Chinese History Overview

A collection of vocabulary flashcards derived from a comprehensive overview of Chinese history and philosophy.

Yellow River

Known as the 'river of sorrow' due to the deaths caused by floods.

Loess

Fertile soil created by settlements washed down the river.

Xia Dynasty

Considered the first Chinese dynasty, we don’t much information about them. but we know it do exist 

Shang Dynasty

Recognized as the first true civilization with reliable artifacts and evidence.

they introduce the oracle bones, human sacrifice, and ancestor worship, mandate of heaven. Eventually fall down because the emperor give away too much land and lost the resource.

Oracle Bone

Animal bones used to tell the future by carving questions. the priest or the ruler is the person did it

Mandate of Heaven

The doctrine that Heaven grants the right to rule to a just ruler, introduce by the Zhou.

Feudalism

A social system introduced by the Zhou dynasty, where land is held by lords.

Dynastic Cycle

The pattern of rise, decline, and replacement of dynasties in Chinese history. the first phase is the honeymoon, they rebuild house, built road and etc for the people to be happy. the second phase start to have corrupted government official, tax more on peasant. third phase is when the emperor lost the mandate of heaven. nature disaster start to happen, and people start to rebels again the emperor 

The Sword of Goujian

A significant rust-proof bronze weapon indicating advanced metallurgy.

Yin and Yang

Philosophical concept describing dualities such as dark and light.

Terracotta Warriors

Over 3000 life-sized statues built to guard the tomb of Qin Shi Huangdi.

Cai Lun

Introduced paper to the world during the Tang dynasty.

Wu Zetian

the wife of Tang Taizong, after he died she marry his son. She put her son on the throne and then dethrone them. She favorable Buddhism over any other religious. She also consider as one of the first empress, one of the 3 strong woman

Filial Piety

The respect and obedience to one's parents, a core value in Confucianism.

Analects

A collection of sayings and ideas attributed to Confucius.

Legalism

A philosophy advocating strict laws and punishing disobedience as a means of maintaining order.

Meritocracy

A system where individuals advance based on ability and talent rather than social class or origin.

Xungxang and Renji

Xungxang is volunteer sacrifice, Renji is force sacrifice

Fu Hao

A female general that is important because her tomb is the best preserve one and that she have many important item and she can lead military and do military leadership

Zhou

they introduce the mandate of heaven, feudalism, Coinage, and it’s the longest Dynasty. know for their bronze work.

Qin Shi Huangdi

introduce Qin coinage

simplify and standardize writing form ( calligraphy) 

build the Qin Great wall

he is legalism and oppose confucianism

give the name China

Liu Bang

Reward his loyal subject and family member with land in the other kingdom

Empress Lu

Liu Bang wife and is one of the strong woman

she eliminated all of her opposition so that she can maintain her control

she replace her husband family member in the government official position with her family member

she is hated because she is ruthless and she keep killing anyone that threaten her

although her ruling were with a iron fist, it was a peaceful 

Han Wudi

Expansion of China into modern China, under Han Wudi the Han dynasty will reach it peak

make a rule that require the father to equally divided to his son

government monopoly, he didn’t believe in commercial trade, so he let the government control it self

the government were short on cash so they letting Nepo baby buy the position

Eunuch

the thought process behind it was that if they can’t do the thing, they will put China above family and children, but eventually they got too much power that they try to outwit each other to see who can gain more power 

Han legacy 

Control of silk road, responsible for introduce paper to the world invented by Cai Lun, Civil service exam to see if you are fit for government ( the best of the best), the majority of the Chinese said they are the Han Chinese 90%

Sui Dynasty 

They build the channel between the yangtzi river and the yellow river and improve communication

Sui Yangdi

He build the canal, but he try to conquer Korea, but failed which lead to more unify Korea 

Shotoku Taishi

He copy the China capital design and he also spread the teaching of Buddhism, he made a new constitution based on Confucianism

Tang Taizong

The grandson of the person murder Sui Yangdi, he was the best emperor. He forced his father out of the throne and murder his brother. He reform the government and legal change, he is very religious tolerance. He admit his 200 mistake and change it when his advisor show him

Wu Zetian

wife of Tang Taizong, after her husband pass away, she marry his son, she put her son on the throne but then dethrone. she favorite buddhism over any religious.

Tang Xuanzong ( the apex)

He increase maritime

abolished death penalty

improve economic through silk road

construct a temple

he reorganized the military so farmer don’t get force into the military

Song Dynasty

It got dominated by Confucianism, result in Neo Confucianism

Moving block printer invented by Bi Sheng

more food more population more grain, double grained

foot binding

Gunpowder

Wang Anshi

He build school, lend money to the poor, fixed price commodification, cut government expenditure

His idea were good, but he did it too fast, so people don’t like it

Confucianism

founded by Confucian, he have the analects, which contain the Confucian teaching, he believe that the human society is the reflection of heaven it appeal to ruling class. One of the principle is that filial piety which is obedient to the father 

Mencius 

SImilar to Confucianism but the ruler have to behave good too