China, Japan, India

Imma fail:)

Dynasty

A time in history when descendants of one family ruled one after another (bloodline).

* Ming, Tang, Song Yuan

Dynastic Cycle

The pattern of the rise and fall of dynasties in Ancient China. Each dynasty rises to a political, cultural, and economic peak and then declines, loses the Mandate of Heaven, and falls. Then, they are replaced by a new dynasty that goes through the same process

* This helps historians get a better idea and understand the politics of China over time.

The Mandate of Heaven

The belief that “Heaven” or God thinks that a specific ruler is fit to rule (the chosen one). When natural disasters happen, people take that as a sign of the ruler losing the Mandate of Heaven and a new dynasty begins.

Silk Road

A network of trade routes connecting the Middle East to Asia (helped the development and wealth of India and China).

* Primarily goods were exported from China to other places because their technology and goods were superior
* Ceramics, textiles, foods, spices, and expensive art were traded
* Ideas like religion, language, and disease spread

Mongols

One of the largest empires stretching across Asia to the Middle East.

* Conquered China during the Ming dynasty
* sophisticated organization in battle - not barbaric
* More gender equality within society
* well-trained military
* effective strategies and tactics
* No writing system, no cities, no farming (raised herds of animals instead)

Silk

Natural fiber made into cloth and clothes

* soft, smooth, strong
* HUGE DEMAND
* Only China knew how to make it which helped with their economy as they were able to export a lot of it making a lot of $$$ moneyy

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Magnetic Compass

Chinese invention that aided navigation

* let China become a sea power

Porcelain

A massive demand in Europe; only afforded by royalty

* only made in china (called china now)
* traded on the silk road

Gunpowder

in the beginning, it was used for fireworks and then started being used for weapons

* revolutionized warfare

Movable Type

printing type made up of individual pieces each containing letters or characters. The parts can be freely assembles/reassembled when printing (stamps)

Civil Service Exam

a test taken to become a government official

* it is a meritocracy - based on your merit
* based on knowledge of confucianism

Great Wall of China

was built over centuries by China’s emperors because China was constantly being invaded from the north so they made that defensive structure to protect their territory

* began during the Qin of Ch’in Dynasty around 200 B.C.
* Other dynasties expanded it

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Eunuch

Someone who has been castrated, is a trusted advisor, has less testosterone, and is less ambitious

* important during Ming Dynasty
* ex: Zheng He

Treasure Fleet

Enormous fleet commissioned by Emperor Yongle

* contained over 300 ships and a crew of 27,000

Zheng He

An imperial eunuch and Muslim, entrusted by the Ming emperor Yongle to captain the treasure fleet

* his expeditions served to “bring order to the world,” established Chinese Power and prestige in the Indian Ocean, and to get Chinese control over foreign trade.

Marco Polo

THE FIRST EVA European who traveled to China and came back

* very rare for someone to travel this way back then
* superrr rare tbh; unheard of'; so unique and cool
* THE ONLY person we know of who did this
* many people thought he made it up
* EXTRAORDINARY
* some info is…questionable and he did make things up.. (ig he isn’t 2 cool 4 skool; #loser)

Chinese Middle Kingdom

soooo China kept itself apart from other countries and for many years remained untouched by outside influences

* China is the center of the world (main character)
* China = BEST; no contact w/ others (2 cool tbh)
* Isolation from everything cuz they wanna preserve culture'
* mainy cuz mongols wanted to change it (oop drama)

Major achievement during Tang and Song Dynasty??

* Silk (soft, smooooth, silkyyy)
* Gunpowder (BAM….BAM…)
* Magnetic Compass (sea navigation)
* Porcelain (china)
* Mechanical Clock (tick…tock)
* Printing
* Paper money $$$

Major achievement during Ming dynasty??

* Treasure Fleets
* Capitol in Beijing
* forbidden city and temple of heaven
* more centralized government
* tribute system

Major achievement during Yuan dynasty (under Mongol rule btw)

* Pax Mongolia - extended period of peace in the region under Mongol control
* Law and order established
* trade increases dramatically

How did the Mongols conquer and rule such an expansive empire?

The Mongols had a huge empire spanning most of Asia but they didn’t have a brutal government like other conquerors. Instead, they were benevolent; if you obeyed and pledged loyalty to the Mongols, you are left to your own affairs. This idea allowed local leaders to maintain authority if they pledged their loyalty and paid their tribute. This also helped avoid uprisings since they are not overcontrolling. Also, Mongols were highly militaristic which was a huge advantage. Their skilled horsemanship gave them an advantage in mobility, enabling them to strike w/out warning, capitalize on enemy mistakes, and quickly change direction mid-battle.

In what ways were the Mongols an exception to the general rules we have seen about successful empires?

1. They were not farmers; had an entire empire non-agriculture


1. pastoral/ raised animals instead of crops
2. nomadic


1. don’t settle in one set place; movement = dictated by animals and where grass is to feed them
3. Since their trade was reduced/cut off, they raid to get the things they need
4. Had no writing system 
5. Not brutal government seen like in other conquerors
6. Had more women's rights because they were pastoral and nomadic

In what ways was the Treasure Fleet so impressive? Why was it disbanded?

The Treasure Fleet was so impressive because it contained hundreds of ships captained by Zheng He who visited ports in Southeast Asia, Indonesia, India, Arabia, and East Africa. The purpose was to enroll foreigners in the Chinese tribute system, rulers accompanied fleets back to China where they presented the tribute, performed rituals of submission, and received in return gifts, titles, and trading opportunities. It also served to "bring order to the world;” establish Chinese Power and prestige in the Indian Ocean and get Chinese control over foreign trade. Also, it didn't seek to conquer new territories, establish settlements, or spread culture. Once the emperor died, Confucian people fought against the eunuchs. The Confucian people won, and they decided to disband the treasure fleet.

Shogun

a military ruler who had the powers of a military dictator and ruled Japan in the emperor’s name.

* Emperor has little power in actuality, but was symbolically above the shogun’s authority
* ruled over daimyo
* offices, judges, taxes, armies, and roads = under Shogun’s authority

Samurai

bodyguard/loyal warrior that each Daimyo surrounds themselves with; live according to Bushido; expected to show reckless courage, reverence for the gods, fairness, and generosity towards those weaker than himself.

* will commit ritual suicide rather than face defeat/dishonor
* fight for their lord and get allowance (land) in exchange
* make up 10% of population
* Answered only to the Daimyo
* protect them

Daimyos

local lords that overlooked Samurai in Feudal Japan

* Only answer to Shogun
* Controlled a broad area of land and had an army of samurai

Bushido

The Feudal Japanese code of honor and morals for the samurai class - “the way of the warrior)

* Samurai’s lived up to this and it values bravery and loyalty to their lord above all else
* Code of conduct

Shintoism

Main Japanese religion; “way of the kami”

* no founder
* Don’t label themselves as being Shinto
* no sacred text
* no doctrines
* no set of beliefs (huh??)
* More abt ritual than belief
* no dualism, no good vs bad dynamic
* no idea abt afterlife

Kami Han

Gods, divine spirits, and magical entities in Shintoism

* 8 million different Kami (woah… damn)
* Live in the real world (same realm as humans) cuz real and spiritual world are the same
* can reward OR punish…

How did the geography of Japan impact its development? 

1. Not a lot of land suitable for farming due to mountains
2. Southern Japan has a mild climate and lots of rainfall, creating some fertile land
3. Relied on trade due to lack of fertile land
4. Mountains led to Japan not acting as a single nation, broken up into smaller political units with local lords
5. Influences from China included a system of writing, painting, cooking, gardening, and tea
6. Close enough to China's cultural influence, but far enough so that they were safe from invasion
7. Large amounts of natural disasters such as tsunamis, typhoons, earthquakes, and tidal waves

What are the core teachings of Bushido? 

1. Rectitude/Justice: One's power to firmly decide upon an action using reasoning


1. Doing the right thing at the right time
2. Courage: Perceiving and doing what is right
3. Benevolence/Mercy: Knowing when to use violence/power and when to have sympathy and pity for others


1. Being able to demonstrate sympathy, even when holding immense power over another
4. Loyalty: Undivided support and respect for those above (daimyo)
5. Politeness: Showing *genuine* respect and care for others not just as a custom, but to show true respect
6. Honesty/Sincerity: Simplicity of life, rejecting wealth
7. Honor: Valuing yourself and your profession as a samurai, and valuing the power that comes with it
8. Character and Self Control: Sticking to a moral standard


1. Knowing right from wrong

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RCBLPHHC - "Randy's Crazy Bunny Likes Playing Hopscotch, Hopping Continuously."

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What are the key elements of Shintoism? 

Origins of Shinto:

* 400 BC: earliest signs of Shinto rituals
* 500 AD - first evidence of the term “Shinto”

Primary Virtues: PSG (paris soccer game)

* Purity
* Sincerity
* Gratitude

Rituals:

* Offerings
* Dances
* Purification

\*\*Shines: locations where rituals are performed

\*\*Torii gate: A traditional Japanese gate found at the entrance of a Shinto shrine, separation world from the sacred space

Chandragupta

founder of Mauryan Empire; succeeded in bringing together most of the Indian subcontinent

* Chandragupta is considered the 1st unifier and the genuine emperor of India

Mauryan Empire

first indian empire that was founded by chandragupta/ stretched 2,000 miles and united north india politically

* Began in northeastern India and spread to most of northern and central India

indus valley area that was bought by alexander the great but later seized by chandragupta maurya

Asoka/Ashoka

Last King of Mauryan dynasty who ruled nearly the entire subcontinent of India; chandragupta’s grandson, who “brought the mauryan empire to its greatest heights”

* He also was instrumental in the spread of Buddhism after his conversion
* his policies were not strong enough to keep empire together; downfall

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Ashoka… good vs bad

Asoka the great (enlightened ruler):

* time is give to challenge a death penalty decision *(pillar edicts IV)*
* helping the poor
* conquered land
* gave religious freedom *(rock edict XII)*
* idea of forgiveness; ties to his own life story
* began to believe in non-violence; converted to buddhism
* good balance between forgiving and strict; after second chance, he would take action
* active ruler not passive spectator

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Asoka the not so great (ruthless conqueror):

* killed thousands of people during war

Gupta empire

India’s second-largest civilization led by Chandra Gupta. 

* Golden Age of India; ruled through central government but allowed village power; restored Hinduism. 
* Life flourished - things like math, science, art, and literature flourished. 

Mughal Empire

 An empire that ruled most of India and Pakistan in the 16th and 17th centuries (the 1500s-1700s)

* Religious tolerance early on changes later
* Basically Mongols
* The rulers were descendants of the Mongols


* Muslim rule over Hindu India 
* Mughals is the persian arabic work for Mongols
* early kings continue a trend of religious tolerance
* Muslim rule over Hindu India
* literature/architecture
* arts/language

Taj Mahal

Built during the reign of the Mughal Empire.

* Built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan

key achievements of the Mauryan

\- successfully united the indian subcontinent under an empire

• conquered kalinga

• greeks invaded india; the start of centuries of fighting

key achievements of Gupta

• arts, literature, and dance thrived

• indian astronomers realized the earth was round

• a mathematician calculated pi and the length of a solar year

• trade spread indian culture, hinduism, and buddhism

key achievements of Mughal

• a blend of many different languages was introduced (such as hindi and urdu)

• arts flourished (miniatures)

• the tai mahal was built

What role did religious diversity and conflict play in India during these empires?

the large amount of religious diversity created a blend of cultures, but it also caused a lot of discrimination against certain groups; for example, during a large part of the mughal empire, a jizya (a tax against non-muslims) was instated. eventually, the conflict between different 

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religions led to india's divide into pakistan, india, and bangladesh

conflict in india was the reason for the constant change in ruling empires; other groups were constantly fighting over india, gaining control, and then quickly losing it. there was also fighting within empires; aurangzeb of the mughal empire, for example, who was one of four sons, had to kill his brother and arrest his father (king at the time) for the throne.

Akbar

a Muslim who firmly defended religious freedom

* married other religions
* abolished jizya (tax on non-muslims)
* any religion could get a position in the government
* taxation policy by Todar Mal
* great military power
* war for its own sake
* heavy artillery and rajputs = officers (turned enemies to allies)
* unified a land of at least 100 million people

Sikh