Vocabulary: Units 1 and 2 - 600 to 1450

  • Neo-Confucianism
      - Definition: A revival and reinterpretation of traditional Confucian philosophy that emerged in China during the Song Dynasty (960 - 1279).
      - Significance: This philosophical framework integrated elements from Daoism and Buddhism, reflecting a synthesis of ideas that shaped Chinese thought and culture during a significant historical period.

  • Censorate
      - Definition: An agency that exercised surveillance over the rest of the government, checking the character and competence of officials.
      - Significance: This institution was crucial for maintaining governance standards and integrity within the imperial bureaucracy in China.

  • Hangzhou (Song capital)
      - Definition: A major Chinese city during the Song dynasty known for commerce and urban development.
      - Significance: As a capital, Hangzhou was at the forefront of economic and cultural growth, making it a vital hub in Chinese history.

  • Foot binding
      - Definition: The tight wrapping of the feet of young girls, breaking bones and causing intense pain and deformations, which made walking difficult or impossible.
      - Significance: This practice became popular during and after the Song Dynasty, reinforcing societal expectations of female beauty and domesticity.

  • “Middle Kingdom”
      - Definition: The idea that China was at the center of civilization and that surrounding cultures were considered barbaric.
      - Significance: This worldview significantly influenced China's diplomatic relations and internal governance philosophies.

  • Kowtow
      - Definition: A series of ritual bows, prostrations, and tribute presentations to the Chinese Emperor.
      - Significance: The practice was a symbol of respect and submission to the authority of the emperor, playing a crucial role in Chinese political culture.

  • Xiongnu
      - Definition: A group that raided Chinese territories and were often paid off with luxury goods (like wine, silk, grain) and given recognition as political equals, including marriage alliances.
      - Significance: The Xiongnu represented a significant threat to the Han Dynasty and influenced Sino-nomadic relations.

  • Sultanate of Delhi
      - Definition: A number of Muslim dynasties that ruled Northern India between approximately 1206 to 1526 CE.
      - Significance: This political entity marked the rise of Islam in India and the establishment of a complex cultural and religious landscape.

  • Sufis
      - Definition: Holy men who accommodated and spread the worship of local gods and religious festivals to regular people, aiding in the popularization of Islam.
      - Significance: Sufis played a pivotal role in adapting Islam to local cultures and fostering communal solidarity through shared practices.

  • Kabir
      - Definition: A 15th-century poetic-saint known for his critique of ritualistic practices and his promotion of personal relationships with the divine.
      - Significance: Kabir's teachings contributed to spiritual syncretism and connected Hinduism with broader global spiritual traditions.

  • Sikhism
      - Definition: A distinct religion in India that blends elements of Islam (like devotion to one god) with Hindu concepts such as rebirth and karma; founded by Guru Nanak.
      - Significance: Sikhism emerged as a unique identity and religious tradition in South Asia, promoting equality and community service.

  • Timbuktu
      - Definition: A city that helped establish over 150 Quranic schools and major centers of higher education, created by Mansa Musa.
      - Significance: Timbuktu became a nexus of trade, religion, and intellectual activity, greatly influencing West African civilization.

  • Mexica
      - Definition: The group of people who founded the Aztec Empire, semi-nomadic in origin, known for building Tenochtitlan in 1325 and creating the Triple Alliance.
      - Significance: Their cultural and military accomplishments significantly impacted Mesoamerican history, economy, and society.

  • Triple Alliance
      - Definition: Established in 1428 between the Mexica and two other city-states, forming a powerful military coalition.
      - Significance: This alliance enabled the subsequent military conquests and political unification of Mesoamerica under a single regime.

  • Tenochtitlan
      - Definition: The capital city built by the Mexica people, with a population estimated between 150,000 to 200,000.
      - Significance: Tenochtitlan was known for its vast trade networks, intricate canals, bridges, palaces, and temples, serving as an engineering marvel of its time.

  • Chinampas (floating gardens)
      - Definition: Artificial islands created from swamplands in the Aztec Empire used for agriculture.
      - Significance: These ingenious agricultural systems were highly productive, generating wealth and enhancing trade for the Aztec economy.

  • Huitzilopochtli
      - Definition: The deity associated with the sun, known for his battles against darkness; human sacrifices were made to him to replenish his energy.
      - Significance: This religious practice underlined the societal and cultural importance of ritual sacrifice in Aztec civilization.

  • Quechua
      - Definition: The language of the Incas, spoken along the Andes mountains.
      - Significance: As a lingua franca, Quechua facilitated communication and cultural exchange among diverse groups in the region.

  • Khutulun
      - Definition: A renowned Mongol noblewoman, warrior, and princess known for her military strategy and prowess in wrestling, as well as for defying traditional gender roles.
      - Significance: Khutulun's legacy challenges traditional gender norms and represents the active roles women played in Mongol society.

  • Kipchak Khanate (Golden Horde)
      - Definition: A Mongol khanate that ruled over parts of Russia and Eastern Europe, administrating vast territories.
      - Significance: This khanate played a significant role in shaping the political landscape of Eastern Europe and Mongol influence in the region.

  • Monsoon winds
      - Definition: Seasonal wind patterns in the Indian Ocean that facilitated predictable maritime trade.
      - Significance: These winds were instrumental for trade routes, enhancing commerce and cultural exchanges between different regions.

  • Swahili language
      - Definition: A Bantu-based lingua franca blended with Arabic, Persian, and Indian vocabulary that developed along the East African coast (Swahili Coast) from the 9th to the 11th centuries.
      - Significance: Swahili served as a cultural bridge facilitating trade and communication in the Indian Ocean.

  • Great Zimbabwe
      - Definition: A powerful southern African city-state (c. 1100-1450) recognized for its stone architecture and participation in regional trade.
      - Significance: Great Zimbabwe exemplifies the complexity and sophistication of pre-colonial African states and their economic systems.

  • Jenne-Jeno
      - Definition: A major ancient trading city in Mali's Inland Niger Delta, key for West African urbanization known for thriving commerce.
      - Significance: This city highlighted the interconnectedness of regional economies and the importance of trade routes in the development of urban centers.

  • Camel caravans
      - Definition: A group of traders or travelers using camels to transport goods, particularly relevant for trans-Saharan trade.
      - Significance: These caravans were vital in connecting various trade routes, enhancing commerce across vast desert landscapes.

  • Ulama
      - Definition: Learned Islamic scholars who served as judges, interpreters, administrators, prayer leaders, and teachers of Sharia Law.
      - Significance: The Ulama played a prominent role in preserving Islamic teachings, contributing to the coherence of Islamic culture across regions.

  • Madrassas
      - Definition: Formal Islamic colleges providing advanced instruction in subjects such as Quran, grammar, rhetoric, math, and medicine.
      - Significance: These institutions were essential for the dissemination of knowledge and the cultivation of religious scholarship in Islamic civilizations.

  • Sufis
      - Definition: Islamic missionaries and mystics seeking individual and spiritual connections to Allah, often blending local traditions with Islam.
      - Significance: Sufism facilitated the spread of Islam and its practices to various regions, promoting deeper spiritual experiences beyond traditional dogmas.

  • The Hajj
      - Definition: A pilgrimage to Mecca that every financially able man is obligated to undertake at least once in their lifetime.
      - Significance: The Hajj serves as a unifying event for Muslims globally, fostering cultural exchange and the diffusion of ideas across the Islamic world.

  • An Lushan Rebellion
      - Definition: A civil war that weakened the Tang Dynasty, led by Sogdian general An Lushan against Emperor Xuanzong.
      - Significance: This rebellion marked the end of Tang's golden age and initiated chronic instability in the region, affecting societal attitudes towards foreigners.

  • Pastoralism
      - Definition: A nomadic or semi-nomadic lifestyle focused on herding domesticated animals that emerged in various Afro-Eurasian regions.
      - Significance: Pastoralism fundamentally shaped social structures, economic practices, and interactions between different cultures and civilizations.

  • Modun
      - Definition: Leader of the Xiongnu Empire, credited with creating a centralized and hierarchical political entity that united nomadic tribes.
      - Significance: Modun's innovations transformed nomadic life and posed significant challenges to the Han Dynasty, affecting political dynamics in the region.

  • Turks
      - Definition: Central Asian nomadic people who began migrating into the Middle East around the 10th century, bringing Islamic and pastoral traditions with them.
      - Significance: The Turkic migrations significantly influenced the cultural and political landscape of the Islamic world, leading to the establishment of powerful military empires.

  • Temujin/Chinggis Khan
      - Definition: Founder of the Mongol Empire who united nomadic tribes in 1206, creating the largest continuous land-based empire in history.
      - Significance: Chinggis Khan’s conquests not only facilitated vast cultural exchange and trade across Eurasia but also initiated a period of relative peace known as Pax Mongolica, promoting interconnectivity among diverse cultures.