Ways of the World Chapter 2 (copy)

Song Dynasty

A Chinese dynasty from 960 to 1279 known for its golden age of arts and literature, and a meticulously organized bureaucracy.

Bureaucracy

A system of government in which state officials make decisions rather than elected representatives, supported by schools for rigorous exams.

Economic Revolution

A period during the Song Dynasty that led to China becoming the richest, most skilled, and populous country in the world.

Hangzhou

The capital of the Song Dynasty, notable for its large population of over a million people.

Industrial Production

By the 11th century, China was producing various goods including armor, tools, and coins, marking significant industrial growth.

Internal Waterways

An extensive network in China, approximately 30,000 miles long, facilitating trade and agricultural specialization.

Foot Binding

A practice in Song Dynasty China involving the tight wrapping of young girls' feet, causing pain and symbolizing female beauty.

Gender Roles

In the Song Dynasty, women were expected to be docile, while men were associated with refined pursuits like calligraphy and poetry.

Korean Influence

Korea adopted Chinese family models and Confucian gender roles, despite initially having more freedom for women.

Hangul

A phonetic alphabet developed in the mid-1400s for writing the Korean language.

Vietnamese Gender Roles

Vietnamese women retained more social and economic roles compared to their Chinese counterparts, viewing Confucian ideas as restrictive.

Chu Nom

A style of writing developed in Vietnam that incorporated Chinese characters.

Samurai

The warrior class in Japan, central to its political and social structure, embodying values like loyalty and honor.

Bushido

The code of the samurai, emphasizing bravery, loyalty, and a preference for death over surrender.

Ottoman Empire

A powerful empire that brought political unity and cultural sophistication to the Islamic Middle East and North Africa.

Abbasid Caliphate

The ruling power in the Islamic world since 750, which faced challenges from other Islamic tribes.

Al-Andalus

The Muslim name for Spain, known for its cultural encounters among Muslims, Christians, and Jews.

Byzantine Empire

A powerful Christian empire that began to decline by 1200, with Constantinople as its capital.

Crusades

Religious wars launched by the Catholic Church against Islam, beginning in 1095.

Feudalism

A political system that emerged in Western Europe during the 9th and 10th centuries, characterized by a hierarchy of lords and vassals.

High Middle Ages

A period from 1000 to 1300 marked by significant economic and social changes in Europe.

Mechanical Energy

The use of devices like cranks and gears in Europe after 1000, leading to technological advancements.

Renaissance

A cultural movement in Europe from 1350 to 1500 that emphasized art, literature, and the revival of classical learning.

Aztec Empire

A Mesoamerican empire that thrived from 1345 to 1528, known for its religious rituals involving human sacrifice.

Inca Empire

An empire in the Andes, stretching 2500 miles and ruled by an emperor, known for its extensive agricultural and administrative systems.

Quipus

A system of knotted strings used by the Incas for record-keeping and communication.

Gender Parallelism

A social structure practiced by both the Incas and Aztecs, where men and women operated in separate but equivalent spheres.