Unit 1: Topic 1-6

Flashcards on East Asia, Monotheistic Religions, South Asia, the Americas, Africa, and Europe from 1200-1450.

Song Dynasty Overview

The Song Dynasty dominated East Asia from 1200 to 1450 and was a major cultural and political influence, especially in China.

Confucian Philosophy

A hierarchical society based on unequal relationships, filial piety, and Neo-Confucianism, which restricted women's rights.

Imperial Bureaucracy

Government officials executed the emperor's will, maintained order, and were selected through civil service examinations based on merit.

Korea's Cultural Influence

Maintained a tributary relationship with China, adopting bureaucracy and Confucian principles, with increased marginalization of women.

Japan's Cultural Influence

Influenced by Chinese culture, adopted traits voluntarily without direct political pressure, focusing on selective adoption.

Vietnam's Cultural Influence

Similar tributary system as Korea, adopted Confucianism but retained a higher status for women, without practices like foot binding.

Buddhism in China

Evolved into various forms, including Theravada, Mahayana, Tibetan, and Chan Buddhism developed during the Song Dynasty.

Commercialization

Expansion of trade and production of surplus goods, leading to reliance on paper money and credit systems in the Song Dynasty.

Agricultural Innovations

Improved iron tools and the introduction of Champa rice from Vietnam increased agricultural output, supporting a population boom.

Industrial Growth

Large-scale iron and steel production thrived, providing materials necessary for armor and tools during the Song Dynasty.

Transportation Improvements

Expanded Grand Canal and innovations like the magnetic compass and improved shipbuilding techniques enhanced navigation and trade efficiency.

Judaism Definition

The ethnic religion of the Jews originating in the Middle East, characterized by monotheism.

Christianity Founder

Established by Jesus Christ, a Jewish prophet, who spread the message of salvation through grace.

Islam Founder

Established by Prophet Muhammad in the 7th century on the Arabian Peninsula, teaching salvation through righteous actions.

The Abbasid Caliphate

Established in the 8th century, known for the Golden Age of Islam with advancements in science, mathematics, and literature.

New Islamic States

Characterized by military control over administration and the implementation of Sharia Law from the Quran.

Sufism

Emerged as a form of Islam emphasizing mystical experiences accessible to all.

Hinduism

Polytheistic faith in South Asia centered around a multitude of deities with the goal to reunite the individual soul with Brahman, using the caste system.

Buddhism

Founded in India, emphasizes equality, rejects the caste system, and is identified as a universalizing religion.

Delhi Sultanate

Established in 1206, marking the prominent emergence of Islam in India, facing resistance due to entrenched Hindu beliefs.

Bhakti Movement

Focused on personal devotion to a singular deity, encouraging spiritual experiences across all social statuses within Hinduism.

State Formation in South Asia

The Delhi Sultanate faced challenges imposing Islam due to Hindu resistance, while the Vijayanagara Empire was established as a Hindu state.

Srivijaya Empire

Operated from the 7th to 11th centuries, relying on control over the Strait of Malacca for trade and wealth in Southeast Asia.

Khmer Empire

Initially a Hindu empire that later embraced Buddhism, demonstrating syncretism with Angkor Wat.

Maya Civilization

Mesoamerican civilization that developed urban centers, a writing system, advanced math with zero, and was politically decentralized with city-states.

Aztec Empire

Began as the Mexica, achieved power through military strength, established a program of aggressive expansion, and utilized tributary states.

Inca Empire

Outsiders who rose through military strength, highly centralized with a massive bureaucracy, and required labor payments (Mitas system).

Mississippian Culture

Organized around agriculture with hierarchical political structures led by chiefs, known for mound-building projects, with Cahokia as the largest urban center.

Swahili Civilization

Composed of independent city-states on the East Coast of Africa thriving on Indian Ocean trade and influenced by Islam.

China vs. Swahili States

China had a centralized political structure under an emperor based on Confucian ideals, while Swahili States had no unifying political structure and elevated merchant elites.

Great Zimbabwe

Inland state that controlled coastal ports, derived wealth from gold, farming, and cattle, and constructed a massive capital city.

Hausa Kingdoms

Collection of independent city-states trading through the trans-Saharan network, urbanized, commercialized, with rulers converting to Islam.

Overview European Developments

Key developments in Europe, overview of religious influence and political organization during this period from 1200-1450.

Christianity

Became the state religion under Emperor Constantine. United Romans until the fall of the Western Roman Empire. Church maintained a hierarchy.

Feudalism

System of allegiances between lords and monarchs, Land exchanged for loyalty. Land ownership by lords with peasants working the land in exchange for protection.

Rise of Monarchies

Beginning in 1200, monarchs began to centralize power. Introduction of large militaries and bureaucracies changed the power dynamics.