Chapter 3 The Essential World History Duiker Spielvogel 9th Edition

Yangshao and Longshan peoples

A neolithic society from near the yellow River in China, sometimes identified by its painted pottery.

Xia Dynasty

First Chinese dynasty around 4,000 years ago followed by the Shang Dynasty around the sixteenth century BCE

Diffusion hypothesis

The hypothesis that the yellow River Valley was the ancient heartland of Chinese civilization and that the technological and cultural achievements radiated from there to other parts of East Asia.

Mandate of Heaven

the concept that the order of the universe was maintained through the Zhou king, who was a representative of heaven but not a divine being himself.

Yin and Yang

The concept that the universe was divided into two primary forces of good and evil, light and dark, male and female, represented symbolically by the sun and the moon.

Legalists

argued that human beings were by nature evil and would follow the correct path only if coerced by harsh laws and stiff punishments.

Confucianism

A philosophy that adheres to the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius, who taught that the universe was constructed in such a way that if human beings could act harmoniously in accordance with its purposes, their own affairs would prosper.

Dao

The Way, Confucius assumed all human beings had their own Way, depending on their individual role in life, and it was their duty to follow it.

Daoists

contend that the true way to interpret the will of heaven is not action but inaction. The best way to act in harmony with the universal order is to act spontaneously and let nature take its course.

Veneration of Ancestors

spirits of deceased humans lived in the atomsphere for a time before ascending to heaven or descending to hell. During that time, surviving family members had to care for the spirits through proper ritual or they would become evil spirits and haunt the survivors.

Eunuchs

castrated males (testicles removed), who served as personal attendants for the Qin Dynasty and their female members of the royal family.

Filial Piety

called on all members to subordinate their personal needs and desires to the patricidal head of the family.

The Tomb of Qin Shi Huang-di

an elaborate mausoleum underground palace complex protected by an army of terra cotta soldiers and horses to accompany him on his journey to the afterlife.