Unit 1
What were chinampas?
Chinampas were man-made lands in water used by the Aztecs to grow and produce more food.
What is flying cash?
Flying cash was the system of credit developed by the Chinese government and used along the Silk Road. It allowed paper money to be deposited at one place and the same amount to be withdrawn somewhere else.
Who was Shah Ismail?
Shah Ismail conquered most of Persia and built the Safavid Empire on Shi’a Islam.
Who was Jacques Cartier?
Cartier was an explorer who, while sponsored by France, discovered the St. Lawrence River.
What is capitalism?
Capitalism is an economic system where means of production are controlled by private owners for profit.
What is an imperial bureaucracy?
An imperial bureaucracy is a group of appointed officials who carry out and enforce the policies of the empire.
What kingdom was led by Genghis Khan’s grandson Hulegu, who led the defeat of the Abbasid Caliphate?
The Il-khanate was led by Hulegu.
Who was the “Sun King” and was an “absolute ruler” of France?
Louis XIV was known as the Sun King and wanted to have absolute power.
What was the encomienda system?
In this system, Spanish colonists had the right to demand labor from indigenous people, so Natives were forced to harvest cash crops in exchange for food, shelter, protection, and Christian instruction.
Which Enlightenment thinker emphasized the idea of separation of powers?
Baron Montesquieu thought that the governments should be separated into multiple branches.
What is Theravada Buddhism?
Theravada Buddhism is a form of Buddhism that emphasizes spiritual growth through practices such as silent meditation and self-discipline.
Who was Ibn Battuta?
Ibn Battuta was a Moroccan scholar who traveled throughout the Muslim world and recounted his travels in his book.
What did the Peace of Augsburg do?
In 1555, the Peace of Augsburg permitted each German state to choose if their ruler would be Protestant or Catholic, and, therefore, the churches and citizens of the state would practice the chosen faith.
What was the mit’a system?
Originally used by the Incas, the mit’a system was adapted by the Spanish in Peru. The system required men to work for the state for a certain number of days a year.
Who believed that people had natural rights, and what were these three rights?
John Locke argued that people had the natural rights to life, liberty, and property.
After Muhammad died, what did the Shi’a Muslims believe about who the next caliph should be?
The Shias thought the leader should be a blood relative of Muhammad.
What was the Muslim city-state Malacca, located in the Indian Ocean, known for?
Malacca was known for becoming wealthy by building a navy and charging ships fees for passing through the Strait of Malacca, a passage between India and China.
What was King Henry VIII’s role in the Protestant Reformation?
The Catholic Church prohibited him from divorcing his wife, and then he made himself the head of the new Church of England, or Anglican Church. Anglicanism became a denomination of Protestantism.
What were viceroys?
Viceroys were representatives of the Spanish monarch appointed in colonies.
What does the social contract state?
The social contract argues that people have to surrender some of their rights to be protected by a strong central government.
What are the two major differences between Islam and Hinduism?
A=Islam is monotheistic and believes everyone is equal, while Hinduism is polytheistic and has a rigid caste system.
C= In Hinduism, most members of the caste system cannot move up levels. For example, servants will stay in their level and likely socialize within their caste.
E= Because of their caste system in India, Hinduism is an ethnic religion centered in that area. Islam is more universalizing and receives more converts.
List and describe two key factors that led the Mongols to claim land from Poland to the far east coast of China.
A= Two key factors that led to the Mongols claiming land were their military training, like horseback archery, and adaptation of local societies/talents.
C= The Mongols trained through horseback archery, unlike others who used swords. This helped them conquer others. People conquered by the Mongols were either given jobs or killed.
E= Some people would, of course, rebel, but seeing others brutally killed caused people to just surrender and offer their skills to the Mongols. This way, more and more land became claimed.
How was the devshirme system connected to the success of the Ottoman Empire?
A= The devshirme system recruited young boys who were non-Muslim to serve in the military or government.
C= The people recruited were provided with an education and were converted to Islam to become part of the empire, which helped expand the empire.
E= The recruitments and positions were not based on heredity, so no rival power base went against the Sultan. However, some conflict arose when Janissaries were able to pass power down to their children.
List and describe two achievements in exploration for Portuguese explorers.
A= Portuguese explorers, including Vasco de Gama, reached India from Europe via the sea by going around the African southern tip, and they explored the African coast.
C= Portugal claimed lands in India, and they established trading posts in Africa.
E= Because India is a peninsula, it had access to many other countries and had many resources. The trading posts in Africa and resources in India helped boost Portugal's economy.
The meaning of the Enlightenment is paraphrased in the statement "Reason over Revelation". Provide two concepts or traditions that were being questioned within 18th century Europe.
A= Two concepts that were being questioned were slavery and monarchy.
C= The Enlightenment encouraged people to challenge authority and social institutions, including slavery and monarchy. Both concepts were widely present in Europe.
E= The desires to change caused tension among Europeans because those benefitting from either slavery or monarchy resisted to change them.