Civilizations of India, China, and Europe: A Historical Overview

Specialization

an economic concept that refers to separating tasks in which people in a factory or company work at one kind of job and learn to do it well

Artisan

a skilled worker, such as a weaver or a potter, who makes goods by hand

Institution

a long-lasting pattern of organization in a community

Scribe

one of the professional record keepers in early civilizations

Cuneiform

a system of writing with wedge-shaped symbols, invented by Sumerians around 3000 BC

Bronze Age

a period in human history, beginning around 3000 BC in some areas, during which people began using bronze, rather than copper or stone, to fashion tools and weapons

Barter

a form of trade in which people exchange goods and services without the use of money

Ziggurat

a temple, which literally means 'mountain of god'

Northern Mountains

Himalayas are located to the East. To the west was the Hindu Kush mountains. These mountain ranges separate India from the rest of Asia.

Indus-ganges Plain

this would be the center of India where the really good farmland would be.

The Deccan

the interior of the peninsula. The land is very harsh and not good farming.

Monsoons

seasonal winds that bring rainfall for the entire year during the four months from June-September.

Famine

the result of the monsoon coming too late or the rainfall being too light.

Flooded crops

the result of the monsoon dropping too much rainfall.

Harappa and Mohenjodaro

cities that had strong central fortresses for protection against their enemies.

Sanskrit

the language created by the Indus River Valley civilization.

Animism

the belief that spirits inhabit everything.

Vedic Age

begins when the Aryans took over the area.

Vedas

books of sacred knowledge.

Hinduism

both a religion and a way of life, characterized by a belief in many gods (polytheism).

Reincarnation

the belief in the rebirth of the soul into another form until it reaches perfection known as Nirvana.

Nirvana

the end of the life, death, and rebirth process.

Karma

the belief that the 'deeds' of each human being determines his/her future state.

Dharma

the belief that states that an individual has a duty and obligation, within his/her family, caste, or social group.

Caste

the four main social groups of Hinduism.

Harijans

people considered outside the caste system, also known as the Untouchables.

Mahabharata

an epic poem that contains old tales of Hinduism.

Loess

a fertile deposit of windblown soil

Oracle bones

one of the animal bones or tortoise shells used by ancient Chinese priests to communicate with the gods

Mandate of heaven

the divine approval thought to be the basis of royal authority

Dynastic cycle

the historical pattern of the rise, decline, and replacement of the dynasties

Feudalism

a political system in which nobles are granted the use of lands that legally belong to their king, in exchange for their loyalty, military service, and protection of the people who live on the land

Confucius

China's most influential scholar; believed in teaching order and good harmony

Filial piety

respect for parents and ancestors; devoting oneself to one's parents during their lifetime

Bureaucracy

a trained civil service, or those who run the government

Daoism

the belief that you should step away from society and connect more with nature

Legalism

highly efficient government where reward and punishment were used to maintain social orders

I Chiang

a book of oracles to solve ethical problems

Yin and Yang

two powers that together represented the natural rhythms of the life

Qin Dynasty

replaced the Zhou dynasty in the 3rd century; the ruler of the Qin Dynasty employed legalist ideas to lead and unify his country

Shi Huangdi

means 'first emperor', which was given to the emperor after 20 years of reign

Autocracy

a government that has unlimited power and uses it in an arbitrary manner

China Proper

near Yangtze, Yellow and West Si Rivers

Regions that surround China Proper

Tibet, Sinkiang, Mongolia, Manchuria, and Korea

Dynasty

family of rulers

Warlord

a military leader who controls a region, often in conflict with other warlords

Ancestor Worship

highlighted the family and kin relationships, as a model for society; a ritual

5 Basic Relationships

the five fundamental relationships; ruler and subject, father and son, elder brother and younger brother, husband and wife, friend and friend

Shang Dynasty

the dynasty that ruled from 1700-1027 BC with a hereditary king and strong military force

Zhou Dynasty

the dynasty that started the great Bronze Age and faced chaos as it weakened

Confucianism

Philosophy of life founded by Confucius.

Taoism

Philosophy founded by Lao Zi, advocating withdrawal from society and living closer to nature.

Legalists

Believed a highly efficient and powerful government was needed, emphasizing reward and punishment.

Han Dynasty

Confucianism was named the official set of rules for the Chinese government.

Buddhism

Founded by Siddhartha Gautama, who lived from 563-486 BC and was a Hindu Prince.

The Buddha

Siddhartha Gautama, who became enlightened through meditation.

Four Sacred Truths

Core teachings of Buddhism regarding suffering and the path to end it.

Eightfold Path to Perfection

A guide in Buddhism consisting of Right Views, Right Resolve, Right Speech, Right Conduct, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration.

Middle Ages

The era in European history from about 500-1500, also called the medieval period.

Franks

A Germanic people who settled in Gaul and established a great empire during the Middle Ages.

Monastery

A religious community of men (monks) devoted to prayer and worship.

Secular

Concerned with worldly rather than spiritual matters.

Carolingian Dynasty

A dynasty of Frankish rulers lasting from 751-987.

Charlemagne

King of the Franks from 768 to 814, united much of France, Germany, and northern Italy.

Lord

A person who controlled land and could grant estates to vassals.

Fief

An estate granted to a vassal by a lord under the feudal system.

Vassal

A person who received land from a lord in exchange for loyalty and services.

Knight

An armored warrior who fought on horseback.

Serf

A medieval peasant legally bound to live on a lord's estate.

Manor

The Lord's estate in feudal Europe.

Tithe

A family's payment of one-tenth of its income to the church.

Chivalry

A complex set of ideals demanding that a knight fight bravely in defense of three masters.

Tournaments

Mock battles that young knights would participate in.

Troubadours

Traveling poet-musicians at the castles and courts of Europe.

Early Middle Ages

Period between classical times and the modern era, lasting from 500-1500.

St. Patrick

Sent by Pope Gregory I to Ireland to bring Christianity to the people.

Trinity

The concept of three different ways of looking at the same God, taught by St. Patrick using the 3 leaf clover.

Caste out the snakes

A symbol of casting out evil by bringing Christianity to the Irish.

Monasteries

Developed as places for monks to live separately from society to avoid temptation.

Convent

A place where women would go to escape temptation.

Benedictine Rule

A set of rules created by St. Benedict that monks would live by.

Sr. Scholastica

Created a set of rules that nuns would live by.

Monks' important task

Preserved Roman and Greek culture through literature and important books like the Bible.

Papal power

Increased during the early Middle Ages, notably by Pope Gregory I.

Gregory I

Became pope in 590, wrote Dialogues and Pastoral Care, and sent missionaries to spread Christianity.

The Franks

A Germanic tribe that settled in northern Gaul, which became France.

Clovis

Became a tribal leader at age 15 in 481 and united all Frankish tribes, starting the Merovingian Dynasty.

Mayor of the Palace

A position created by the king to run things for him.

Pepin II

Made the office of the Mayor of the Palace hereditary in 700.

Charles Martel

French leader who defeated the Muslims at the Battle of Tours.

Pepin the Short

Succeeded Charles Martel and asked the pope for advice on becoming king.

Pope Stephen II

Said that the man who has the real power should be the king, blessing Pepin the Short.

Louis the Pious

Son of Charlemagne, left the empire to his three sons upon his death.

Treaty of Verdun

Agreed to by the three sons of Louis the Pious, dividing the empire into France, Germany, and Italy.

Invasions

By Vikings, Magyars, and Muslims caused widespread disorder and suffering during the period.

Feudal System

A social system in medieval Europe based on rights and obligations, where land (fief) was granted in exchange for military protection and services.

Serfs

Peasants who were bound to the land and had few rights, but were not slaves as they could not be bought and sold.

Knighthood

The status or rank of a knight, associated with chivalry and military service.

Page

The first stage in the process of becoming a knight, typically starting at age 7.

Squire

The rank achieved at age 14, serving as a knight's apprentice.