History: Nature and Early Civilizations

The Frankish tribe's conversion to Christianity influenced the re-civilization of Europe.

A social, economic, and political system with strong lord-vassal relationships, based on protection and service.

Code of conduct for knights emphasizing refinement, courage, and loyalty to their lord.

Economic system in the Middle Ages revolving around agriculture and income production for the lord.

Military expeditions by Europeans to reclaim the Holy Land from the Muslims.

A system in which craft workers organized into associations to regulate their trade.

The revival of Graeco-Roman studies, marking the beginning of modern Europe and emphasizing humanism.

A period of intellectual, scientific, industrial, and political revolutions marking a shift from traditional systems.

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914.

Hitler's invasion of Poland in 1939.

England, France, and Russia formed the Allied Powers in WWI.

Germany, Italy, and Japan formed the Axis powers in WWII.

A state of diplomatic tension between the US and USSR without actual fighting.

A conflict between North and South Korea during the Cold War.

The US joined in WWII after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor.

The League of Nations was replaced by the UN in 1945.

Asia is the largest continent, covering nearly one-third of Earth's land surface.

Asia is bordered by the Ural Mountains (Europe), the Red Sea and Suez Canal (Africa).

Asia encompasses extremes like Mount Everest (highest mountain) and the Dead Sea (lowest point).

"Asia" comes from an early Aegean term meaning "sunrise".

Region centered on the Indian subcontinent, including India, Pakistan, and others.

Region that includes countries like Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia;term used widely during WWII.

East Asia includes major countries like Japan, China, Korea, and more.

Asia has significant economic potential due to its varied resources and large population.

Fossil remains thought to be early hominids, possibly close ancestors to humans, found in Pakistan and China.

An early period of human history, characterized by the use of stone tools. This is when humans first started making and using tools.

A period characterized by the use of bronze tools and weapons, and the rise of early civilizations in river valleys like Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, and China.

Early civilizations that developed along major rivers like the Tigris-Euphrates, Nile, Indus, and Yellow River.

Signs a civilization existed, including political systems, specialized labor, writing systems, trade, social classes, monumental architecture, and art.

Founder of the Mongol Empire, known for his military conquests and expansion.

A nomadic group from Central Asia known for their military prowess and vast empire, including parts of Asia.

A nomadic group from Central Asia, known for their military power, particularly under Attila, and their migrations across various continents.

The Ottoman Turks originated near the Gobi Desert, Siberia, and Turkestan.

"Ottoman" is derived from the third caliph, Osman.

The Persian Empire was the first large empire; notably during Cyrus's time, encompassing the Iranian Plateau, Fertile Crescent, Anatolia, Sogdania, and Egypt.

The Persian Empire had an organized political system, dividing the empire into satrapies, units ruled by satraps, like today's provinces.

Aramaic was the language of official communication within the Persian Empire.

The Mauryan Dynasty (321-183 BCE) is credited with significant empire building in South Asia, although some believe the Nanda dynasty preceded them.

Hinduism evolved in South Asia by blending the religious practices of the indigenous Dravidians and the Aryans.

The Persian Empire had a road network for rapid communication between satrapies using messengers.

The ideas from Brahmanism, an ancient Indian religion, influenced how kingship was viewed and described.

A rigid social structure that divided society into four groups: Brahmans (priests), Kshatriyas (warriors), Vaishyas (merchants), and Shudras (laborers).

The rise of Buddhism and Jainism in the 6th century BC was partially a reaction against the strictness and limitations of the Caste system.

Buddhism promoted a different understanding of 'Dharma,' emphasizing peaceful behavior, respect for all beings, and avoiding harm.

Emperor Asoka's conversion to Buddhism in the 3rd century BC played a major role in spreading the religion.

Asoka used Buddhist principles to guide his administration, focusing on ethical governance, non-violent policies, and compassionate treatment of people.

From the 1st century A.D., trade between Europe and Asia happened along land routes and sea routes, connecting diverse regions.

Several key trade centers flourished during this period: Mediterranean-West Asian, Central Asian, Strait of Malacca-Indo China, and Indian Ocean Trade Complexes.