Developments in East Asia and Dar al-Islam (c. 1200-1450)

These flashcards cover key concepts from the lectures on developments in East Asia and Dar al-Islam between c. 1200 and c. 1450.

What major empires emerged between 1200 and 1450?

The Song Dynasty in China, the Aztec Empire in Mesoamerica, and various empires in West Africa and Southeast Asia.

What was the significance of the Grand Canal in China during the Song Dynasty?

It provided an efficient internal waterway transportation system, facilitating trade and economic growth.

What is the meaning of meritocracy as it relates to the Song Dynasty?

A system where government officials were chosen based on merit demonstrated through civil service exams.

How did the Song Dynasty influence agricultural productivity?

The introduction of Champa rice and innovations such as irrigation systems and heavy plows increased food production.

What role did foot binding play in Chinese society during the Song Dynasty?

Foot binding was a practice that signified social status and restricted women's mobility.

What was the impact of the Mongol Empire on trade during 1200-1450?

The Mongol Empire created a vast territory that allowed for increased trade and the flow of ideas across Eurasia.

How did the tributary system function in relation to China?

States paid tribute to honor the Chinese emperor, which reinforced China's political power and stimulated trade.

What was the status of women in Islamic society compared to Chinese society in the period of 1200-1450?

Islamic women had certain legal rights and could own property, while Chinese women were often limited by Confucian traditions.

What caused the decline of the Abbasid Empire?

It faced challenges from nomadic groups, economic competition, and political fragmentation due to the rise of new states.

Who was Xuanzang, and what was his contribution to Buddhism in China?

Xuanzang was a Buddhist monk who traveled to India to study and brought back important texts that promoted Buddhism in China.

What technological development allowed for the spread of knowledge in the Islamic Golden Age?

The adoption of paper-making techniques from China facilitated the proliferation of literature and scholarship.

What was the role of commerce in shaping Islamic society between 1200 and 1450?

Commerce elevated the status of merchants and fostered cultural exchanges that enriched intellectual and artistic life.

What is Neo-Confucianism, and how did it develop?

Neo-Confucianism is a syncretic system combining Confucian ethics with Buddhist and Daoist elements, evolving between 770 and 840.

What was the significance of the Mamluk Sultanate in Egypt?

Established by Mamluk soldiers, it facilitated trade and influenced regional dynamics until the rise of European maritime trade routes.

How did the Crusades impact Islamic-Christian interactions?

The Crusades were military campaigns that aimed to reclaim access to holy sites in Jerusalem and heightened interactions between the two cultures.

What literary work is known as the world's first novel and who authored it?

The Tale of Genji, authored by a Japanese woman named Murasaki Shikibu during the Heian period.

What role did Zheng He's voyages play in the Ming Dynasty?

Zheng He's voyages demonstrated the power of the Ming emperor and established tribute relationships with various foreign states.