Belief systems
This monotheistic religion, centered on the teachings of Jesus, split into Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox branches.
What is Christianity?
This drought-resistant, fast-ripening rice from Vietnam was introduced to Song China and allowed multiple harvests per year.
What is Champa rice?
This overland network of routes carried silk, spices, ideas, and religions between East Asia and the Mediterranean.
What is the Silk Road?
This Malian ruler's 1324 pilgrimage to Mecca, with lavish gold, made West Africa famous across the Islamic world.
Who is Mansa Musa?
Their endurance and special saddles made these animals essential for crossing the Sahara.
What are camels?
This religion, founded by Siddhartha Gautama, teaches the Four Noble Truths and spread along the Silk Roads.
What is Buddhism?
Carving steps into hillsides to create flat planting areas is called this.
What is terrace farming?
Monsoon winds and the lateen sail powered this maritime trade network linking East Africa, Arabia, India, and Southeast Asia.
What is Indian Ocean trade?
This Chinese dynasty (618-907) promoted trade, supported Buddhism, and expanded the Silk Road.
What is the Tang Dynasty?
This Baghdad center of translation and scholarship preserved and expanded Greek, Persian, and Indian knowledge.
What is the House of Wisdom?
This South Asian religion features karma, reincarnation, and the caste system.
What is Hinduism?
Aztec "floating gardens" built in the shallow lakes around Tenochtitlan were called these.
What are chinampas?
Gold from West Africa was traded for salt from the Sahara in this system of exchange.
What is Sub-Saharan (trans-Saharan) trade?
Based in Baghdad, this Islamic caliphate (750-1258) presided over a golden age of learning.
What is the Abbasid Dynasty?
Sailors used this instrument, improved in the Islamic world, to determine latitude by measuring the stars
What is the astrolabe?
Founded by Muhammad, this religion is built on the Five Pillars and the Quran.
What is Islam?
Medieval Europeans left one of three fields fallow each year in this system to keep soil fertile and boost yields.
What is the three-field system?
Tang and Song merchants used this early form of paper money to avoid carrying heavy coins.
What is flying cash?
In this European system, lords gave land to vassals in exchange for loyalty and military service, and serfs worked the manors.
What is feudalism?
The Song Dynasty resisted Mongol conquest for decades before falling in 1279 to this Mongol leader.
Who is Kublai Khan?
Merchants and missionaries of this mystical branch of Islam helped spread the faith to Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.
What is Sufi Islam?
Tenochtitlan and Inca cities used these water-carrying channels to supply large urban populations.
What are aqueducts?
Spreading along trade routes in the 1340s, this disease killed roughly a third of Europe's population and caused labor shortages.
What is the Black Plague?
The Inca required communities to provide labor for the state through this system.
What is the Mita system?
This Baghdad center of translation and scholarship preserved and expanded Greek, Persian, and Indian knowledge.
What is the House of Wisdom?