Dynasty: A series of rulers from one family
Mandate of Heaven: Divine approval thought to be the basis of royal authority
Dynastic Cycle: the historical pattern of the rise, decline and replacement of dynasties
Loess: Fertile deposit of windblown soil
Oracle Bones: one of the animal bones or tortoise shells used by the ancient Chinese priests to
communicate with the gods
Daoism: Philosophy based on the ideas of Laozi, who taught that people should be guided by a
universal force
Legalism: Chinese political philosophy based on the idea that a highly efficient and powerful
government is the key to social order
The Great Wall: a system of fortified walls with a roadway along the top, constructed as a defense for
China against the nomads of the north
Civil Service: People are hired based on their scores on examinations
Assimilation: A policy in which a ruler encourages its subjects to adopt its institutions and way of life
Centralized government: a strong central government that provides services for its people
Monopoly: complete control over the production and distribution of a good or service
Feudalism: Political system in which nobles are granted the use of lands that legally belong to their
king (Emperor) in exchange for their loyalty, military service, and protection of the people who live
on the land
Emperor: supreme ruler of an empire
Shogun: in feudal Japan, a supreme military commander who ruled in the name of the emperor
Daimyo: Japanese feudal lord who commanded a private army of samurai
Samurai: one of the professional warriors who served Japanese feudal lords
Peasants: a member of a class of persons who are small farmers or farm laborers of low social rank
Bushido: Strict code of behavior followed by Samurai warriors in Japan
Seclusion: being isolated from other cultures due to geography
Silk Road: system of ancient caravan routes across Central Asia, along which traders carried silk and
other traded goods