Unit 1.3-4 (Devs in South/SE Asia and Americas) Flashcards
What religions shaped the societies in south and SE Asia?
Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam
Hinduism
Polytheistic religion where karma is rewarded for dharma (religious duties) which is used to escape samsara (reincarnation) and ends in moksha (becoming one with Brahma).
Caste System
A social system where one’s class is decided at birth
Indian Caste System
Based off the Hindu caste system, separated people by their profession/trade; hard to move around in
Theravada Buddhism
emphasized strict adherence to the Eight Fold Path to enter Nirvana
Nirvana
Union with the universe; ceasing to exist
Mahayana Buddhism (Spreads to China and SE Asia)
focuses on the grace of bodhisattvas (spiritual guides) who help believers get to Nirvana instead of personal work.
Islam (Spread to SE Asia through trade/conquest)
Strict monotheistic religion worshipping Allah and treating all believers equally
Bhakti Movement of Hinduism
A movement that emphasized the importance of emotion to Hindus rather than studying texts. Emphasized devotion to one deity and did not discriminate against women/people of low caste.
Cultural Interactions in SA
Arab & Indian scholars trade information. Indians developments in algebra and geometry translated into Arabic and Arabic numerals originated in India
Qutub Minar
An example of Muslim and Hindu architecture blending together; a mosque is built on top of a Hindu temple
South Asian political structures were…
disunified
Vijayanagara Empire (Victorious City; Southern India)
Maintained power through HINDUISM and Indian Ocean trade
Rajput Kingdoms (Northern India)
Small, decentralized HINDU kingdoms that fought with one another, leaving them open to Muslim attack
Delhi Sultanate
Muslim kingdom that conquered most of Northern India including Rajput, put jizya tax on all non-Muslims, converting some to Islam; Mongols prevent them from expanding more
Southeast Asian kingdoms were strongly influenced by…
Indian culture.
Srivijaya Empire (SE Asia; sea-based)
Hindu kingdom with a strong navy that taxed ships passing through.
Majapahit Kingdom (SE Asia; sea-based)
Buddhist kingdom that earned money by controlling sea trade
Sinhala Dynasties (SE Asia; land-based)
Buddhist kingdom that built irrigation systems to build an economy
Khmer Kingdom (SE Asia; land-based)
Hindu/Buddhist kingdom that relied on maritime and irrigation system for power
South Asian empires built large temples to…
honor their god and show power.
Mississippian Culture
Agriculture-based societies ruled by a “Great Sun” and built giant earth mounds, declined due to flooding, failed crops, and disease.
Matrilineal Society
Social standing was determined by one’s mother
Iroquois Nations
Agriculture society in upstate New York relying mainly on corn and beans, had a confederation to suppress conflicts within tribe, couples lived with wife’s family and they had power over agriculture/property.
Chaco Canyon
Chaco people adapted to their dry, hot climate and built houses out of stone and clay
Mesa Verde
Used sandstone bricks to build multi-story houses into the sides of cliffs
Maya City States (Southern Mexico)
City-states often fought against each other, Mayan kings were claimed to be descendants of gods, and common people paid taxes through crops. They worshipped sun, rain, and corn deities and often sacrificed humans to them, developed accurate Mayan calendar using stars. Declined due to shifting trade routes and environment degradation.
Aztec/Mexica Empire (cent. Mexico)
Tenochtitlan, the central city, was located in a lake for protection. Ruled by a “Great Speaker” (theocracy), city-states were grouped into provinces. Performed human sacrifice to gods and used chinampas (floating gardens) to increase farmland. Decline caused by lack of technology innovations and resentment because of human sacrifice.
Pachacuti
Leader who conquered and established the Incan empire (divided into provinces) and mit’a system (mandatory public service).
Incan Empire
Quipos (knotted chords) kept and used for written records, Carpa Nan was a road throughout the empire helping keep control, and terraced farming allowed for farming on mountain sides. Worshipped the sun god Inti. Women were separate but equal w/ men. Conquered by Spanish conquistador.
