Unit 1: The Global Tapestry Flashcards
This deck will assist you in understanding the historical events and processes that occured from 1200-1450.
Describe the Abbasid Caliphate.
May be considered the Song of the South; fell in 1258 C.E. (when the Mongols arrived); oversaw a golden age beginning in the 9th century of arts and sciences
What’s the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate? Why is it important?
The capital of the Abbasid Caliphate is Baghdad. It preserved Greco-Roman classical knowledge and was home to advancements to mathematics and medicine (e.g., the Canon of Medicine).
What was the Islamic Empire built on?
The Islamic Empire was built on trade; credit and itemized receipts and bills (for recording transactions and debt) was introduced by merchants
List reasons why the Abbasid Caliphate fell.
- internal rivalries arose (i.e., Sunni and Shia [the latter believing that the Islamic Empire should’ve been a dynasty])
- differences between ethnic groups
- rise of rival factions, like the Seljuk Turks (a Sunni nomadic group from Central Asia)
- rivalry with Byzantium, Western Europe, and the Persians
- absolute fatality dealt with the conquest of the Mongols in 1258
List reasons why the Abbasid Caliphate fell.
- internal rivalries arose (i.e., Sunni and Shia [the latter believing that the Islamic Empire should’ve been a dynasty])
- differences between ethnic groups
- rise of rival factions, like the Seljuk Turks (a Sunni nomadic group from Central Asia)
- rivalry with Byzantium, Western Europe, and the Persians
- absolute fatality dealt with the conquest of the Mongols in 1258
Who were the Mamluks?
An Egyptian, Muslim group that managed to defeat the Mongols and retreated to Egpty to establish a sultanate that lasted until the 16th century; helped preserve Islam
Give context for Europe’s situation before and during this time period.
It was in the Middle Ages.
The eastern Roman Empire became Byzantium.
The fall of the western Roman Empire divided the area.
Both regions practiced different forms of Christianity.
The time period of the Middle Ages?
The fall of the Roman Empire to the advent of the Renaissance.
What is SCP-EET?
Social Cultural Political Economic Environmental Technology
What is feudalism?
A sociopolitical system that arises in decentralized societies that has a strict hierarchy.
Describe the hierarchy of fuedalism.
King
Nobles (who would give loyalty and military service in exchange for land)
Vassals (would give loyalty and military service for fiefs/manors)
(Positions continue)
Peasants (who worked the land)
You are also required to serve those of all levels higher than yourself.
Why were manors self-sufficient?
Because advancements such as the three-field-system (one field for spring, another for winter, and the last for fallow harvest) were made.
Peasants were also not allowed to leave the manor without their lord’s permission so they often developed the skills required to live on the land independently.
Would fights occur between the lords of the manors?
Yes, but they abides by the code of chivalry, which heavily condemns betrayal and made these feuds pretty refined.
Were women given a role in the feudal system?
No, because it was male-dominanted and land was inherited via primogeniture; noblewomen were trophy wives
Was Western Europe engaging widely with the world during this time?
No, especially because the feudal system allowed for self-sufficiency but also because they were cut off from major trading networks because of Byzantium
By the 11th century, Europe was engaging with the wider world. How?
As servants and peasants became more skilled at various crafts, trade began occuring and towns and cities began being tended to by these skilled workers for income. This chipped away at the feudal system.
Give some context for the emergence of nation states in Europe.
People who spoke a language identified with the origin of that language (i.e., Germans grouping with Germans).
How were Germany and Italy?
By the 13th century, Germany became decentralized in a period of interregnum with no successor when the monarch passed. Italy was also divided into competitive city-states. In such an environment, merchants and tradespeople were more powerful than the government.
How was England?
England unified rather quickly as it had followed a strict monarchy since the reign of William the Conqueror. However, during King John’s rule (with pressure from the nobles), the Magna Carta was signed (1215) to give feudal rights to nobles and burghers (middle class). An assembly was made for nobles from different parts of the country; this later on came to be the Parliament. It was split into the House of Lords (nobles and clergy) and the House of Commoners (burghers).
How was France?
King Hugh Capet’s descendants expanded his French territory, but England wanted more territory. Joan of Arc was inspired to liberate France from English rule and helped in the Hundred Years’ War (1347-1453). England eventually backed off, and under the Bourbons, a series of monarchs, France was centralized.
How was Spain?
Queen Isabella of Castile (in Central Spain) unified the region by marrying Christian hier to the Kingdom of Aragon, King Ferdinand. The couple made an allyship with the Church, thereby starting Spanish Inquisition as non-Christians (Muslims) were exiled or forced into Christianity.
How was Russia?
In 1242, Russia succumbed to the Tatars (Mongols); their rule solidified the rift between Eastern and Western Europe. Ivan III expanded Muscovy territory and called himself a czar in the late 1400s, when Mongol rule was declining. By 1450, Ivan the Terrible centralized power in Russia.
What were the two golden ages of China?
The Song dynasty (ended in 1279, also was the age of Neo-Confucianism with prevalent foot-binding)
The Ming dynasty (ended in 1644)
What countries did China directly influence?
Korea, Vietnam, and Cambodia
