set 1 - 1200-1450

Bureaucracy

A structured system of government administration run by appointed officials; in imperial China, it allowed emperors to efficiently govern large territories through educated administrators rather than relying on hereditary nobles.

Meritocracy

A system in which status and positions are earned through ability and achievement; in China, this was tied to exam success, reinforcing the idea that education—not birth—should determine authority.

Scholar-gentry

The educated elite in China who passed the civil service exams and served as government officials, combining intellectual prestige with political influence.

Artisans

Skilled workers who produced goods by hand (like silk or ceramics); although economically important, they ranked below peasants in Confucian society.

Merchants

People who traded goods and facilitated commerce; despite often being wealthy, they were viewed as socially inferior in Confucian hierarchy because they did not produce goods.

Imperial

Relating to an empire or emperor, especially a centralized authority ruling over diverse lands and peoples.

Tributary State

A state that paid tribute to a more powerful empire (like China) in exchange for protection and trade access, reinforcing a hierarchy of power.

Foot Binding

A practice among elite Chinese women where feet were bound to remain small, symbolizing beauty and status while reflecting strict gender roles.

Civil Service Exam

A rigorous exam system based on Confucian texts used to select Chinese government officials, reinforcing both meritocracy and Confucian values.

Song Dynasty

A Chinese dynasty (960–1279) known for economic growth, technological innovation, and expansion of trade networks.

Confucianism

A philosophy emphasizing hierarchy, respect, education, and moral behavior, shaping Chinese government and social structure.

Filial Piety

A Confucian principle requiring respect and obedience toward parents and ancestors, reinforcing family hierarchy.

Neo-Confucianism

A revived form of Confucianism during the Song era that incorporated spiritual elements from Buddhism and Daoism.

Sinification (Sinicization)

The process by which non-Chinese cultures adopt Chinese customs, language, and political systems.

Nuclear Family

A family unit consisting of parents and children, though still influenced by broader kinship expectations.

Polygyny

A marriage system where one man has multiple wives, often tied to wealth and patriarchal systems.

Heian Period

A period in Japan marked by aristocratic culture, artistic development, and influence from Chinese traditions.

Theravada Buddhism

A form of Buddhism focused on individual enlightenment through meditation and discipline, common in Southeast Asia.

Mahayana Buddhism

A branch of Buddhism emphasizing helping others reach enlightenment, spreading widely in East Asia.

Chan/Zen Buddhism

A form of Buddhism focusing on meditation and intuition rather than texts, influential in China (Chan) and Japan (Zen).

Tibetan Buddhism

A distinct form combining Buddhism with local traditions, emphasizing ritual and spiritual leadership.

Monasticism

A religious lifestyle where individuals live in communities dedicated to spiritual practice and discipline.

Gunpowder

A Chinese invention initially used for fireworks and later adapted for weapons, transforming warfare globally.

Proto-industrialization

An early stage of economic development where goods were produced in homes or small workshops for wider markets.

Woodblock Printing

A method of printing using carved wooden blocks, allowing for the spread of knowledge and literacy.

Champa Rice

A fast-growing rice variety that increased agricultural productivity and population growth in China.

Grand Canal

A massive waterway connecting northern and southern China, facilitating trade and political unity.

Flying Money

An early form of paper currency used to make trade more efficient.

Muhammad

The founder of Islam whose teachings unified much of Arabia under a monotheistic faith.

Mamluk Sultanate

A state ruled by former slave soldiers who became powerful military leaders.

Mongols

Nomadic Central Asian people who created the largest land empire and promoted trade across Eurasia.

Seljuk Turks

A Muslim Turkic group that expanded into the Middle East and supported Islamic rule.

Abbasid Caliphate

An Islamic empire known for its cultural and intellectual achievements.

House of Wisdom (Baghdad)

A center of learning where scholars translated and advanced knowledge in science and philosophy.

jizya

A tax on non-Muslims in Islamic states in exchange for protection and religious tolerance.

Sufism

A mystical form of Islam focusing on personal spiritual connection with God.

Al-Andalus

Muslim-ruled Spain known for cultural and intellectual exchange.

“People of the Book”

Jews and Christians recognized in Islam as having earlier scriptures and granted protected status.

Delhi Sultanate

A Muslim-ruled state in India that spread Islam and influenced regional culture.

Bhakti Movement

A devotional Hindu movement emphasizing personal connection to deities over rigid rituals.

Proselytize

To spread a religion with the goal of converting others.

Caste System

A hereditary social hierarchy in India determining occupation and status.

Chola Dynasty

A South Indian empire known for trade and naval power.

Vijayanagara Empire

A Hindu kingdom that resisted Muslim expansion and promoted regional culture.

Rajput Kingdoms

Warrior-led states known for resistance and strong honor traditions.

Srivijaya Empire

A maritime empire controlling trade routes and promoting Buddhism.

Majapahit Kingdom

A powerful Southeast Asian trading empire.

Sinhala Dynasties

Buddhist kingdoms in Sri Lanka preserving Theravada traditions.

Khmer Empire

A powerful state known for monumental architecture like Angkor Wat.

Feudalism

A decentralized system where land was exchanged for loyalty and service.

Daimyo

Japanese landowners who controlled territories and commanded samurai.

Shogun

The military ruler of Japan holding real political power.

Samurai

The warrior class in Japan bound by a strict code of honor.

Vassal

A person granted land in exchange for loyalty and service.

Serf

A peasant bound to land, providing labor in exchange for protection.

Fief

Land granted to a vassal in exchange for service.

Manorialism

The economic system of feudal Europe based on agriculture and local production.

Code of Chivalry

A code of conduct emphasizing honor, loyalty, and bravery among knights.

Mali

A wealthy West African empire known for gold trade and Islamic learning.

Swahili

A coastal culture blending African and Islamic influences through trade.

Great Zimbabwe

A powerful kingdom known for stone structures and trade.

Ethiopia

A Christian African kingdom with long-standing independence.

Chattel Slave

A person treated as property with no rights.

Domestic Slave

A slave working within a household.

Griot/Griotte

A storyteller preserving oral history in West Africa.

Kin-based Network

Social organization based on family relationships.

Mississippian Culture

A Native American civilization known for mound-building and trade networks.

Cahokia

A major Mississippian city and political center.

Matrilineal / Patrilineal

Systems tracing descent through the mother’s or father’s line.

Patriarchy

A system where men hold primary power.

Theocracy

A West African storyteller and historian.