CATEGORY 1: The Three Teachings
This philosophy encouraged people to “live in harmony with nature” and follow the Dao, or “The Way.”
A: What is Daoism?
Q: Buddhism spread into China mainly along this major trade route.
A: What is the Silk Road?
Q: This dynasty built the Grand Canal, helping connect the Yellow and Yangtze Rivers.
A: What is the Sui Dynasty?
Q: This leader unified the Mongols and became known as “Genghis Khan.”
A: Who is Temujin?
Q: Japan is described as this type of landform — a chain of islands.
A: What is an archipelago?
This philosophy taught that peace came from proper relationships built on respect and virtue.
A: What is Confucianism?
Q: He founded Buddhism after seeking a way to end suffering.
A: Who is Siddhartha Gautama?
Q: This dynasty introduced a “money economy” with paper money instead of bartering.
A: What is the Song Dynasty?
Q: Genghis Khan’s grandson who conquered the Song Dynasty and created the Yuan Dynasty.
A: Who is Kublai Khan?
Q: This early Japanese warrior class lived by the strict code of what?
A: What is Bushido?
Legalism believed people were naturally this, and therefore needed strict laws.
A: What is selfish/evil?
Q: Buddhism appealed to many people in India because it rejected this rigid social system.
A: What is the caste system?
Q: The Tang Dynasty restored this exam, which allowed talented people to earn government positions.
A: What is the civil service exam?
Q: The Mongols learned about gunpowder and the fire-lance while fighting which civilization?
A: What is China?
Q: Korean kingdoms, including Silla, often adopted this religion brought from China.
A: What is Buddhism?
Confucianism’s most important value, meaning respect for parents and ancestors, was called what?
A: What is filial piety?
Q: This branch of Buddhism focuses on meditation and self-discipline and became popular in Japan.
A: What is Zen Buddhism?
Q: Tang and Song China developed many technologies, including gunpowder, printing, and this strong metal used in weapons.
A: What is steel?
Q: After Genghis Khan died, Mongol land was divided into four regions called what?
A: What are khanates?
Q: What are the Daimyo?
A: What are "Great Names" or aristocratic families that had their own estates and their own samurai in Japan.
This dynasty unified China using Legalist policies, but its harshness caused major rebellion.
A: What is the Qin Dynasty?
As Buddhism spread across East Asia, it blended with local beliefs. This blending of religions is called what?
A: What is syncretism?
Q: During the Tang period, Buddhist monasteries were destroyed because Buddhism contradicted which Confucian belief?
A: What is devotion to family and hard work
Q: This leader built an army, ended Mongol rule in China, and founded the Ming Dynasty.
A: Who is Zhu Yuanzhang?
Q: During the Heian Period, real political power shifted away from the emperor and toward aristocratic families—especially this clan, whose influence led to a decentralized government and the rise of samurai culture
A: Who are the Fujiwara?