Unit 1 APWH Flashcards
Abbasid Caliphate
Islamic dynasty from 750-1258 whose empire fragmented, eventually becoming mere figureheads
Angkot Wat
a temple complex built in the Khmer Empire and dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu
Aztec Empire
Also known as Mexica, they created a powerful empire in central Mexico (1325-1521 C.E.). They forced defeated peoples to provide goods and labor as tribute and POWs were used as slaves and sacrifices
Baghdad House of Wisdom
An academic center for research and translation during the Abbasid caliphate
Buddhism
the teaching of Buddha that emphasizes that life is filled with suffering caused by desire and that suffering ceases when desire ceases. Through right conduct, wisdom and meditation one can end the cycle of rebirth and reach Enlightenment.
Bushido
‘way of the warrior’ practiced by Japanese samurai
Byzantium
the surviving Eastern half of the Roman Empire that fell in 1453 to the Ottoman Turks
Caesaropapism
the secular ruler is also head of the church i.e. Byzantium
Caste System
a set of rigid social categories that determined not only a person’s occupation, but also his or her position in society in Hinduism
Champa rice
Quick-maturing rice that can allow two harvests in one growing season; led to increased populations in Song Dynasty China. Originally introduced into Vietnam from India, it was later sent to China as a tribute gift by the Champa state (as part of the tributary system.)
Chinese dynastic cycle
the historical pattern of the rise, decline, and replacement of dynasties.
Chivalry
A moral, social and religious code that was originally created to teach knights how to behave during Medieval times
Confucian Exam System
In Imperial China, it was used to select people for various government service jobs in the nationwide administrative bureaucracy - open to all classes of people
Confucianism
A philosophy that adheres to the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius. It shows the way to ensure a stable government and an orderly society and stresses a moral code of conduct.
Crusades
The religious wars between Western Catholic Europe and the Islamic Turks over the holy lands in Jerusalem
Daoism
Chinese philosophy based on the teachings of Laozi; taught that people should turn to nature and give up their worldly concerns, emphasized harmony
Dar-al-Islam
an Arabic term that means the “house of Islam” and that refers to lands under Islamic rule
Delhi Sultanate
Turkic Muslim state established in northern India in 1206
Dhimmis
‘protected subjects’ under Islamic rule, non-Muslims allowed to practice their faith as “people of the book” in return for paying special taxes
Feudalism
A political system in which nobles are granted the use of lands that legally belong to their king, in exchange for their loyalty, military service, and protection of the people who live on the land
Filial Piety
In Confucian thought, one of the virtues to be cultivated, a love and respect for one’s parents and ancestors.
Foot binding
Chinese practice of tightly wrapping girls’ feet to keep them small; began in the Tang dynasty
Ghana/Mali/Songhai
Islamic empires in western Africa noted for wealth and the Trans-Saharan trade - Islam spread because of trade connections
Grand Canal
The 1,100-mile waterway linking the Yellow and the Yangzi Rivers
Great Zimbabwe
A powerful state in the African interior that apparently emerged from the growing trade in gold to the East African coast; flourished between 1250 and 1350 C.E.
Hajj
the pilgrimage to Mecca made by every Muslim
Hangzhou
Chinese capital in the Song dynasty w/population of up to 1 million
Hierarchy
a system or organization in which people or groups are ranked one above the other according to status or authority.
High Middle Ages
In Europe, marked by increased ag production, population, urbanization, universities
Ibn Sina
Great mathematician and a founder of early modern medicine
Iconoclasm
A byzantine policy of destroying religious images between 726 and 843
Inca Empire
Largest and most powerful Andean empire. They conquered peoples and established an empire on the Pacific coast of South America. Built a strong network of roads, and relied on the mita system
Jizya
special tax paid by dhimmis in Muslim territories in return for the freedom to practice their own religion
Kievan Rus
early Russian state centered on Kiev; Vladimir converted to Orthodox Christianity in 988
Mahayana Buddhism
Also known as popular Buddhism, it allows people more ways to reach enlightenment and boddhisatvas can help you reach enlightenment
Mandate of heaven
an ancient Chinese belief and philosophical idea that heaven granted emperors the right to rule based on their ability to govern well and fairly.
Manor
A large self-sufficient estate, often including farms and a village, ruled by a lord.
Maya city-states
Classical culture in Southern Mexico and Central America; Maize a key crop; extended over the broad region; featured monumental architecture, written language, calendar system, mathematical system
Monotheism
belief in single god
Nasir al-din al-Tusi
Persian mathematician and cosmologist who inspired Copernican model of the solar system
Patriarchy
a form of social organization in which a male is the family head and title is traced through the male line
Polytheism
Belief in many gods
Samurai
members of the Japanese warrior class
Seppuku
Ritual suicide or disembowelment in Japan
Serf
an agricultural laborer bound under the feudal system to work on his lord’s estate.
Shoen
a field or manor in medieval Japan
Song dynasty
During this Chinese dynasty (960 - 1279 CE) China saw many important inventions. There was a magnetic compass; paper money; gun powder; moveable type printing. Mass produced manufactured goods, experienced great urbanization, population increase, and embraced Neo-Confucianism.
Srivijaya Empire
Dominated Southeast Asia trade from its base on the island of Sumatra during the period from 670-1025 C.E. It became wealthy due to its ability to tax the trade between India and China passing throught the strait of Melaka.
Sufi Muslims
Islamic mystics, many of whom were important missionaries of Islam
Theravada Buddhism
the oldest of the two major branches of Buddhism. Its beliefs are relatively conservative, holding close to the original teachings of the Buddha
