Asia Quiz Flashcards
Silk Road
A series of trade routes running from China to Europe
Geography of China
- Two major rivers run through China: the Yangtze River and the Yellow River
- Two major deserts reside within the northern half of China: the Gobi Desert and the Taklamakan Desert
- China’s eastern border connects to the sea of China, allowing it easy water access to the rest of east Asia and south Asia
- Several mountain ranges act as natural boundaries along China’s North east and south east borders.
Open door policy
A foreign policy that involves more connection with the outside world. This includes increasing trade and interactions with other nations, allowing immigration from other places, and not censoring/limiting culture and innovations that originate from other places.
Closed door policy
A foreign policy that involves limiting connection with the outside world. This includes decreasing trade and interactions with other nations, limiting or banning immigration from other places, and censoring/limiting culture and innovations that originate from other places.
Tong Dynasty
- “Golden Age” of Medieval China
- Expanded trade along the Silk Road with multiple different countries
- Limited immigration
- Banned the practice of outside religions, specifically Buddhism
Yuan Dynasty
- Created by Kublai Khan after the Mongol conquest of China
- Trade along the Silk Road reached in pinnacle as Mongol protection ensured safe travel to and from China
- Foreigners received special status and were granted high positions in government
- Encourages the spread of outside ideas and cultures throughout China
Ming Dynasty
- Came to power after the overthrow of the Yuan dynasty.
- Felt other nations should pay tribute to China as an acknowledgement of their superiority.
- Limited contact with foreigners and spread of foreign ideas.
- Didn’t allow Chinese people to travel outside of China.
Genghis Khan
Mongol ruler who united the Mongol tribes under his rule into a single Empire. Conquered large parts of Asia and ushered in the beginning of the Pax Mongolica.
Kublai Khan
Grandson of Genghis Khan. Most well known for completing the Mongol conquest of China. Creator of the Yuan Dynasty.
Pax Mongolica
A 100 year period in which the Mongols were the dominant force in Asia and provided peace and stability throughout their territory.
Marco Polo
Italian explorer who traveled to China under the Yuan Dynasty. His writings about his experiences there helped further spark interest in Europe for increasing trade and interaction with China.
