Unit 2.1 Guide - Post Classical Africa & Asia

Question 1

Term: Civil Service Examination System
Category: Governance / China

Answer 1

A merit-based system in Imperial China for selecting government officials, emphasizing knowledge of Confucian classics.

Question 2

Term: Grand Canal
Category: Infrastructure / China

Answer 2

A major waterway in China linking the Yellow and Yangtze Rivers, enhancing trade and communication.

Question 3

Term: Sharia
Category: Law / Islam

Answer 3

Islamic law is derived from the Quran and Hadith, guiding moral, social, and legal aspects of life.

Question 4

Term: 5 Pillars of Faith (Islam)
Category: Religion / Islam

Answer 4

Core practices in Islam: Shahada (faith), Salah (prayer), Zakat (charity), Sawm (fasting), Hajj (pilgrimage).

Question 5

Term: Caliph
Category: Leadership / Islam

Answer 5

The political and religious leader of the Muslim community after Muhammad.

Question 6

Term: Caliphate
Category: Government / Islam

Answer 6

A political and religious state in Islam, led by a Caliph, ruling over the Muslim community.

Question 7

Term: Foot Binding
Category: Culture / China

Answer 7

A cultural practice in China where girls’ feet were bound to restrict growth, seen as a status symbol.

Question 8

Term: Porcelain
Category: Trade Goods / China

Answer 8

High-quality, delicate ceramic from China, widely traded along the Silk Road.

Question 9

Term: Magnetic Compass
Category: Technology / China

Answer 9

An invention by the Chinese to determine direction, critical for navigation.

Question 10

Term: Silk Road
Category: Trade / Routes

Answer 10

A network of trade routes connecting China to the Mediterranean, allowing an exchange of goods and culture.

Question 11

Term: Paper Money
Category: Economy / China

Answer 11

First developed in China as a convenient alternative to coins, revolutionizing commerce.

Question 12

Term: Gold/Salt Trade
Category: Trade / West Africa

Answer 12

A trans-Saharan trade where West African gold was exchanged for North African salt.

Question 13

Term: Mongol Peace - Pax Mongolica
Category: Peace Period / Mongol Empire

Answer 13

A period of stability under Mongol rule that promoted trade and cultural exchange across Eurasia.

Question 14

Term: Genghis Khan
Category: Leader / Mongol Empire

Answer 14

Founder of the Mongol Empire, known for uniting Mongol tribes and expanding across Asia and Europe.

Question 15

Term: Kublai Khan
Category: Leader / Yuan Dynasty

Answer 15

Grandson of Genghis Khan; established the Yuan Dynasty in China, expanding Mongol influence.

Question 16

Term: Yurt
Category: Shelter / Central Asia

Answer 16

A portable, round tent used by nomadic peoples, especially Mongols in Central Asia.

Question 17

Term: Allah
Category: Religion / Islam

Answer 17

The Arabic term for God in Islam, representing the monotheistic deity.

Question 18

Term: Shia and Sunni
Category: Religion / Islam

Answer 18

Two main branches of Islam with different beliefs about the rightful successor to Muhammad.

Question 19

Term: Dowry
Category: Marriage / Various Cultures

Answer 19

Property or money brought by a bride to her husband upon marriage, common in many cultures.

Question 20

Term: Astrolabe
Category: Technology / Navigation

Answer 20

An ancient instrument for navigation and measuring the position of celestial bodies.

Question 21

Term: Dynasty
Category: Governance / Monarchy

Answer 21

A line of rulers from the same family, often holding power for generations.

Question 22

Term: Scholar-Gentry
Category: Social Class / China

Answer 22

Educated elite in China who passed the Civil Service Exams and held significant roles in government.

Question 23

Term: Khanates
Category: Governance / Mongol Empire

Answer 23

Regions ruled by khans after the division of the Mongol Empire.

Question 24

Term: Neo-Confucianism
Category: Philosophy / China

Answer 24

A revival of Confucianism that included Buddhist and Daoist elements, dominant in later Chinese dynasties.

Question 25

Term: Daoism Category: Philosophy / China

Answer 25

A philosophy emphasizing harmony with nature and simple living, founded by Laozi.

Question 26

Term: Buddhism Category: Religion / Asia

Answer 26

A spiritual tradition founded by Siddhartha Gautama, teaching the path to enlightenment.

Question 27

Term: Vizier Category: Governance / Islamic Empires

Answer 27

A high-ranking political advisor or minister in Muslim governments.

Question 28

Term: Sultan Category: Title / Islamic State

Answer 28

A Muslim ruler of a sultanate, often wielding both political and military power.

Question 29

Term: Jizya Category: Taxation / Islamic State

Answer 29

A tax paid by non-Muslims in Islamic states for protection and religious freedom.

Question 30

Term: Abu Bakr Category: Leader / Islam

Answer 30

The first Caliph after Muhammad’s death, a close companion of the Prophet.

Question 31

Term: Muhammad Category: Prophet / Islam

Answer 31

The founder and final prophet of Islam, whose teachings form the Quran.

Question 32

Term: Bedouin Category: Culture / Arab Tribes

Answer 32

Nomadic Arab tribes known for their desert lifestyles and cultural practices.

Question 33

Term: Mansa Musa Category: Leader / Mali Empire

Answer 33

Emperor of Mali, famous for his pilgrimage to Mecca and immense wealth.

Question 34

Term: Muslim Category: Religion / Islam

Answer 34

A follower of Islam who believes in the Quran and Prophet Muhammad.

Question 35

Term: Dhimmi Category: Social Class / Islamic State

Answer 35

Non-Muslims in an Islamic state are afforded protection in exchange for paying jizya.

Question 36

Term: Meritocracy Category: Governance

Answer 36

A system where advancement is based on individual abilities and achievements.

Question 37

Term: Mali Category: Empire / West Africa

Answer 37

A powerful empire known for its wealth and trade in gold, especially under Mansa Musa.

Question 38

Term: Ghana Category: Kingdom / West Africa

Answer 38

An early West African kingdom known for its wealth and role in the gold-salt trade.

Question 39

Term: Songhai Category: Empire / West Africa

Answer 39

A West African empire that controlled trade and learning centers like Timbuktu.

Question 40

Term: Sui Category: Dynasty / China

Answer 40

A short-lived dynasty that reunited China and began the Grand Canal’s construction.

Question 41

Term: Tang Category: Dynasty / China

Answer 41

A Chinese dynasty known for cultural prosperity and territorial expansion.

Question 42

Term: Song Category: Dynasty / China

Answer 42

A Chinese dynasty noted for economic innovation, use of paper money, and art advancements.

Question 43

Term: People of the Book Category: Religion / Islam

Answer 43

A term for Jews and Christians in Islam, recognized as sharing a monotheistic tradition.

Question 44

Term: Mongols Category: Nomadic Group / Central Asia

Answer 44

A nomadic group that established the largest contiguous empire in history under Genghis Khan.

Question 45

Term: Mandate of Heaven Category: Belief / China

Answer 45

The divine right for Chinese emperors to rule, dependent on their virtue.

Question 46

Term: Champa Rice Category: Agriculture / Vietnam-China

Answer 46

A fast-maturing rice from Vietnam, which increased agricultural productivity in China.

Question 47

Term: Diffusion Category: Cultural Exchange

Answer 47

The spread of ideas, goods, and technology from one culture to another

Question 48

Term: Baghdad: House of Wisdom Category: Learning / Islam

Answer 48

An academic center in Baghdad where scholars preserved and translated ancient knowledge.

Question 49

Term: Islamic Calligraphy Category: Art / Islam

Answer 49

The artistic practice of writing in Islam, often reflecting Quranic verses

Question 50

Term: Timbuktu Category: Learning / Mali Empire

Answer 50

A major center of trade, learning, and culture in West Africa

Question 51

Term: Yuan Category: Dynasty / China

Answer 51

A Chinese dynasty established by Kublai Khan, marking Mongol rule over China.

Question 52

Term: Filial Piety Category: Belief / Confucianism

Answer 52

A Confucian virtue emphasizing respect and obedience toward one’s parents

Question 53

Term: Gold-Salt Trade Category: Trade / West Africa

Answer 53

A trans-Saharan trade system where West African gold was exchanged for North African salt, was crucial to West African empires.