BJU World Studies Chapter 4, 4th Edition

Shang

First Dynasty in Chinese History. Ruled for 2,00 years, beginning around 1500 BC

Tang

T'ANG: last dynasty to reign in China (7th Century)

Song dynasty

dynasty divided into 2 parts; Southern Song & Northern Song; both fell to Mongols. Ruled during a time of strong economic growth

technology

putting knowledge to effective use

Chinese compass

the Chinese probably first used the compass to align buildings

saltpeter

used to make gunpowder

cast iron

formed when iron ore and small amounts of carbon and silicon are heated to about 1200 C.
Poured molten iron into a mold/cast

ancestor worship

A religious practice based on the belief that deceased family members have a continued existence, take an interest in the affairs of the world, and possess the ability to influence the fortune of the living.

Confucius

Chinese teacher that developed a philosophy based on relationships

Buddhism

the teaching of Buddha that life is permeated with suffering caused by desire, that suffering ceases when desire ceases, and that enlightenment obtained through right conduct and wisdom and meditation releases one from desire and suffering and rebirth

Taoism

A Chinese philosophy in which people live a simple life in harmony with nature.

feudalism

A political system in which Nobles are granted land in exchange for their loyalty, military service and protection of the people who live on the land (like serfs).

shogun

A general who ruled Japan in the emperor's name. means "great general"

samurai

A Japanese warrior who lived by the code of bushido.

Bushido

"the way of the warrior" Samurai military code which required the warrior to display loyalty, honor, duty, and courage.

hara-kiri

a ritual of suicide associated with warriors in traditional Japan

Shintoism

A religion based in Japan, marked by worship of nature and reverence for ancestors

Zen Buddhism

A Japanese form of Buddhism, which focuses on meditation to reach Enlightenment. It's focus on intense mental concentration enabled samurai to endure hardships of battle.

Angkor Wat

An extensive city-and-temple complex built by the Khmer and dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu.--Cambodia

yurts

movable tents Mongols lived in

Chinggis Khan

Also known as Genghis Khan, in 1206 he became the supreme leader over all the Mongal tribes. "Great Ruler." United the Mongol people

Great Yasa

Chinggis Khan's written law code

siege warfare

an effective method in which Mongol soldiers fired arrows and flaming objects into the cities for weeks. They also kept food from going into the city until the people were starving. They borrowed rocket technology from the Chinese and fired gunpowder-filled bamboo rockets into the towns.

pretend retreat

a tactic used by Genghis Khan where they would pretend to be beaten, left their camps empty and when the towns people came to plunder the camp, the men would attack.

kamikaze

a "divine wind" that protected Japan from Mongol invastion

Batu Khan

another grandson of Chinggis, led Mongol forces (known as Tarters in Europe) through Russian defenses into Europe

Battle of Liegnitz

A combined army of Poles, Czechs, and Germans tried to stop the Mongols. Accounts vary, but the Mongol forces seem to have destroyed this army.

tengri

The Mongols supreme god who rulesd all the spirits. Means, "the great god of heaven."

shamans

Religious leaders, were believed to be able to speak to spirits and heal the sick. Priests of the Mongol religion.

Ming Dynasty, "Brilliant"

dynasty established after the overthrow of the Mongols and returned to old traditions (Confucianism, centralized rule); sought to remove all traces of Mongol rule in China

Tamerlane

Another name for Timur the Lame; a powerful Mongol ruler; Led his armies into the Middle East (from Turkey to India); was a Muslim; concentrated on collecting treasures taken in battle; DID NOT convert to Christianity

Taj Mahal

A beautiful tomb built by the Mughal ruler Shah Jahan to honor his wife. It is located in India.

the Mongolian Plateau

is located NORTH of China

paper

first developed in China,
Formed from mixture of fiber, rags, and water

gunpowder

Invented within China during the 9th century, created by accident

printing

develobed in 1041 by the Chinese using wood blocks and later moveable type

merchants

regarded as the lowest members of society for over 2,000 years

Chinese society

officeholders, farmers, artisans, merchants

Four Nobel Truths of Buddhism

1) Suffering is part of all existence
2) Suffering has a cause-selfish desires
3) Suffering can be overcome by destroying selfish desires
4) 8-Fold Path will destroy selfish desires and suffering

because of merchant class growth

1) more wealth
2) factories
3) employment
4) towns
5) improved living

population doubled

prior to and during the Song Dynasty (11th century)

Lao-Tzu

developed the teachings of Taoism

iron

a major export item for the Chinese

Fujiwara Clan (Japan)

the first dominant clan in Japan during the 8th century

Taiki Reforms

"Great Change". Attempt to remake Japanese monarch into an absolute Chinese-style emperor; included attempts to create professional bureaucracy and peasant conscript army.

Mongol unification

developed a government, created a common law, organized military

Yuan Dynasty (Mongols)

China's first foreign dynasty, promoted Chinese culture, very little change

1367

Mongol rule of China ended

Mongol invasion of Japan

2 attempts (1274 and 1281) were made by the mongols to invade Japan. Both times a storm destroyed Mongol fleet, Japan thought they had been saved by God.

Mughal Empire (Mongols)

last mongol empire; (1526-1857) located in India

Akbar the Great

The most famous Mughal leader, known for religious tolerance and building the Taj Mahal.

Tokugawa Clan (Japan)

clan that became the dominant clan by 1600 & brought about the FINAL period of Japanese feudalism. Moved capital to Edo(Tokyo)