China’s World Role
Period of the Six Dynasties: era of continuous warfare (220-589) among the many kingdoms that followed the fall of the Han.
Wendi: member of prominent northern Chinese family during the Period of Six Dynasties; established Sui dynasty in 589, with support from northern nomadic peoples.
Yangdi: 2nd Sui ruler; restored Confucian examination system; constructed canal system;
assassinated in 618.
Li Yuan: Duke of Tang; minister for Yangdi; took over empire after assassination of Yangdi; 1st Tang ruler.
Ministry of Public Rites: administered the examinations for state office during the Tang
dynasty.
Jinshi: title given students who passed the most difficult examinations; became eligible for high office.
Chan Buddhism: called Zen in Japan; stressed meditation and appreciation of natural and artistic beauty; popular among the elite.
Mahayana (Pure Land) Buddhism: emphasized salvationist aspects of Chinese Buddhism; popular among the masses.
Wuzong: Tang emperor (841-847); persecuted Buddhist monasteries and reduced influence of Buddhism in favor of Confucianism.
Yang Guifei: royal concubine of Tang emperor Xuanzong; introduction of relatives into
administration led to revolt.
Khitan nomads: founded Liao dynasty of Manchuria in 907; remained a threat to Song; very much influenced by Chinese culture.
Zhao Kuangyin: general who founded Song dynasty; took royal name of Taizu.
Zhu Xi: most prominent Neo-Confucian scholar during the Song dynasty; stressed importance of applying philosophical principles to everyday life.
Wang Anshi: Confucian scholar and chief minister of a Song ruler in 1070s; introduced
sweeping reforms based on Legalism; advocated greater state intervention in society.
Southern Song: smaller surviving dynasty (1127-1279); presided over one of the greatest
cultural reigns in world history.
Jurchens: founders of Jin kingdom that succeeded the Liao in northern China; annexed most of Yellow River basin and forced Song to flee south.
Grand Canal: great canal system begun by Yangdi; joined Yellow River region to the Yangtze basin.
Junks: Chinese ships equipped with watertight bulkheads, stern-post rudders, compasses, and bamboo fenders; dominant force in Asian seas east of the Malayan peninsula.
Flying money: Chinese credit instrument that provided vouchers to merchants to be redeemed at the end of a venture; reduced danger of robbery; an early form of currency.
Changan: capital of Tang dynasty; population of 2 million larger than any contemporary world city.
Hangzhou: capital of later Song; location near East China Sea permitted international
commerce; population over 1.5 million.