Critical Vocabulary

Unit 2

OligarchyGovernment in which power is in the hands of a few people (especially

the wealthy and/or powerful).

Autocracy A government in

which a dictator has unlimited

power.

Democracy A government in which all citizens

have an equal say in decisions.

RepublicForm of

government in which people choose their

leaders

Aristocracy A government

in which power is held

by a hereditary ruling class (nobility).

DynastyA series of rulers from a single family.

PolisGreek city-state

ChristianityBased on the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, a

Jew. Characteristics: Salvation through faith in Jesus, Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit), and the

New Testament.

BuddhismReligion/philosophy created by Siddhartha

Gautama who opposed the Hindu Caste System. Characteristics: Nirvana, all people are equal, Four Noble Truths, Eightfold Path, and

Reincarnation.

ConfucianismA system of ethics,

founded on the teachings of Confucius,

that influenced the traditional culture of China. Confucianism

places a high value on learning and stresses family relationships.

Mandate of Heaven political theory of

ancient China in which those in

power were given the right to rule

from a divine source

PythagorasGreek philosopher and mathematician best known for creating the Pythagorean Theorem.

Silk RoadsA network of trade routes spanning from China

to the Mediterranean through which many good/ideas were exchanged over land.