Mongol Empire
nomads
People who move from place to place with herds of animals. Mongols were the dominant nomadic group in Central Asia living in yurts and raising horses, sheep, and yaks. Clans (groups of related families) of Mongols followed their herds as they grazed on the steppes of Mongolia.
Karakorum
Capital of Mongolia
Black Death
Bubonic Plague = worst pandemic in human history affecting Europe, SW, and Central Asia, and North Africa. The plague was spread East to West along the Silk Road through fleas on rodents and trade animals. Killed millions of people - 40% of Europe and 30% of the Middle East.
Census
Counts the number of people living in a certain area to help officials identify who owes taxes. Ming reinstituted the census to increase tax revenue not to increase taxes.
Portuguese Arrival in China
Ming was not able to cut off all contacts with the rest of the world. Portuguese ships reach China in the early 1500s. Portuguese wanted to trade with China and convert people to Christianity. They introduced silver to the Chinese from the Americans.
Temujin
Mongol warrior elected Genghis Khan, which means “strong ruler.”
Khanbaliq
Mongolian capital in China was established by Kublai Khan. Also known as City of Kahn = modern Beijing. Moved capital to China because China was the largest and richest province in the Mongolian Empire.
Marco Polo
European explorer who reached China from Italy. Lived in the capital of Khanbaliq during the reign of Kublai Khan. Wrote a book about his adventures in China.
Zheng He
Chinese explorers undertook 7 voyages to SE Asia, the Middle East, and East Africa to increase Chinese trade with other kingdoms and demonstrate Chinese power. Voyages increased trade and spread Chinese culture, so they were canceled due to cost
Manchus
Nomadic people invaded China from the north causing the collapse of the Ming dynasty. Captured Beijing and established the Qing dynasty.
Genghis Kahn
Most famous Mongol leader who unified Mongol clans and created legal code. Formed a group of clan chiefs to plan military campaigns. Led invasion of China. Known for cruel fighting and use of terror.
Patrilineal
Social foundation of Mongol society within clans/tribes. The lineage between generations passed from fathers to sons.
Hong Wu
Founded Ming Dynasty and centralized power. Brought law and order to the empire but was a harsh leader He helped rebuild the great wall of china and the grand canal
Isolationism
A belief that one country should not be involved with other countries.
Opium
Addictive drugs were used to increase British trade with China.
Ogedei Khan
3rd son of Genghis Kahn who succeed him as the second Great Khan. Completed conquest of Silk Road.
Yam
Mongolian postal system was created during Kublai Khan’s rule of the Yuan Dynasty. Long-term impact on communication/control.
Despot
a ruler or other people who hold absolute power, typically one who exercises it in a cruel or oppressive way. Hong Wu is an example of a despot.
“China’s Turn Inland”
The decision under the Ming dynasty was that the outside world had very little to offer China. Focus turns inward as the population increases. Resources spent on increasing food production. Not trading with the outside world.
Opium Wars
Wars were fought by Britain so they could keep selling opium in China. China lacked modern weapons and lost to the British. British gained control of Hong Kong.
Kublai Khan
Genghis Kahn’s grandson (4th Great Khan) established a capital at Khanbaliq and brought an end to the Song Dynasty establishing himself as emperor of China. 1st Yuan Emperor.
Pax Mongolica
Translates to “The Mongol Peace.” Period of stability during the Mongol dynasty allowed the Silk Road to thrive increasing China’s ties to the outside world and increased cultural diffusion of ideas and inventions.
Gun Powder and Leather
Black Death spreads
Yongle
2nd Ming Emperor. Moved the capital of the Ming dynasty to Beijing and build the Forbidden City (a large area of palaces and government buildings).
Forbidden City
Center of the Imperial City where the emperor and his family lived. Only top government officials were allowed to enter. Contained beautiful gardens and palaces. It is where China’s Emperor and their court lived for 500 years.
British East India Company
British trading company used to smuggle opium into China