Simplified APWH U1

What was the Song Dynasty, and what are some key features of it?

A strong dynasty in China (960–1279) known for Confucian bureaucracy, technological advances (gunpowder, paper money), and economic growth.

What is Confucianism?

A Chinese philosophy focused on social harmony, respect for hierarchy, and proper behavior in relationships.

What were the Civil Service Exams in China?

Tests based on Confucian texts used to select government officials by merit, not birth.

What is Champa Rice and its significance in Song China?

Fast-growing rice from Vietnam that increased food supply and population in Song China.

What does Filial Piety mean in Confucianism?

Respect and obedience toward one's parents and elders, a key Confucian value.

How did Buddhism spread in East Asia?

Buddhism spread through trade and adapted to local beliefs like Confucianism and Daoism.

What are the main differences between Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism?

Theravada is more traditional and strict; Mahayana is more spiritual and flexible, popular in East Asia.

What is Neo-Confucianism?

A blend of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism that emphasized order, education, and reason.

What does the term 'Dar al-Islam' refer to?

'House of Islam' – regions under Muslim rule, united by religion, Arabic language, and trade.

What was the Abbasid Caliphate known for?

An Islamic empire with a Golden Age of science, math, and culture; declined by 1258.

What was the House of Wisdom in Baghdad?

A learning center where scholars translated and preserved Greek, Indian, and Persian knowledge.

How did Islam spread in West Africa?

Islam spread by merchants on Trans-Saharan trade routes and was adopted by elites, mixing with local beliefs.

What is the significance of the Mali Empire?

A West African empire that grew rich from gold and salt trade, with major Islamic influence.

Who was Mansa Musa and what is he known for?

A famous Mali ruler who made a pilgrimage to Mecca, spreading Islam and wealth across Africa.

What was the Indian Ocean Trade?

A sea-based trade network linking East Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.

What was the Bhakti Movement in India?

A Hindu reform movement focusing on emotional devotion to a personal god, not rituals.

What is Sufism?

Islamic mystics who spread Islam by blending it with local cultures and focusing on personal connection to God.

What significance did the Srivijaya Empire hold?

A Southeast Asian kingdom that controlled trade routes and blended Hindu and Buddhist culture.

What is feudalism in Europe?

A system where land is exchanged for loyalty and service; involved kings, nobles, knights, and serfs.

What was the Manorial System in feudal Europe?

An economic system where peasants farmed land owned by lords in return for protection.

What was the role of the Roman Catholic Church in medieval Europe?

A central religious authority that unified people and influenced kings, education, and laws.

What is serfdom?

A system where peasants were bound to the land and worked for lords, common in medieval Europe.

What were the Crusades?

Series of Christian religious wars to capture the Holy Land from Muslims, leading to cultural exchange.

What characterized the Incan Empire?

A large empire in South America ruled by a centralized government; used the mita system (labor tax).

What was the Aztec Empire known for?

A powerful empire in Mesoamerica that expanded by conquest and collected tribute; practiced human sacrifice.

Who were the Seljuk Turks?

Central Asian Muslims who challenged the Abbasid Caliphate and sparked the Crusades by taking Jerusalem.

What was the Delhi Sultanate?

Islamic rulers who controlled northern India from 1206–1526, spreading Islam over a Hindu majority.

What was the Magnetic Compass and its significance?

A Chinese invention that improved navigation and boosted maritime trade.

What is syncretism?

The blending of different religious or cultural traditions, like Sufism and Neo-Confucianism.

What were Zamindars in South Asia under Muslim rule?

Local officials who collected taxes and governed regions for Islamic rulers.