| A | B |
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| Korean Bridge | The term given to process in which cultural diffusion occurred between China and Japan though Korean contact with both civilizations. |
| Last Supper, The | A famous Renaissance painting by Leonardo Da Vinci. |
| Latin America | The Geopolitical designation for Central and South America and the Caribbean Islands which were settled by the Spanish. |
| Latin American Revolutions | Political revolutions in various Latin American countries beginning in the late 18th century. These revolutions were aimed at overthrowing the European powers that controlled these nations. Many were successful, but few achieved the success of the American Revolution. |
| Laws of the Twelve Tables | A system of laws. Some of the features of this system include, men being equal under the law, having the right to face their accusers, and being considered innocent until proven guilty. |
| legislative | Relating to a system that makes laws. |
| Leviathan | A book written by Thomas Hobbes describing his theory that an absolute government was the only means of balancing human interests and desires with their rights of life and property. |
| liberty | In the political sense, this usually means freedom. |
| Locke, John | (1632-1704) English philosopher and political theorist. He wrote Two Treaties on Government which explained that all men have Natural Rights, which are Life, Liberty, and Property, and that the purpose of government was to protect these rights. |
| Machiavelli, Niccolo | (1469-1527) Italian historian, statesman, and political philosopher of the Renaissance. His greatest work is The Prince, a book of political advice to rulers in which he describes the methods that a prince should use to acquire and maintain political power. This book was used to defend policies of despotism and tyranny. Machiavelli wrote that a ruler should take any action to remain in power, or that “the ends justifies the means.” |
| Mandate of Heaven | Divine right of rule in China. |
| Maria Teresa | An enlightened Despot who ruled the Austrian Empire. |
| Mayans | A Mesoamerican civilization of Central America and southern Mexico. Achievements include mathematics, architecture, and a 365 day a year calendar. They flourished between the 4th and 12th centuries C.E.. |
| Mesoamerican | A region of Central America, Mexico, and South America where several pre-Columbian civilizations lived including the Maya, Inca, and Aztecs. |
| Michelangelo | (1475-1564) An Italian sculptor, painter, poet, engineer, and architect. Famous works include the mural on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, and the sculpture of the biblical character David. |
| Middle Ages | Time period in European history between the fall of Rome in 476 C.E. and the beginning of the Italian Renaissance in the early 15th century. |
| middle class | Social and economic class usually composed of merchants, artisans, and business people. In some societies, the richest class, but without a title of nobility. The middle class is usually the backbone of society as they are generally more moderate in their economic, social, and political habits. |
| Mona Lisa | A famous Renaissance painting by Leonardo Da Vinci. |
| mosque | A domed Islamic religious building. |
| movable type printing machines | A printing machine that used individual letters that could be moved after each printing. This allowed for faster and easier printing. |
