Glossary of Terms


A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
 

Janissaries   Ottoman infantry divisions that dominated Ottoman armies; forcibly conscripted as boys in conquered areas of Balkans, legally slaves; translated military service into political influence, particularly after 15th century. (p. 615)

Jericho   Early walled urban culture site based on sedentary agriculture; located in modern Israeli-occupied West Bank near Jordan River. (p. 24)

Jesuits   A new religious order founded during the Catholic Reformation; active in politics, education, and missionary work; sponsored missions to South America, North American and Asia. (p. 526)

Jesus of Nazareth   Prophet and teacher among the Jews; believed by Christians to be the Messiah; executed c. 30 c.e. (p. 166)

Jewish Fundamentalism, see Religious Revivalism  

Jiang Qing   [jyäng ching] Wife of Mao Zedong; one of Gang of Four; opposed pragmatists and supported Cultural Revolution of 1965; arrested and imprisoned for life in 1976. (p. 1032)

jihad   Islamic holy war. (p. 288)

Jinnah, Muhammad Ali   Muslim nationalist in India; originally a member of the National Congress party; became leader of Muslim League; traded Muslim support for British during World War II for promises of a separate Muslim state after the war; first president of Pakistan. (p. 979)

jinshi   [chin shEE] Title granted to those students who passed the most difficult Chinese examination on all of Chinese literature; became immediate dignitaries and eligible for high office. (p. 428)

jizya   [jiz yuh] Head tax paid by all nonbelievers in Islamic territories. (p. 291)

João VI, Dom   Portuguese monarch who established seat of government in Brazil from 1808 to 1820 as a result of Napoleonic invasion of Iberian peninsula; made Brazil seat of empire with capital at Rio de Janeiro. (p. 759)

Jomon culture   Created by early migrants to Japan after 3000 b.c.e.; hunting-and-gathering people, produced distinctive pottery form. (p. 239)

Juárez, Benito   Indian governor of state of Oaxcaca in Mexico; leader of liberal rebellion against Santa Anna; liberal government defeated by French intervention under Emperor Napoleon III of France and establishment of Mexican Empire under Maximilian; restored to power in 1867 until his death in 1872. (p. 767)

Ju Yuanzhang   [jU yU än jäng, yYän] Chinese peasant who led successful revolt against Yuan; founded Ming dynasty. (p. 494)

junks   Chinese ships equipped with watertight bulkheads, sternpost rudders, compasses, and bamboo fenders; dominant force in Asian seas east of the Malayan peninsula. (p. 437)

Jurchens   Founders of the Qin kingdom that succeeded the Liao in northern China; annexed most of Yellow River basin and forced Song to flee to south. (p. 436)

Justinian   Eastern Roman emperor between 527 and 565 c.e.; tried to restore unity of old Roman Empire; issued most famous compilation of Roman law. (p. 355)

juula   [jUlä] Malinke merchants; formed small partnerships to carry out trade throughout Mali Empire; eventually spread throughout much of West Africa. (p. 337)

 

 

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Back to Top