Key Concepts from AP World History - Developments in East Asia from 1200 to 1450 CE

This collection of flashcards covers vocabulary terms and definitions related to developments in East Asia from 1200 to 1450 CE, focusing primarily on the Song Dynasty, societal structures, religious beliefs, trade, and significant historical events.

Song Dynasty

A Chinese dynasty that ruled from 960 to 1279 CE, known for its advances in technology, culture, and government.

Confucianism

A Chinese philosophy that emphasizes moral integrity, respect for elders, and the importance of education.

Imperial Bureaucracy

A system of government where officials are appointed to run the state, typically characterized by hierarchy and division of labor.

Buddhism

A religion and philosophy based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, centered around the concepts of suffering, karma, and rebirth.

Civil Service Exams

Examinations used in Imperial China to select candidates for the state bureaucracy, primarily based on Confucian texts.

Paleolithic Era

The earliest period of human history, characterized by the use of simple stone tools and a hunter-gatherer lifestyle.

Neolithic Revolution

The transition from nomadic hunter-gatherer societies to settled agricultural communities.

Diffusion

The spread of cultural elements, such as agricultural practices or religious beliefs, from one society to another.

Pastoral Societies

Societies dependent on domesticated livestock for their sustenance.

Bubonic Plague

A deadly disease transmitted by fleas, which caused significant mortality during the 14th century.

Black Death

A catastrophic epidemic of bubonic plague that swept across Europe in the 14th century.

Bureaucracy

A system of administration marked by standardized procedures and rules, often associated with large organizations.

Filial Piety

A key virtue in Confucianism emphasizing respect and duty to one's parents and ancestors.

Theocracy

A form of government in which a deity is recognized as the supreme civil ruler.

Karma

The belief in Hinduism and Buddhism that actions in this life will determine the fate of one's next life.

Dharma

In Indian religions, it's the duty and moral law that guides individual conduct.

Animism

The belief that objects, places, and creatures possess spiritual essence.

Trading Post Empire

An empire based on controlling trade routes rather than on conquest.

Laissez-faire

An economic philosophy of minimal government intervention in the marketplace.

Capitalism

An economic system characterized by private ownership of the means of production.

Jinshi

The highest and most prestigious degree in the imperial examination system of China.

Grand Canal

A man-made canal in China running over a thousand miles, linking major rivers.

Scholasticism

A medieval school of thought emphasizing the use of reason and logic in obtaining knowledge.

Magna Carta

The charter signed in 1215 that limited the powers of the English king and laid the foundation for modern democracy.

Guilds

Organizations of artisans and merchants that regulated their trade and provided mutual support.

Jihad

An Islamic term meaning 'struggle', often associated with the spiritual struggle and physical struggle in defense of Islam.

Jizya

A tax imposed on non-Muslims in an Islamic state.

Sharia

Islamic law derived from the Quran and Hadith, governing aspects of day-to-day life.

Five Pillars of Islam

The foundational acts of worship in Islam, including faith, prayer, almsgiving, fasting, and pilgrimage.

Sunni

The largest denomination of Islam, believing that the community should select its leaders.

Shi'a

A branch of Islam that believes leadership should remain within the Prophet Muhammad's family.

Dhimmis

Non-Muslims living in an Islamic state who are granted protection and certain rights.

Byzantine Empire

The eastern continuation of the Roman Empire that lasted from 330 CE until its fall in 1453.

Tribute System

A system where foreign states recognized the supremacy of the Chinese emperor in exchange for trade benefits.

Zheng He

A Chinese explorer known for his extensive naval voyages during the early Ming Dynasty.

Islamic Caliphate

A state under the leadership of an Islamic steward known as a caliph, who was considered a political and religious successor.

Umayyad Dynasty

The first great Muslim dynasty to rule the empire of the Caliphate from 661 to 750 CE.

Abbasid Dynasty

The second major Islamic caliphate, which ruled from 750 to 1258 CE and governed from Baghdad.

Hajj

The pilgrimage to Mecca that every Muslim must undertake at least once in their lifetime if financially and physically able.

Neo-Confucianism

A philosophical movement that emerged in the Song dynasty, blending Confucian ethics with Buddhist metaphysics.

Mansa Musa

The ruler of the Mali Empire who made a famous pilgrimage to Mecca and is noted for his immense wealth.

Silk Roads

A network of trade routes connecting Asia to Europe, facilitating the exchange of goods, culture, and ideas.

Ming Dynasty

A Chinese dynasty that ruled from 1368 to 1644, known for its trade expansion and cultural achievements.

Qin Dynasty

The first imperial dynasty of China (221-206 BCE) that built the Great Wall and standardized various systems.

Tang Dynasty

Chinese dynasty from 618 to 907 CE, noted for its cultural, political, and economic prosperity.

Han Dynasty

A major dynasty in China (202 BCE - 220 CE) that is often considered a golden age in Chinese history.

Kublai Khan

The grandson of Genghis Khan who completed the conquest of China and founded the Yuan dynasty.

Marco Polo

A Venetian merchant traveler whose writings about his travels increased European interest in Asia.

Great Wall of China

A series of fortifications built across northern China to protect against invasions.

Terracotta Army

A collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China.

Zhao Kuangyin (Song Taizu)

Founding emperor of the Song Dynasty, known for consolidating power and promoting bureaucracy.

Fast-ripening rice

A type of rice that allows for double cropping, which significantly increased food production in China.

Peasants

Farmers of low socioeconomic status, often working land owned by the aristocracy.

Samurai

The warrior class in feudal Japan, known for their code of honor and military skills.

Daimyo

Feudal lords in Japan who were powerful landowners with their own armies of samurai.

Shogun

The supreme military commander in feudal Japan.

Bushido

The traditional code of the Japanese samurai, emphasizing loyalty, honor, and martial arts proficiency.

Intensification

The process of increasing agricultural production per unit area.

Iconoclasm

The action of attacking or assertively rejecting cherished beliefs and institutions or established values and practices.

Legalism

A political philosophy in China that emphasized strict adherence to law and order.

Timur

A Central Asian conqueror whose empire included parts of the Middle East, Central Asia, and South Asia.

Caste System

A hierarchical social structure in India that divides society into different classes.

Hinduism

A major world religion that originated in the Indian subcontinent, characterized by a belief in reincarnation and a multitude of deities.

Buddhism

A spiritual tradition that focuses on personal spiritual development and the attainment of a deep insight into the true nature of life.

Moksha

The ultimate goal of Hindu life, representing liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth (samsara).

Reincarnation

The philosophical or religious concept that the soul begins a new life in a new body after death.

Mahayan Buddhism

A branch of Buddhism that emphasizes the role of bodhisattvas and the importance of compassion.

Four Noble Truths

The foundation of Buddhist teaching that outlines the nature of suffering and the path to its cessation.

Eightfold Path

The path to enlightenment in Buddhism, comprising eight practices to develop ethical conduct, mental discipline, and wisdom.

Vedas

The oldest sacred texts of Hinduism, composed in early Sanskrit and encompassing hymns, philosophy, and guidance on ritual.

Bhagavad Gita

A 700-verse Hindu scripture that is part of the Indian epic Mahabharata, centered on the conversation between Prince Arjuna and Krishna.

Monastic Communities

Religious communities of monks living under vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.