Late Medieval World Study Guide PDF

LATE MEDIEVAL WORLD STUDY GUIDE Test Dates - A Day: 10/16 (Wednesday) - B Day: 10/15 (Tuesday) Tang & Song Dynasties (618–1279 CE) Overview: These dynasties are considered Golden Ages in Chinese history due to their advancements in technology, culture, and governance. Tang Dyn...

LATE MEDIEVAL WORLD STUDY GUIDE Test Dates - A Day: 10/16 (Wednesday) - B Day: 10/15 (Tuesday) Tang & Song Dynasties (618–1279 CE) Overview: These dynasties are considered Golden Ages in Chinese history due to their advancements in technology, culture, and governance. Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE): Trade: The Tang utilized the Silk Road, promoting financial prosperity through trade. Government: Confucianism became the basis of government, and civil service exams were introduced. Art & Culture: The Tang were known for their beautiful poetry and porcelain. Empress Wu Zetian: China's only female ruler, a significant figure in the dynasty. Buddhism: Although Confucianism was central, Buddhism spread significantly under the Tang. Collapse: The dynasty fell in 907 CE, leading to 50 years of internal warfare. Song Dynasty (960–1279 CE): Technological Advancements: Known for inventions like gunpowder, movable type printing, and paper money. Buddhism: Buddhism continued to spread during the Song Dynasty. Art & Culture: Poetry and art, especially landscape painting, flourished during this period. Chinese porcelain became a prized trade good. Trade & Economy: The Song utilized innovations such as the Grand Canal, linking the Huang He (Yellow) and Yangtze Rivers to promote internal trade. The magnetic compass was also used for navigation and trade. Collapse: The dynasty ended in 1279 CE after the Mongol invasion. Abbasid Caliphate (750–1258 CE) Overview:  The Abbasid Caliphate is known for ushering in the Islamic Golden Age, making significant contributions to science, mathematics, literature, and philosophy. Government & Culture: Caliphate: An Islamic state led by a Caliph, a spiritual and political leader. Golden Age of Science & Technology: The Abbasids made major advancements in math, astronomy, and medicine. Al-Khwarizmi: A key figure in mathematics, credited with developing the foundations of algebra (al-jabar) and introducing the modern numeral system from India (1–9 and the concept of 0). Cultural Diffusion: The Abbasid Caliphate served as a hub connecting Europe, Africa, and Asia, facilitating the exchange of goods, ideas, and culture. The House of Wisdom: Baghdad: The House of Wisdom, also known as the Grand Library of Baghdad, was a major center for learning and intellectual exchange. Scholars from across Afro-Eurasia came to the House of Wisdom to study and share knowledge. It played a major role in cultural diffusion, especially in transferring knowledge from India, China, and ancient Greece to the Islamic world and beyond. End: The House of Wisdom was destroyed by the Mongols in 1258 CE during the fall of Baghdad. Mali Empire (1235–1600 CE) Overview: The Mali Empire was a powerful and wealthy empire in West Africa, known for its trade in gold and salt and for being a center of Islamic learning. Government & Society: Centralized Monarchy: Mali was ruled by a mansa (emperor), with a well-organized system of regional governors, nobles, and a standing army. Timbuktu: This city became a major center for Islamic learning, attracting scholars and traders from across the Islamic world. Mansa Musa (1312–1337 CE): Wealth & Islam: Mansa Musa is famous for spreading Islam through his wealth. His pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324 CE gained him global recognition.  Economic Influence: Mali was a major producer of gold and salt, and Mansa Musa’s spending during his pilgrimage affected economies, particularly in Cairo. Mongol Empire (1206–1368 CE) Overview: The Mongol Empire was the largest contiguous land empire in history, covering 33.7 million square miles, and was known for its military prowess and ruthless conquests. Genghis Khan (1162–1227 CE): Founder: Genghis Khan founded the Mongol Empire, uniting the nomadic tribes of Northeast Asia. He is remembered both as a brutal conqueror and as a nation-building figure in Mongolia. Military Strategy: His military campaigns were feared, and the Mongols ruled with a reputation for brutality. Pax Mongolica (1200s–1300s CE): Peace & Trade: Pax Mongolica refers to the period of peace during Mongol rule, where trade routes like the Silk Road were protected by Mongol forces. This facilitated cultural diffusion across Eurasia. Cultural Diffusion: During this time, Chinese innovations such as gunpowder, the compass, and printing techniques spread across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Magna Carta (1215 CE) Overview: The Magna Carta is a foundational document in the development of modern democratic governments, including those in England and the United States. King John of England (1199–1216 CE): Military Failures: King John’s unsuccessful military campaigns, especially in France, resulted in heavy taxation and unrest in England. Heavy Taxation: To finance wars, John imposed heavy taxes, causing resentment among his subjects and the Church. Conflict with the Church: John’s conflict with the Pope led to his excommunication from the Church. Abuse of Power: John was known for imprisoning people without trial and other abuses of power. The Magna Carta: Purpose: Signed in 1215, the Magna Carta limited the king’s power and established the principle that everyone, including the king, was subject to the law. Influence: The Magna Carta guaranteed the right to justice and a fair trial. It became the foundation for other key documents, such as the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. Key Terms and Concepts 1. Empress Wu Zetian – China's only female emperor, ruling during the Tang Dynasty. 2. Caliphate – An Islamic state led by a caliph, who is both a political and spiritual leader. 3. Al-Khwarizmi – Mathematician who developed algebra and introduced the numeral system we use today. 4. Pax Mongolica – A period of peace under Mongol rule that facilitated trade and cultural diffusion across Eurasia. 5. Mansa Musa – Emperor of the Mali Empire, known for his wealth, Islamic influence, and pilgrimage to Mecca. 6. Magna Carta – A document that limited the power of the English king and laid the foundation for modern democratic governments.