Chapter 12

Which of the following statements concerning entry into the Chinese bureaucracy is most accurate? A) Birth and family connections continued to be important in securing high office. B) Although the examination system continued to be monitored, almost all official received positions as a result of family connections. C) The examination system was eliminated during the Tang dynasty, and only members of the imperial family served in the bureaucracy. D) The higher levels of the Chinese bureaucracy were dominated by many bright commoners. E) Under the Tang family connections ceased to be of significance, as all candidates received office based on their score in the examination system.

A) Birth and family connections continued to be important in securing high office.

Which of the following was NOT an eventual impact of the development of neo-Confucian schools of thought? A) Destruction of the mandarins B) Hostility to foreign philosophical systems like Buddhism C) Reinforcement of class, age, and gender distinctions D) The stifling of innovation and critical thinking in favor of traditionalism E) Historical experiences were held to be the most practical guide to life.

A) Destruction of the mandarins

Which of the following was NOT an economic development during the period of commercial expansion during the Tang and Song dynasties? A) Military domination of the seas B) Enlarged market quarters found in all cities and major towns C) Overland silk routes between China and Persia were reopened D) Growing sophistication in commercial organization and forms of credit E) Trade increasingly carried by Chinese ships and sailors

A) Military domination of the seas

What proved to be the most damaging attack on Buddhism's popularity with the people during the early Tang dynasty? A) The Confucians' successful campaign to convince the emperor that the Buddhist monastic establishment represented an economic threat B) The Buddhists' insistence on rebellion against the emperor C) The entry of nomadic invaders who were Islamic during the ninth century D) The aristocracy's concern that the growing Buddhist monastic establishment was monopolizing land that otherwise would belong to them E) The challenge from Daoism and other polytheistic religions, which were appealing to Chinese merchants

A) The Confucians' successful campaign to convince the emperor that the Buddhist monastic establishment represented an economic threat

The title of jinshi was reserved for those who A) passed the most difficult exams on Chinese literature. B) traced their ancestry back to the Han. C) served in the Chinese military. D) were members of the Chinese aristocracy. E) were members of the imperial family.

A) passed the most difficult exams on Chinese literature.

Which of the following statements about Chinese landscape painting is most accurate? A) Paintings never conveyed moral messages or used symbolism. B) Members of the ruling political elite in China produced many of the paintings in the Song era. C) As in the West, landscape painting was the special skill of the military elite. D) Song subsidies to foreign painters resulted in the production of magnificent landscapes. E) Landscape painting was virtually unknown until after the Mongol invasions.

B) Members of the ruling political elite in China produced many of the paintings in the Song era.

Why was the construction of the Grand Canal necessary? A) Major river systems in China ran from north to south, and the canal was necessary to connect the coastal regions with the western frontier. B) The Yangtze River valley was becoming the major food-producing region of China by the late Tang era. C) Chinese population was increasingly concentrated along the northern plains of the Yangtze River. D) The canal connected the Tang capitals Changan and Loyang with the newly acquired regions in the North. E) Peasants were moving from the countryside of southern China to the urban areas of the North.

B) The Yangtze River valley was becoming the major food-producing region of China by the late Tang era.

Which of the following was NOT one of the reforms introduced by Wang Anshi in the face of conservative opposition? A) The introduction of government-assisted irrigation projects to encourage agricultural expansion B) The end of tribute payments to nomadic dynasties on the northern border C) Taxation of the landlord and scholarly classes D) Reorganization of university education. E) The establishment of well-trained mercenary forces

B) The end of tribute payments to nomadic dynasties on the northern border

Explain the decline of Buddhism in the later Tang and Song dynasties

Briefly: Emperor Wuzong in the Tang Dynasty, in 845 CE, ordered the destruction of 4,600 Buddhist monasteries and 40,000 temples. He viewed Buddhism was an alien religion and sought to restore the native Confucian tradition. During the Song Dynasty, Buddhism began to merge with Confucianism and Taoism, due in part to the use of existing Chinese philosophical terms in the translation of Buddhist scriptures.

Which of the following was NOT a problem during the last years of the Tang dynasty? A) The revolt of An Lushan B) The Huang-chao rebellion C) A Buddhist rebellion in southern China D) The entry of nomads into large areas of the northern China plain E) Independent rulers collected their own taxes

C) A Buddhist rebellion in southern China

What was the result of the imperial attempt by the Tang to suppress Buddhism within the Chinese empire? A) Buddhism became a sect of minor importance but with many followers among the scholar-gentry. B) Despite official attempts to suppress Buddhism, monastic orders continued to exert political influence and control landed wealth as they did in the first decades of Tang rule. C) Buddhism survived the repression, but in a reduced state without the political influence of the early Tang years. D) Buddhism was eradicated in China by the end of the Tang era and replaced by the traditional Daoist and Confucian beliefs. E) Buddhism survived the brief imperial persecution and was restored as the primary religion of the state during the Song dynasty.

C) Buddhism survived the repression, but in a reduced state without the political influence of the early Tang years.

What was a primary difference between marriages, families, and households of the upper and lower classes in Tang-Song China? A) Upper-class men rarely married foot-bound women. B) Members of the elite often married before the age of puberty. C) Extended family households were more common in upper-class households than in lower-class ones. D) In the upper classes, males frequently married females of a younger generation. E) Households of the lower classes tended not to be patriarchal.

C) Extended family households were more common in upper-class households than in lower-class ones.

Which of the following statements concerning the extent of the Tang empire is most accurate? A) The Tang empire incorporated India and southeast Asia as well as the areas north of the Yellow River plain. B) The Tang empire was unable to recover the territorial extent of the Han, but did recover northern areas from the nomads. C) The Tang built an empire that was far larger than the Han, an empire whose boundaries in many directions extended beyond the borders of modern China. D) The Tang empire stopped expanding and was divided into three parts when a civil war broke out. E) The Tang extended the empire in all directions except westward, where the Turks remained entirely independent of the Chinese emperor.

C) The Tang built an empire that was far larger than the Han, an empire whose boundaries in many directions extended beyond the borders of modern China.

What was the attitude of the Tang emperors toward the Confucian scholar-gentry? A) The Tang feared the development of the scholar-gentry and continued to support the nomadic aristocracy of China. B) The Tang continued to support and patronize the growth of Buddhism in China at the expense of the Confucian scholar-gentry. C) The Tang supported the rebirth of the Confucian scholar-gentry, often at the expense of the aristocracy. D) The scholar-gentry class began to evolve into a new merchant and trade class due to the intervention of the emperors. E) Confucianism continued to wane during the Tang dynasty and was only resuscitated under the Song.

C) The Tang supported the rebirth of the Confucian scholar-gentry, often at the expense of the aristocracy.

What was the primary reform enacted during the reign of the first Sui emperor? A) The reconstruction of the Confucian scholar-gentry B) The destruction of the Great Wall C) The creation of granaries to relieve the threat of famine D) The construction of the Grand Canal E) Persecution of the Buddhists

C) The creation of granaries to relieve the threat of famine

Which of the following statements most accurately describes the position of the scholar-gentry under the Song dynasty? A) The Confucian scholar-gentry continued to exist, but the examination system weakened noticeably causing the imperial bureaucracy to depend more and more on the aristocracy. B) The Song continued to rely on the Confucian scholar-gentry, but more rigorous examination systems resulted in fewer men entering the civil service as a result of education. C) The domination of the scholar-gentry over its aristocratic and Buddhist rivals was fully secured in the Song era. D) The Song emperors came to rely increasingly on the military as defense of the borders placed less emphasis on the role of intellectual ideology and more on warfare. E) The scholar-gentry attempted to revive warlordism, which led to the fall of the Song.

C) The domination of the scholar-gentry over its aristocratic and Buddhist rivals was fully secured in the Song era.

Which of the following statements concerning urbanization in China during the Tang-Song era is most accurate? A) Cities were depopulated as people moved back into the countryside due to the collapse of the Chinese economy. B) Chinese urbanization was more pronounced in northern China, but lagged in southern China. C) The degree of urbanization reached during the Han dynasty was never achieved during the Tang-Song era, although some recovery of cities accompanied the commercial revival. D) Chinese urbanization mushroomed during the Tang-Song era with a higher proportion of the population living in cities. E) The imperial capitals were enormous, but there were few other Chinese cities of size.

D) Chinese urbanization mushroomed during the Tang-Song era with a higher proportion of the population living in cities.

In what way did foot-binding serve to diminish the independence of Chinese women by the end of the Song era? A) Because foot-binding could only be afforded by the elite, poorer women were assigned to a lower social status. B) As foot-binding was required in order to practice certain professions, Chinese women found that occupational alternatives were diminished. C) Upper-class women considered it high status and hoarded money to pay for it. D) Foot-binding sufficiently crippled women to effectively confine their mobility to their household. E) Foot-binding, although considered socially attractive, was condemned by neo-Confucians.

D) Foot-binding sufficiently crippled women to effectively confine their mobility to their household.

What made possible the rapid revival of empire under the Tang? A) The willingness of the Tang to abandon traditional approaches to government B) The abandonment of Confucianism in favor of the more widely practiced Buddhism C) The brevity of the period of political dislocation D) The rebuilding of the imperial bureaucracy using Confucian ideology E) Massive grain imports from southern China led to a population increase.

D) The rebuilding of the imperial bureaucracy using Confucian ideology

What were the elements of Tang - Song economic proserity?

During the Tang-Song Era, paper money was being used more frequently. During this era, the Chinese depended on trade with Eurasian countries. New agricultural practices were created and the land was divided more equally between the free peasants, and therefore there were high yields.

What was the impact on Confucianism of the Tang repression of the Buddhists? A) Confucianism emerged in a strengthened condition, but still remained behind Buddhism in the sense of providing a basis for the intellectual rationale of Chinese civilization. B) Confucianism and Daoism blended with Buddhism to form a new philosophy. C) Confucianism, like Buddhism, declined in popularity, and its place was taken by Daoism. D) Because Confucian scholar-gentry were associated with the persecution, Confucianism failed to generate much popular support outside the imperial government. E) Confucianism emerged as the central ideology of Chinese civilization until the 20th century.

E) Confucianism emerged as the central ideology of Chinese civilization until the 20th century.

How did the Song empire compare to the Tang? A) The Song was larger than the Tang and Han. B) The Song empire and the Tang empire were virtually identical in territorial extent. C) The Song empire was greater in territorial extent than the Tang empire. D) Although approximately the same size, the Song empire extended farther north than the Tang. E) The Song empire was smaller in territorial extent than the Tang empire.

E) The Song empire was smaller in territorial extent than the Tang empire.

Which of the following statements concerning the status of women in the Tang-Song era is most accurate? A) The condition of women in general improved during the Tang-Song era. B) Tang-Song law recognized no women's rights. C) Women had more rights than ever before due to the influence of the Legalists. D) The spread of Buddhism provided women with greater opportunities and career alternatives within the monastic movement. E) The assertion of male dominance within the family was especially pronounced in the thinking of the neo-Confucian philosophers.

E) The assertion of male dominance within the family was especially pronounced in the thinking of the neo-Confucian philosophers.

What caused the flight of the Song dynasty from its capital in northern China? A) A rebellion led by a nomadic general, An Lushan B) Extensive flooding in the Yellow River basin C) Attempted takeover by the Khitans D) The Huang-chao rebellion E) The invasions of the Jurchens who had formed the Qin kingdom

E) The invasions of the Jurchens who had formed the Qin kingdom

Which of the following was NOT a result of the agricultural policies of the Sui and Tang emperors? A) Numbers of free peasantry increased. B) Lands were distributed more equitably to the free peasant households of the empire. C) Fortunes of the old aristocratic families declined. D) The yields of peasant farmers greatly increased. E) The scholar-gentry were removed as landlords.

E) The scholar-gentry were removed as landlords.

Contrast the Era of Division with the Sui - Tang era

Era of Division: dominated by political division among many small warring states often ruled by nomadic invaders; period of Buddhist dominance; growth of monastic movement; loss of imperial centralization; loss of dominance of scholar-gentry in favor of militarized aristocracy. Sui-Tang: return to centralized administration, unified empire; reconstruction of bureaucracy; reconstruction of Confucian scholar-gentry at expense of both Buddhists and aristocracy; restoration of Confucianism as central ideology of state.

In what ways did the Chinese empire during the Tang-Song era depart from previous developments in Chinese civlization?

Full incorporation of southern China into economy; dominance of south as food-producing region, center of population, political capital of southern Song; decline of influence of Buddhism; increasing trend toward intellectual and technological isolation; extraordinary level of urbanization, up to 10 percent of population; level of technology.

Compare and contrast the empire under the Tang and the Song dynasties

Similarities: continued intellectual and political dominance of Confucian scholar-gentry; growth of bureaucracy essential to imperial administration. Differences: smaller in size; unable to control nomadic dynasties of the north; payment of tribute to nomadic states; military decline with subjection of aristocracy to scholar-gentry; failure of Wang Anshi's reforms led to military defeat.

What artisan was responsible for the development of movable type? a. Bi Sheng b. Li Bo c. Gaozu d. Zhu Xi e. An Lushan

a. Bi Sheng

Wang Anshi, a prime minister in the 1070s and 1080s attempted to reform Song government on the basis of what Confucian school of thought? a. Legalism b. Shiism c. Zhao d. Constructionism e. Daoism

a. Legalism

The first Song emperor restored the unity of China EXCEPT for what northern dynasty? a. Liao b. Jin c. Silla d. Jurchen e. Hangzhou

a. Liao

The dynasty that ended the period of political chaos after the fall of the Qin-Han was the a. Sui. b. Tang. c. Qing. d. Song. e. Chou.

a. Sui.

During the Song dynasty the interest of Confucian intellectuals in nature was most apparent in their production of a. landscape paintings. b. religious homilies. c. riddles. d. devotional objects. e. sculptures of ideal athletic figures.

a. landscape paintings.

Which kingdom was conquered by Wendi in 589? a. Tibet b. Chen c. Korea d. Manchuria e. Liao

b. Chen

Which of the following intellectual schools was responsible for the production of most literary and artistic works during the Tang-Song era? a. Chan Buddhist b. Confucian c. Daoist d. Pure Land Buddhist e. Legalist

b. Confucian

Which of the following descriptions of Pure Land Buddhism is NOT accurate? a. It offered a refuge from war and turmoil. b. It appealed to upper class Chinese. c. It appealed to the Chinese commoners. d. It was founded by Chinese monks. e. It was a salvationist variant of Buddhism.

b. It appealed to upper class Chinese.

Unlike his father, the second Sui emperor favored a. nomadic elements in northern China. b. the Confucian scholar-gentry class. c. the Buddhists. d. the great Chinese aristocratic families. e. the Chinese peasants.

b. the Confucian scholar-gentry class.

In what decade did open persecution of Buddhism within the Chinese empire begin? a. 910s b. 720s c. 840s d. 790s e. 850s

c. 840s

The outstanding poet of the Tang era was a. Zhao Kuangyin b. Bi Sheng. c. Li Bo. d. Zhu Xi. e. Gaozu.

c. Li Bo.

Who was the founder of the Tang dynasty? a. Li Bo b. Zhao Kuangyin c. Li Yuan d. Yangdi e. Niu Su

c. Li Yuan

What ministry of the central imperial government was responsible for the administration of the examination system? a. Education b. War c. Rites d. Justice e. Public Works

c. Rites

The man responsible for the creation of the Sui dynasty was a. Li Bo. b. Li Yuan. c. Wendi. d. Yang Guifei. e. Xuanzong.

c. Wendi.

Which emperor's reign marked the high point of the Tang power? a. Wei b. Yang Guifei c. Xuanzong d. Gaozu e. Wu

c. Xuanzong

Who was the founder of the Song dynasty? a. Xi-Xia b. Xuanzong c. Zhao Kuangyin d. Taizu e. Li Bo, Duke of Song

c. Zhao Kuangyin

Members of the elite class of China were more attracted to what variant of Buddhism? a. Legalist b. Pure Land c. Xuanzong d. Chan e. Daoist

d. Chan

What was the capital of the southern Song dynasty? a. Changan b. Beijing c. Loyan d. Hangzhou e. Huining

d. Hangzhou

Which of the following was NOT a technological innovation of the Tang-Song era? a. Gunpowder b. Complex bridges c. Abacus d. Paper e. Coal used for fuel

d. Paper

What led to the downfall of the Sui dynasty? a. Nomadic invasions b. The dissatisfaction of the Confucian scholar-gentry class c. Widespread Buddhist rebellion d. Unsuccessful military campaigns e. Famines, which led to a depletion of economic resources

d. Unsuccessful military campaigns

What Tang ruler actually attempted to have Buddhism recognized as a state religion? a. Yangdi b. Gaozu c. Wendi d. Empress Wei e. Empress Wu

e. Empress Wu

What group was responsible for the fall of the southern Song dynasty in 1279? a. Tanguts b. Jurchens c. Liao d. XiXia e. Mongols

e. Mongols

What made the reunification of China under the first Sui emperor possible? a. The support of the Buddhist monasteries b. The support of the Confucian scholar-gentry c. The threat of barbarian invasion d. The support of the ethnic Chinese aristocracy e. The support of the nomadic warrior elite

e. The support of the nomadic warrior elite

Who was the most prominent of the neo-Confucians during the Song era? a. Hangzhou b. Yang Guifei c. Li Bo d. Zhao e. Zhu Xi

e. Zhu Xi