East Asia
What was the Song Dynasty?
This Chinese dynasty, known for its economic revolution, saw a rapid increase in population, agricultural output, and commercialization.
Who were the Mamluks (or Turkish slave-soldiers)?
This specific group within the Abbasid Caliphate, often non-Arab, gained significant political and military influence as the caliphate declined, eventually leading to their own independent states like the Buyids.
What was Hinduism?
Despite the rise of the Delhi Sultanate, the majority of the population in India during this period remained adherents of this indigenous religion, leading to unique cultural interactions and occasional tensions.
What were the Aztecs (or Mexica)?
This Mesoamerican empire, with its capital at Tenochtitlan, was known for its militaristic expansion and tribute system.
What was feudalism?
This decentralized political and economic system dominated Western Europe, characterized by lords granting land in exchange for military service and loyalty.
What was Neo-Confucianism?
This philosophy, a blend of Buddhism and Confucianism, became the official ideology of the Song Dynasty and influenced governance and social hierarchy.
Who were the Sufis?
This mystical form of Islam emphasized a personal, emotional experience with God and played a significant role in the spread of Islam, particularly in South and Southeast Asia.
What was the Delhi Sultanate?
This Islamic empire was established in Northern India by Turkish invaders and ruled for centuries, leading to cultural interactions between Islamic and Hindu traditions.
What were the Incas?
This Andean empire built an extensive road system and utilized techniques like terrace farming to adapt to its mountainous environment.
What was the Roman Catholic Church?
This powerful institution provided cultural unity and political influence in Western Europe amidst fragmented political structures.
What was foot-binding?
This practice, symbolizing female beauty and status, spread during the Song Dynasty and severely restricted women's mobility.
What was the House of Wisdom?
The Abbasid Caliphate was renowned for sponsoring the translation of classical Greek, Persian, and Indian texts into Arabic at this institution, which played a pivotal role in preserving and advancing scholarship during Europe's "Dark Ages."
What was the Vijayanagara Empire?
This South Indian Hindu kingdom was known for its robust economy and for supporting the construction of elaborate temple complexes.
What were chinampas?
The Aztecs developed this innovative agricultural system of creating floating gardens in Lake Texcoco.
What were the Crusades?
These military campaigns, launched by European Christians to reclaim the Holy Land, led to increased trade and exposure to Islamic scholarship and goods.
What was the tributary system?
This Chinese tributary system, involving the exchange of gifts and diplomatic recognition, demonstrated China's perceived centrality and influence over its neighbors like Korea and Vietnam.
What was the Ottoman Empire?
This powerful Islamic empire, centered in Anatolia, emerged from the collapse of the Seljuks and would eventually conquer Constantinople in 1453.
What were stupas (or mandalas in architecture)?
This distinctive architectural feature, exemplified by temples like Borobudur in Java, showcases the blending of Buddhist and indigenous religious beliefs in Southeast Asia.
What was the quipu?
The Inca used this unique system of knotted strings for record-keeping, census data, and possibly historical narratives.
What was the heavy plow?
The growth of agricultural productivity in Europe during this period was aided by innovations like the three-field system and this heavy farming tool.
What was the civil service exam?
The implementation of this difficult examination system for civil service positions during the Song Dynasty led to a significant increase in social mobility for talented commoners, though it still favored the wealthy.
What was the fragmentation of the Islamic world (or rise of new Islamic empires)?
After the decline of the Abbasid Caliphate, new Islamic states emerged, such as the Delhi Sultanate in India and the Mamluk Sultanate in Egypt, showcasing this political fragmentation.
What was Urdu?
The establishment of the Delhi Sultanate in Northern India led to significant cultural diffusion, particularly through the introduction of Islamic architectural styles and the blending of Persian and Indic languages, which eventually contributed to the development of this new language.
What was the tribute system?
The Aztec Empire maintained its control and extracted resources from conquered peoples through this system, which involved regular payments of goods, labor, or even sacrificial victims.
What was Scholasticism?
This medieval intellectual movement, which emphasized reason and logic to support Christian doctrine, was led by figures like Thomas Aquinas and influenced European universities.