Vocabulary
China From Before the Qin Dynasty
The Qin Empire, ETC.
Religions and More
Miscellaneous & Japan
100
This type of government usually relies on military support to stay in power. Dynastic dictatorships dominated many ancient kingdoms. In the 1970's and 80's, the U.S. supported many dictatorships because they were anti-communists. Think of Saudi Arabia today?
What is a Dictatorship?
100
It covers an area of 3.7 million square miles. Most are crowded in the eastern third; mountains and plateaus cover about 80%, including much of the west. There are six main regions including the heartland and four outlying regions.
What is the Geography of China?
100
This idea, which links power and responsibility, exists in early Chinese civilization. The people had the right to expect good government in exchange of their loyalty They had the right to rebel if the ruler could not maintain harmony. It was introduced by the Zhou after the harsh rule of the Shang Dynasty.
What is Mandate of Heaven?
100
This religion refers to living your life the natural way; it stresses the link with nature. It believes that the best government is the one with the fewest rules and stresses simplicity. It was able to make some advances in science and technology which seems odd.
What is Daoism?
100
This idea begins to take root during the Shang Dynasty. In traditional Chinese society, all people are not equal. At the top were the gentry – wealthy landowners who taught Confucian ideas. At the bottom were the peasants – the majority; there was some social mobility but not much.
What is Social Classes?
200
The U.S. has this form of government in which people choose leaders who represent them. Most democracies have this type of government as pure democracy would be difficult to operate with every single citizen voting on every law to to be passed.
What is a Republic?
200
Also known as the Huang He, the valley of this supported fertile farming regions and large populations and Chinese history began in its valley. It is also known as the “river of sorrows” as water levels often overflowed the banks, destroying crops and causing mass starvation.
What is the Yellow River?
200
This begins around 221bc when the ruler of the state of Qin conquered his neighbor. The leader used harsh means to centralize power and laid foundations of rule that lasted into the 20th century.
What is the First Empire?
200
In China, it offered hope of eternal happiness and showed Buddha as compassionate and merciful. It offered what Confucianism and Daoism did not and that was personal salvation through prayer, good works, and devotion. It became very popular.
What is Buddhism?
200
This refers to the time of conquest by Genghis Khan of Mongolia. Although they had a reputation as fierce warriors, they were not considered oppressive rulers once conquests were complete. It was during the time of Kublai Khan that Marco Polo visited China and returned with accounts of “wealth and splendor”. Transportation and communication flourished during this time.
What is Mongol Rule?
300
This idea is consistent with people thinking their culture “is the way things are supposed to be”. It occurs when people judge other cultures by the standards of their own culture and view their own culture as inherently superior. It is often very prevalent in closed societies
What is Ethnocentrism?
300
This is 95% of China’s population; it refers to ethnic Chinese.
What is Han?
300
This leader abolished feudalism in China to focus loyalty on the central government. He did redistribute some noble lands to the peasants but those peasants still paid high taxes for the armies and building projects. He jailed, tortured, and killed those who opposed his rule, burned books depicting his reign, executed scholars, enforced censorship.
Who is Emperor Shi Huangdi?
300
The most famous leader in this empire was Wudi, who strengthened the government and economy. It was also during this time that the Silk Road was opened up which would eventually stretch for 4000 miles connecting China to the Middle East. Wudi also greatly increased the amount of territory under Chinese rule and was counseled by Confucian scholars.
What is the Han Dynasty?
300
This ancient religious tradition has greatly influenced Japan It has neither sacred writings or an organized set of beliefs It believes that spirits live in everything from plants to rocks to mountains including Mt. Fuji.
What is Shinto?
400
The belief that one group is naturally superior to another, which originally caused by human competition for food, land, money, or power between different ethnic groups and evolved into a social construct of hate.
What is Racism?
400
Under this, Chinese civilization took shape which included the ideas of dynastic rule. At Anyang, its capital, archaeologists have found palaces, temples, and evidence of a well organized army. The king served as a link between heaven and earth.
What is the Shang Dynasty?
400
It was built using forced labor; it connected the walls that local lords had already built. It involved hundreds of thousands working under brutal conditions. It extended 1500 miles from east to west but rarely kept invaders from attacking.
What is The Great Wall?
400
This type of medicine was developed during early dynasties in China. In this medical treatment, the doctor inserts needles under the skin at specific points to relieve pain or treat various illness.
What is Acupuncture?
400
In Japanese society, these were the professional warriors. The was not meant to be any fear of death for them. They lived by the code of Bushido, “the way of the warrior” which emphasized honor, bravery, and loyalty. The code expected suicide rather than live without honor.
What is Samurai?
500
The long term average weather conditions at a particular location; it is affected by location and elevation.
What is climate?
500
This began when the people from this kingdom marched out of the west to overthrow the Shang. Under this, a feudal system was developed to reward their supporters During this time, China’s economy grew and as commerce and innovation grew..So did the population. They learned silk-making but they kept it quiet.
What is The Zhou Dynasty?
500
This philosopher was born around 551bc and was disturbed by constant warfare.He formed ideas on how to restore peace and social order. It was based on 5 key relationships in which one was superior and was meant to set a good example. Family relationships were key to an orderly society. Famous quote-“Do not do to others, what you do not wish yourself”.
Who is Confucius?
500
This one (although there are others) refers to the time during the Tang and Song Dynasties. It was from the 7th to the 13th century and was primarily a peaceful time. It was a time of tremendous trade which involved cotton and pepper to China; inventions like the compass reached Europe.
What is the Golden Age?
500
This was the chief general of the army. He controlled the land and the people living on it; the emperor was often only a figurehead for this leader.
What is a Shogun?
M
e
n
u