Unit 1, Lesson 1: Introduction to Major Civilizations (1200-1450)

East Asia

Definition of the region including China and Japan.

Song Dynasty

A period in China characterized by a strong centralized bureaucracy based on Confucian principles.

Civil Service Exam

An examination system in China that promoted meritocracy and created a scholarly elite.

Economic Growth in China

Significant advancements in agriculture, trade, and urbanization during the Song Dynasty.

Champa Rice

A new agricultural product introduced in China that contributed to economic growth.

Paper Money

A technological innovation in China that facilitated commerce.

Technological Innovations

Key inventions during the Song Dynasty, including gunpowder, the compass, and printing technology.

Neo-Confucianism

A cultural movement in China blending Confucian, Buddhist, and Daoist ideas.

Heian Period

A time in Japan marked by the dominance of the imperial court and cultural achievements.

Kamakura Shogunate

The military government established in Japan during the Kamakura period, shifting power to the samurai class.

The Tale of Genji

A famous literary work from the Heian period, showcasing Japanese cultural achievements.

Zen Buddhism

A significant religious influence in Japan during the Heian period, impacting culture and aesthetics.

Japan's Geography

The islands and mountainous terrain of Japan contributed to its cultural isolation and unique development.

Dar al-Islam

A term referring to the Islamic world, particularly the Middle East and North Africa.

Abbasid Caliphate

The dominant Islamic state centered in Baghdad, known for its political structure and cultural achievements.

Mamluk Sultanate

A prominent successor state that emerged after the decline of the Abbasid Caliphate.

Trade in Dar al-Islam

A hub for trade connecting various trade routes, facilitating the exchange of goods like textiles and spices.

Islamic Golden Age

A period of significant advancements in science, mathematics, and philosophy within the Islamic world.

Major Cities

Baghdad, Cairo, and Cordoba became centers of learning and culture in the Islamic world.

Delhi Sultanate

A series of Muslim dynasties that ruled northern India, marked by military conquests.

Indo-Islamic Architecture

A cultural syncretism resulting from the exchange between Islamic and Hindu traditions.

Indian Ocean Trade Network

India’s significant role in maritime trade, exporting goods like spices and textiles.

Mali Empire

A powerful West African state known for its wealth in gold and significant trade routes.

Mansa Musa

A famous ruler of the Mali Empire known for his wealth and pilgrimage to Mecca.

Timbuktu

A center of trade and Islamic learning in the Mali Empire.

Swahili Coast

A region of city-states that played a key role in the Indian Ocean trade network.

Cultural Syncretism in Swahili Coast

A blend of African, Arab, and Persian influences in language, architecture, and religion.

Byzantine Empire

The continuation of the Roman Empire in the East, characterized by a strong centralized government.

Constantinople

The capital of the Byzantine Empire and a major trade hub connecting Europe and Asia.

Orthodox Christianity

The dominant religion in the Byzantine Empire, preserving Greco-Roman culture.

Feudalism

A decentralized political structure in Western Europe where lords granted land to vassals for military service.

Manorial System

An economic system in Western Europe where peasants worked the land in exchange for protection.

Catholic Church

The most powerful institution in Western Europe, influencing politics, education, and culture.

Crusades

Significant events that increased contact between Europe and the Middle East.

Continuity and Change

Understanding how civilizations maintained continuity while undergoing changes.

Trade Routes

Key routes like the Silk Roads, Indian Ocean, and Trans-Saharan that facilitated exchanges.

Cultural Diffusion

The spread of religions, technologies, and ideas across regions.

Comparative Analysis

The ability to compare and contrast the characteristics of different civilizations.