Key Terms Flashcards
Who what when where why
Akbar
Who: Akbar was the third ruler of the Mughal Empire in India.
* What: Akbar is known for his efforts in cultural integration, religious tolerance, and administrative reforms.
* When: Dates back to the 16th century CE. Ruled from 1556 to 1605.
* Where: AKbar is from India or the Mughal Empire, which is in India.
* Why: Akbar was significant because he aimed to create a unified and tolerant empire, promoting cultural exchange and administrative efficiency.
Babur
Who: Babur was the founder of the Mughal Empire in India.
What: Babur was a military conqueror and an author, known for his memoir “Baburnama.”
When: He dates back to the 16th century CE. Ruled from 1526 to 1530.
Where: He was born in present-day Uzbekistan/Central Asia, and he eventually founded the Mughal Empire in India.
Why: Babur was significant because his establishment of the Mughal Empire has left a lasting impact on India, whether that be culturally, politically, or economically.
Daimyo
Who: Tokugawa Ieyasu was an example of a Daimyo What: Daiymo are Japanese feudal lords, who controlled vast land holdings and had military power.
When: Daiymo dates back to the 15th century CE (during the Sengoku and Edo periods).
Where: Daiymos were from Japan (Feudal Japan).
Why: Daimyo were significant because they played a major role in shaping the political and military landscape of Japan, which contributed to the complex dynamics of the country’s feudal hierarchy.
Vasco de Gama
Who: Vasco da Gama was the first Portuguese mariner to reach the Indian Ocean.
What: He was the first Portuguese mariner to sail directly from Europe to India, establishing a sea route.
When: He dates back to the 15th century CE (1469-1524).
Where: He lived in Portugal, which is in Europe, and traveled the world. He explored the sea route from Portugal to India.
Why: Vasco da Gama was significant because his voyages were crucial in opening the sea route to Asia, contributing to European exploration and trade.
Kangxi
Who: Kangxi was the fourth emperor of the Qing Dynasty in China.
What: Known for his long and prosperous reign, Kangxi was an effective ruler and patron of the arts.
When: Ruled from 1661 to 1722.
Where: China.
Why: Kangxi’s reign is often considered a period of stability, economic growth, and cultural flourishing in China.
Sikhism
Who: Sikhism was founded by Guru Nanak in the 15th century CE.
What: It is a monotheistic religion that emphasizes equality, justice, and devotion to one God.
When: Sikhism was founded in the 15th century CE.
Where: Sikhism originated in the Indian subcontinent, particularly in the Punjab region.
Why: Sikhism was significant because it emerged as a response to social and religious issues, promoting equality and a distinct way of life.
Tokugawa Ieyasu
Who: Tokugawa Ieyasu was a Japanese samurai and the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate.
What: He became the shogun and established a period of peace known as the Edo period.
When: He dates back to the 16th century CE.
Where: He was from Japan.
Why: Tokugawa Ieyasu was significant because his rule brought stability to Japan after a period of conflict, leading to the Edo period.
Zheng He
Who: Zheng Hewas a Chinese explorer and admiral during the Ming Dynasty.
What: He led several maritime expeditions to Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Africa.
When: He dates back to the 15th century CE, during the Ming Dynasty.
Where: He is from ancient China/East Asia.
Why: Zeng He was significant because he played a crucial role in conducting maritime expeditions that promoted diplomatic ties, showcasing Chinese power, and facilitating trade.
Treaty of Tordesillas
Who: Spain and Portugal were the two countries forming this agreement. What: The Treaty of Tordesillas was an agreement between Spain and Portugal to divide newly discovered lands outside Europe.
When: The Treaty of Tordesillas was signed in 1494 CE.
Where: The Treaty of Tordesilas was created somewhere between Spain and Portugal.
Why: The Treaty of Tordesillas is significant because it aimed to resolve conflicts arising from overseas exploration by establishing distinct spheres of influence for Spain and Portugal.
Caliph
Who: Abu Bakr is an example of a caliph.
What: The caliph serves as both a religious and political leader, guiding the Muslim community (considered the successor of Prophet Muhammad).
When: The first caliph Abu Bakr became the caliph during the 7th century CE.
Where: Caliphs were in the Middle East or the Islamic World.
Why: The caliph was significant because they were considered a successor to Muhammad, and they were responsible for upholding Islamic principles and providing leadership for the Muslim community.
Dhow
Who: Dhow refers to a type of traditional sailing vessel used in the Indian Ocean.
What: Dhows are sailing ships with distinctive features, including a triangular lateen sail and a long, slender hull.
When: Dhows have been used for centuries, with historical records dating back to ancient times.
Where: Primarily in the Indian Ocean, connecting regions such as the Middle East, East Africa, and South Asia.
Why: Dhows played a crucial role in maritime trade, facilitating the movement of goods and cultural exchange across the Indian Ocean.
Lateen Sail
Who: Groups like Europeans and Arabic people used the lateen sail.
What: The lateen sail is a triangular sail design used in maritime vessels.
When: Dates back to the 8th century BCE. European mariners used it a lot during the 15th and 16th centuries CE.
Where: Lateen sail was widely used in the Mediterranean, Indian Ocean, and other maritime regions.
Why: The lateen sail was significant because it allowed for better maneuverability, making it suitable for a variety of sailing conditions.
Slave Coast
Who: The coastline of West Africa ehich included areas inhabited by a variety of different ethnic grouos of Africans. What: A region known for being a significant source of slaves during the transatlantic slave trade.
When: Dates back to the 16th century CE. Particularly during the height of the transatlantic slave trade in the 16th to 19th centuries.
Where: The Slave Coast was along the coast of West Africa, encompassing present-day countries like Benin, Togo, and parts of Nigeria.
Why: The Slave Coast was significant because it played a central role in the transatlantic slave trade, with European powers establishing trading posts to acquire enslaved individuals.
Devshirme
Who: Devshirme was developed by the Ottoman Empire where Christian boys were recruited, converted to Islam, and trained for administrative and military service.
What: Devshirme refers to the collection or gathering of boys to serve the Ottoman state.
When: The devshirme dates back to the 14th century CE.
Where: The devshirme was developed in southeastern Europe/Balkans.
Why: Devshirme was significant because it aimed to create an effective administrative and military class within the Ottoman Empire, contributing to the strength of the state.
Dhimmi
Who: Jews and Christians were considered dhimmi refers to non-Muslims living in an Islamic state under protection and with certain legal and social rights.
What: Dhimmi refers to non-Muslims living in an Islamic state under protection and with certain legal and social rights.
When: The term dhimmi was developed in the 7th century CE.
Where: The term dhimmi was developed in the Middle East or Arabian peninsula.
Why: The dhimmi status was significant because it allowed non-Muslims to practice their religion and have some autonomy while paying a special tax, the jizya, in return for protection.
Hajj
Who: Muslims are people who follow the Five Pillars of Islam like the Hajj.
What: Hajj is a pilgrimage to Mecca, one of the Five Pillars of Islam, obligatory for all Muslims who are physically and financially able.
When: The Hajj dates back to the 7th century CE.
Where: The Hajj developed in the Middle East or Arabian peninsula.
Why: Hajj is significant because it holds religious and cultural importance in Islam and is a demonstration of unity among Muslims.
Millet System
Who: The Millet System was implemented by the Ottoman Empire and organized various religious communities into self-governing entities.
What: A system that granted autonomy to religious communities, allowing them to manage their own internal affairs.
When: Implemented during the Ottoman Empire’s rule.
Where: Ottoman Empire.
Why: The Millet System aimed to maintain social order and harmony by allowing different religious communities to govern themselves according to their own laws and traditions.
Ulama
Who: The Ulama are Islamic scholars and jurists who specialize in religious and legal matters.
What: They are scholars well-versed in Islamic law, theology, and other religious sciences.
When: Throughout Islamic history, with a continuous presence in Muslim societies.
Where: Found in Muslim-majority regions where they serve as religious authorities.
Why: The Ulama play a crucial role in interpreting and applying Islamic law, providing guidance to the Muslim community.
Shah Jahan
Who: Shah Jahan was the fifth ruler of the Mughal Empire in India.
What: Shah Jahan is best known for commissioning the construction of the Taj Mahal in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal.
When: Shah Jahan dates back to the 17th century CE or ruled from 1628 to 1658.
Where: Shah Jahan was from the Mughal Empire, primarily in India or ancient South Asia.
Why: Shah Jahan is significant because he was influential in the construction of buildings such as the Taj Mahal, which has served as a timeless symbol of love and architectural magnificence.
Mehmed II
Who: Mehmed II, also known as Mehmed the Conqueror, was a Sultan of the Ottoman Empire.
What: Medmed II is best known for conquering Constantinople in 1453, marking the end of the Byzantine Empire.
When: Mehmed II ruled in the 15th century CE or he dates back to the 15th century CE.
Where: The Ottoman Empire or modern-day Turkey is where Medmed II resided.
Why: Mehmed II is significant because his conquest of Constantinople expanded the Ottoman Empire’s influence and marked a significant moment in history.
Shah Ismail
Who: Shah Ismail I was the founder of the Safavid Empire in Persia.
What: Shah Ismail established the Safavid state and declared Twelver Shia Islam as the official state religion.
When: Shah Ismail I ruled in the early 16th century or dates back to the 16th century CE.
Where: Shah Ismail resided in the Safavid Ismail, which is in Persia/modern-day Iran or the Middle East.
Why: Shah Ismail was significant because he played a key role in the promotion and establishment of Twelver Shia Islam as a major political and religious force in the region.
Colonialism
Who: European powers like Spain and Great Britain engaged in colonial expansion.
What: The policy or practice of acquiring and maintaining colonies, often for economic and strategic reasons.
When: Dates back to the 15th century CE.
Where: Involved the colonization of Africa, Asia, the Americas, and other regions.
Why: Colonialism is significant because it shaped the course of history, by introducing economic exploitation, cultural changes, and political transformations.
Columbian Exchange
Who: Christoper Columbus was a major contributor to the Columbian Exchange. Involved European and American societies.
What: The Columbian Exchange is the exchange of goods, ideas, cultures, and diseases between the Old World (Europe) and the New World (Americas).
When: Dates back to the 15th century CE. Started after Christopher Columbus’s voyages in 1492.
Where: The Columbian Exchange takes place between Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia.
Why: The Columbian Exchange is significant because it facilitated the global transfer of plants, animals, cultures, and ideas between the Old World and the New World, leading to profound and lasting changes in agriculture, diets, demographics, and cultures on a global scale.
Conquistadors
Who: Conquistadors were people like Hernado de Soto. Spanish and Portuguese conquerors and explorers in the Americas.
What: Conquistadors were Spanish and Portuguese conquerors and explorers in the Americas.
When: Dates back to the 16th century CE.
Where: Conquistadors were from Spain or Portugal and explored the Americas.
Why: Conquistadors were significant because they were crucial for expanding European empires, acquiring wealth and resources, and spreading religion.
Indentured Servants
Who: Indentured servants are individuals who entered into a contract (indenture) for a period of labor in exchange for passage to a new country.
What: Laborers bound by a contract to work for a set number of years.
When: Common during the 17th and 18th centuries.
Where: Used in various European colonies, including North America.
Why: Indentured servants were a source of labor, often used to address labor shortages in colonies.
Mercantilism
Who: European states like Spain and Great Britian and monarchs participated in mercantilism.
What: An economic theory that emphasized the importance of accumulating wealth, particularly through a favorable balance of trade.
When: Emerges in the 16th century CE.
Where: Particularly in European colonial powers like Spain and Great Britain.
Why: Mercantilism was significant because it aimed to strengthen national economies by promoting exports, accumulating precious metals, and establishing colonies.
Middle Passage
Who: The Middle Passage involved African captives, European slave traders, and crews of slave ships.
What: The transatlantic sea voyage where enslaved Africans were transported across the Atlantic Ocean to the Americas.
When: Dates back to the 16th century CE. The Middle Passage occurred during the height of the transatlantic slave trade, from the 16th to the 19th centuries.
Where: The voyage traveled from West Africa to the Americas.
Why: The Middle Passage was significant because it became a crucial leg of the triangular trade, supplying labor for plantations in the Americas and contributing to the economic prosperity of European colonial powers.
