Fish Bowl Terms (First Semester)

Champa Rice

A high-yield strain of rice that was introduced during the Song Dynasty in China, leading to increased agricultural productivity.

Grand Canal

A man-made waterway in China that connected the Yellow River and Yangtze River, facilitating transportation and trade.

Song Dynasty

A ruling dynasty in China from 960 to 1279, known for its advancements in technology, art, and literature.

Compass

A navigational instrument that uses a magnetic needle to indicate direction, widely used in maritime exploration.

Hinduism

The major religion of India, characterized by a belief in reincarnation and the pursuit of spiritual liberation.

Caste System

A social hierarchy in Hindu society, dividing people into different hereditary groups with varying privileges and restrictions.

The Middle Way

A concept in Buddhism that advocates for moderation and avoiding extremes in all aspects of life.

Islam

A monotheistic religion founded by Prophet Muhammad, based on the teachings of the Quran.

5 Pillars of Islam

The five core practices and beliefs of Islam, including the declaration of faith, prayer, charity, fasting, and pilgrimage to Mecca.

Judaism

The monotheistic religion of the Jewish people, based on the Torah and the teachings of the prophets.

Abrahamic Religions

Religions that trace their origins back to the biblical figure Abraham, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Mombassa

A city in East Africa that served as a major trading hub and a center of Swahili culture.

Patriarchy

A social system in which men hold primary power and authority.

Moksha

In Hinduism, the ultimate goal of liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

Siddhartha Guatama

The founder of Buddhism, also known as Buddha, who attained enlightenment and taught the Four Noble Truths.

Mahayana Buddhism

A branch of Buddhism that emphasizes compassion and the belief in multiple Buddhas and bodhisattvas.

Quran

The holy book of Islam, believed to be the word of God as revealed to Prophet Muhammad.

Sufism

A mystical branch of Islam that focuses on spiritual experiences and seeking a direct connection with God.

Silk Road

An ancient network of trade routes connecting China with the Mediterranean region, facilitating cultural exchange and commerce.

Mongols

A nomadic people from Central Asia who established the largest land empire in history under the leadership of Genghis Khan.

Genghis Khan

The founder and first Great Khan of the Mongol Empire, known for his military conquests and efficient administration.

Kublai Khan

The fifth Great Khan of the Mongol Empire and the founder of the Yuan Dynasty in China.

The Khanate of the Golden Horde

A Mongol state that ruled over parts of Eastern Europe, including Russia, from the 13th to the 15th century.

Yuan Dynasty

The dynasty established by Kublai Khan in China, marking the Mongol rule over the country from 1271 to 1368.

Chinese Foot Binding

A practice in ancient China where women's feet were tightly bound to restrict their growth, seen as a symbol of beauty and status.

Abbasid Caliphate

The third caliphate of Islam, ruling over a vast empire from 750 to 1258, known for its cultural and scientific achievements.

Srivijaya

A maritime empire based in Southeast Asia, controlling trade routes and influencing the region's culture from the 7th to the 13th century.

Angkor Wat

A temple complex in Cambodia, built during the Khmer Empire, known for its architectural grandeur and religious significance.

Zheng He

A Chinese explorer and admiral who led seven major naval expeditions in the 15th century, expanding China's influence.

Marco Polo

An Italian merchant and explorer who traveled to China during the Yuan Dynasty and wrote about his experiences in "The Travels of Marco Polo."

Ibn Battuta

A Moroccan scholar and traveler who journeyed across the Islamic world and beyond, documenting his travels in his book "Rihla."

Timbuktu

A city in West Africa that became a center of Islamic learning and trade during the Mali Empire.

Transatlantic Slave Trade

The forced transportation of African slaves across the Atlantic Ocean to the Americas, lasting from the 16th to the 19th century.

Safavid Empire

A Persian empire that ruled over Iran from 1501 to 1736, known for its promotion of Shia Islam and artistic achievements.

Black Plague

A devastating pandemic in the 14th century that killed millions of people in Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Ilkhanate

A Mongol khanate that ruled over Persia and parts of the Middle East from 1256 to 1335.

Hernan Cortes

A Spanish conquistador who led the expedition that resulted in the fall of the Aztec Empire in Mexico.

Great Dying

The widespread devastation of Native American populations due to diseases brought by European colonizers.

Little Ice Age

A period of cooling temperatures in Europe and North America from the 14th to the 19th century, leading to agricultural challenges.

Columbian Exchange

The exchange of goods, ideas, and diseases between the Old World (Europe, Africa, and Asia) and the New World (the Americas) following Christopher Columbus's voyages.

Mercantilism

An economic system in which a country's wealth is measured by its accumulation of precious metals and its promotion of exports over imports.

Mulattoes

People of mixed African and European ancestry, particularly in the Americas.

Yasak

A tribute or tax imposed by the Russian Empire on indigenous peoples of Siberia.

Mughal Empire

An empire in the Indian subcontinent that ruled over a large part of the region from the 16th to the 19th century.

Devshirme System

A practice in the Ottoman Empire where Christian boys were taken as slaves, converted to Islam, and trained for military and administrative roles.

Ghulam

A term used in the Ottoman Empire to refer to slave soldiers who were loyal to the sultan.

Trading Post Empire

A type of colonial empire established by European powers, focusing on the establishment of trading posts and control of trade routes.

Treaty of Tordesillas

A treaty signed in 1494 between Spain and Portugal, dividing the newly discovered lands outside Europe between the two countries.

Manila Galleons

Spanish trading ships that sailed between Manila in the Philippines and Acapulco in Mexico, facilitating trade between Asia and the Americas.

Potosi

A city in present-day Bolivia that became one of the largest silver mining centers in the world during the Spanish colonial period.

Fur Trade

The trading of animal furs, particularly in North America, which played a significant role in the economic development of European colonies.

Kingdom of Benin

A pre-colonial kingdom in West Africa, known for its sophisticated bronze artwork and centralized political structure.

Protestant Reformation

A religious movement in the 16th century that led to the establishment of Protestant Christianity, challenging the authority of the Catholic Church.

Indulgences

Certificates sold by the Catholic Church that granted forgiveness for sins, a practice criticized by Martin Luther and other reformers.

Martin Luther

A German theologian and key figure in the Protestant Reformation, known for his Ninety-Five Theses and his critique of the Catholic Church.

Jesuits

Members of the Society of Jesus, a Catholic religious order founded by Ignatius of Loyola, known for their missionary work and educational institutions.

Council of Trent

A council of the Catholic Church held from 1545 to 1563, addressing the issues raised by the Protestant Reformation and reaffirming Catholic doctrine.

Thirty Years War

A conflict in Europe from 1618 to 1648, primarily fought between Protestant and Catholic states, resulting in significant political and religious changes.

Defenestration of Prague

An event in 1618 where Protestant nobles threw Catholic officials out of a window, triggering the Thirty Years War.

Taki Onqoy

A religious revival movement in the Andean region of South America in the 16th century, rejecting Spanish influence and promoting traditional beliefs.

Sikhism

A monotheistic religion founded in the Punjab region of India by Guru Nanak, emphasizing equality and social justice.

Divine Faith

The belief in the divine right of kings, asserting that monarchs derive their authority directly from God.

Akbar the Great

The third Mughal emperor of India, known for his religious tolerance, administrative reforms, and patronage of the arts.

Suleiman the Magnificent

The tenth and longest-reigning sultan of the Ottoman Empire, known for his military conquests and legal reforms.