Medieval Asia (Mongols, China, Japan)

Genghis Khan

Founder of the Mongol Empire.

Kublai Khan

Grandson of Genghis Khan and founder of the Mongol Yuan Dynasty in China.

Marco Polo

Italian explorer and author. He made numerous trips to China and returned to Europe to write of his journeys.

Buddhism

A popular Asian religion based on the teachings of the Buddha.

Mongols

Central Asian nomadic peoples that united and conquered most of Asia in the 1200's

Prince Sotoku

Japanese emperor that modeled government, structure, and religion after China. He wrote a constitution

cultural diffusion

spread of ideas, customs, and technologies from one people to another

feudalism

system in Japan in which land is given to Daimyo and Samurai in exchange for military service

Samurai

Class of warriors in feudal Japan who pledged loyalty to a noble in return for land.

Shogun

A general who ruled Japan in the emperor's name

Ming Dynasty

A major dynasty that ruled China after the Mongol rule was over. Responsible for improving the Great Wall and building the Forbidden City

Great Wall of China

world's longest man made structure built to keep invaders from the north out of China

Forbidden City

a walled section of the city of Beijing that encloses the palace. Built in the Ming Dynasty, it was the home of the emperor of China for centuries