AP World Unit 1 vocab

Song Dynasty

Song Dynasty

A Chinese dynasty (960–1279 CE) known for economic prosperity, technological advancements, and cultural achievements.

Historical Significance of Song Dynasty

Laid the groundwork for China's economic and cultural dominance in East Asia, developing key technologies like gunpowder and the compass.

Confucianism

A philosophical and ethical system based on the teachings of Confucius, focusing on morality, family loyalty, and governance.

Historical Significance of Confucianism

Became the ideological foundation for Chinese society and governance, influencing East Asian cultures.

Filial Piety

A central concept in Confucianism referring to the respect and duty children owe to their parents and ancestors.

Historical Significance of Filial Piety

Reinforced family hierarchy and stability in Chinese culture and social structures.

Imperial Bureaucracy

A system of government where state officials administer the affairs of the state, often selected through examinations.

Historical Significance of Imperial Bureaucracy

Became a model of centralized, efficient government, influencing other East Asian countries.

Meritocracy

A system where individuals are chosen for positions based on ability and merit, often through standardized examinations.

Historical Significance of Meritocracy

Helped create a professional bureaucracy in China, influencing governance models in Asia and Europe.

Grand Canal

A massive waterway system in China connecting the Yellow and Yangtze Rivers for efficient transportation and communication.

Historical Significance of Grand Canal

Facilitated trade and economic integration between northern and southern China.

Champa Rice

A fast-ripening, drought-resistant strain of rice introduced to China from Vietnam during the Song Dynasty.

Historical Significance of Champa Rice

Revolutionized agriculture in China, supporting population growth and urbanization.

Woodblock Printing

An early method of printing texts and images using carved wooden blocks, developed in China.

Historical Significance of Woodblock Printing

Allowed for mass production of texts, increasing literacy and cultural development.

Proto-Industrialization

A phase where rural areas engage in small-scale, market-oriented production before full industrialization.

Historical Significance of Proto-Industrialization

Led to significant economic growth in China during the Song Dynasty.

Scholar-Gentry

A class of educated, landowning bureaucrats in imperial China, often selected through civil service exams.

Historical Significance of Scholar-Gentry

Influential in administration and preservation of Confucian values in China.

Foot Binding

A practice of tightly binding young girls' feet to alter their shape, popular among Chinese elites.

Historical Significance of Foot Binding

Reinforced gender roles and class distinctions in Chinese society.

Buddhism

A religion based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, focusing on overcoming suffering through enlightenment.

Historical Significance of Buddhism

Influenced spiritual, cultural, and philosophical developments in East Asia.

Zen Buddhism

A school of Mahayana Buddhism emphasizing meditation and direct insight into one's nature.

Historical Significance of Zen Buddhism

Impacted Japanese culture, particularly in arts and spiritual traditions.

Heian Period

A Japanese era (794–1185 CE) characterized by the peak of imperial court culture and advances in literature and art.

Historical Significance of Heian Period

Emergence of Japan's unique cultural identity and classical works like "The Tale of Genji."

Abbasid Caliphate

An Islamic empire (750–1258 CE) known for cultural, scientific, and intellectual achievements.

Historical Significance of Abbasid Caliphate

Oversaw the Islamic Golden Age with advancements in various fields centered in Baghdad.

Sufis

Practitioners of Sufism, focusing on the inner, spiritual aspects of Islam.

Historical Significance of Sufis

Played a major role in spreading Islam and influencing cultural expressions.

Mamluk Sultanate

A political and military state in Egypt established by freed slave soldiers (Mamluks).

Historical Significance of Mamluk Sultanate

Halted the Mongol advance and fostered a vibrant cultural center in Cairo.

Seljuk Turks

A nomadic Turkic people who established a large empire in the Middle East during the 11th and 12th centuries.

Historical Significance of Seljuk Turks

Defended the Islamic world from Crusaders and spread Turkish culture and Islam.

House of Wisdom

An intellectual center in Baghdad during the Abbasid Caliphate for translating and preserving knowledge.

Historical Significance of House of Wisdom

Fostered advancements in science, mathematics, and philosophy during the Islamic Golden Age.

Baghdad

The capital of the Abbasid Caliphate and a center of learning during the Islamic Golden Age.

Historical Significance of Baghdad: