China Vocabulary

AP World History I Ancient China Vocab

Analects

Foundational text of Confucianism, compiled from the sayings and ideas of Confucius and his disciples after his death, emphasizing ethics, social harmony, proper conduct, and virtuous leadership, shaping Chinese culture and governance for millennia.

Chang' an

A crucial ancient Chinese imperial capital for the Han, Sui, and Tang dynasties. It was a center of trade, culture, and political power, influencing the Silk Road and fostering cosmopolitanism.

Civil Service System

China's imperial method of selecting government officials through rigorous exams based on Confucian classics.

Confucianism

Philosophy based on the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Kong Fuzi (551-479 B.C.E.), or Confucius, that emphasizes order, the role of the gentleman, obligation to society, and reciprocity.

Dao

A key element in Chinese philosophy that means the "way of nature” or the “way of the cosmos.”

Daoism

Chinese philosophy, with origins in the Zhou dynasty, it is associated with the legendary philosopher Laozi, and it calls for a policy of noncompetition.

Great Wall

A vast system of fortifications built by successive Chinese dynasties (starting with Qin Shi Huang in the third century B.C.E.) to defend against nomadic invasions from the north, symbolizing imperial power, territorial control, and cultural boundaries, while also facilitating trade and communications despite its limited military success against determined invaders.

Han Dynasty

Foundational Chinese imperial period (206 BCE - 220 CE), considered a "golden age” for its cultural, technological, and territorial expansion. Promoting Confucianism as state ideology, developing the civil service exam, creating paper, and significantly expanding trade via the Silk Road, linking China to the West.

Han Wudi

Han Dynasty ruler (141-87 BCE) known for centralizing power, expanding China's territory through military conquest, making Confucianism the state ideology, and establishing the civil service exam system.

Junzi

A Confucian ideal, meaning “superior person” or “gentleman,” representing a morally cultivated individual who embodies virtues like ren and li, serves as a role model, and promotes social harmony, through ethical conduct, education, and self-importance

Kong Fuzi

Chinese philosopher Confucius (c. 551-479 BCE), whose teachings formed Confucianism, a system emphasizing social harmony, morality, proper relationships, filial piety, education, & virtuous leadership.

Legalism

Chinese philosophy from the Zhou Dynasty, that called for harsh supppression of the common people.

Li

A Confucian concept, a sense of propriety

Liu Bang

Peasent born. Founder of the Chinese Han Dynasty (202 BCE - 220 CE)

Period of Warring States

Choatic era in ancient China following the decline of the Zhou Dynasty. where powerful regional states fought intensely for dominanace.

Qin Dynasty

The Chinese Dynasty (221 - 207 BCE), founded by Qin Shihuangdi, marked the first unification of China and the early construction of its defense walls.

Qin Shihuangdi (Shi Huangdi)

Emperor (221-210 BCE) first emperor to unify China, ending the Period of Warring States.

Ren

The core Confucian concept embodying benelovence, humaneness, or human-heartedness

Wang Mang

(45 BCE - 23 CE) Han Dynasty court official who usurped the throne in 8 CE

Wuwei

Daoist concept of disengagement from the affairs of the world.

Xiao (Filial piety)

The Confucian concepty of respect for one's parents and ancestors.

Yellow Turban Uprising

Massive Chinese peasent revolt during the last Han Dynasty.