Stearsn Global History Chapter 12 Vocabulary

An Lushan

One of the emperor's main leaders; a general of nomadic origins; led a widely supported revolt with the aim of founding a new dynasty to supplant the Tang during 755 C.E.

Changan

Capital of Tang dynasty; population of 2 million, larger than any other city in the world at that time.

Footbinding

Practice in Chinese society to mutilate women's feet in order to make them smaller; produced pain and restricted women's movement; made it easier to confine women to the household.

Flying money

Chinese credit instrument that provided credit vouchers to merchants to be redeemed at the end of the voyage; reduced danger of robbery; early form of currency.

Grand Canal

Built in 7th century during reign of Yangdi during Sui dynasty; designed to link the original centers of Chinese civilization on the north China plain with the Yangtze river basin to the south; nearly 1200 miles long.

Hangzhou

Capital of later Song dynasty; located near East China Sea; permitted overseas trading; population exceeded over 1 million.

Jinshi

Title granted to students who passed the most difficult Chinese examinations on all of Chinese literature; became immediate dignitaries and eligible for high office.

Jurchens

Founders of the Qin kingdom that succeeded the Liao in northern China; annexed most of the Yellow River basin and forced Song to flee to south.

Junks

Chinese ships equipped with watertight bulkheads, sternpost rudders, compasses, and bamboo fenders; dominant force in Asian seas east of the Malayan peninsula.

Li Bo

(701—762) Most famous poet of the Tang era; blended images of the mundane world with philosophical musings.

Li Yuan

(566—635) Also known as the Duke of Tang; minister for Yangdi; took over empire following assassination of Yangdi; first emperor of Tang dynasty; took imperial title of Gaozu.

Ministry of Rites

Administered examinations to students from Chinese government schools or those recommended by distinguished scholars.

Neo-Confucians

Revived ancient Confucian teachings in Song era China; great impact on the dynasties that followed; their emphasis on tradition and hostility to foreign systems made Chinese rulers and bureaucrats less receptive to outside ideas and influences.

Pure land

Emphasized salvationist aspects of Chinese Buddhism; popular among masses of Chinese society.

Southern Song

Rump state of Song dynasty from 1127 to 1279; carved out of much larger domains ruled by the Tang and northern Song; culturally one of the most glorious reigns in Chinese history.

Yang Guifei

(719—756) Royal concubine during the reign of Xuanzong; introduction of relatives into royal administration led to revolt.

Yangdi

Second member of Sui dynasty; murdered his father to gain throne; restored Confucian examination system; responsible for construction of Chinese canal system; assassinated in 618.

Zen

Known as Chan Buddhism in China; stressed meditation and the appreciation of natural and artistic beauty.

Zhu Xi

(1130—1200) Most prominent of neo-Confucian scholars during the Song dynasty in China; stressed importance of applying philosophical principles to everyday life and action.

Zhao Kuangyin

(r. 960—976) Founder of Song dynasty; originally a general following fall of Tang; took the title of Taizu; failed to overcome northern Liao dynasty that remained independent.

Wang Anshi

Confucian scholar and chief minister of a Song emperor in 1070s; introduced sweeping reforms based on Legalists; advocated greater state intervention in society.

Warring States Period

(220—589) Era of Division; political discord in China between the fall of the Han Dynasty and the founding of the Sui Dynasty; time of greatest Buddhist influence.

Wendi

(541—604) Member of prominent northern Chinese family during period of Six Dynasties; proclaimed himself emperor; supported by nomadic peoples of northern China; established Sui dynasty.

Wuzong

Chinese emperor of Tang dynasty who openly persecuted Buddhism by destroying monasteries in 840s; reduced influence of Chinese Buddhism in favor of Confucian ideology.