EASTERN EMPIRES Flashcards
(27 cards)
What is the Dynastic Cycle?
The historical pattern in which a dynasty rises, rules successfully, then declines and loses the Mandate of Heaven, leading to its overthrow and the rise of a new dynasty.
What is the Mandate of Heaven?
The divine right to rule in Chinese philosophy; rulers were believed to be chosen by the heavens, and if they lost power, it was seen as a sign they had lost this mandate.
What is a Golden Age?
A period of great cultural, economic, and technological advancement in a civilization, such as the Tang and Song Dynasties in China.
What is a Bureaucracy?
A system of government where officials are chosen to manage different aspects of the state, often based on merit.
What is Gunpowder?
A chemical explosive invented in China, used initially for fireworks and later for weapons.
What is a Compass?
A navigation tool invented in China, using the Earth’s magnetic field to show direction.
What is Printing?
The process of reproducing text and images, significantly advanced by China with inventions like woodblock printing and movable type.
What are Sails?
Fabric structures used on ships to catch the wind and propel the vessel, improving maritime trade and exploration.
What is the Civil Service Exam?
A rigorous examination system in imperial China used to select government officials based on Confucian knowledge and merit.
What is Foot Binding?
A practice in which young girls’ feet were tightly bound to make them smaller, symbolizing beauty and status in Chinese society.
Who are Confucian Scholars?
Educated individuals trained in Confucian teachings who played a major role in government and society.
What is Shinto?
The indigenous religion of Japan, centered around nature worship and the belief in spirits known as kami.
What are Kami?
Spiritual beings or deities in Shinto, often linked to nature, ancestors, or important historical figures.
What is Feudalism?
A political and social system where land was exchanged for military service and loyalty, with a rigid class structure.
Who is a Shogun?
The military ruler of Japan who held the real power, while the emperor was a symbolic figure.
Who are Daimyo?
Powerful landowning lords who controlled regions of Japan and had their own armies.
Who are Samurai?
Warrior class in feudal Japan who followed the code of Bushido and served the daimyo or shogun.
What is Bushido?
The ‘Way of the Warrior,’ a strict ethical code followed by samurai, emphasizing loyalty, honor, and discipline.
What is Edo?
The former name of Tokyo and the center of power during the Tokugawa Shogunate.
What is Zen Buddhism?
A form of Buddhism that emphasizes meditation, self-discipline, and enlightenment through simplicity and direct experience.
Who is Genghis Khan?
The founder and first Great Khan of the Mongol Empire, known for his military genius and uniting the Mongol tribes.
Who is Kublai Khan?
The grandson of Genghis Khan and the ruler who completed the conquest of China, founding the Yuan Dynasty.
What is Pax Mongolica?
The period of peace and stability under Mongol rule, which allowed for safe trade along the Silk Road.
What is a Steppe?
Vast, grassy plains that stretch across Central Asia, home to the nomadic Mongols.
