Ancient and Imperial China: Geography, Philosophies, and Dynasties

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering Chinese geography, traditional spiritual beliefs, philosophical traditions (Confucianism, Daoism, Legalism, Buddhism), dynastic history, and Mongol rule.

Himalayan Mountains

A huge mountain range south of China that helped protect China from outside invasion.

Tibetan Plateau

A high, mountainous region west of China that created a natural barrier between China and other regions.

Yellow and Yangtze Rivers

Major Chinese rivers that provided water, fertile soil, transportation, and land for farming.

North China Plain

Flat, fertile land where people grew crops, especially wheat and millet, allowing Chinese civilization to develop. This region held majority of China’s population.

Gobi Desert

A large desert north of China that acted as a natural barrier but also made travel and trade difficult.

Middle Kingdom

The traditional Chinese belief that China was the center of the civilized world.

Ancestor Worship

The practice of honoring deceased family members and believing ancestors could influence the living.

Qi (Chi)

The vital life energy believed to flow through all living things.

Confucius

A Chinese philosopher who taught that respect, education, morality, and proper relationships create a peaceful society.

The Five Relationships

Ruler and subject, father and son, husband and wife, older brother and younger brother, and friend and friend, which emphasize respect, duty, and mutual respect.

Ren (Jen)

A Confucian virtue meaning kindness, humaneness, and treating others with compassion.

Filial Piety

Respecting, obeying, and caring for one's parents and ancestors.

Civil Service Exams

Tests based on Confucian teachings used to select government officials based on knowledge and ability.

Confucianism

A philosophy that teaches respect, education, moral behavior, and fulfilling one's responsibilities to create an orderly society where rulers lead by example.

Legalism

A philosophy that believes people need strict laws, harsh punishments, and strong rulers to maintain order and control behavior.

Daoism (Taoism)

A philosophy that teaches people to live in harmony with the Dao, or the natural way of the universe.

Laozi

A traditional founder of Daoism who taught that people should live simply and follow nature.

Dao (Tao)

The natural way or underlying force that guides the universe.

Dao De Jing

A foundational text of Daoism that teaches simplicity, balance, and living in harmony with nature.

Wu-wei

The idea of taking effortless action and not forcing things against their natural course.

Yin and Yang

Opposing but complementary forces that work together to create balance in the universe.

Buddhism

A religion and philosophy that teaches people how to overcome suffering and reach enlightenment.

Siddhartha Gautama

The founder of Buddhism, known as the Buddha, who sought to understand and overcome suffering.

Buddha

A title meaning "Enlightened One," given to Siddhartha Gautama.

The Four Noble Truths

Four core Buddhist truths: (1) Life involves suffering; (2) Desire and attachment cause suffering; (3) Suffering can end; (4) Following the Eightfold Path can end suffering.

The Eightfold Path

Eight practices involving right understanding, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and concentration that help end suffering.

Nirvana

The state of liberation from suffering, desire, and the cycle of rebirth.

Samsara

The ongoing cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.

Karma

The belief that a person's actions and intentions affect future consequences and rebirth.

Dynastic Cycle

The pattern in which a dynasty gains power, rules, declines, loses the Mandate of Heaven, and is replaced by a new dynasty.

Mandate of Heaven

The belief that Heaven gives a ruler the right to govern, but that right can be lost if the ruler becomes unjust or ineffective.

Manchu / Qing Dynasty

The dynasty established in 1644 when the Manchu people conquered China, ruling until 1912.

Canton System

A trade system that restricted most Western trade with China to the port of Canton (Guangzhou) under strict Chinese regulations.

Sui Dynasty

A Chinese dynasty that supported Buddhism and built the Grand Canal.

Tang Dynasty

A Chinese dynasty that developed gunpowder, the abacus, and the compass; advanced fine china; used woodblock printing and crossbows; and had Empress Wu.

Song Dynasty

A Chinese dynasty that shifted toward an urban society and expanded trade.

Yuan Dynasty

A dynasty established after the Mongols conquered China, ruled by Kublai Khan.

Ming Dynasty

A Chinese dynasty that defeated the Mongols and was ruled by the Hongwu Emperor.

Genghis Khan

Mongol leader who united the Mongols, built a huge empire stretching toward the Caspian Sea, whose Golden Horde controlled parts of Russia, and who used a harsh tax system.

Kublai Khan

Genghis Khan’s grandson who conquered China, established the Yuan Dynasty, increased trade with Europe, and was visited by Marco Polo.