LTHS WHAP Midterm

Agricultural Revolution

When farming techniques drastically improved the mass cultivation of crops within a relatively short period of time.

Qin Dynasty

Dynasty that established the first great Chinese empire. Lasted from 221 to 207 BCE.

Tang Dynasty

Dynasty that improved agriculture, roads, and canals, which encouraged foreign trade and allowed Song China to be the economic powerhouse of the world in the post-1200 world

Bureaucracy in China

Government members had to pass merit exams (Civil Service Exams) to qualify for positions, promoting skilled officials over aristocrats.

Grand Canal

Series of waterways in China that helped facilitate trade and transportation, connecting northern and southern regions.

Steel/Iron Production

Allowed farm tools to be stronger and more efficient in China, leading to increased agricultural output and supporting population growth.

Champa Rice

A fast-maturing rice variety from Vietnam that allowed for multiple harvests in a year, significantly boosting agricultural productivity in China.

Confucianism

A philosophical system founded by Confucius, emphasizing moral integrity, social harmony, and filial piety, which heavily influenced Chinese culture and governance.

Buddhism

A religion and philosophy founded by Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) in the 5th century BCE, focusing on the path to enlightenment through practices such as meditation, ethical living, and mindfulness.

Zen Buddhism

A branch of Mahayana Buddhism that emphasizes meditation and direct experience of enlightenment (satori). It originated in China as Chan Buddhism and later spread to Japan and other parts of the world.

Neo-Confucianism

A revival and reinterpretation of Confucianism that emerged during the Song dynasty, integrating elements of Buddhism and Daoism, focusing on metaphysical concepts and moral philosophy.

Scholar Gentry

A group of civil servants that followed the principles of Confucianism and encouraged members of Chinese society to maintain certain morals like selflessness.

Foot Binding

The practice of tightly binding the feet of young girls in China to alter their shape and size, seen as a symbol of beauty and status.

Tributary System

A political and economic system in which surrounding states or regions pay tribute to a central authority, often seen in historical Chinese relations with neighboring countries, reflecting hierarchy and influence.

Sinification

The process by which non-Chinese societies come under the influence of Chinese culture, including language, customs, and social norms.

Dar-al Islam

After the fall of the pre-1200 Abbasid Caliphate, there was not one unified Islamic government, but regional Islamic empires

Mamluk Empire

Turkish slaves working in Egypt who attacked and seized control of the Egyptian government created a Muslim empire across North Africa known as the Malmlu Sultanate

Seljuk Turks

Muslim Turks who captured parts of the Middle East including Baghdad.

al-Andalus

Muslim empire in Spain that represents tolerance and collaboration between numerous religions in Muslim occupied territories.

Nasiral-Din al-Tusi

Celebrated Islamic Scholar who made advances in math that laid the groundwork for trigonometry.

A’ishah al-Ba’uniyyah

The most prolific female Muslim writer before the 20th century!

Decentralization of government

The process of distributing or dispersing functions, powers, people, or decision-making away from a central authority to local or regional authorities.

What was responsible for bringing Islam to South and Southeast Asia?

Merchants

How would some Hindus escape the Caste System?

Converting to Islam

Toltec

First empire that grew in the Americas. Highly militaristic with a heavy focus on sacrifice. Probably feel due to repeated attacks by northern nomads.

Aztecs

Arose in the 13th Century near lake Texcoco which allowed for farming, fishing, and transportation. Capital city of Tenochtitlan.

Inca Empire

Centered around Lake Titicaca in Peru. Highly Centralized with a main ruler over four provinces. Tribute Empire. Advanced Irrigation made them skilled farmers.

Maya

Decentralized with many city-states throughout the region and were often at war with each other. Known for art, architecture, calendar, and astronomical system.

Africa before Islam

Extremely diverse societies, animistic, and polytheistic.

Bantu

Spread their language and knowledge of metalwork and agriculture throughout Africa.

Stateless Society

A society that operates without a centralized government or authority, often relying on informal systems of governance, kinship ties, and communal decision-making.

How did Islam come to Africa?

Islam comes to Africa from missionaries and many convert because Islam was egalitarian (social equality of believers) with a focus on the authority of the king.

Middle ages / Dark Ages

Time of “backwardness” in Europe where governments were weak and learning was limited compared to the rest of the world.

Catholic Church

Highly hierarchically organized, and it became the most powerful institution in Europe. It was highly corrupt in many places.

Christian Crusades

Tried to end Muslim rule in the Holy Land. Was successful in some places. Opened the West up to greater Eurasian trade.

Manorialism

An economic and social system in medieval Europe where the lord of a manor exercised legal and economic power over the peasants who lived on his land, including farming, labor, and protection.

Feudalism

A hierarchical system of government and land ownership in medieval Europe, where land was owned by nobles who granted portions of it to vassals in exchange for military service and loyalty.

The Black Death

A devastating global epidemic that struck Europe and Asia between 1347 and 1351, resulting in the death of an estimated one-third of Europe's population, leading to significant social, economic, and cultural changes.

Compass

An instrument used for navigation and orientation that shows direction relative to the geographic cardinal directions

Astrolabe

An ancient instrument used for solving problems related to time and the position of the stars and planets. It was primarily used by astronomers and navigators.

Caravans

Groups of travelers, often merchants, who journey together for safety and support across deserts or through hostile territories, historically significant in trade routes such as the Silk Road.

Causes of Growth of Trade on Silk Road

Increased demand for luxury goods, improved transportation, and unification under Mongol Empire.

Rudder

A flat piece of wood, metal, or other material that is attached vertically to the stern of a ship or boat, used to control its direction.

Junk Boat

A type of Chinese sailing ship known for its flat-bottomed hull and high stern, traditionally used for fishing and trade on coastal waters and rivers.

Caravanserai

Inns on the Silk Road - grew leading to further cultural and technological exchange along the silk road.

Effects of the Growth of Trade along Silk Road

Growth of cities like Kashgar and Samarkand, Caravanserai, increased demand for goods, increased production and supply.

Flying cash

An early form of paper currency used in China that was transferable and facilitated trade, emerging during the Tang Dynasty as merchants aimed to solve the difficulties of transporting heavy coinage.

Banking houses

Locations that handled flying cash where merchants could deposit money at one location and pull it out in another.

Bill of exchange

People could present these at banking houses saying that they were owed a certain amount and be paid that amount.

The Indian Ocean Trade

crossed waterways all the way from China to the regions bordering the Indian Ocean including the Middle East and Africa.

Lateen sail

A triangular sail that is mounted at an angle on the mast of a vessel, allowing for better maneuverability and the ability to sail at angles into the wind, commonly used in the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean trade.

Stern-Post Rudders