Medieval Europe
What is Habeas Corpus?
legal procedure that allows individuals detained by the government to challenge their imprisonment in court
Sunni-Shia Split
Began as a political disagreement about who should lead after Muhammad's death, and over time it became a theological and cultural divide that still shapes the world today.
What is the Mandate of Heaven?
The belief that Chinese emperors ruled by divine approval. If natural disasters or social problems occurred, it could indicate the emperor had lost this mandate. It also justified rebellion against rulers who governed poorly
What is a mandate of heaven?
Gave emperors legitimacy AND provided justification for rebellion if the ruler governed poorly.
Serf
A peasant who could not leave the lord's land on which he or she was born and worked.
Trans-Saharan Trade
The trade network that connected West Africa to North Africa and beyond. It spread not just commodities but also Islam, Arabic scholarship, and cultural practices across the desert.
Compare with Greece
China’s broad plains made political unification easier, while Greece’s rugged mountains encouraged the growth of separate communities and city-states.
Who was Qin Shi Huandgi
His greatest achievement was creating the first centralized Chinese state unifying China.
Land granted by a lord to a vassal in exchange for loyalty and service.
Ibn Battuta
A devout Muslim traveler from Morocco whose travel account, the Rihla, describes 14th-century cities across the Muslim world, including Cairo, Mecca, and Mali.
What is legalism?
Emphasized strict laws and harsh punishments to control behavior.
What is Chivalry
The medieval knight's code of ideal behavior, including bravery, loyalty, and respect for women.
West African storytellers who preserved and transmitted history, genealogy, and cultural traditions through oral recitation and music.
What is the difference between Confucianism and Daoism?
Confucianism emphasized active moral leadership; Daoism emphasized stepping back and letting nature take its course.
What is heretic?
A person who holds beliefs that are contrary to a set of religious teachings.
Oral Tradition
Memorized performance — including genealogies and political events — that serves as a legitimate form of historical record.
What direction did most invasions come from?
The north
Tell me about Jia Yi (Han Dynasty official)
A historian reading his account should consider how his position (writing about the dynasty his replaced) might bias his interpretation. According to Jia Yi, the Second Emperor's failure to reduce harsh punishments and taxation caused the fall.