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
Suffering is part of all existence
Suffering has a cause-selfish desires
Suffering can be overcome by destroying selfish desires
8-Fold Path will destroy selfish desires and suffering
because of merchant class growth
more wealth
factories
employment
towns
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)