Key term/event | Definition (Who, What, When, Where…) | Significance (Why this term matters) |
Khitans | Nomadic peoples of Manchuria; militarily superior to Song dynasty China but influenced by chinese culture; forced humiliating treaties on Song China in 11th century |
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neo-Confucians | A philosophy that emerged in Song-dynasty China; it revived Confucian thinking while adding in Buddhist and Daoist elements. |
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Xi Xia | Kingdom of Tangut people, north of Song kingdom, in mid-11th century; collected tribute that drained Song resources and burdened Chinese peasantry |
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Wang Anshi | Confucian scholar and chief minister of a Song emperor in 1070s; introduced sweeping reforms based on Legalists; advocated greater state intervention in society |
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Jurchens | Founders of the Jin kingdom that succeeded the Liao in northern China; annexed most of the Yellow River basin and forced Song to flee to south |
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Southern Song | Rump state of Song dynasty from 1127 to 1279; carved out of the much larger domains ruled by the tang and northern Song; culturally one of the most glorious reigns in Chinese history |
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junks | Chinese ships equipped with watertight bulkheads, sternpost rudders, compasses, and bamboo fenders; dominant force in Asian seas east of the Malayan peninsula |
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compass | Used for sea navigation during trade |
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flying money | Chinese credit instrument that provided credit vouchers to merchants to be redeemed at the end of the voyage; reduced danger of robbery; early form of currency |
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foot binding | The binding of womens feet in the Tang-Song era in order to constrict women to the household, and to meet society’s beauty standards. |
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filial piety | In Confucian thought, one of the virtues to be cultivated, a love and respect for one's parents and ancestors. |
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Champa rice | Quick-maturing rice that can allow two harvests in one growing season. Originally introduced into Champa from India, it was later sent to China as a tribute gift by the Champa state (as part of the tributary system.) |
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Grand Canal | Built in 7th century during reign of Yangdi during Sui dynasty; designed to link the original centers of Chinese civilization on the north China plain with the Yangtze river basin to the south; nearly 1200 miles long |
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Zheng He | Zheng He was a Chinese mariner, explorer, diplomat, fleet admiral, and court eunuch during China's early Ming dynasty, and often regarded as the greatest admiral in Chinese history. |
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gunpowder | First explosive developed in China, first used as fireworks by elites, later used in warfare by firing explosions at enemies |
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samurai | Members of the Japanese military class during the Bakufu era who protected the Shoguns and Daimyos |
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Gempei Wars | Waged for five years from 1180, on Honshu between Taira and Minamoto families; resulted in destruction of Taira |
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bakufu | Military government established by the Minamoto following the Gempei Wars; centered at Kamakura; retained emperor, but real power resided in military government and samurai |
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shoguns | Military leaders of the Bakufu |
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Ashikaga Shogunate | Replaced the Kamakura regime in Japan; ruled from 1336 - 1573; destroyed rival Yoshino center of imperial authority |
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daimyo | Warlord rulers of 300 small states following civil war and disruption of Ashika Shogunate; holdings consolidated into unified and bounded mini-states |
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Sinification | Extensive adoption of chinese culture in other regions; typical of Korea, Japan and Vietnam |
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Koryo Dynasty | Tribal people of northern Korea; established an independent kingdom in the northern half of the peninsula in 37 BCE began a process of SInification |
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Yi Dynasty | Korean dynasty that succeeded Koryo dynasty following period of Mongol invasions; established in 1392; ruled Korea to 1910; restored aristocratic dominance and Chinese influence |
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Khmers | Indianized rivals of the Vietnamese; moved into Mekong River delta region at a time of Vietnamese drive to the south |
Angkor Wat
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Chams | Indianized rivals of the Vietnamese; drive into the highlands by the successful Vietnamese drive to the south |
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Nguyen | Vietnamese state that was founded as a tributary state to the Qin empire |
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Trinh | Vietnamese noble family that ruled northern Vietnam during the Le dynasty |
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Seljuk Turks | Nomadic invaders from central Asia via Persia; staunch Sunnis; ruled in named of Abbasid caliphs from mid-11th century |
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Ibn Kahldun | Muslim historian; developed concept that historie of nomadic conquerors had a cycle of three generations - strong, weak, dissolute |
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ulama | Orthodox religious scholars within Islam; pressed for a more conservative and restrictive theology; increasingly opposed to non-Islamic ideas and scientific thinking |
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al-Ghazali | Brilliant Islamic theologian; struggled to fuse Greek and Qur’anic traditions; not entirely accepted by ulama |
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Mamluks | Muslim slave warriors; established a dynasty in Egypt; defeated the Mongols at Ain Jalut in 1260 and halted Mongol advance |
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Advances in Mathematics (al-Tusi) | Al Tusi - Was one of the most celebrated Islamic scholars. He contributed to astronomy, law, logic, ethics, and mathematics, philosophy, and medicine. An observatory built under his direction was the most advanced in the world and produced the most accurate astronomical charts. Laid the groundwork for trigonometry as a separate subject. |
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House of Wisdom | An academic center for research and translation of foreign texts that was established in Baghdad in 830 C.E. by the Abbasid caliph al-Mamun. |
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astrolabe | Astronomical instrument developed by Muslim scholars used for scientific measurements and navigation |
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Sunnism | Islam faith that believes that the first four caliphs were “rightly guided”; believes Muslim rulers should follow Muhammeds’ example |
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Shia | Islam faith that believes that Ali, Muhammed’s son-in-law, should have succeeded Muhammed; believe all rulers should be descendents of Muhammed |
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Sufism | Muslim mystics who seek communion with God through meditation, fasting, and other rituals |
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Greco-Islamic Medical Knowledge | Fusion of Greek and Islamic medical practices and knowledge |
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Arabic Numerals | Numerals divided by Hindus that were adopted by Arab thinkers; proved central to two scientific revolutions |
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Muhammad of Ghur | Military commander of Persian extraction who ruled small mountain kingdom in Afghanistan; began process of conquest to establish Muslim political control of northern India; brought much of Indus valley, Sing, and northwestern India under his control |
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Delhi Sultanate | The first Islamic government established within India from 1206-1520. Controlled a small area of northern India and was centered in Delhi. |
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Theravada Buddhism | "Way of the Elders" branch of Buddhism followed in Sri Lanka and much of Southeast Asia. Theravada remains close to the original principles set forth by the Buddha; it downplays the importance of gods and emphasizes austerity and the individual's search for enlightenment. |
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Mahayana Buddhism | "Great Vehicle" branch of Buddhism followed in China, Japan, and Central Asia. The focus is on reverence for Buddha and for bodhisattvas, enlightened persons who have postponed nirvana to help others attain enlightenment. |
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Tibetan Buddhism | A Buddhist doctrine that includes elements from India that are not Buddhist and elements of preexisting shamanism, a tradition of Buddhism that teaches that people can use special techniques to harness spiritual energy and can achieve nirvana in a single lifetime. |
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Sultanate of Malacca | Portuguese factory or fortified trade town located on the tip of the Malayan peninsula; traditionally a center for trade among the southeastern Asian islands |
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Srivijaya | Trading empire centered on Malacca Straits between Malaya and Sumatra; controlled trade of empire; Buddhist government resistant to Muslim missionaries; fall opened up southeastern Asia to Muslim conversion |
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Sundiata | The “Lion Prince”; a member of the Keita clan; created a unified state that became the Mali Empire |
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griots | Professional oral historians that served as keepers of traditions and advisors to kings within the Mali Empire |
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Ibn Battuta | Arab traveler who described African societies and cultures in his travel record |
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Timbuktu | Flourishing city of commercial and trade exchange in Western Sudan |
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Songhay | Successor state to Mali; dominated middle reaches of Niger valley; formed as independent kingdom under a Berber dynasty; capital at Gao; reached imperial status under Sunni Ali |
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Mali | Unified state of Malinke People that became the Mali Empire under Sundiata; become extremely wealthy through gold trade |
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Sharia | Sharia stands for Islamic or sacred law. It is an Arabic word meaning “the way” or “the path to water.” For centuries, Muslim scholars have given a broad definition of Sharia reflecting the diversity of interpretations on how Muslims have attempted to best understand and practice their faith. |
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Zenj | Arabic term for the east African coast |
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Swahili City-States | During the 10th century, several city-states flourished along the Swahili Coast and adjacent islands, including Kilwa, Malindi, Gedi, Pate, Comoros, and Zanzibar. These early Swahili city-states were Muslim, cosmopolitan, and politically independent of one another. |
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Kongo | Kingdom based on agriculture, formed on lower Congo River by late 15th century; capital at Mbanza Kongo; ruled by hereditary monarchy |
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Great Zimbabwe | Bantu confederation of Shona-speaking peoples located between Zambezi and Limpopo rivers; developed after 9th century; featured royal courts built of stone; created centralized state by 15th century; king took titles of Mwene Mutapa |
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camel saddles | Device developed to make traveling on camels more efficient and comfortable for Arabic merchants |
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monsoon winds | Tropical winds in Southeast Asia; influenced overseas trade and transportation |
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luxury goods | Goods highly desired in the market, expensive and commonly purchased by elites, ex:silk or jewelry |
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caravans | Group of merchants, pilgrims, or travelers journeying together, usually for mutual protection in deserts or other hostile regions. |
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