APWH 1.1

Imperial Bureaucracy

Expanded under the Song dynasty, maintaining a meritocracy via civil service exams based on Confucian texts.

Tributary System

Neighboring states, such as Korea and Vietnam, paid tribute to China's emperor, reinforcing China’s dominance in East Asia.

Champa Rice

A drought-resistant, fast-ripening rice variety from Vietnam that effectively doubled agricultural yields in China.

Heavy Plows

Agricultural innovation that, along with manure fertilization and terraced farming, boosted agricultural production.

Proto-Industrialization

The phase when steel and porcelain production in China surpassed Europe, leading to increased commercialization.

Grand Canal

A vast waterway over 30,000 miles facilitating trade and transport, making China the world’s most commercialized society.

Gunpowder

Invented earlier but refined into weapons during the Song dynasty, significantly impacting warfare.

Neo-Confucianism

A cultural and religious movement blending Confucianism with Daoist and Buddhist ideas, emphasizing ethics and familial respect.

Foot Binding

A social practice symbolizing elite status in China but severely restricting women’s mobility and independence.

Urbanization

Growth of cities such as Hangzhou and Guangzhou, which became cosmopolitan hubs with populations over 100,000.

Woodblock Printing

An important technological advance that facilitated the dissemination of Buddhist texts and farming manuals.

Compass

A navigational invention that improved maritime trade in the South China Sea.

Shipbuilding

Enhanced capabilities for maritime trade, crucial for China's economy.

Feudalism

The structure of governance in Japan characterized by a shogunate (military rule) and powerful daimyo landowners.

Cultural Blending

Japan's adoption of Buddhism (especially Zen) and Confucianism while retaining indigenous Shinto traditions, exemplified by cultural achievements like The Tale of Genji (11th century).

Bushido Code

The ethical code of conduct for samurai, emphasizing loyalty, honor, and martial arts.

Sinification

The process where Korea mirrored China's bureaucratic system and Confucian examination practices, while preserving local aristocratic power.

Hangul

The Korean writing system that was developed in the 15th century, later becoming more widely used than the Chinese script.

Anti-Chinese Rebellions

Vietnamese uprisings that challenged Chinese rule, including resistance to Confucian gender norms like foot binding and centralized authority.

Guerilla Warfare

Military strategies employed by Vietnamese forces to effectively expel Tang armies using local geographical knowledge.

Nuclear Families

Family structures prioritized in Vietnam over extended households typical in Chinese culture, reflecting different social norms.