Developments in East Asia (c. 1200-1450)

Vocabulary flashcards reviewing key East Asian developments, political structures, religious adaptations, and economic innovations between c. 1200 and 1450.

Confucianism

A philosophy teaching that society is hierarchical by nature, consisting of unequal relationships.

Filial Piety

The practice of honoring parents and ancestors.

Neo-Confucianism

The revived and innovative form of Confucianism during the Song Dynasty that showed historical continuity with ancient China while introducing new developments.

Footbinding

The practice of cutting and tying little girls' feet to make them smaller as a way to show elite social status in Song China.

Imperial Bureaucracy

A government entity that carries out the will of the Emperor, made up of officials who ensure royal orders are obeyed across the country.

Civil Service Examination

A merit-based exam on Confucian principles that eligible men had to pass to become government officials, regardless of social status.

Tribute System

An arrangement where foreign neighbors exchanged gifts with the Emperor and performed rituals like touching their head to the floor to secure alliances and trade.

Hangui

The distinct, independent alphabet retained by Korea while adopting other Chinese cultural practices.

Shintoism

A Japanese belief system created by combining imported Chinese Buddhism with native Kami worship.

Decentralized Government (Japan)

A political arrangement where the Emperor was mostly for show, and real power was held by aristocratic families.

Four Noble Truths

Core Buddhist concepts stating: 1) life is suffering, 2) suffering comes from craving, 3) suffering ends when craving ends, and 4) the Eightfold Path ends suffering.

Nirvana

The ultimate goal in Buddhism representing the release from the endless cycle of suffering and rebirth.

Theravada Buddhism

A branch of Buddhism originating in Sri Lanka where religious practice is strictly restricted to monks.

Mahayana Buddhism

An East Asian branch of Buddhism that made Buddha into a God and emphasized that teachings were accessible to everyone.

Chan Buddhism

A syncretic tradition developed in China by merging Mahayana Buddhism with Song Dynasty cultural values.

Tibetan Buddhism

A branch of Buddhism originating in Tibet that features spiritual practices involving the imaginings of deities.

Commercialization

The economic transformation in Song China where surplus goods were produced beyond survival needs to be sold on the global market.

Paper Money

A Chinese monetary innovation that included loans and promissory notes and was used by the government to collect taxes.

Champa Rice

A drought-resistant strain of rice from Vietnam harvested twice a year, which triggered significant population growth in China.

Grand Canal Expansion

The expansion of an artificial waterway linking the Yellow River and Young Sea River to facilitate cheap domestic trade.

Magnetic Compass

A navigation instrument that improved sea navigation and simplified maritime trade.

Junks

Chinese ocean-going trade ships improved through technological innovations like watertight bulkheads and stern-mounted rudders.

Watertight Bulkheads

Internal structural compartments used in Chinese junks to increase vessel safety and prevent sinking.

Stern-mounted Rudders

A shipbuilding innovation attached to the rear of Chinese junks to significantly improve steering control.

The Great Wall

A massive stone barrier built by China to keep out northern nomadic intruders.

Jurchens

A nomadic group that invaded Northern China and established the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234).

Jin Dynasty

The dynasty established by the nomadic Jurchens in Northern China (1115-1234) while the Song Dynasty maintained control of the south.

Mongols

A nomadic group that eventually conquered the Song Dynasty and established the Yuan Dynasty across China.

Yuan Dynasty

The dynasty established in China by the Mongols after their complete conquest of the Song Dynasty.

Continuity of Chinese Political Institutions

The historical resilience demonstrating that Chinese political traditions and institutions remained powerful and survived despite conquests by foreign invaders.