| A | B |
|---|
| African Trading Kingdoms | Three African kingdoms, Ghana, Mali, and Songhai that were important in the trans-Sahara trade of gold form the west coast of Africa to North Africa and the Middle East. Their trade provided enough wealth to create the conditions necessary for cultural and intellectual achievement. |
| Age of Exploration | Time period during the 15th and 16th centuries when Europeans searched for new sources of wealth and for easier trade routes to China and India. Resulted in the discovery of North and South America by the Europeans. |
| Alexander the Great | (356 BCE-323 BCE) He conquered most of the ancient world from Asia Minor to Egypt and India, which began the Hellenistic culture which was a blending of Greek, Persian, Indian, and Egyptian influences. |
| anti-Semitism | The hatred of people of Jewish descent. |
| Aryans | Nomadic warriors from Central Asia who migrated into India around 1500 BCE. They are responsible for many aspects of current Indian culture including their language, sacred texts called the Vedas, and a system of government that later evolved into the caste system. |
| Asoka | (?-232 BCE) King of the Maurya dynasty. He ruled nearly the entire subcontinent of India. He also was instrumental in the spread of Buddhism after his conversion. |
| Association of Southeast Asian Nations | Multinational organization that cooperates economically by lowering trade barriers, such as, tariffs, to encourage commerce between member nations. |
| BCE | Date designation meaning Before Common Era, or more than two thousand years ago. |
| Boers | Dutch descended colonist living in South Africa. Also called Afrikaners |
| British East India Company | A joint stock company that controlled most of India during the period of imperialism. This company controlled the political, social, and economic life in India for more than 200 years. |
| bubonic plague | An infectious disease transmitted by fleas. It is characterized by fever, chills, and the formation of swellings. Also known as the Black Plague or Black Death. |
| Buddhism | Buddhism developed in India, and is based on many of the core concepts of Hinduism.. Buddhists believe in an endless cycle of reincarnation, or samsara, which is similar to beliefs of Hinduism. However, Buddhists do not believe that deities are responsible for the phenomenon. In addition, the Caste System is rejected by Buddhists who believe instead that one is reincarnated until they can achieve nirvana, best described as spiritual enlightenment. |
| Byzantine Empire | (330-1453) The eastern half of the Roman Empire, which survived after the fall of the Western Empire at the end of the 5th century C.E. Its capital was Constantinople, named after the Emperor Constantine. |
| Cape of Good Hope | Southern tip of the African continent. |
| Cavalry | Mounted warriors. |
| Christianity | Currently the most popular religion in the world based on the number of worshippers found throughout the world. While this monotheistic religion developed from Judaism, there are several key differences in its teachings. Christianity was founded by Jesus Christ in the 1st century CE. The Christian holy book is called the Holy Bible. |
| civilization | A society that has a high level of culture and social organization including organized government, job specialization, and a organized belief system. |
| colonialism | The policy of maintaining colonies as a source of raw materials and new markets. Practiced during old and new imperialism. |
| Columbian Exchange | The exchange of goods and other things, such as disease from the Old World (Europe) to the new World (North and South America) and back. |
| Columbus, Christopher | (1451-1506) Italian explorer working for Spain who, in 1492, crossed the Atlantic Ocean and discovered the Americas for Spain. |
