Unit 1: The Global Tapestry (c.1200-c.1450) Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, belief systems, empires, and innovations across East Asia, Dar al-Islam, South/Southeast Asia, the Americas, Africa, and Europe from c.1200 to c.1450.

Song Dynasty

A Chinese dynasty that maintained power and societal control through Confucianism and an imperial bureaucracy.

Civil Service Exam System

An examination system used in China to expand meritocracy, requiring individuals to pass in order to be accepted into the imperial bureaucracy.

Filial Piety

A cultural tradition that reinforced family and social hierarchies by teaching that society functions properly when key relationships are maintained: Ruler-Subject, Father-Son, Husband-Wife, Elderly brother-Younger brother, and Friend-Friend.

Theravada Buddhism

A major branch of Buddhism predominant in Southeast Asia.

Mahayana Buddhism

A major branch of Buddhism predominant in China and East Asia.

Zen Buddhism

A syncretic belief system in Japan formed from the influence of Buddhism spread via trade and missionary activity.

Champa Rice

A fast-ripening crop that increased the food supply and contributed to the growth and commercialization of Song China's economy.

Grand Canal

A major waterway infrastructure whose expansion helped commercialize and flourish Song China's economy.

People of the Book

An Islamic designation for Jews and Christians, who were respected for their shared religious roots but held different social statuses within Dar al-Islam.

House of Wisdom

An intellectual center in Baghdad known for advances in math, medicine, and literature, as well as the preservation of and commentary on Greek texts.

Bhakti Movement

A movement in South and Southeast Asia that promoted personal devotion to deities and assisted in the spread of religion.

Sufism

An Islamic mystical belief and practice that emphasized personal devotion and helped spread Islam to parts of Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.

Vijayanagara Empire

A Hindu state in South Asia that built power through trade, religion, and agriculture.

Srivijaya Empire

A Buddhist empire in Southeast Asia supported by trade, religion, and agriculture.

Khmer Empire

A Hindu/Buddhist state in Southeast Asia that consolidated power through trade, religion, and agriculture.

Maya City-States

Decentralized independent states in the Americas with strong religious leadership that developed mathematics (including the concept of zero), astronomy, and a written language.

Mexica Empire

An empire centered at Tenochtitlan that expanded through military conquests and tribute systems while practicing religious sacrifices.

Inca Empire

An empire in South America connected by a vast road network that used the Mita labor system for public works.

Mita System

A mandatory public labor system used by the Inca Empire to construct state projects and infrastructure.

Great Zimbabwe

An African state that developed political and economic power through participation in the Indian Ocean trade network, trading gold, salt, and ivory.

Ethiopia

A Christian kingdom in Africa whose state structure and economy were shaped by trade and religion.

Feudal Hierarchy

The European social structure consisting of kings, nobles, knights, and serfs that emerged during political decentralization.

Serfdom

A system of agricultural labor in medieval Europe that tied peasants to the land controlled by local lords.