World History Semester 1 Final Review Notes
Chapter 6: Medieval Europe
Importance of the Battle of Tours
- Charles Martel defeated the Moors.
- Prevented Muslim expansion into Europe.
Characteristics of Charlemagne as the "Father of Europe"
- United Western Europe.
- Strengthened Christianity.
- Encouraged education.
- Strengthened governmental structures.
Vassal's Obligations under Feudal Contract
- Knights were to serve in the military as a part of their obligations.
Chivalric Code
- Definition: A moral and ethical training framework outlining how to treat women with respect.
Evidence of Venice as a Hub of Trade
- Developed a mercantile fleet.
- Major trade center connecting various regions.
Medieval Guilds
- Definition: Organizations of workers or merchants that controlled trade by setting rules, regulations, and prices.
- Role included training individuals for trades.
Transmission of the Plague in Europe
- Known as the Black Plague or Bubonic Plague.
Effects of the Plague on Population
- Symptoms included swollen lymph nodes (buboes), black spots on the skin, vomiting, and fever.
- Estimated to have killed approximately 1/3 of Europe's population.
Comparison of Romanesque and Gothic Style Churches
- Romanesque:
- Characteristics: Basilic shape, massive pillars, stone roofs, small windows.
- Gothic:
- Characteristics: Ribbed barrel vaults, pointed arches, very tall structures, flying buttresses, and large stained glass windows.
- Similarities:
- Romanesque churches had fewer windows compared to Gothic, which had many windows.
The Inquisition
- Definition: Courts established to seek out and try heretics, enforcing religious conformity.
- Began in 1252; harsher measures, including torture, were incorporated.
Timeline and Purpose of the First Crusade
- Began in 1096 when Pope Urban II was asked for military help against the Turks by Alexios.
- Goal was to free Jerusalem from Muslim control.
Expressed Purpose of Western Europeans in the Crusade
- Intended to reclaim Jerusalem from Muslim rule.
Three Most Important Impacts of the Crusades
- Benefited Italian city-states through increased trade goods from the East.
- Fostered European hostility towards Muslims and blame placed on Jews.
- Contributed to the breakdown of feudalism; feudal lords sold land to finance their participation in the crusades.
Reconquista
- Time Period: 718-1492.
- Purpose: To reclaim Spain from Muslim rule and expel them from the Iberian Peninsula.
- Ended in 1492 when King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella captured Granada.
Definition of Vernacular
- The spoken language of a specific region or community.
Expansion of Spain's Influence
- First Explorer: Christopher Columbus.
- Population Trend for Native Americans: Decreased significantly post-European contact due to diseases (e.g., smallpox) and harsh conditions.
Encomienda System
- Definition: A system used to enslave Native Americans under brutal conditions while enforcing religious conversion.
Columbian Exchange
- Definition: The transfer of goods (including animals and crops) and diseases between the New World and the Old World.
Triangular Trade
- Definition: A trade network connecting Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
Middle Passage
- Definition: The journey of enslaved Africans across the Atlantic, constituting the second leg of trans-Atlantic trade.
Reasons for African Enslavement in the Americas
- Resistance to disease was higher among Africans compared to Native Americans, making them more viable for labor.
Additional Notes on Racial Groups and Empires
Racial Classifications in Colonial Latin America:
- Peninsulares: Born in Spain, from the Iberian Peninsula.
- Creoles: 100% European, born in South America.
- Mulattos: Mixed heritage (Black and European).
- Mestizos: Mixed heritage (Indigenous and European).
Gunpowder Empires
- Three Main Gunpowder Empires: Ottomans, Safavids, Mughals.
- The Ottoman Empire conquered the Byzantine Empire.
Janissaries
- Definition: Ottoman warriors originally taken from Christian families to form the empire’s standing army.
Taj Mahal
- Definition: A tomb constructed by Shah Jahan for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal.
Chapter 10: Renaissance and Reformation
Reasons for the Renaissance Beginning in Italy
- Wealthy centers of trade and banking.
Civilizations Studied During the Renaissance
- Ancient Greece and Rome.
Definition of Secular
- Meaning "worldly" or non-religious.
Major Invention of the Renaissance
- The printing press, which facilitated the spread of humanist culture in the late 15th and early 16th centuries.
Leonardo da Vinci as a Renaissance Man
- He exemplified the Renaissance ideal by excelling as an artist, engineer, and scientist.
Martin Luther's Criticism of the Catholic Church
- He criticized the church for selling indulgences, which were seen as a way to buy forgiveness.
Henry VIII's Establishment of the Church of England
- He sought to divorce his wife, leading to a break from the Catholic Church.
Element of the Jesuits’ Campaign Against Protestant Reformation
- Focused on education as a means of countering Protestantism.
Council of Trent
- A meeting aimed at addressing the Protestant Reformation, reaffirming Catholic beliefs and authority based on tradition and scripture, emphasizing salvation through faith and good works.
Chapter 13: Enlightenment and Scientific Revolution
Sequence of Historical Events
- Reformation.
- Scientific Revolution.
- Enlightenment.
- Industrial Revolution.
Notable Figures in History
- Isaac Newton: Known for laws of motion and calculus.
- Galileo Galilei: Contributed to the Scientific Method and astronomy using the telescope, supporting the heliocentric model of the solar system.
- Robert Boyle: Known for Boyle's Law, stating the pressure of a gas is inversely proportional to its volume at constant temperature.
- Denis Diderot: Chief editor of the Encyclopédie from 1745 to 1772.
Byzantine Empire and Belief Systems
Roman Emperor Who Moved the Capital
- Constantine moved the capital to modern-day Istanbul.
Duration of the Byzantine Empire
- Lasted approximately 1000 years.
Justinian's Contribution
- Developed the Body of Civil Law which sustained the empire's longevity.
Major Trade Route
- The Silk Road, connecting Eastern and Western Eurasia.
Dominant Belief System in Byzantine Empire
- Christianity.
Difference Between Primary and Secondary Sources
- Primary Sources: Direct evidence from the time or firsthand accounts.
- Secondary Sources: Interpretations of events based on primary sources, created afterward.
Definition of Bias
- A distortion in the presentation of facts to establish a particular interpretation, often leading to an unfair representation.
ACronym Definitions:
- AD: Anno Domini.
- CE: Common Era.
- BCE: Before Common Era.
Origins of Abrahamic Religions
- Islam: Began in Mecca.
- Judaism: Began in Canaan (Israel).
- Christianity: Began in Judea (historically Palestine).
Origins of Other Major Religions
- Hinduism: Originated in Southern Asia, north of the Indian Ocean, in modern-day India.
- Confucianism: Originated in East Asia, west of the Pacific Ocean, in modern-day China.
- Buddhism: Originated in Northern India.
Chronological Order of Abrahamic Religions
- 1st: Judaism.
- 2nd: Christianity.
- 3rd: Islam.
Eightfold Path
- One of the basic tenets of Buddhism.
Sacred Texts by Religion
- Christianity: Bible (Old & New Testament).
- Judaism: Torah.
- Islam: Quran.
- Hinduism: Vedas.
- Confucianism: Analects.
Influence on Chinese Society
- Confucianism had a significant impact on the social order and political structure of traditional Chinese culture.
Religions Adhering to the Ten Commandments
- Judaism and Christianity.
Founders of Major World Religions
- Islam: Muhammad.
- Buddhism: Siddhartha Gautama.
Split of Islam
- Islam divided into two major sects: Sunni and Shia.
Sharia Law
- A system of law regulating family life, moral conduct, and business/community life for Muslims.
Dar al-Islam
- Refers to all lands united by the Arabic language under Islamic control/influence during the Islamic Golden Age.