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9

95 Theses

Document written by Martin Luther detailing what he believed to be the problems in the medieval Church.

Luther's action was in great part a response to the selling of indulgences by Johann Tetzel, a Dominican priest, commissioned by the Archbishop of Mainz and Pope Leo X. The purpose of this fundraising campaign was to finance the building of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Even though Luther's prince, Frederick the Wise, and the prince of the neighboring territory, Duke George of Saxony, forbade the sale in their lands, Luther's parishioners traveled to purchase them. When these people came to confession, they presented the indulgence, claiming they no longer had to repent of their sins, since the document forgave all their sins.

Traditionally, Luther posted the 95 Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany, on October 31, 1517.

A

Abbassid Dynasty

(750 - 1258) Ruling family of the Islamic Empire during its golden age and responsible for many achievements.

Abraham

The first patriarch in the Bible. Abraham was asked by God to sacrifice his son, Isaac, and was rewarded for being prepared to do so. He is considered by Jewish people as the father of the Israelites through his son Isaac, and by Muslims as the father of Arab peoples through his son Ishmael.

absolute monarchy

A political system in which a country is ruled by a monarch, who has absolute control.

acid rain

Rain that contains pollutants due to the burning of fossil fuels. It is damaging to the environment.

acupuncture

Chinese method of treating disorders by inserting needles into the skin. This is to help with the flow of energy that is thought to be blocked.

adaptation

A change made to survive an environment or to overcome a disadvantage.

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.

Afrikaners

Dutch descended colonist living in South Africa. Also called Boers.

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.


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