Medieval Asia Flashcards Pre-Ap World History

Yuan Dynasty

China under Mongol rule, featuring a four-tiered social hierarchy with Mongols at the top.

Hongwu Emperor

Chinese leader who destroyed the Yuan Empire in 1368 and established the Ming Dynasty.

Ming Dynasty

Chinese dynasty (1368-1644) that followed the Yuan Dynasty, marked by efforts to eliminate signs of foreign rule and promote Confucian learning.

Emperor Yongle

Ming Dynasty emperor (reigned 1402-1422) who commissioned the Forbidden City and supported maritime expeditions.

Forbidden City

Imperial palace complex in Beijing, built during the Ming Dynasty, access was barred to most of the subjects of the realm

Civil Service Examination System (Ming)

Reestablished system in the Ming Dynasty to create a centralized government.

Zheng He

Muslim eunuch who captained Ming Dynasty maritime expeditions from 1405-1433, exploring Southeast Asia, India, Arabia, and East Africa.

Chinese Tribute System

System the Ming Dynasty used during maritime expeditions to enroll distant peoples.

Dhow

Moderate-sized ship used in the western Indian Ocean with a lateen sail and sewn timber hull.

Junk

Chinese (Tang, Song, & Ming) transport/trade ship designed for long-distance commercial trade; flat-bottomed.

Caravel

Small Portuguese sailing ship that was easily maneuverable, could use square or lateen sails, and was strong enough to weather ocean storms and carry lots of goods.

Mongol Rule in Russia

A political structure of Russia under Mongol rule that involved indirect governance through local princes and the Golden Khanate, leading to fragmented tribute-paying principalities.

Russian Autonomy under Mongol Rule

Russia had more autonomy due to indirect rule through local princes and the Golden Khanate.

Impact of Mongol Rule on Russian Peasants

Russia became fragmented into tribute-paying principalities, impacting peasants the most.

Cultural Impact of Mongol Rule in Russia

Little Mongol assimilation and limited cultural exchange; Orthodox Church gained power and was tax-exempt; long-term isolation from Western Europe.

Rise of Moscow

Rise of Moscow as a dominant power under Mongol Rule.

Mongol Conversion to Islam in Persia

Mongols converted to Islam by the late 1200s and adopted Persian art, architecture, and bureaucracy.

Cultural Blending in Persia under Mongol Rule

Cultural blending of Mongol and Persian elements; helped transmit Islamic culture to Central Asia.

Chinggis Khan

The Mongol leader who prioritized securing and protecting the Silk Roads to ensure the flow of goods, information, and tribute.

Pax Mongolica

A period of stability and continued trade across Eurasia enabled by the Mongols.

Improved Infrastructure

Improvements made by the Mongol Empire to support free trade, including roads, canals, and security.

Lowered Tolls and Taxes

A Mongol policy that decreased fees to stimulate commerce.

Ortogh

Associations that allowed merchants to combine resources to back a single caravan.

Improved Status of Merchants

Benefits enjoyed by merchants under Mongol rule, including higher social status and exemption from heavy taxes.

Yam System

A system of postal stations created by the Mongols to carry official messages across the empire.

Forced Re-Settling of Craftsmen

The forced relocation of skilled workers such as weavers to different regions to support trade and satisfy Mongolian desires.

Paper Money

Currency promoted by the Mongols, particularly in the Yuan Dynasty, to simplify trade and reduce the need to carry heavy coins.

Black Plague

The event that contributed to the decline of the Silk Road as the Mongol Empire disintegrated.

Khanate of the Golden Horde

One of the four khanates of the Mongol Empire, located in the western part of the empire. Major cities included Kiev and Moscow.

Chagatai Khanate

One of the four khanates of the Mongol Empire, located in Central Asia. Major cities included Kashgar and Samarkhand.

Ilkhanate

One of the four khanates of the Mongol Empire, located in Persia/Middle East. Major cities included Tabriz, Sultaniyya and Baghdad.

Khanate of the Great Khan/Yuan Dynasty

One of the four khanates of the Mongol Empire, located in China. Major cities included Karakorum, Xanadu, Beijing, and Hangzhou.

Mongolian Empire - Positive Impacts

Facilitated trade and cultural exchange across Eurasia, fostered some degree of political stability within its vast territory during Pax Mongolica.

Mongolian Empire -Negative Impacts

Widespread destruction, death, and displacement due to Mongol conquests, spread of diseases like the bubonic plague.

Pastoralism

Takes place in areas where farming is difficult, like grasslands.

Pastoralism Location Examples

Inner Eurasian Steppe, Arabian & Saharan Deserts, Sub-Saharan African Grasslands, Subarctic Scandinavia Russia, Tibetan Plateau, Andean Mountains

Pastoralism Social Structure

Typically stresses equality and individual achievement, often without same level of social hierarchies in agrarian societies.

Inner Eurasian Steppes Primary Animals

Horses; also sheep, goats, cattle, Bactrian camel

Arabian and Saharan deserts Primary Animals

Dromedary (one-humped) camel; sometimes sheep

Trade & Diplomacy Between Pastoralists & Other Societies

To some extent, dependent on farming neighbors, often appreciating the 'fruits of civilization,' like manufactured goods and luxury items

Tribal Confederations

Could more efficiently deal with large state neighbors and organize for military conflict.

Difficulties Organizing Large States Among Pastoralists

Lack of surplus wealth for professional armies, lack of bureaucracy, fiercely independent and internal rivalries

Fall of the Song Dynasty

Faced internal weaknesses: corruption, heavy taxation, military inefficiency; split into Jin Dynasty to North & Southern Song to South; politically fragmented and militarily vulnerable; struggled to defend against nomadic invasions despite being technologically advanced.

Rise of the Mongols under Chinggis Khan

Unified Mongol tribes under Temujin (Genghis/Chinggis Khan) in 1206; created a disciplined and mobile cavalry force with superior military tactics; used psychological warfare, espionage, and brutality to defeat enemies.

Mongol Conquest of China

Gradual conquest over decades: Jin Dynasty fell in 1234, Southern Song resisted until 1279.

Kublai Khan

Chinggis Khan’s grandson, completed the conquest and founded the Yuan Dynasty in 1271.

Yuan Dynasty

Marked the first time all of China was ruled by a foreign power; China became part of the vast Pax Mongolica trade network; Mongols favored foreign administrators, limiting native Chinese access to high office; tensions between Mongols and Chinese remained high throughout the Yuan period.

Gupta Empire

One of the last large-scale empires fully controlled by native Indian rulers.

Hinduism

The dominant religion in Classical India, though Buddhism and other religions like Jainism were also practiced.

Post-Classical India

After the decline of the Gupta Empire in the 6th century, India fragmented into smaller regional kingdoms that continued to develop local culture and trade, leaving northern India vulnerable to outside invasions and new forms of rule.

Brahmins

Priests

Kshatriyas

Kings, Rulers, Warriors

Vaisyas

Merchants, Craftsmen, Landowners, Skilled Workers

Sudra

Farm Workers, Unskilled Workers, Servants

Dalits (Untouchables)

Street Sweepers, Human/Animal Waste Removers, Dead Body Handlers, Outcastes

Bhakti Reform Movement

Religious & social reform movement around a few specific Hindu gods that prioritized an individual-focused path to spirituality, regardless of one’s birth or gender from 7th-17th century CE

Bhakti Reform Movement

Movement that contributed to the rise of vernacular literature, as many of the movement’s saints taught and wrote in regional languages rather than Sanskrit.

Bhakti

"Love & Devotion"

Rajput Kingdoms

Muslim garrisons controlled the major towns and cities; the countryside was in control of the Hindus.

Syncretism

The blending of different religions, as seen with Hinduism and Buddhism in Southeast Asia.

Angkor Wat

A large religious structure initially built as a Hindu temple in Cambodia, later becoming a Buddhist temple.

Hinduism in Southeast Asia

One of the religions that played a significant role in Southeast Asia, often blending with local beliefs and practices.

Buddhism in Southeast Asia

A religion that spread throughout Southeast Asia, coexisting and sometimes merging with Hinduism.

Islam in Southeast Asia

A religion that influenced Southeast Asia, adding to the region's diverse religious landscape.

Indian Ocean Trade

Trade route that began in 800 CE and reached its height between 1200-1450 CE, facilitated by Chinese maritime technologies and Southern China’s growing population.

Junk Boats

Efficient and maneuverable Chinese ships that contributed to the growth of the Indian Ocean Trade.

Magnetic Compass

Navigation tool that assisted sailors in the Indian Ocean Trade.

Pagan

Southeast Asian state located in present-day Myanmar.

Khmer Empire

Southeast Asian state encompassing present-day Cambodia and parts of Thailand, Laos & Vietnam.

Sukhothai Kingdom

Southeast Asian kingdom in present-day Thailand, established after the decline of Khmer.

Vietnam

Southeast Asian state in present-day North Vietnam.

Champa

Southeast Asian state in present-day Central & South Vietnam.

Srivijaya

Southeast Asian state located in present-day Indonesia, especially Sumatra.

Sailendra

Southeast Asian state located in present-day Indonesia (Central Java).

Majapahit Kingdom

Kingdom in Java after 1292 CE.

Shinto

The original belief system of Japan that revolves around spirits and nature.

Kami

The spirits that the Japanese pray to in Shinto.

Inari

The chief Kami, the spirit of foxes, rice, tea, and sake.

Tori Gates

A traditional Japanese gate, typically found at the entrance to Shinto shrines and protected by Kami, marking the transition from the profane to the sacred.

Zen Buddhism

Syncretized belief system of Shinto, Buddhism, and Confucianism.

Influence of Zen Buddhism

Zen Buddhism influenced Japanese art, architecture, education, views of afterlife & suffering, calligraphy, and poetry.

Daimyo

Wealthy landowners in feudal Japan.

Shogun

The actual ruler of Japan during the age of the samurai.

Samurai

Japan's warriors during the feudal period.

Merchants

The lowest class in feudal Japan because they produced nothing on their own.

Bushido, “Way of the Warrior”

The honor code Samurai live by, based in the principles of Zen Buddhism, stressing service and honor.

Seppuku

Honorable death or ritualistic suicide practiced by samurai.

Naginata combat

Combat using a naginata (polearm) in which Samurai women were trained to defend their homes.

Samurai Payments

Rice stipends in which Samurai were paid (not money); wealth was measured in koku (1 koku = rice for 1 person/year).

Political marriages

Became common tools for forming alliances between daimyō in the Muromachi Period.

Feudalism in Japan

Decentralized political power without bureaucracy.

Daimyo

Aristocracy that held significant power, even more than nobles in Europe.

Shogun

Military ruler who controlled the government, military, made laws, and collected taxes.

Emperor

Largely symbolic and cultural figure, believed to be descended from a sun goddess.

Geographic Isolation

Shielded Japan from invasions and reduced outside influence.

Confucian Ideals

Emphasized hierarchy, loyalty, and social order, reinforcing feudal structures.

Early Japan

A tribal, agrarian society with local traditions like Shinto, existing before Chinese influence.

Cultural Borrowing

Voluntarily adopted aspects of Chinese culture without military coercion.

Sinification

The spread of Chinese culture and practices to neighboring regions.

Tributary State

A state that acknowledges the supremacy of a more powerful state and pays tribute to it.