East Asia, Dar al-Islam, Africa, and Europe

Flashcards of key terms and definitions from lecture notes.

Sui, Tang, and Song

Three main dynasties of East Asia during c. 1200 to c. 1450

Grand Canal

Linked the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers, promoting trade and movement under the Sui Dynasty.

Reasons for the collapse of the Tang Dynasty

Internal conflicts, external invasions, and economic issues.

Key innovations during the Song Dynasty

Paper money, gunpowder, champa rice, civil service exam, and public works.

Civil service exam system

Based on Confucian teachings, allowed social mobility through merit.

Social hierarchy in East Asia

Emperor > Scholar-Gentry > Nobility > Peasants > Merchants

Foot binding

Practice symbolizing female submission and patriarchal values.

East Asia's influence on nearby regions

Spread of Buddhism and Confucianism to Korea, Japan, and Vietnam.

'Dar al-Islam'

"The abode of Islam" - areas under Muslim rule.

Jizya

A tax non-Muslims paid under Islamic rule.

Significance of the Battle of Tours (732)

Marked the stop of Muslim expansion into Western Europe.

Al-Andalus

Muslim-ruled Spain; center of learning and trade.

House of Wisdom

A major center for learning, especially in science, math, and medicine, in Baghdad.

How Islam spread

Through trade, conquest, and missionaries.

Religions originated in South Asia

Hinduism and Buddhism.

Delhi Sultanate

A Muslim empire that used Islam to justify its rule.

Original purpose of Angkor Wat

A Hindu temple that later became Buddhist.

Source of power for the Srivijaya and Majapahit Empires

Control over vital trade routes like the Strait of Malacca.

Methods used for state building

Military strength, trade wealth, political stability, and shared religion.

Aztec tribute system

Conquered people paid goods and services to remain conquered.

Mita system

Incan system requiring public labor from citizens.

Purpose of Mississippian mounds

Religious, ceremonial, and elite residences.

'Great Sun'

The ruler of each Mississippian town.

Political organization of early African societies

Kin-based networks led by chiefs.

Hausa Kingdom

Loose federation of seven states connected by kinship ties.

Empire that rose after Ghana

The Mali Empire.

Mansa Musa

Mali's ruler; made a pilgrimage to Mecca with gold and people.

How Islam spread in Africa

Through merchants, trade routes, and Mansa Musa's influence.

Swahili culture

Coastal trade cities with shared language, trade, and Islamic religion.

Feudalism

A rigid class system based on land ownership and loyalty.

Role of the Catholic Church

Central to society; provided stability and sent missionaries.

Innovation that boosted literacy in Europe

The arrival of paper from China.

Trend that began as feudalism declined

The rise of centralized monarchies.

How political systems differed between regions

Europe moved from feudalism to centralization; East Asia had merit-based bureaucracy; Americas used tribute and labor systems.

How religion supported state building

Islam in the Abbasid Caliphate, Confucianism in China, Catholicism in Europe.

Major economic comparison

Song China had strong trade and innovation; Islamic empires declined in central power; South Asia built states through trade.

Universal religions that expanded

Islam, Buddhism, and Catholicism-spread through missionaries, trade, and conquest.

Dynasty

A series of rulers from the same family.

Invocation

The action of invoking someone or something for assistance or as an authority.

Anarchy

A state or society without government or law.

Massacre

The killing of a large number of people.

Omnipotent

Having or seeming to have unlimited power.

Exemplar

A person or thing that is the best or most typical example of something.

Argumentative

Having or showing a tendency to disagree or cause arguments.

Custom

A route followed habitually or a practice regularly observed.

Benevolent

Having or showing a desire to do good to others.

Swindle

The use of tricks to deceive someone (usually to extract money from them).

Sycophant

A person who tries to win favor from wealthy or influential people by flattering them.

Vague

Not clearly expressed or understood.