Code-First law code developed, consisted of 282 laws, 25 of which were criminal offenses
Ramses II-One of the greatest Pharaohs, with him being a successful military commander and a strong ruler
Abraham-Father of the three major religions(christianity, Judaism, Islam)
Chapter 3
Dharma-A sanskrit term meaning correct conduct according to law or custom; Buddhists, including Ashoka, used this concept to refer to the teachings of Buddha
Karma-The sum of one’s deeds in this life and all earlier existences that determines one’s rebirth in the next life
Buddha-The founder of the buddhist religion, siddhartha Gautama also called the Buddha or the enlightened one
Nirvana-A sanskrit word that literally means “extinction” as when the flame on a candle goes out. In Buddhism the terom took on a broader meaning: those who followed the eightfold Path and understood the Four Noble Truths would gain true Understanding
Brahmin-Highest ranking of India's four castes. They were Priests
Dalits-Lowest ranking of India's four castes. They were called the untouchables
Chapter 4
Mandate of Heaven-The Chinese belief that Heaven, the generalized Forces of the Cosmos(not the abode of the dead), chose the rightful ruler. China's rulers believed that Heaven would send signs before withdrawing its mandate
Confucianism-The term for the main tenets of the thought of Confucius,,which emphasized the role of Ritual in bringing out people’s inner humanity(a quality translated variously as “benevolence”, “goodness” or “man at his best”)
Daoism-A chinese belief system dating back to at least 300 B.C.E, that emphasized the “way” a concept expressed in Chinese as “dao”. The way of the early Daoist teachers included meditation, breathing techniques and special eating regimes
Legalism-A school of Thought, originating in the fourth Century B.C.E and associated with Qin dynasty rulers, that emphasized promotion for officials and soldiers alike on the basis of merit and job performance not heredity
SunTzu-Great chinese general who wrote the Art of War
Confucius-A teacher who made his living by tutoring students. Known only through the Analects, the record of conversations with his students that they wrote down after his death
Laozi-Founder of Daoism
Wu (Wudi)-First and only Woman emperor of China.
Chapter 5
Mesoamerica-The region that includes the southern two-thirds of modern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica
Olmec-A complex society that arose on the Gulf of Mexico coast from Modern-Day Veracruz to Tabasco. Known particularly for its massive Colossal heads hewn from Basalt
Maya-Indigenous people living in modern-day Yucatan, Belize, Honduras and Guatemala. Their complex society reached its height during the classic period, when they used a fully developed written language
Maize-Corn, native to americans and many native american tribes used this as one of their three major crops
Three sisters farming-Made up of Corn, Bean and Squash. Corn placed on small hills followed by beans around the corn with squash planted around the beans
Chapter 6
Herodotus-A Greek speaking historian born in Halicarnassus. Author of the Histories, an investigation of the history, folklore, geography, plants and customs of the known world. Known as the father of history
Zoroastrianism- Iranian religion for Zarathustra(in persian Zoroaster in greek)who taught that a host of good deities and evil demons,all in perpetual conflict, populate the spiritual world
Cyrus-Founder of the Achaemenid dynasty in Iran. A Native ofPersis,Cyrus staffed his administration with many persians as well as Medes, the tribe he defeated when he took power
Phoenicians-a sea-going people who, around 900B.C.E, expanded outward from their base on the mediterranean coast of modern day Lebanon. Their alphabet which only used letters with no pictorial symbols, is the ancestor of the Roman Alphabet
Hellenism-Formerly seen as a one-way stream of influence in which non-Greek peoples adopted Greek Language, education, sculpture,architecture and other customs but more recently understood as a two-way process, with non-Greeks and Greeks influencing each other.
Phoenicians:Means purple people
Croesus-King of Lydia, extremely wealthy. Ruled until he was defeated by Cyrus the Great
Minos-King of Crete, credited with constructing the labyrinth that housed the minotaur. Also means King in Greek
Helen-Face that launched 1,000 ships, kidnapped by Paris
Paris-Man who kidnapped Helen, later killed
Homer-Transcriber of the Odyssey and Iliad
The Iliad-Prequel to the Odyssey, tells the story of Odysseus and other leaders sacking and taking Troy in order to retrieve Helen
The Odyssey-Tells the story of Odysseus’s return from Troy, taking twenty years in order to get home
Polis-A city state, the community structure of Ancient Greece.
Zeus- Chief god in Ancient Greece
Socrates-Philosopher who taught Plato. Best known for the Socratic Method.
Alexander III-Also known as Alexander the Great,
Eratosthenes-Greek mathematician and geographer who calculated the circumference of the earth. Was only off by 50 miles
Chapter 7-7.2
Carthage-A city in Modern-Day Tunisia originally founded by the Pheonicians. Rome's main rival for control of the mediterranean
Punic Wars-Three wars that Rome and Carthage fought between 264 and 146 B.C.E, all won by Rome
Julius Caesar-Rome's most successful military commander in the first century B.C.E, who was named dictator by the senate in 49 b.C.E
Augustus-The name meaning “revered” that Octavian received from the senate when he became princeps or first citizen of rome in 27 B.C.E
Patricians-Ruling class of Rome
Plebeians-Poor, lower class of rome
Princeps Civitatis-Official title of a Roman emperor, means first Citizen
Nero-Roman Emperor who used Christians as candles in his garden; accused of starting the great fire of Rome, where he was executed for it
Praetorian Guard-The elite unit of the Roman army that served as Personal bodyguards and intelligence agents
Chapt 7.3 7.4
Jesus-Jewish preacher believed by Christians to be the Messiah, the figure who would bring salvation and, through atonement, eternal life to those who believed in him
Paul-An influential early christian leader who traveled widely in Modern-Day Turkey, cyprus and Greece t teach about early Christianity
Constantine-Roman emperor who issued the Edict of Milan, the first imperial ruling that allowed the practice of Christianity and who shifted the capital from Rome to the new city of Constantinople(modern day Istanbul, Turkey)
Theodosius-Last Roman emperor to rule the Entire Roman empire before its administration was permanently split between west and east
Theodoric-Ruler of the Ostrogoths who ruled the conquered Western Roman Empire
Chapter 8
Tang Dynasty-Dynasty that represented a political and cultural high point in Chinese history. The Tang emperors combined elements of the Qin/Han blueprint for empire with new measures to create a model of governance that spread to Tibet, Korea and Japan
Yamato-Ruling family of Japan, all leaders came from the Yamato Clan
Chapter 9
Muhammad-Belived by Muslims to be the last prophet who received GOd’s revelations directly from the angel Gabreil. The first leader of the Muslim community
Caliph-literally “successor” before 945, the caliph was the successor to Muhammad and the supreme political and religious leader of the Islamic world. After 945 the Caliph had no political power but served as the religious leader of all Muslims
Abu Bakr-The first caliph, and advisor to the prophet Muhammad.
Ali-Cousin of Muhammad, was the 4th Caliph before being murdered
Abraham-Father of Three Faiths
Ishmael-Man believed by Muslims to be the one Abraham was going to sacrifice, not Jacob.
Chapter 10
Byzantine Empire-Eastern Half of the Roman Empire after the loss of the western half in 476. Sometimes simply called Byzantium.
Justinian Corpus of Civil Law-Consisting of the Code, the Digest, and the INstitutes, this compendium preserved the core of Roman law for succeeding ages
Carolingian dynasty- An important aristocratic family that overthrew the Merovingian rulers in 751. Their most powerful ruler was Charlsemagne. After his death, the empire was split into three sections, each under a different carolingian ruler
Justinian I-Byzantine emperor, who developed the Justinian code and was emperor during the plagues
Charles Martel-Mayor of the Palace, Rallied a Frankish army to beat Muslim army advancing towards France
Charles I-Also known as Charlesmagne, greatest Carolingian ruler
Chapter 11
Griot-Royal storytellers who served as advisers to the rulers of Mail and other West African states. (A griotte is a female storyteller)
Mali-Kingdom founded in 1230 by Sundiata in West Africa. Generated Revenue by taxing caravans of the trans-Saharan trade
Mansa Musa-Emperor of Mali, promised that converts would have protection and safety in Mecca. If where he stopped didn’t have a mosque, he ordered one built. Brought and gave out gold and its dust
Chapter 12
Zen Buddhism-A japanese school of Buddhism that emphasized attaining Enlightenment through meditation
Bushido-Code Samurai followed. The 7 rules were Righteousness, Loyalty, Honor, Respect, honesty, Courage and Consistency.
Daimyo-Leaders of Warrior bands, had castles built
Chapter 13
guilds-Associations formed by members of the same trade or merchant group that regulated prices and working hours
feudal-A term that came into use after 1600 as a legal concept and refers to the legal and social system in Europe from 1000 to 1400, in which serfs worked the land and subordinates preformed military service for their lords in return for Protection
friars-Members of the begging orders established in Europe between 1100 and 1200, of which the franciscans were best known
Crusader-Term that indicated anyone who attached a cross to his or her clothes as a sign of belonging to a large, volunteer force against the Muslims between 1095 and 1291
Primogeniture-All land and houses, in which the oldest has the right to succession
Thomas Aquinas-One of the most famous scholastic thinkers and a member of the Dominican order; author of summa theologiae which interpreted difficult theological questions
St Francis-Founded the Franciscan order
Saladin-Important muslim ruler in Egypt, fought the crusaders for control of Jerusalem
Reconquista-Series of military campaigns done by European Christian kingdoms waged against the Muslim armies
Chapter 14
Ottomans-Group of Turkic Muslim Nomads who gained control of the Anatolia region in Modern Turkey around 1300, THeir conquest of COnstantinople in 1453 marked the end of the Byzantine empire
Janissaries-an elite corps of slaves trained as professional soldiers in the Ottoman military, Janissary soldiers were Christian youths from the Balkans who were pressed into service and forced to convert to Islam
Chinggis Khan-FOunder of the Mongol empire who united the different peoples living in modern-day mongolia in 1206, when he took the title of Chinggis Khan
Khubilial Khan-Grandson of Chinggis Khan, Was the 5th emperor of the Yuan dynasty, which he started in 1279 when he finished his conquest of China
Chapter 15
Aztec Empire-An empire based in tenochtitlan(modern day Mexico City) that ruled over 4 to 6 million people in Modern-day Mexico and Guatemala
Tenochtitlan-Capital city of the Aztec empire, which the Mexica reclaimed from the swampland with a population of some two hundred thousand people
Inca Empire-Andean empire founded in 1438 by Pachakuti which ruled over a peak population of 10 to 12 Million
The Humanism- Intellectual movement began around 1350 in Italy by scholars who opposed Scholasticism. Emphasized the study of the humanities, which included traditional fields like logic, grammar, arithmetic and music and newer fields like language, history, literature, and philosophy
Renaissance-Literally “rebirth” Term used to refer to the period of humanist revival in Europe. Most historians now play down this term, recognizing that the intellectual advances of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries underpinned those of the humanist era.
Hernan Cortes-Spanish conqueror who led the conquest of the Aztec Empire in Mexico
Malinche-A Nahua woman who contributed to the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire
Moctezuma-9th and last emperor of the Aztec Empire, died after being shot by Spanish soldiers
Francisco Pizarro-A spanish conquistador that led the spanish conquest of the Inca Empire
Petrarch-Scholar and poet, one of the earliesst Humanists
Johannes Gutenberg-The inventor of the printing press
Christopher Columbus-Led three voyages to the new world, claimed lots of land as Spains, set up colonies
Ignatius of Loyola-Founder of the Jesuit order, after he got injured as a soldier and read the bible
Renaissance terms and people
Renaissance-Literally “rebirth”. Term used to refer to the period of Humanist revival in Europe. Most historians now play down this term, recognizing that the intellectual advances of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries underpinned those of the humanist era
Lorenzo Ghiberti-Italian painter and sculpture. Best known for the Gates of Paradise
The Gates of Paradise-doors out on the baptistry of St. John, they depict scenes from the old and new testament
Niccolo Machiavelli-Writer of the Prince, was an author, philosopher and historian
Leonardo da Vinci-Painter, sculpture and inventor whose best known for the Mona Lisa and Vintruvian Man
Michaelangelo-Painter and sculpture whos best known for the frescoes on the ceiling of the SIstine Chapel
Flippo Brunelleschi-Architect who designed the dome of the Duomo and other buildings
Dante Aligheri-Writer of the Divine Comedy
William Shakespeare-famous playwright, poet and actor, best known for Romeo and Juliet.
Chapter 16
joint-stock companies-Business organizations in which, shares are sold to multiple stockholders to raise funds for trading ventures, while spreading both Risk and Profit; often backed by government charters granting monopolies of trade in particular goods or with specific regions
Bourgeoisie-The french term for Urban middle-class society- people with education and property but without aristocratic titles
Catholic Reformation-Reform movement in the catholic church also called the counter reformation that developed in response to the Protestant reformation. The church clarified church doctrines and instituted a program for better training of Priests
Vasco da Gama-Portugese explorer and first european to reach India by sea
Martin Luther-German Theologian who began the protestant reformation with the publication of the ninety five theses, which attacked the churchs sale of indulgences
Galileo Galilei-Polumath, first to report on Telescopic observations, also proved that the earth wasn’t the center of the solar system, but that the sun was.
Chapter 17
Süleyman-Credited with the development of the literature, art, architecture, and law nd for inclusive policies toward religious minorities suleyman extended the ottoman empire whhile maintaining its economic and political sability
Sufi-Islamic mysitc in which adherents follow a set of specified pratices, often involving mediation and rhythmic movement in an attempt to become closer to god. Sufis pay great respect to the leaders of their brotherhoods even after death, often erecting shrines, which they visit as saints’ tombs.
John Calvin-Prodestant leader whose followers emphasized individual scriptural study and the absolute sovereignty of god.
Louis XIV-King of France whose inability to adequately reform the French fiscal system laid the foundation for the French Revolution. After showing reluctance to rule as a constitutional monarch, Louis was arrested and beheaded by republican revolutionaries
Puritans-Seventeenth-century reformers of the Church of England who attempted to purge the church of all catholic influences. They were Calvinists who emphasized Bible reading, simplicity and modesty, and the rejection of priestly authority and elaborate rituals.
Prussia-With its capital at Berlin, Prussia was the rising German power of the eighteenth century. Its military Prowess set it in compition with Habsburg Austria for infulence over the many German-Speaking kingdoms and principalities.
Charles I/V-King of both Spain and the Holy Roman Empire
Philip II-Son of CHarles V and King od spain. Considering himself a defender of Catholicism, Phillip launched attaches on Protestants in England and the Netherlands
Huguenots-French Protestants, Largely Calvinists
Cardinal Richelieu-First Prime Minister in Europe, put what was best for France over what was best for the Catholic Church, worked with Louis XIV
Louis XIV-Also called the Sun king, he moved and held court in Versailles after realizing that Paris was too crowded
Henry VIII-English king who got the title defender of the church by the Pope, had 6 wives, 5 of which he either divorced or killed, with the last one outliving him
Elizabeth I-Queen of England, well liked and didn’t marry.
Oliver Cromwell-puritan leader who organized opposition to Charles continued catholic Influences on the Church of England. Got the Title Defender of Lords
Charles II-CHarles I son. Was invited back from exile by Parliament to reestablish the monarchy.
Diaspora-The dispersion or spread of people from their original homeland, specifically Jews
Enlightenment and American Revolution
René Descartes-French Scientist, Mathematician, and philosopher who developed the deductive method of reasoning(moving from one general principles to particular facts)
Sir Francis Bacon-English politician, essayist, and philosopher who argued for inductive reaoning-working from observation of natural phenomena to larger truths
Isaac Newton-Skilled theoretical and experimental scientist who did more than anyone to create a new systematic architecture for science by stating the universal laws of gravitation. Also one of the inventors of differential calculus, he undertook extensive experiments with optics that led to much more powerful telescopes
Enlightenment-European philosophical movement of the late seventeenth and eighteenth centuries that stressed the use of reason rather than the authority of ancient philosophers or religious leaders, in descriptions of society and the natural world.
John Locke-Philosopher who applied Bacon’s inductive reasoning to the study of politics and argued that a stable social order is based on a contract between rulers and ruled and requires the safeguarding of “life, liberty and property”
Voltaire-The pen name of Francois-Marie-Arouet, one of the most prominent Enlightenment writers who used satire to critique the irrationality of French society
George Washington-Commander of the Continental Army in the American war of Independence from Britain; also the first president of the United States of America
Declaration of Independence-Document written by Thomas Jeffersonjustifying the separation of Britain's north american colonies, declaring them free and independent states
Social Contract-A group of people agree to give up certain rights and accept a central authority to protect their other rights
Adam Smith-18th century scottish philosopher, father of modern economics.
Thomas Jefferson- Author of the Declaration of Independence and the 3rd President of the United States of America
Thomas Paine-Writer of “Common Sense”, which called for American colonies to be freed, stating that no where in nature does a smaller nation rule a larger nation
Baron de Montesquieu-Enlightenment Philosopher who argues that the executive, legislative and judicial functions should be assigned to different bodies so no one branch has the right to infringe on political liberty and they might be restrained by the other branches
Chapter 23
Industrial Revolution-Changes that began in the late eighteenth century Britian and transformed the global economy by creating new markets for Raw materials and finished goods; accpompanied by technological changes that revolutionized production processes, living and working conditions and the environment
James Watt-Scottish inventor who developed the worlds first powerful and cost effective steam engine; one of the most important contributors to Britain's industrial revolution
Henry Bessemer-Made steel and iron easier to produce
Luddites-People who opposed the industrialization of things who often resorted to sabotaging machines
Adam Smith-Scottish economist who wrote the wealth of nations
Samuel Morse-He and his business partner made Morse Code and the Telegraph
Robert Owen-Bought a cotton mill to make workers lives better, went bankrupt
Karl Marx-German author and philosopher who founded the Marxist branch of socialism; wrote the Manifesto of the communist party and Das Kapital
Charles Darwin-English natural historian, geologist and proponent of the theory of evolution.
Dead Reckoning
Dropping a barrel or something that floats, into the water and timing how long it takes to get to the back of the ship. That told you how fast you were going
Cortes and the Aztecs
Landed at Veracruz in February 1519, Helped a Friar who could speak Aztec.
He used Natives who had been conquered to help him with his conquest
Was invited to enter Tenochtitlan in November of 1519.
He had 530 men
His men were called Pigs by the natives because after the warm welcome they kept demanding more and more gold.
He took Montzuma II hostage and demanded a lot of gold to get him back
During an apparent attempt to try and get their ruler back, spanish forces opened fire on Aztec civilians killing over 200 of them. In the midst of this fight Montzuma II was killed
After this they decided it was time to leave and tried sneaking out in the middle of the night, with all the gold they took from the natives. The Aztecs realized what was going on and sounded the Alarm, The bridge was pulled back killing some of Corez’s men when they drowned while carrying the gold.
Cortez was angry at them for this and lay siege to the city.
He destroyed the Aquaducts to the city, and lay siege with cannons brought ashore from ships.
After 53 days the City surrendered to the Spanish marking the end of the Aztec Empire
The Voyages of Christopher Columbus
1st voyage began in 1492 when spain agreed to sponsor his trip and agreed to give him 1/10 of all treasure and trade found in the new world
Left for canary islands on august 6th with three ships: the pinta, mina and santa maria (his flagship)
Used Dead Reckoning and running the parallels for navigation
On october 12th at 2AM land was sited. Columbus unrightfully claimed a pension meant for the person who first sited land. (this exposed his selfishness)
On Christmas Day 1492 the Santa Maria sank on a sandbar and Columbus ordered a Fort to be built, Fort Navidad
Later When Columbus returned to Fort Navidad, he found it had been burned and everyone who stayed there dead.
Columbus returned and ordered the Natives be converted to Christianity. Refusal to do so resulted in death.
2nd Voyage was his greatest voyage he had 17 ships and 1200 men.
Started demanding tribute from Natives. The natives began to be seen as disposable. Even going so far as to use them for sword practice
Disease killed almost all of the tano
On his third voyage he was sent home in chains (abuses of governing)
His wealth and lands were stripped.
However he appealed to the king and he got everything back
On his 4th voyage he tried to warn the governer of Hispanolia of a big storm. The governor refused and he subsequently lost 29 of his 30 ships.
Columbus got hit by another hurricane and was stranded in jamaica. The governor offered no help
The Reformation
The catholic church used to sell indulgences (used to lessen time in purgatory)
Collected this money for St. Peter’s Basilica
Church was rich
Pope had ⅓ land in Europe; Bishops and popes lived lavish lives
If they sold enough, they get to keep the extra money
John Wycliff questioned church doctrine and stood up against corruption. He was sentenced to death.
John Hus didn’t believe in indulgences and continued Wycliffe’s beliefs. He allowed people to read the bible in their languages. Burned at the stake for heresy.
Martin Luther was a German who made a deal with god to become a monk if he survived a bad thunderstorm, he believed he was doomed to hell as a sinner(not among the elect) and therefore did not care about indulgences
After Luther’s friend stopped going to confession due to indulgences, he knew something was wrong
Oct 31, 1517 at the Town of Wittenberg; He put up the 95 Theses on a door of the Wittenberg Cathedral. These were questions about the church
He wanted to have a discussion and the church went after him.
At the Diet of Worms, he was put on trial and ordered to renounce what he said. He refused, was excommunicated by Leo X, and declared an outlaw by Charles V
He made Lutheranism - salvation achieved by faith alone. Rejected 5 of the 7 sacraments. They don’t care about the Pope, and rejected the idea of transubstantiation (turning bread into Body)
This reformation caused priests, who were ill trained, to step it up.
St Bartholomew’s Day Massacre
1572 - the crescendo of Catholic inflicted persecution.
Began as an anti-Protestant conspiracy lead by the French king’s mother.
The assasination of Huguenot leaders followed by riotous assaults on Protestants beginning in Paris and spreading across the country
Tens of thousands of Huguenots were butchered.
Greatly crippled the Protestant communities of France.
Boston Massacre
On March 5th, 1770, an apprentice yells at a British Captain for not paying for a wig, not knowing that he just went to pay for it. He follows him while yelling to his office. Eventually, the soldier outside the office hits him with his club. 12 more soldiers went outside. The docks let off and a crowd formed. They threw ice balls at the soldiers. When one soldier got knocked over, the Commander ordered them to “not fire”, but they fired. 5 people died and they took all of the soldiers out of the city. John Adams was on the defense of the soldiers and he got most of them acquitted, but two got called for manslaughter. Paul Revere made an etching for propaganda purposes.