East Asia 1: Pre 1600s Quiz #2

Ming

A Chinese dynasty (1368–1644) that overthrew Mongol rule and restored Han Chinese leadership; important for strong centralized government, high literacy, and the most technologically advanced military power.

Hongwu

Founder of the Ming Dynasty (r. 1368–1398) who rose from poverty, led the Red Turbans to defeat the Mongols, centralized power, restored civil service exams, and reformed land to support peasants.

Yongle

Ming emperor (r. 1402–1424) who expanded China’s influence through major construction and overseas expeditions, though his spending weakened finances.

Treasure Fleets

Seven large naval expeditions commanded by Admiral Zheng He during the Ming dynasty that traveled across the Indian Ocean for trade and diplomacy, showing China’s power and global reach.

Zheng He

Muslim admiral from the Ming Dynasty who led the Treasure Fleets, completing seven voyages that expanded trade networks and demonstrated Ming strength abroad.

Qing

A Chinese dynasty (1644–1912) established by the Manchus after the fall of the Ming; important for expanding China’s territory and continuing imperial rule under foreign leadership.

Wu Sangui

A Ming general who helped the Manchus take control of China by opening the Great Wall to them; important because his actions allowed the Qing Dynasty to be established. He is proclaimed as a Han Chinese traitor.

Unified Silla

A Korean kingdom (668–935) that unified most of the Korean peninsula (Silla, Gaya, and Baekje) with Tang support; important for its heavy devotion to Buddhism and lack of a centralized government, making it relatively weak.

Parhae

An independent Korean state (698–926) north of Unified Silla formed after Goguryeo’s fall. Little is known about them, and most information is through archaeological evidence. Adopted Chinese-style bureaucracies & imperial exams, frequent wars with Unified Silla along the border, and entered military alliances with the Japanese.

Wonhyo

A Korean Buddhist monk (617–686) from Unified Silla who synthesized all known Buddhist sects into unified Korean Buddhism. He is remembered as the “father of Korean Buddhism.”

Sol Chong

The son of Wonhyo; A Korean scholar of Unified Silla who helped translate Confucian teachings into Korean contexts and regulated the Idu script. He is remembered as the “father of Korean Confucianism.”

Yangban

The Korean elite aristocratic class, appearing in Unified Silla and the Joseon period; important for dominating government, education, and society.

Sangmin

The Korean common people (farmers, laborers), appearing in Unified Silla and the Joseon period; important as the majority who supported the economy through agriculture and work.

Nobi

A Korean class of slaves or servants, appearing in Unified Silla and the Joseon period; important as the lowest social class providing slave labor for elites.

Kyon Hwon

A rebel leader in the late Unified Silla period who founded Later Baekje; important for contributing to political fragmentation before Koryo reunification.

Koryo

A Korean dynasty (918–1392) that reunified Korea; important for establishing a centralized state and giving Korea its name.

Ten Injunctions

Rules left by Koryo founder Wang Kon; important for guiding future rulers, especially warning against foreign influence and internal conflict.

Myochong

A Buddhist monk who led a rebellion in Koryo; important for showing conflict between Buddhism and Confucian elites.

Kim Pusik

A Confucian scholar who wrote Samguk Sagi; important for promoting Confucian views of Korean history.

Samguk Sagi

A historical text (1145) about the Three Kingdoms; important as an official Confucian record of early Korean history.

Iryon

A Buddhist monk who wrote Samguk Yusa; important for preserving myths and Buddhist traditions.

Samguk Yasa

A collection of legends and stories about early Korea; important for preserving cultural and religious history.

Choson

A Korean dynasty (1392–1910) founded after Koryo; important for establishing a Confucian state and long-lasting social structure.

Yi Songgye

The founder of the Choson dynasty; important for overthrowing Koryo and establishing a new Confucian government.

Sejong

A Choson king (r. 1418–1450) known for major cultural achievements; important for promoting science and creating Hangul.

Hall of the Worthies

A royal research institute under Sejong; important for producing scholarly works and helping create Hangul.

Hangul

The Korean alphabet created in the 15th century; important for increasing literacy and making writing accessible to common people.

Kisaeng

Female entertainers trained in arts and music; important for cultural life and sometimes political/social influence.

Imjin War

Japanese invasions of Korea (1592–1598); important for devastating Korea and involving Ming China in defense.

Yi Sunsin

A Korean admiral during the Imjin War; important for defeating Japanese fleets and defending Korea.

Turtle Ship

An armored Korean warship used by Yi Sun-sin; important for its innovative design and role in naval victories.