Unit 1: China and the World

Vocabulary flashcards covering topics from Unit 1 Chapter 8 including Chinese dynasties, Confucian values, state centralized governance, economic innovations, and historical gender roles.

Grand Canal

A thousand-mile-long man-made waterway constructed under the Sui Dynasty that connected the Yangtze River and the Yellow River, uniting Northern and Southern China.

Foot Binding

A practice beginning in the Song Dynasty of tightly wrapping young girls' feet with strips of cloth to modify their size and shape, considered a sign of beauty, status, and refinement.

Cuneiform

A system of writing on clay tablets invented by the Sumerians in 3500 BCE.

Quipu

A record-keeping system of knotted cords used by the Incan Empire.

Sui Dynasty

The Chinese dynasty (589–618 CE) that unified China, built the Grand Canal, and highly regulated the Civil Service Exam before collapsing due to harsh public works and efforts to conquer Korea.

Tang Dynasty

The Chinese dynasty (618–907 CE) during which women enjoyed greater freedom and China established a prosperous, centralized state structure.

Song Dynasty

The Chinese dynasty (960–1279 CE) marked by rapid commercialization, economic prosperity, Neoconfucian revival, and the expansion of the bureaucracy.

Mandate of Heaven

The traditional Chinese political concept, first used by the Zhou Dynasty, that granted a imperial family the divine justification to rule.

Zhou Dynasty

The longest-ruling dynasty in Chinese history (1045 to 221 BCE), which first used the Mandate of Heaven and saw the emergence of Confucianism.

Hundred Schools of Thought

A period from 500 to 221 BCE during the Zhou Dynasty in which Chinese philosophy flourished.

Confucianism

A belief system and ethical code founded by Confucius around 500 BCE focusing on moral conduct, respect, virtuous behavior, and social harmony.

Filial Piety

The core Confucian value of respect and honor for one's parents and elders.

Five Basic Relationships

The five societal relationship types outlined in Confucianism (Ruler and subject, Father and son, Husband and wife, Older brother and younger brother, Friend and friend) where accepting one's place maintains social harmony.

Civil Service Exam

A rigorous, anonymous examination system over 10 hours long testing knowledge of Confucian classics, history, and governance used to select qualified officials for government service.

Scholarly Gentry

The class of scholar-officials who passed the Civil Service Exam and carried out social welfare measures, maintained law and order, supervised public projects, and assisted in tax collection.

Meritocracy

A system where status and government positions are earned through individual hard work, merit, and exam performance rather than noble birth.

Champa Rice

A drought-resistant, fast-maturing rice introduced from Vietnam that allowed double-cropping, causing population growth and expanding urban centers in China.

Commercialization

The process of producing goods for sale in the market for profit rather than solely for personal consumption.

Hangzhou

A major Song Dynasty city praised by Marco Polo for its specialized markets, immense trade capacity, canal networks, public baths, and diverse entertainment clubs.

Four Greatest Inventions of Ancient China

The four landmark Chinese inventions: gunpowder, magnetic compass, movable type printing, and paper making.

Neoconfucianism

A revival of Confucian philosophy during the Song Dynasty that reinforced traditional social hierarchies while blending in some Buddhist influences.

Analects for Women

An 8th-century text written by Song Ruozhao outlining strict expectations of obedience, respect, and household service for women toward their husbands and parents-in-law.

Patriarchy

A system of society or government in which men hold primary power and women are largely excluded from authority.

Tributary System

The regional framework of foreign relations in which neighboring states like Korea and Vietnam acknowledged China's political and cultural supremacy through tribute while preserving their own identities.