Middle Ages/Renaissance Test Flashcards
Mongols
Nomadic, expert horsemen from the steppes,
Who built a massive empire from the Pacific to the Mediterranean in the 13th and 14h centuries through:
1) conquests: in 1206, they launched a series of conquests which caused remote areas of the world to follow under their rule
2) cultural adaptation: incorporating conquered peoples and adapting some of their customs
Dynsasty
A hereditary ruling family that passes power down through generations (Ming, Mughal, Safavid, etc.).
Black Death
- A deadly plague in the 14th century that spread across Europe, Asia, and North Africa
-Killed large numbers of people and thus, caused major population decline (especially near coastal ports and in densely populated cities).
- Climate Change caused land in china to become dry which was said to cause a “Migration of Microbes” as people and rodents with the disease strains in this area began to migrate (1320s).
Crusades
A series of religious wars launched by Western European Christians starting in 1095 against Muslims, primarily to control the Holy Land.
Monarchy
A political system in which one individual holds supreme power and passes that power on to the next relative.
Mughal Empire
- A major Islamic empire in India, founded in 1526, known for its strong central rule and large population
- Embraced India’s tradition of religious and cultural tolerance, open to non-Muslims.
- Obtained a Family Rule (dynasty): Emperors inherited power within the family.
- Rose from the ruins of the Delhi Sultanate, not by driving out the Mongols.
- Rich Economy: Flourished with diverse trade (cotton, spices), fueling their strong military.
Safavid Empire
- A Strictly Shiite Muslim empire (No tolerance for other religions.) in Persia (Iran), famous for its art, architecture, and making Twelver Shiism the official religion.
- Divine Leaders: Believed God chose their rulers.
- Central Power: Also ruled with a strong central government.
- Silk Trade: Economy heavily relied on silk.
Ottomon Empire
A powerful Turkish empire starting around 1300 that became a huge, diverse, and well-organized state spanning Anatolia, the Middle East, and Southeast Europe until the early 20th century.
- Sunni, Initially Tolerant: Practiced Sunni Islam, started open to others.
- Military Rule: Leaders were also military strongmen.
- Bureaucratic Empire: Had a formal system of government.
- Controlled Key Trade: Dominated Europe-Asia sea routes.
Ottomon- Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital city of Byzantium, which was founded as the New Rome by the emperor Constantine.
Key leaders in the Ottoman rise:
Osman: founded the empire
Mehmed II: conquered Constantinople
Selim I: expanded into the Middle East
Suleiman the Magnificent: led during the empire’s golden age
Moors
-Term employed by Europeans in the medieval period
-refered to Muslim occupants of North Africa, the western Sahara, and the Iberian Peninsula
Inquisition
General term for a court of the Roman Catholic church that enforced religious orthodoxy.
Several inquisitions took place over centuries, seeking to punish those whose conversion to Christianity was called into doubt
Renaissance
The “rebirth” shifting focus from church to humanity (mainly among the elite), but religion did remain.
Humanism
The Renaissance aspiration to develop a greater understanding of the human experience that the Christian scriptures offered by reaching back into ancient Greek and Roman texts
Hundred Years War
Conflict between England and France over land and succession.
Republic of Letters
Machiavelli, The Prince
A political work advocating realistic, sometimes ruthless leadership to maintain power and stability.
Divine Right
The belief that monarchs are chosen by God and accountable only to Him.
Succession
The process of inheriting a position of power, especially a throne or title.
Medici
The Medici were the wealthiest and most politically powerful men in Florence- could be brutal, ruthless, but…
Invested heavily in public, religious works of art, and the public good
Red Turban Movement
A diverse religious movement in China during the fourteenth century spread the belief that the world was drawing to an end as Mongol rule was collapsing
Legitimacy
Rulers justified their power, often through religion, especially after major disruptions. This was key for order and lasting states.
Hongwu Emperor
Founder of the Ming Dynasty who rebuilt China with a focus on centralization and strong imperial rule after the Yuan Dynasty.
Zheng He
Ming admiral who led large Indian Ocean voyages
