SE Asia: Ch2 Ancient China Flashcards
mandate of heaven
the idea that heaven chose China’s ruler and gave him or her power
Shi Huangdi
Ruler of China, he united China for the first time, built roads and canals, began the Great Wall of China, and imposed a standard system of laws, money, weights, and writing.
Great Wall
a barrier built to protect China from invasion that stood near China’s northern border
Liu Bang
First emperor of the Han dynasty, he was born a peasant but led an army that gained control of China. As emperor, he lowered taxes and relied on educated officials to help him rule.
Confucius
Chinese philosopher, he was the most influential teacher in Chinese history. His teachings, called Confucianism, focused on morality, family, society, and government.
Wudi
Emperor of China, he made Confucianism the official government philosophy
seismograph
a devices that measures the strength of an earthquake
sundial
a device that uses the position of shadows cast by the sun to tell the time of day
acupuncture
The Chinese practice of inserting fine needles through the skin at specific points to cure diseas or relieve pain
Grand Canal
a canal linking northern and southern China
Wu
Empress of China during the Tang dynasty, she ruled ruthlessly and brought prosperity to China
porcelain
a thin, beautiful pottery invented in China
Li Bo
One of China’s greatest poets, he lived during the Tang dynasty
Li Qingzhao
One of China’s greatest poets, she lived during the Song dynasty
compass
an instrument that uses Earth’s magnetic field to indicate direction
gunpowder
a mixture of powders used in guns and explosives
woodblock printing
a form of printing in which an entire page is carved into a block of wood, covered with ink, and pressed to a piece of paper to create a printed page
civil service
service as a government official
Genghis Khan
Ruler of the Mongols, he led his people in attacks against China and other parts of Asia. His name means “universal leader”
Marco Polo
Italian trader, he traveled to China and later wrote a book about his trip. During his time in China he served as a government official in Kublai Khan’s court
Zhu Yuanzhang
Emperor of China and founder of the Ming dynasty, he led an army that overthrew the Mongols
Zheng He
Chinese admiral during the Ming dynasty, he led great voyages that spread China’s fame throughout Asia
Forbidden City
a huge palace complex built by China’s Mind empereors that included hundreds of imperial residences, temples, and other government buildings
isolationism
a policy of avoiding contact with other countries
Kublai Khan
Mongol ruler, he completed the conquest of China and founded the Yuan dyansty
bureaucracy
a body of unelected government officials
