AdvWorldHistory 1 Pre-Columbia

Sui Dynasty

This dynasty built the Grand Canal, strengthened/unified the government, and introduced Buddhism to China

Tang Dynasty

This dynasty incorporated land reform, a bureaucracy based on merit, and a Confucian education system.

Song Dynasty

During this dynasty, China saw many important inventions and cultural achievements (compass, paper money, landscape paintings)

Scholar-gentry

in China, a group of people who controlled much of the land and produced most of the candidates for civil service

Mongols

People from Central Asia who, when united, ended up creating the largest single land empire in history.

Genghis Khan (Temujin)

A Mongolian general and emperor of the late twelfth and early thirteenth centuries, known for his military leadership and great cruelty. He conquered vast portions of northern China and southwestern Asia.

Khanates

The states ruled by a khan; the four units into which Genghis divided the Mongol Empire.

Yuan Dynasty

Chinese dynasty ruled by the Mongols from 1279 to 1368; best known ruler was Kublai Khan

Neo-Confucianism

A philosophy that emerged in Song-dynasty China; it revived Confucian thinking while adding in Buddhist and Daoist elements about the spiritual world and enlightenment

Yamato Dynasty

imperial family that established the throne of emperor in Japan in the 7th Century; oldest hereditary monarchy

Shotoku Taishi

A Japanese prince who used Chinese ideas to set up a more centralized system of government in Japan. brought Confucianism and the Chinese bureaucracy to Japan

Japanese Feudalism

emperor (has no real power) -> shogun (has the real power) - hereditary -> daimyo (the lower nobles under the shogun) -> samurai (knights)

Bushido Code

code of conduct for samurai during the feudal period in Japan

Shinto

Japanese worship of nature spirits

Zen Buddhism

a Buddhist sect that emphasizes enlightenment through meditation and stresses simplicity and discipline

Silla Dynasty

The first ruling dynasty to bring political unity to the Korean peninsula

Koryo Dynasty

Replaced the Silla dynasty; eventually taken over by Mongols

Theravada and Mahayana

Two major forms of Buddhism. Theravada was popular in India, stricter and more original. Mahayana is more popular in China, had looser restrictions and the Buddha was seen as a spirtual figure.

Delhi Sultanate

Centralized Indian empire created by Muslim invaders.

Tamerlane (Timur)

A "second Genghis Khan" who united Mongols and led them in a series of conquests. His enemies called him "Prince of Destruction"; he subdued Asia, Persia, Mesopotamia and India.

Timurid Empire

Named after the ruler Timur, who claimed to be heir of Genghis Khan; envisioned his empire as the restoration of the Mongol Empire.

Vietnam and China

-Elite borrowed Confucianism, Buddhism, Daoism, administrative techniques, the examination system, and more-Still held completely unique culture-Significant rebellion to establish Vietnam as an independent state

Griots

Africa - professional oral historians who served as keepers of traditions

Ghana, Mali, Songhai

West African kingdoms that built wealth and power through trans-Saharan trade of salt and gold

Mansa Musa

Ruler of Mali who made a pilgrimage to Mecca; on the way there, he spread enormous amounts of gold showing the wealth of Mali; on the way back, he brought back education and Islamic culture.

Ibn Battuta

Arab traveler who described African societies and cultures in his travel records

Swahili Culture

combination of African and Muslim influences

Great Zimbabwe

A stone-walled enclosure found in Southeast Africa. Has been associated with trade, farming, and mining.

Timbuktu

Mali trading city that became a center of wealth and learning

Matrilineal

based on or tracing descent through the female line

Aztec

(1200-1521) 1300, they settled in the valley of Mexico. Grew corn. Engaged in frequent warfare to conquer others of the region. Worshipped many gods (polytheistic). Believed the sun god needed human blood to continue his journeys across the sky. Practiced human sacrifices and those sacrificed were captured warriors from other tribes and those who volunteered for the honor.

Inca

Native South American tribe that lived in the mountains of Peru. Built a complex network of roads, bridges and irrigation systems to adapt to their environment.

Human sacrifice in the Americas

believed to be necessary to appease the gods, especially in troublesome times; most common in Aztec and Maya societies, occasionally in Inca