Byzantine Empire
Rome's western half falls, but the eastern half says, “I'm still standing!” What empire continued Roman traditions?
What was the Byzantine Empire?
This system organized society through relationships involving land, loyalty, and military service.
What was feudalism?
This prophet is central to Islam and is believed by Muslims to have received revelations from God.
Who was Muhammad?
This shiny resource helped make West African kingdoms wealthy. People crossed the desert to trade for it.
What is gold?
This empire conquered Constantinople in 1453, ending the Byzantine Empire.
What was the Ottoman Empire?
This was the capital of the Byzantine Empire, strategically located between Europe and Asia.
What was Constantinople?
Under this system, the manor was the center of agricultural life, and peasants worked the land to support the local community.
What was manorialism?
This holy book contains the revelations Muslims believe were given to Muhammad.
What is the Quran?
Gold was valuable, but traders also needed this mineral to preserve food and to live. Before refrigerators, this was a big deal.
What is salt?
This empire ruled much of India and built the Taj Mahal to honor the wife of an emperor.
What was the Mughal Empire?
This Byzantine emperor ordered Roman laws to be collected and organized. Basically, he wanted the legal paperwork in order.
Who was Justinian I?
Imagine paying rent, growing your landlord's food, and owing him labor. No weekends, no Wi-Fi, and no tenant support. What would be your social status in this system?
What is a peasant?
European Christian armies traveled to fight over the Holy Land during these military expeditions.
What were the Crusades?
This ruler of Mali traveled to Mecca with so much gold that his pilgrimage became legendary.
Who was Mansa Musa?
This empire promoted Shia Islam and ruled much of Persia, which is now called Iran.
What was the Safavid Empire?
Constantinople's location between Europe and Asia helped the Byzantine Empire become wealthy through this activity.
What was trade?
This deadly pandemic killed millions across Europe during the 14th century and caused major labor shortages.
What was the Black Death?
This city is sacred to Christians, Muslims, and Jews and was a major focus of the Crusades.
What is Jerusalem?
Traders crossed this massive desert using camel caravans to transport gold and salt between West Africa and North Africa. What desert did they cross?
The Sahara Desert
Muslims in this branch believed that the leader of the Muslim community should come from Muhammad's family.
What is Shia Islam?
In 1453, this empire captured Constantinople, ending the Byzantine Empire.
What was the Ottoman Empire?
Europe loses a huge portion of its workers. Suddenly, surviving peasants can demand better wages and conditions. Which system was weakened?
What was feudalism?
The Crusades brought Europeans into greater contact with regions of the eastern Mediterranean. Name one area of life that this contact helped influence.
What was trade, cultural exchange, or the exchange of knowledge?
This city in the Mali Empire became an important center of Islamic scholarship and learning.
What is Timbuktu?
You travel to another region to sell silk but return with new inventions, religious beliefs, and ideas. You came for the money and left with a cultural exchange. What is the spread of ideas and customs between societies called?
What is cultural diffusion?