Empires Flashcards
(20 cards)
empire
A complex political organization where a dominant central state controls weaker peripheral (outer) states.
central state
A group of people or region that has control over
peripheral state
Groups of peoples or regions within an empire that have less power than the central state.
feudalism
A social system in Europe developed due to fear of attacks from invaders. Under it, people were given land and protection by people of higher rank, and worked and fought for them in return. People could not change their ranking/position under this system.
emperor
the ruler of an empire
hereditary rule
The practice of passing leadership down through a family
Ottoman Empire
Empire that stretched across Asia, Europe, and Africa from 1299 - 1922; led by an absolute ruler known as the caliph or sultan; Islam was the predominant religion
Mongol Empire
Largest continuous land empire in the history of the world, spanning from Eastern Europe across Asia; 1206 -1368; 1st united under the leadership of Genghis Khan
Roman Empire
an empire that, at its height, around 200 C.E., spanned the Mediterranean world and most of Europe;
empire that spanned across the Mediterranean region, encompassing most of Europe, North Africa, and parts of the Middle East, reaching its peak around 200 C.E; It was ruled by emperors centered in the city or Rome. It left a lasting legacy on Western civilization through its language, architecture, law, and engineering advancements
Aztec Empire
Central American empire centered in present-day Mexico and expanded greatly during the 1400s during the reigns of Itzcoatl and Motecuzoma I; conquered many neighboring peoples in order to have a steady source of humans to sacrifice to their gods
Empire of Mali
West African kingdom that obtained wealth through the gold trade, was ruled by a mansa, and made Timbuktu into a prosperous West African city, 13th-14th centuries AD
British Empire
Formerly the United Kingdom and all the territories under its control. The largest empire at its peak in the 1800s and 1900s included the colonies of India, Australia, Canada, South Africa, and many others.
Iroquois Confederacy
An alliance of five (later 6) Native American peoples that made decisions on military and diplomatic issues through a council of representatives in the northeast of North America (parts of present-day Canada, New York State, the Great Lakes region, and the Ohio River Valley. Allied first with the Dutch and later with the English
Russian Empire
empire that stretched from E. Europe and the Baltic Sea to Siberia and the Pacific. Started by Ivan III, he proclaimed Moscow to be the new capital of the new empire. This empire lasted until 1917 when the last czar was driven from power during the Russian Revolution following Russia’s disastrous involvement in WW
divine right
the idea that monarchs are God’s representatives on earth and are therefore answerable only to God
social hierarchy
the division of society by rank or class
Political causes
relating to the government or the public affairs of a country; for example civil war and unrest
social causes
Includes development of family groups, gender roles and relations, ethnic and racial constructions and economic class; for example contrast between rich and poor
economic causes
relating to trade, industry, and money; for example poor harvests or inflation
military causes
relating to soldiers, arms, or war; for example threats from invaders or problems recruiting soliders
