History China vocab

Taoism

A Chinese philosophy based on the writings of Lao-tzu advocating humility and religious piety and being one with nature

Civil Service

The administrative system of the traditional Chinese government which consists of all levels who run the day-to-day affairs in mainland China. The members of this are selected through competitive examination

Filial Piety

In Confucian philosophy, filial piety is a virtue of respect for one’s parents and ancestors

Gentry

People of good social position, specifically the class of people next below the nobility in position in nobility and birth

Legalism

A philosophy that demands strict adherence to law

Bureaucracy

A system of government in which most of the important decisions are made by state officials rather than by elected representatives

Centralized government

A government in which power is concentrated in a central authority

Movable type

Printing type made up of individual pieces each carrying usually a single letter or other character so that the pieces can freely assembled or reassembled for printing any desired combination or line

Autocracy

A system of government by one person with absolute power

Confucianism

The teachings of this man, China’s most influential scholar are found in the Analects

Assimilation

Adoption of a conqueror’s culture by a conquered people or when a nation forces or encourages the people to adopt customs

Pastoralist

A nomadic person who herds livestock, often without a set farm area

Confucius

China’s most influential philosopher, his teachings can be found in the Analects

Yin Yang

The concept divides the world into two two powers that represent the natural rhythms of life

Clan

A group of people descended from a common ancestor