AP World History Unit 1 - Lesson 1.1

Song Dynasty

Song Dynasty

________ replaced the Tang Dynasty in 960, ruled for over three centuries with a smaller region with flourishing arts, paper money, and a navy.

Civil Service Exam

Exams based on Confucian texts, scoring well on them lead to opportunities in highly desired positions in the bureaucracy.

Bureaucracy

A government system consisting of administrative officials (non-elected) who implement policies created by the higher branches of government.

Meritocracy

System where officials are selected based off their ability and merit.

Grand Canal

Internal waterway transportation, extended over 30,000 miles, allowed the Song Dynasty to become world’s most populated trading area.

Champa Rice

A drought resistant and fast ripening rice that expanded the agriculture of China.

Proto-Industrialization

Society’s shift away was agricultural economy, but not yet reached an industrial economy.

Artisans

A worker in a skilled trade, such as one that involves making products by hand.

Tributary System

Imperial China’s network of international relations focused on facilitating trade and strengthening China’s powerful position in the region.

Foot Binding

Chinese practice where young girls had their feet tied so tightly that their bones did not grow naturally, in the hope of making them “marriageable” women.

Buddhism

World Religion originating in 6th century India, founded by

Siddhartha Gautama, emphasizes the four noble truths.

Theravada Buddhism

Older and conservative branch of Buddhism, centers around practices to attain nirvana (enlightenment).

Mahayana Buddhism

One of two dominant branches of Buddhism today,

focuses on spreading happiness and compassion to everyone.

Tibetan Buddhism

Led by the Dalai Lama, this branch of Buddhism dominant in Tibet only requires the follower to change his or her perspective on life.

Daoism

Philosophical religion that originated in 6th Century BCE China, focused on harmonizing with the Dao (natural order of the universe).

Four Noble Truths

Foundation of Buddhism, spread ideas of suffering in existence and how to avoid it.

Neo-Confucianism

The abstract ideas of Daoism and Buddhism such as reincarnation emphasizing ethics of nature, popular in China’s neighboring countries.

Tale of Genji

The first novel created

Aristocracy

Government consisting of a small privileged \ class or by a minority consisting of those assumed to be most qualified to rule.

Tang Dynasty

Chinese imperial dynasty that ruled from 618 to 907, considered golden age of china’s arts and culture.