All flashcards
Flashcard 1: What were the main trade routes in the period 1200-1450?
Answer: Silk Road, Trans-Saharan, Indian Ocean, and Mediterranean. These four networks connected major world regions through land and sea routes.
Flashcard 2: Identify the empire known for its advanced road systems in the Andes.
Answer: Inca Empire. The Inca built over 25,000 miles of roads through mountainous terrain.
Flashcard 3: What was the impact of the Black Death on European societies?
Answer: Significant population decline and social upheaval. The plague killed one-third of Europe's population and weakened feudalism.
Flashcard 4: Identify the famous Venetian traveler who visited Asia in this period.
Answer: Marco Polo. His travels to China and Central Asia opened European eyes to Asian wealth.
Flashcard 5: What innovation allowed for longer sea voyages during this period?
Answer: The magnetic compass. The compass enabled navigation beyond sight of land using magnetic direction.
Flashcard 6: Which empire was known for its capital city of Tenochtitlan?
Answer: Aztec Empire. Tenochtitlan was built on Lake Texcoco in modern-day Mexico City.
Flashcard 7: Name a significant cultural contribution of the Islamic Golden Age.
Answer: Advancements in mathematics and astronomy. Islamic scholars preserved Greek knowledge and made new discoveries.
Flashcard 8: What was the primary writing system used by the Aztecs?
Answer: Pictographic writing. Aztecs used symbols and pictures to represent words and concepts.
Flashcard 9: Which technological innovation aided maritime exploration in this period?
Answer: The astrolabe. This instrument measured celestial positions for navigation at sea.
Flashcard 10: What was a key feature of the Mongol Empire's governance?
Answer: Religious tolerance and meritocracy. Mongols allowed local customs and promoted officials based on ability, not birth.
Flashcard 11: Which Chinese dynasty ruled during much of the 1200-1450 period?
Answer: Yuan Dynasty followed by Ming Dynasty. Yuan (1271-1368) under Mongols, then Ming (1368-1644) under native Chinese rule.
Flashcard 12: What was the primary economic activity of the Mali Empire?
Answer: Gold and salt trade. Mali controlled Saharan trade routes linking North and West Africa.
Flashcard 13: What was the main language of administration in the Mongol Empire?
Answer: Uyghur script for Mongolian language. Mongols adopted Uyghur script to write official documents in Mongolian.
Flashcard 14: Which empire was centered around the city of Baghdad?
Answer: Abbasid Caliphate. Baghdad served as the Islamic world's political and intellectual capital.
Flashcard 15: Which empire is known for its contributions to algebra?
Answer: Islamic Caliphates. Muslim mathematicians developed algebraic methods and notation systems.
Flashcard 16: What was the primary method of record-keeping in the Inca Empire?
Answer: Quipu. Knotted string systems recorded numerical and administrative information.
Flashcard 17: Identify the famous traveler from Morocco known for his extensive journeys.
Answer: Ibn Battuta. His travels covered 75,000 miles across Africa, Asia, and Europe.
Flashcard 18: Which empire's capital was Constantinople?
Answer: Byzantine Empire. Constantinople served as the eastern capital of the former Roman Empire.
Flashcard 19: Which empire is known for its code of laws, the Yassa?
Answer: Mongol Empire. The Yassa was Genghis Khan's legal code governing Mongol society.
Flashcard 20: Who was the leader of the Mali Empire during its peak?
Answer: Mansa Musa. His famous pilgrimage to Mecca displayed Mali's immense wealth in gold.
Flashcard 21: Identify the empire known for its naval power in Southeast Asia.
Answer: Srivijaya Empire. This maritime empire controlled strategic trade routes between India and China.
Flashcard 22: What was the major religion of the Delhi Sultanate?
Answer: Islam. Muslim rulers established Islamic law and culture in northern India.
Flashcard 23: Which empire's decline led to the rise of the Ottoman Empire?
Answer: Byzantine Empire. Ottoman expansion filled the power vacuum left by Byzantine weakness.
Flashcard 24: What was the primary religion of the Byzantine Empire?
Answer: Eastern Orthodox Christianity. Byzantium maintained Greek Orthodox traditions separate from Roman Catholicism.
Flashcard 25: Which civilization is known for building Machu Picchu?
Answer: Inca Civilization. This mountain citadel showcased Inca stonework and urban planning.
Flashcard 26: What was the economic basis of the Song Dynasty in China?
Answer: Agriculture and trade. The Song developed advanced farming techniques and commercial networks.
Flashcard 27: What was the dominant political system in Europe during this period?
Answer: Feudalism. Lords granted land to vassals in exchange for military service and loyalty.
Flashcard 28: What was the dominant political system in Europe during this period?
Answer: Feudalism. Lords granted land to vassals in exchange for military service and loyalty.
Flashcard 29: What was the dominant religion in the Khmer Empire?
Answer: Hinduism and later Buddhism. Angkor Wat reflected the transition from Hindu to Buddhist influence.
Flashcard 30: What was the primary writing system used by the Aztecs?
Answer: Pictographic writing. Aztecs used symbols and pictures to represent words and concepts.