Chinese and Mongolian Vocab

assimilation

the social process of absorbing one cultural group into harmony with another

autocracy

a system of government by one person with absolute power.

buraucracy

a system of government with many departments and bureaus led by appointed officials

centralized government

A government in which power is concentrated in a central authority to which local governments are subject

civil service

the group of people whose job it is to carry out the work of the government

clan

group of families related by blood or marriage

filial piety

In Confucian thought, one of the virtues to be cultivated, a love and respect for one's parents and ancestors.

Genghis Khan

A Mongolian general and emperor of the late twelfth and early thirteenth centuries, known for his military leadership and great cruelty. He conquered vast portions of northern China and southwestern Asia, had the largest empire in recorded history.

Han Dynasty

imperial dynasty that ruled China (most of the time) from 206 BC to 221 and expanded its boundaries and developed its bureaucracy

Kublai Khan

(1215-1294) Grandson of Genghis Khan and founder of the Mongol Yuan Dynasty in China.

legalism

Chinese philosophy developed by Hanfeizi; taught that humans are naturally evil and therefore need to be ruled by harsh laws

Marco Polo

(1254-1324) Italian explorer and author. He made numerous trips to China and returned to Europe to write of his journeys. He is responsible for much of the knowledge exchanged between Europe and China during this time period.

monopoly

Complete control of a product or business by one person or group

pastoralist

a member of a nomadic group that herds domesticated animals

Pax Mongolica

The period of approximately 150 years of relative peace and stability created by the Mongol Empire.

Qin Dynasty

(221-207 BCE) The first centralized dynasty of China that used Legalism as its base of belief.

Shi Huangdi

founder of the Qin dynasty and China's first emperor

Silk Roads

Caravan routes and sea lanes between China and the Middle East

Tang Taizong

(627- 649) He reconquerored the northern and western land that China had since the decline of the Han Dynasty. He started the achievements of the Tang Dynasty.

Wu Zhao

Tang ruler and only woman in China ever to assume the title of emperor