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Warring States Period

• A period (475–221 BCE) of intense warfare and fragmentation in ancient China, where multiple states fought for dominance.

Power and Authority

The ability of a ruler or government to enforce laws, control resources, and maintain order within a state or empire.

Qin Dynasty

The first imperial dynasty of China, founded by Qin Shi Huang.

Sui Dynasty (581–618 CE)

A short-lived dynasty that reunited China after nearly four centuries of division (following the fall of the Han Dynasty).

Innovations

New methods, technologies, and ideas introduced during the Qin Dynasty to improve governance, infrastructure, and military.

Great Wall of China

A series of fortifications built along the northern border of China to defend against nomadic invasions.

Grand Canal

A massive network of man-made waterways connecting northern and southern China.

Reunification

The process of reuniting China under one central authority after a period of division.

Standardization

• The process of establishing uniformity in laws, language, currency, weights, and measures across the empire.

Legalism

A political philosophy emphasizing strict laws, harsh punishments, and central control to maintain order in society.

Emperor Ashoka

• The third emperor of the Maurya Dynasty in India, known for his conversion to Buddhism and promotion of its principles.

Silk Road

A network of trade routes connecting China to Central Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.

Xuanzang

A Chinese Buddhist monk, scholar, and traveler who journeyed to India to obtain Buddhist scriptures.

Mahayana Buddhism

A major branch of Buddhism that emphasizes the potential for all beings to attain Buddhahood, with a focus on compassion and helping others.

Syncretism

• The blending or fusion of different religious, cultural, or philosophical beliefs.

Empress Wu Zetian

• The only female emperor in Chinese history, who ruled as the de facto ruler and later formally as emperor during the Tang Dynasty.

Monasteries

Religious centers where monks and nuns live, study, and engage in Buddhist rituals.

An Lushan Rebellion

A major rebellion during the Tang Dynasty, led by the general An Lushan, which severely weakened the empire.

Buddhist Persecution

The state-led suppression of Buddhism, particularly during the Tang Dynasty, when Buddhist institutions faced attacks.

Confucian Scholar-Officials

• Educated individuals who passed civil service exams and served in the government bureaucracy based on Confucian principles.

Confucian Civil Service Exam

A system of competitive exams used to select government officials based on their knowledge of Confucian classics and philosophy.

Urbanization

The rapid growth of cities and towns during the Song Dynasty, driven by economic prosperity and technological innovations.

Qingming Scroll

• A famous Chinese painting from the Song Dynasty, attributed to the artist Zhang Zeduan, depicting a vibrant, bustling city scene during the Qingming Festival.

Centralized Government

A political system in which power is concentrated in the hands of a central government, with authority over provinces and regions.

Magnetic Compass

A navigational tool that uses the Earth's magnetic field to indicate direction.

Printing Press

A technology for mass-producing books and documents using movable type or woodblocks.

Gunpowder

A chemical mixture of saltpeter, sulfur, and charcoal, used for explosives and firearms.

Paper Money

A form of currency made from paper, first issued during the Song Dynasty.

Pound Locks

A type of lock used on canals to raise and lower boats in a series of steps, allowing for more efficient waterway navigation.

Jurchen

A nomadic people from Manchuria who established the Jin Dynasty (1115–1234), which ruled northern China before the Mongol invasion.

Mongols

• A nomadic group from the steppes of Central Asia that, under the leadership of Genghis Khan, created one of the largest empires in history.

Nomadic Pastoral Peoples

Groups of people who rely on herding livestock (such as sheep, goats, cattle, and horses) and often live in mobile, tent-based communities.

Raids and Invasions

Military operations carried out by nomadic groups to conquer new territories, often characterized by sudden and swift attacks.

Great Wall of China

• A series of fortifications built along China’s northern borders to protect against nomadic invasions and raids.

Kublai Khan

The grandson of Genghis Khan and the founder of the Yuan Dynasty, Kublai Khan ruled as the first Mongol emperor of China.

Yuan Dynasty

The Mongol-ruled dynasty in China, established by Kublai Khan, which lasted from 1271 to 1368.

Mandate of Heaven

A traditional Chinese political and religious doctrine that justified the rule of the emperor. According to this belief, the emperor was seen as the "Son of Heaven" and ruled under the divine right granted by Heaven.

Reunification

The process of uniting China after a period of division and foreign rule, bringing stability to the country.

Tribute System

A diplomatic system used by the Chinese empire to establish relationships with neighboring states, where those states would send tribute to China in exchange for recognition and protection.

Forbidden City

A massive palace complex in Beijing that served as the residence of the Chinese emperor and his court during the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

Legal Code

A formal system of laws established to regulate society and maintain order under the Ming Dynasty.

Treasure Ships

Large, grand ships used by the Ming navy for overseas exploration and diplomatic missions, especially under the command of Admiral Zheng He.

Confucian Civil Servants

• Government officials selected through the civil service exams, based on their knowledge of Confucian philosophy and ethics.

Eunuchs

• Castrated men who were employed in the imperial court to serve in administrative and personal roles.