Heimler Review Guide: Unit 1 (1200 CE - 1450 CE)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the Heimler Review Guide on state-building and cultural developments during the period 1200 CE to 1450 CE.

State

An organized political community under one government (like a country, empire, nation, etc.)

Confucianism

A philosophical and ethical system based on the teachings of Confucius, emphasizing morality, family respect, and social harmony.

Filial Piety

A virtue of respect for one's parents and ancestors, a key concept in Confucianism.

Neo-Confucianism

A revival of Confucian thought that arose in the Song Dynasty, combining elements of Buddhism and Daoism.

Civil Service Exam

A test used in China to select candidates for the state bureaucracy, based on Confucian classics.

Champa Rice

A drought-resistant rice variety from Vietnam that matures quickly and contributed to agricultural productivity in the Song Dynasty.

Mahayana Buddhism

A branch of Buddhism that emphasizes broad participation in the religious community and the role of bodhisattvas.

Theravada Buddhism

The older form of Buddhism that focuses on individual enlightenment and monastic life.

Abbasid Caliphate

A major Islamic caliphate that ruled from 750 to 1258, known for its cultural and scientific achievements.

Sharia Law

Islamic law derived from the Quran and Hadith, governing both personal and communal aspects of life.

Vassal

A lesser lord in the feudal system who pledged allegiance to a more powerful lord in exchange for protection and land.

Serfdom

An economic system where peasants worked the land and were bound to it in exchange for a lord’s protection.

Manorialism

The economic structure of feudalism in medieval Europe where a lord's estate served as the basic economic unit.

Delhi Sultanate

A series of Muslim dynasties that ruled in India from the 13th to the 16th century.

Mesoamerica

A region extending from central Mexico to Central America, known for its pre-Columbian civilizations like the Aztecs.

Aztec Civilization

An indigenous civilization in Mesoamerica known for its capital Tenochtitlan and tribute-based economy.

Inca Empire

A vast and powerful empire in South America known for its centralized government and extensive agricultural system.

Swahili Civilization

A set of city-states along the East African coast that thrived on Indian Ocean trade, blending Bantu and Arab cultures.

Great Zimbabwe

A medieval African city known for its impressive stone structures and trade in gold.

Bhakti Movement

A devotional trend in Hinduism emphasizing personal devotion to a single deity, challenging social hierarchies.