Unit 1 and 2 AP world test

Pure Land School of Buddhism

branch of Buddhism which focused on rebirth to Pure Land (heavenly realm). salvation by faith, not rigorous study or intensive meditation so it became very popular and the chinese version of Indian faith - cultural diffusion from trade routes (Silk Road), Indian Buddhism adapted to east asian cultures

An Lushan Rebellion

8 yr civil war (big revolt) in China led by An Lushan - turning point of start of decline for the Tang Dynasty (weakened gov, life loss and disruption of tax shattered golden age, dynasty no longer welcoming to foreign religion → song dynasty)

Ulama

Muslim religious scholars, legal experts specialize in interpreting Islamic sacred law (Sharia) and teachings of Islam - preserved and spread Islamic culture

Madrassas

islamic formal colleges, studied religion, Islamic law (sharia), advanced instruction in Quran - preserved Islamic knowledge, helped unify diverse populations under shared legal and cultural systems

Sufis

teachers who attracted disciples eager to learn devotional practices and personal transformation techniques - spread islam, cultural adaptation (blended practices with local cultural traditions - flexible)

The hajj

mandatory (expected once a lifetime) pilgrimage to Mecca by Muslim, joined as one to rehearse central elements of their faith- increased network on connectivity (unity) and trade

Baghdad (pg 438)

capital of Abbasid Caliphate, center of the islamic golden age

House of Wisdom

public academy, intellectual center, and grand library in baghdad, translated, preserved and developed tech

Neo-Confucianism

effort to revive confucian thinking which mixed Buddhist and Daoist principles

Censorate

an agency that exercised surveillance over the rest of the gov, checking on character and competence of public officials - demonstrated imperial centralization and state-building in China

Hangzhou (Song capital)

highly prosperous cosmopolitan capital of song dynasty - urbanization and commercial expansion and innovation during Song economic revolution

Foot binding

tight wrapping of young girls’ feet to break bones and prevent normal growth, symbolizes high social status and was the beauty standard

“middle kingdom”

Chinese view of themselves as the center of the world, infinitely superior to the “barbarian” peoples beyond its borders

kowtow

series of ritual bowings and prostrations and present their tribute (value of their countries) to Chinese emperor required to foreigners seeking access to China

Xiongnu

early nomadic confederacy in central asia, formed powerful empire

Sultanate of Delhi

Major Islamic empire based in Delhi that ruled northern india - role in the establishment in islam

Kabir

15th century mystic poet - promoted religious unity and beldning of different beliefs

Sikhism

new religious tradition emerged in India in early 16th century that blended elements of Islam (like devotion and one universal God) with Hindu concepts (rebirth) - evolution of cultural diffusion and blend

Timbuktu

west african city, major center of islamic religious and intellectual life with scholars from Muslim world - boosted schools

Mexica people

semi-nomadic group from northern mexico who had migrated southward, established aztec state

Triple Alliance

alliance between Tenochtitlan, Texcoco and Tlacopan made by Itzcoatl - allowed the formation of the aztec empire

Tenochtitlan

capital city of the aztec empire

Chinampas, aka “floating gardens”

artificial islands created from swamplands that supported a highly productive agriculture

Huitzilopochtli

Aztec patron deity of the sun, war and human sacrifice who tended to lose its energy in a constant battle against darkness

Quechua

Incan language

Gender Parallelism

Inca and Aztec civilizations practiced this, women and men operate in 2 separate but equivalent spheres, each gender enjoying independence in its own sphere

Yuan Dynasty

Mongol-led imperial dynasty of China founded by Kublai Khan (new beginning)

Khubilai Khan

grandson of Chinggish Khan and China’s mongol ruler (yuan dynasty)

Hulegu

grandson of Chinggis Khan who became the first subordinate khan of Persia

Khutulun

Mongolian warrior princess and military advisor, challenged traditional gender role (fought in war beside father and brothers)

Kipchak Khanate/ Golden Horde

Mongol empire ruled over Russia, Persia and China and settled here

Monsoon winds

alternating wind currents that blew predictably eastward in summer and westward in winter - affected technology, trade and travel

Swahili language

widely spoken in East Africa, from the cultural diffusion and interaction of Bantu-speaking population and Arab traders (arabic script and words)

Great Zimbabwe

powerful state in southeast Africa, helped growing trade in gold to the coast and wealth from large herds of cattle - prosperity

Jenne-Jeno

independent urban (trading) city derived from West African long distance trade

Camel caravans

merchants and camels traveling across harsh long distances like Sahara Desert - made trans-saharan trade possible

Dar al Islam

regions of the world where islamic rule is established through sharia (islamic law), ensuring that muslims can practice their faith safely

Caliph

the political and religious successor to the Prophet Muhammad who ruled over the Islamic community

Civil Service Exams

prestigious exams taken by scholars who wished to become officials in the chinese government - officials based on merit rather than birth

Hindu Devotional Cults

religious groups focused on embracing and surrendering to a god or goddess for the promise of salvation

Angkor

capital of the Khmer Empire in southeast asia

Mansa Musa

ruler of the wealthy West African Mali empire who famously expanded trans-saharan trade and promoted islam

Trans Saharan Trade

extensive trading system involving camel caravans that transported goods from one shore of the Sahara desert to the other

Bantu

indigenous ethnic groups who had migrated from west-central africa and share the bantu language family - spread agriculture and herding

Swahili

Swahili = coast

network of independent, merchant ruled city states along east african coast that grew rich through the indian ocean trade network.

Zanj Revolt

rebellion of slaves from the swahili coast

Feudalism

political and social system where lords gave land to vassals in exchange for military service and loyalty, while peasants worked that land in exchange for protection

Black Death

deadly plague that spread through europe, happened bc increased rates of trading - economy decline

The Crusades

religious military campaigns organized by Europeans to reclaim the Holy Land from the muslims

Mita

inca empire’s labor system where people doing tasks instead of paying taxes

Quipus

inca system of knotted, colored cords used to record numerical and statistical data

Champa Rice

fast-ripening, drought resistant strain of rice from the champa kingdom introduced to song dynasty, allowed 2 harvest per year instead of one

Islamic Agricultural Revolution

major transformation in farming and food production across the islamic world, driven by new crops diffusion, trade networks and advanced irrigation techniques