Heimler Review Guide: State Building 1200 CE - 1450 CE

Flashcards covering key concepts from the Heimler Review Guide concerning state building, cultural practices, and economic systems from 1200 CE to 1450 CE.

What is a state?

An organized political community under one government, such as a country, empire, or nation.

How did the Song Dynasty maintain and justify their rule?

Through the revival of Confucianism, or Neo-Confucianism, an imperial bureaucracy, and the Civil Service Exam based on Confucian classics.

What is filial piety?

The emphasis on children obeying and honoring their parents, grandparents, and deceased ancestors.

What was the condition of women in Song China?

Women were in a subordinate position, lacked legal rights, could not own property or remarry, and had limited access to education.

What are the Four Noble Truths in Buddhism?

They acknowledge that suffering exists and that desire is the cause of suffering. The way to stop suffering is to follow the Eightfold Path.

What are the two main forms of Buddhism?

Theravada Buddhism, the original form, and Mahayana Buddhism, which offers broader participation and help from bodhisattvas.

What was the significance of Champa Rice for the Song Dynasty?

It was a drought-resistant crop that matured early, increasing food availability and supporting a growing population.

What was the Abbasid caliphate by c. 1200?

It had begun to fragment and lose power in the Muslim world, dominated by ethnic Turks rather than Arabs.

What are some intellectual innovations from Dar al-Islam?

Sharia law, preservation and translation of Greek philosophers' works, and advancements like trigonometry by scholars such as Nasir al-Din al-Tusi.

How did the Delhi Sultanate maintain power in Northern India?

Despite being Muslim, they faced constant rivalry from the Hindu majority population represented by the Rajput kingdoms.

What characterized the Aztec civilization?

Founded by the Mexica in Mesoamerica, with Tenochtitlan as its capital, they expanded through conquest and forced tribute.

How did Great Zimbabwe differ from other African states?

It became wealthy through gold trade, but unlike others, it maintained its indigenous shamanistic faith instead of adopting Islam.

What was manorialism in Europe?

The economic system where peasants worked the land in exchange for protection from their lords.

What was serfdom?

The condition of being bound to the land, unable to leave without permission from the lord.

What was the role of the Roman Catholic Church after the fall of Rome?

It bound together the culturally decentralized region of Western Europe.

What were the effects of the political decentralization in Europe?

It led to the rise of powerful lords and a system where vassals received land in exchange for military service.