History Unit 2: Ming Dynasty vs. Renaissance Europe

Christine de Pizan

(1363-1430) A WOMAN Renaissance writer who lived in Paris. Her writings portrayed women as active members of societ pushing against other European thinkers views. (Feminist)

Ming Dynasty

(1368-1644) China recovered from the rule of the mongols trying to get rid of any sign that they had ever come. Decided to revert back to Confucianism a system that had worked in the past. (The past was better)

Emperor Yongle

(1402-1422) Reviltleized china after mongol empire: moved capital to Beijing, recultivated land, built canals no reservations, completely rebounding China's Economy. Main supporter of maritime Voyages (along with his death the voyage went to)

Confucius

(551-479 BCE). A teacher, who, after his death, had a book of his writings made, which lay the foundations of Confucianism -> Chinese society. -Had a great impact on China, Korea, and Japan

Vasco de Gama

A POTUGUESE "explorer" who was the first to successfully voyage around the Cape of Good Hope (southern most tip of Africa) and into the India Ocean. -Giving Europeance a direct, ocean, route to the trade in the Indian Ocean

Christopher Columbus

A SPANISH explorer who was the "first" to voyage across the Atlantic Ocean in hope of finding China (First voyage: 1492)

Daoism

A philosophical set of beliefs that give a certain "structure" to society based on the beliefs that everything happens for a reason and that the Dao has allowed it so be so. The idea/creation is credited to Laozi who developed it in ancient times. It has had a profound impact on China. Simple living

Civil Service Exam

A system which tested young men on their knowledge of Confucianism. Many different levels of the test, the more you pass the more highly regarded you were. If you passed the highest level you became a philosopher. (Philosophers are more highly regarded then soldiers and officers no matter their position)

Renaissance

A time in Europe when society went through a bunch of changes focusing on a more idealistic way of seeing the world as well as trying to precsive things in the most natural and realistic way possible. Bridge between the Middle Ages and The Modern Era. Literal meaning -> rebirth

Matteo Ricci

An Italian Jesuit who organized early Catholic missionary efforts in China (1600). (He kept a journal which was Europe's primary source of information about china for a LONG time.)

Baldassare Castiglione

An Italian Renaissance author

Humanism

An intellectual movement based upon the study of the classics (anything having to do with Ancient Greece or Rome). -Education was important especially that of the liberal arts which was thought to have the ability to dramatically change humans.

Petrarch

Called "the father of the Italian Renaissance humanism" -Tried to find lost Latin scripts -encouraged the use of the ancient languages -rejected family and community life

Mandate of Heaven

Created by the Zhou The idea that there was a legitimate ruler to China who had the blessing of the gods

Nicolo Machiavelli

Held a position in the government in Florence. After many years lost it, stimulating him to write a book The Prince, which was a set of methods and rules to being a successful king (h hoped to see Italy united under one kingdom -> it was his dream)

Zheng He

Was originally a Mongol: became a eunuch at a young age and was assigned to Emperor Yongle: quickly gained his trust and then was appointed commander of the all the voyage ( 7 voyages over 28 years, would use force, not so much an explorer, brought back gifts -> animals)

Fresco

a painting done rapidly in watercolor on wet plaster on a wall or ceiling, so that the colors penetrate the plaster and become fixed as it dries.

Patrons

a person who gives financial or other support to a person, organization, cause, or activity. Or Help from one village to another

Five Relationships

Ruler -> Ruled Father -> Son Husband -> Wife Elder Brother -> Younger Brother Friend = Friend

Secular

Not bound to religion

Filial Piety

Part of Confucianism: the concept of the relationship between a social inferior and superior. (Especially seen in the home and a sons respect for his parents, elders, and ancestors)

The Medici

The wealthy ruling family of Florence at that time

Vernacular

the language or dialect spoken by the ordinary people in a particular country or region. (Italian, French, German, and English)