Simplified APWH U1

Song Dynasty (China) ⇨ A strong dynasty in China (960–1279) known for Confucian bureaucracy, technological advances (gunpowder, paper money), and economic growth.

Confucianism ⇨ Chinese philosophy focused on social harmony, respect for hierarchy, and proper behavior in relationships.

Civil Service Exams ⇨ Tests based on Confucian texts used in China to select government officials by merit, not birth.

Champa Rice ⇨ Fast-growing rice from Vietnam that increased food supply and population in Song China.

Filial Piety ⇨ Respect and obedience toward one's parents and elders, a key Confucian value.

Buddhism in East Asia ⇨ Spread through trade; adapted to local beliefs like Confucianism and Daoism in China.

Theravada vs Mahayana Buddhism ⇨ Theravada is more traditional and strict; Mahayana is more spiritual and flexible, popular in East Asia.

Neo-Confucianism ⇨ A blend of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism that emphasized order, education, and reason.

Dar al-Islam ⇨ “House of Islam” – regions under Muslim rule, united by religion, Arabic language, and trade.

Abbasid Caliphate ⇨ Islamic empire with a Golden Age of science, math, and culture; declined by 1258.

House of Wisdom ⇨ Learning center in Baghdad where scholars translated and preserved Greek, Indian, and Persian knowledge.

Islam in West Africa ⇨ Spread by merchants on Trans-Saharan trade routes; adopted by elites and mixed with local beliefs.

Mali Empire ⇨ West African empire that grew rich from gold and salt trade; major Islamic influence.

Mansa Musa ⇨ Famous Mali ruler who made a pilgrimage to Mecca, spreading Islam and wealth across Africa.

Indian Ocean Trade ⇨ Sea-based trade network linking East Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.

Bhakti Movement ⇨ Hindu reform movement in India that focused on emotional devotion to a personal god, not rituals.

Sufism ⇨ Islamic mystics who spread Islam by blending it with local cultures and focusing on personal connection to God.

Srivijaya Empire ⇨ Southeast Asian kingdom (Indonesia) that controlled trade routes and blended Hindu and Buddhist culture.

Feudalism (Europe) ⇨ A system where land is exchanged for loyalty and service; kings, nobles, knights, and serfs.

Manorial System ⇨ Economic system in feudal Europe where peasants farmed land owned by lords in return for protection.

Roman Catholic Church ⇨ Central religious authority in medieval Europe; unified people and influenced kings, education, and laws.

Serfdom ⇨ A system where peasants were bound to the land and worked for lords; common in medieval Europe.

The Crusades ⇨ Series of Christian religious wars to capture the Holy Land from Muslims; caused long-term cultural exchange.

Incan Empire ⇨ Large empire in South America ruled by a centralized government; used the mita system (labor tax).

Aztec Empire ⇨ Powerful empire in Mesoamerica that expanded by conquest and collected tribute; practiced human sacrifice.

Seljuk Turks ⇨ Central Asian Muslims who challenged the Abbasid Caliphate and helped spark the Crusades by taking Jerusalem.

Delhi Sultanate ⇨ Islamic rulers who controlled northern India from 1206–1526; spread Islam and ruled over a Hindu majority.

Magnetic Compass ⇨ Chinese invention that helped navigation and boosted maritime trade during this era.

Syncretism ⇨ The blending of different religious or cultural traditions (e.g., Sufism, Neo-Confucianism).

Zamindars ⇨ Local officials in South Asia under Muslim rule who collected taxes and governed regions for Islamic rulers.