Unit 2 Quiz 2 (China)

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and concepts from early Chinese history, including dynasties, philosophies, and notable historical figures.

Xia Dynasty

Earliest known (once thought legendary) dynasty of China, Bronze Age culture near Erlitou; Marks beginning of organized rule and early bronze work.

Shang Dynasty

First historically confirmed dynasty; have more knowledge about them; ruled by a king, walled cities, palaces & temples, god Di, patriarchial society, human sacrifice, oracle bones, yin-yang

Oracle Bones

Shang; religious process that helped shang tell future, first examples of Chinese writing

Yin-Yang

Early China; Concept of duality between light/dark, male/female, day/night; Symbolizes balance in nature and became core to Chinese philosophy.

Tian (Heaven)

Zhou; Spiritual force governing the universe; Source of authority for rulers, tied to moral behavior and natural order.

Mandate of Heaven

Zhou; Heaven’s approval to rule given to just kings; Justified overthrow of corrupt rulers and explained dynastic rise and fall.

Feudalism

Zhou; System granting land to nobles in return for loyalty; Created local power bases that weakened the emperor and led to internal wars.

Qin Shi Huangdi

Qin; First emperor of unified China, Standardized laws, coins, writing, built Great Wall, and left the Terracotta Army, mount Li tomb

Zhou Dynasty

Longest empire but had few rulers; go through dynastic cycle + mandate of heaven, people later reject declining power of emperor, feudalism undermines them, ending with internal conflict and Warring States. lead to qin

Silk Road

Han; Trade network linking China, Central Asia, and Mediterranean; Spread silk, goods, and ideas, boosting wealth and cross-cultural contact.

Qin Dynasty

Short but foundational dynasty; Unified China under centralized power, first emperor, china’s name, legalism Bi-Li, coinage, calligraphy, modified language, and infrastructure projects like Great Wall.

Han Dynasty

Long-lasting dynasty after Qin; Golden Age, (silk road, paper making, civil service exams, han ethnicity)—solidified Chinese identity and expanded empire. 3 kingdom period

Liu Bang

Han; Founder of Han Dynasty who rose from commoner to emperor; Reunited China, more of a collection of kingdoms popular bc reduced harsh Qin laws, and established stable rule.

Yellow Turban Rebellion

Han (Eastern); Peasant revolt against corruption and hardship; Weakened dynasty and helped trigger the fall of Han rule.

Han Wudi

Han; (apex of Han Dynasty) mistake with a low splitting land with sons, crashes economy with no trade, unqualified sons lead after him

Confucius

Zhou; Philosopher and teacher; Taught moral duty, social harmony, and filial piety—his ideas shaped Chinese ethics and government.

Confucianism

Zhou; Ethical system based on order, virtue, and respect; Became official state philosophy guiding education and administration.

Lao Zi

Zhou; Philosopher credited with writing Dao De Jing ; Founded Daoism, teaching harmony with nature and simplicity.

Daoism

Zhou; Philosophy/religion emphasizing the (“Way”) and wuwei (“non-action”); Encouraged harmony with nature and spiritual balance.

Mencius

Zhou; follows confucianism, extends ideas to governing

Legalism

Qin; Strict philosophy believing people are naturally selfish; Enforced harsh laws and rewards—basis for Qin’s centralized power.

Wang Mang

Han: ursurper, legalist and confucianist, red eyebrow rebellion

Sui Dynasty

Short dynasty that reunified China; Built Grand Canal connecting north and south, setting stage for Tang prosperity.

Sui Yangdi

Sui; Tyrannical emperor; kills dad for throne, Built Grand Canal and failed Korea invasions, overtaxed people, leading to rebellion and dynasty’s fall.

Shotoku Taishi

Japan (influenced by China); takes writings from Confucianists, borrowed from Chinese culture

Tang Dynasty

Powerful dynasty; Golden Age of expansion, culture, and trade on the Silk Road. economic prosperity

Tang Taizong

Tang; main emperor and great reformer; Expanded empire, improved government, promoted religious tolerance, led to prosperity.

Wu Zetian

Tang; (considered by some)Only female emperor in Chinese history; favors buddhism

Tang Xuanzong

Tang; (apex of Tang); improved economy, no death penalty, roads & temples, maritime trading, , professional army, empire downfall after death

Wang Anshi

Song; (wants to improve life for peasants), replaces slave labor, tried many reforms that failed after his death, too many too fast

Empress Lu

Han; (stability to China) Widow of Liu Bang who ruled through puppet emperors; Maintained stability but killed rivals to keep power, unpopular, family ousted after death

Fu Hao

Shang; very strong military general; Her tomb proves women could hold military and political authority.

Song Dynasty

dynasty with an explosion of intellect and intelligence, dominated by Confucianists, moveable type of printing press by Bi-Sheng, new strains of rice, population boom, foot binding

List: Shang people

Fu Hao, Wu Ding

List: Zhou people

Confucius, Mencius, Laozi

List: Qin people

Qin Shi Huangdi, Li Si

List: Han people

Liu Bang, Han Wudi, Wang Mang, Cao Cao, Cai Lun

List: Sui people

Sui Yangdi

List: Tang people

Tang Taizong, Wu Zetian, Tang Xuanzong,

List: Song people

Wang Anshi

Cai Lun

paper inventntor

Bi Sheng

movable printing press inventor