East Asia (1200–1450)

Flashcards about Developments in East Asia (1200–1450)

Neo-Confucianism

A revival from the Tang Dynasty, influenced by Buddhism & Daoism. Emphasized a hierarchical society and supported social order and imperial legitimacy.

Imperial Bureaucracy

Expanded to enforce emperor’s rule across China. Merit-based selection of competent officials.

Civil Service Exam

Based on Confucian classics and promoted centralization and efficient governance.

Korea's cultural influence from China

Adopted Confucianism, civil service exam, and had a tributary relationship with China, also became even more patriarchal than China.

Japan's cultural influence from China

Voluntarily borrowed Chinese culture (bureaucracy, Buddhism, writing) but maintained political independence due to geographical distance.

Vietnam's cultural influence from China

Tributary state like Korea that adopted Confucianism, Buddhism, exams, and had a higher status of women.

Spread of Buddhism

Originated in India, spread via Silk Roads, with key branches including Theravāda, Mahāyāna, and Tibetan/Vajrayāna.

Theravada Buddhism

Strict, monk-focused Buddhism.

Mahayana Buddhism

Accessible, emphasized compassion Buddhism.

Vajrayana Buddhism

Mystical rituals focused Buddhism.

Commercialization during the Song Dynasty

Surplus goods sold on global markets, with the use of paper money, credit, promissory notes.

Iron & Steel Production during the Song Dynasty

Massively increased for tools, weapons, and coins during the Song Dynasty.

Agricultural Innovation during the Song Dynasty

Introduction of Champa rice from Vietnam, which is drought-resistant and allows for double harvests, leading to population growth.

Transportation during the Song Dynasty

Expanded Grand Canal for trade and innovations like compass, rudder, junk ships improved maritime trade.

Judaism

Originated in the Middle East and is monotheistic, influencing both Christianity and Islam.

Christianity

Founded by Jesus and spread after his crucifixion, eventually adopted by the Roman Empire.

Islam

Founded by Prophet Muhammad in the 7th century CE, emphasizing righteous actions and spreading rapidly after his death.

Dar al-Islam

Refers to regions where Islam was dominant, stretching from the Middle East to North & Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe, and South Asia by 1200.

Abbasid Caliphate (750–1258)

Arab-led, oversaw Islam’s Golden Age with advancements in science, math, literature, and tech.

Seljuk Empire

Originally military servants of the Abbasids, gained real political power by the 11th century.

Mamluk Sultanate (Egypt)

Former slave soldiers who seized power after the death of Saladin and founded a powerful state.

Delhi Sultanate (India)

Turkic invaders who established Muslim rule over parts of India for 300 years.

Common Features of Islamic States

Military-based administration and implementation of Sharia law.

Spread of Islam (1200–1450)

Spread through military conquest, merchant trade, and missionary work, especially by Sufi mystics.

Nasir al-Din al-Tusi

Developed trigonometry to understand astronomy; influenced Copernicus.

House of Wisdom (Baghdad)

Major intellectual center that preserved and translated Greek works.

South Asia

Mainly the Indian subcontinent.

Southeast Asia

Includes countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

Hinduism

Polytheistic, believes in many gods, with the goal to reunite with Brahma through reincarnation and karma; enforced a caste system.

Buddhism

Originated in India, shares reincarnation, rejected caste system, emphasized equality, and is meant to spread to other cultures.

Islam

Introduced by Turkic Muslim invaders in 1206, formed Delhi Sultanate, became a minority but elite religion.

Sufism (Islam)

Mystical, emotional form of Islam focused on personal experience.

Bhakti Movement (Hinduism)

Focused on devotion and rejected social hierarchy.

Syncretism

Blending of religions.

Srivijaya Empire

Controlled the Strait of Malacca; Buddhist; wealthy from trade taxes.

Majapahit Kingdom

Hindu-Buddhist; used tributary system to control smaller states.

Sinhala Dynasties (Sri Lanka)

Long-lasting Buddhist kingdom reliant on agriculture, not trade.

Khmer Empire (Cambodia)

Originally Hindu, later Buddhist; built Angkor Wat; example of syncretism.

Delhi Sultanate (South Asia)

Muslim rule, but Hinduism remained dominant in culture.

Vijayanagara Empire

Founded by former Muslim emissaries who returned to Hinduism—resisted Muslim expansion.

Rajput Kingdoms

Hindu warriors who resisted Muslim rule in the north.

Maya Civilization

Decentralized city-states, often at war, built on tribute systems.

Aztec Empire (1345–1521 CE)

Like the Maya, decentralized but ruled through a tributary empire; heavy human sacrifice.

Inca Empire

Highly centralized bureaucracy using the mit'a system – labor tax for public works.

Mississippian Culture

Mississippi River Valley; hierarchical; ruled by chiefs; massive mound-building.

Chaco and Mesa Verde Societies

Adaptation to tough environments, large-scale communal construction.

Swahili City-States

Independent city-states along the East African coast that thrived on Indian Ocean trade.

Great Zimbabwe

Inland, connected to coastal ports via trade routes, controlled gold trade, built Great Zimbabwe.

Hausa Kingdoms

A collection of city-states that participated in the Trans-Saharan trade and adopted Islam.

Christian Ethiopia

Highly centralized monarchy with stratified social hierarchy, famous for rock-hewn churches.

Byzantine Empire

Eastern Orthodox Christianity, highly centralized, conquered by the Ottoman Empire in 1453.

Western Europe

Roman Catholic Christianity that provided unity through Church hierarchy.

Crusades

Launched to reclaim the Holy Land, expanded trade connections and cultural exchange.

Decentralized Europe

Power spread through feudalism, with lords ruling their manors and serfs working the land.

Shift Toward Centralization

Monarchs began building stronger centralized states with standing armies and bureaucracies.