AP World Vocab Unit 1.1

Sui dynasty

Chinese dynasty (589-618) that reunified China after centuries of fragmentation and built a 1,200-mile canal system linking north and south.

Tang dynasty

Dynasty (618-907) that established China's "golden age" with the world's best-ordered state structure, examination system, and cultural achievements.

Song Dynasty

Dynasty (960-1279) that oversaw China's economic revolution, making it the world's richest and most urbanized country.

Economic Revolution

Song-era transformation featuring population doubling to 120 million, widespread commercialization, and technological innovations like printing and gunpowder.

Hangzhou

Song dynasty capital with over 1 million residents, described by Marco Polo as "beyond dispute the finest and noblest city in the world."

Foot binding

Practice beginning in 10th-11th century of tightly wrapping young girls' feet, breaking bones to create small feet as beauty standard.

Khitan/Jurchen people

Nomadic peoples who invaded China; Jurchen created the Jin Empire ruling northern China during Song period.

Chinese Buddhism

Indian religion that gained acceptance among Chinese elites during the post-Han fragmentation period.