World History Semester Exam Flashcards
(62 cards)
Civilization
A form of culture characterized by advanced cities, specialized workers, complex institutions, record keeping, and advanced technology
Prehistory
The time before written records
Empire
A political unit in which a number of peoples or countries a controlled by a single ruler
Civil service
The administrative department of a government- especially those in which employees are hired on the basis of their scores on examinations
Mandate of Heaven
Created by the Zhou rulers of China- the divine approval thought to be the basis of royal authority
Hammurabi Code
Single, uniform code of law created by Hammurabi of Babylon to unify his empire
Dynasty
A series of rulers from a single family
Confucianism
The teachings of Confucius, who taught about diligence, reverence, truthfulness, generosity, and respect for elders; centered around relationships
Daoism
A philosophy based on the ideas of the Chinese thinker Laozi who taught that people should by guided by a universal force called the Dao
Legalism
A Chinese political philosophy based on the idea that a highly efficient and powerful government is key to social order
Polis
A Greek city-state; the fundamental political unity of Ancient Greece after about 750 B.C.
Example: Athens
Democracy
Citizen- controlled government, either directly or through representatives
Example: Pericles increased number of public officials given salaries- more citizens engaged in self- government
Monarchy
A government in which power is held in the hands of a single person
Example: rulers in Mycenae
Aristocracy
A government in which power is in the hands of a hereditary ruling class or nobility
Example: Athens prior to 594 B.C.
Oligarchy
A government in which power is in the hands of a few people, especially when rule is based on wealth
Example: Sparta
Cultural diffusion
The spreading of ideas or products from one culture to another
Example: contact between Mycenaeans and Minoans led to Mycenaeans adopting basis of Minoan culture
Republic
A form of government in which power rests with citizens who have the right to vote for their leaders
Example: the Roman government
Senate
The supreme governing body made up originally of aristocrats
Example: patricians
Patrician
The member of the wealthy, privileged, upper class
Plebeian
One of the common farmers, artisans, and merchants who made up most of the Roman population
Example: members of the tribal assembly
Twelve tables
Roman laws carved onto twelve tablets or tables; established the idea that all citizens have right to protection under the law
Dictator
A political leader given absolute power to make laws and command the army for a “limited” amount of time
Example: Julius Caesar
Pax Romana
27 B.C. - 180 A.D. ; first ruler was Augustus; time of peace and prosperity where Rome was at the height of its power
Example: Rome spread 3 million square miles
Justinian Code
The body of Roman civil law collected and organized by the order of the Byzantine emperor Justinian around A.D. 534; decided legal questions that regulated whole areas of people’s lives and lasted for 900 years
