WHAP Unit 1 Vocabulary

Bureaucracy

A system of government where officials carry out policies; in China, based on merit through exams.

Meritocracy

System where people gain power based on ability, not birth.

Scholar gentry

Educated elite in China who passed the civil service exams and held government roles.

Artisans

Skilled workers who make goods (lower status than scholars in China).

Merchants

Traders; low social status in Confucian China despite wealth.

Imperial

Relating to an empire or emperor (e.g., Chinese imperial rule).

Tributary state

A state that sends goods/payments to a stronger power (like China) in exchange for protection or trade.

Foot binding

Chinese practice of tightly binding women's feet; symbol of status and patriarchy.

Civil Service Exam

Exams based on Confucian texts used to select Chinese officials.

Song Dynasty

Chinese dynasty (960-1279) known for economic growth and technological innovation.

Confucianism

Philosophy emphasizing hierarchy, order, and proper behavior in relationships.

Filial piety

Respect and obedience toward one's parents/ancestors.

Neo-Confucianism

Revival of Confucianism blending spiritual elements from Buddhism/Daoism.

Sinification

Spread of Chinese culture to other regions (e.g., Korea, Vietnam).

Nuclear family

Parents and children living together (basic family unit).

Polygyny

One man having multiple wives (allowed in elite Chinese society).

Heian period

Era in Japan (794–1185) known for court culture and literature (e.g., Tale of Genji).

Theravada Buddhism

Focuses on individual enlightenment; common in Southeast Asia.

Mahayana Buddhism

Emphasizes helping others achieve enlightenment; spread to East Asia.

Chan/Zen Buddhism

Chinese/Japanese Buddhism focusing on meditation and intuition.

Tibetan Buddhism

Blend of Buddhism with local beliefs; includes spiritual leaders (Dalai Lama).

Monasticism

Religious lifestyle of monks/nuns living apart from society.

Gunpowder

Chinese invention used in weapons; spread via Silk Roads.

Proto-industrialization

Early manufacturing (before factories), like textile production in homes.

Woodblock printing

Printing technique using carved wooden blocks.

Champa Rice

Fast-growing rice from Vietnam that boosted Chinese population.

Grand Canal

Massive Chinese waterway connecting north and south.

Flying Money

Early form of paper money used in China.

Muhammad

Founder of Islam (570-632 CE).

Mamluk Sultanate

Muslim slave-soldier state in Egypt.

Mongols

Nomadic empire builders who created the largest land empire.

Seljuk Turks

Muslim rulers who controlled parts of the Middle East.

Abbasid Caliphate

Islamic dynasty known for trade, learning, and culture.

House of Wisdom in Baghdad

Center for scholarship and translation in Abbasid era.

jizya

Tax on non-Muslims in Islamic states.

Sufism

Mystical branch of Islam emphasizing personal connection to God.

Al-Andalus

Muslim-controlled Spain.

"People of the book"

Jews and Christians under Islamic rule, allowed to practice religion.

Delhi Sultanate

Muslim state ruling parts of India (1206-1526).

Bhakti Movement

Devotional Hindu movement emphasizing personal worship.

Proselytize

To spread/convert others to a religion.

Caste system

Social hierarchy in India based on birth.

Chola Dynasty

South Indian empire known for trade and naval power.

Vijayanagara Empire

Hindu empire in southern India.

Rajput Kingdoms

Hindu warrior states in northern India.

Srivijaya Empire

Maritime Southeast Asian trading empire.

Majapahit Kingdom

Powerful Indonesian empire controlling trade routes.

Sinhala dynasties

Rulers of Sri Lanka, heavily influenced by Buddhism.

Khmer Empire

Southeast Asian empire known for Angkor Wat.

Feudalism

System where land is exchanged for military service.

Daimyo

Powerful Japanese landowners.

Shogun

Military ruler of Japan.

Samurai

Japanese warrior class.

Vassal

Person granted land in exchange for loyalty/service.

Serf

Peasant bound to land in feudal Europe.

Fief

Land granted to a vassal.

Manorialism

Economic system where peasants work land owned by lords.

Code of chivalry

Rules for knights (loyalty, honor).

Estates General

French assembly of social classes.

bourgeoisie

Middle class (merchants, professionals).

burghers

Town-dwelling merchants in medieval Europe.

Magna Carta

1215 document limiting English king's power.

English Parliament

Representative governing body in England.

The Hundred Years' War

Long conflict between England and France.

primogeniture

Eldest son inherits everything.

Marco Polo

Venetian traveler who described Asia.

Mali

West African empire known for gold and trade (Mansa Musa).

Swahili

East African coastal trading culture blending African & Arab influences.

Great Zimbabwe

Powerful African kingdom known for stone structures.

Ethiopia

Christian African kingdom with long independence.

chattel slave

Slave treated as property.

domestic slave

Slave working in households.

griot/griotte

West African oral historians/storytellers.

Kin-based network

Social organization based on family relationships.

Mississippian culture

Native American civilization known for mound-building.

Cahokia

Largest Mississian city.

matrilineal

Descent traced through mother.

patrilineal

Descent traced through father.

patriarchy

Society dominated by men.

theocracy

Government ruled by religious leaders.

animism

Belief that nature has spirits.

Maya city-states

Independent cities in Mesoamerica with advanced culture.

Aztec/Mexica

Powerful Mesoamerican empire.

Chinampas

Floating gardens used for farming.

Syncretism

Blending of cultural/religious beliefs.

Greek philosophy

Classical ideas influencing later European thought.

Mita system

Inca labor tax system.

Waru Waru agriculture

Raised field farming system in Andes.

three-field system

Crop rotation system improving European agriculture.

Crusades

Religious wars between Christians and Muslims.

antisemitism

Discrimination against Jews.

Renaissance

Cultural rebirth in Europe focusing on art and learning.

humanism

Focus on human potential and classical learning.

Great Schism

Split between Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Church.

Roman Catholic Church

Dominant religious institution in Western Europe.

Coercive labor

Forced labor systems (slavery, serfdom).

Kievan Rus

Early Slavic state influenced by Byzantine culture and Orthodox Christianity.