China

What did Daoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism have in common?

All three emphasized finding and promoting peace

How were the Mongol (Yuan) and Ming dynasties similar and different?

Both were ruled by fierce, tyrannical leaders. Both welcomed foreigners and traded with foreigners. In later years of the Ming dynasty, China turned inward and began to see foreigners as a threat to Chinese culture.

What made the Tang and Song dynasties prosperous?

China prospered under the Tang and Song for a variety of reasons. Bureaucracy and the merit system stabilized China's government. That paved the way for China to thrive economically. Under Tang rulers, China grew much larger. The location of its capital was at one end of the Silk Road. That helped the city become an economic and cultural center. The construction of the Grand Canal led to increased trade. Urbanization, advances in farming, and expanding industries all contributed to prosperity. The development of a money-based economy also fueled growth and increased trade.

What belief system taught respect for family and social order?

Confucianism

What led to the end of Mongol rule?

Following Kublai Khan's death, disease, flood, and famine spread through China. These hardships led to rebellion

Why did the Song rulers withdraw to the south?

Foreigners took control of northern China.

How did Emperor Taizong bring stability to the government?

He revived and extended China's official bureaucracy.

What were some positive outcomes of Hongwu's leadership before becoming a despot?

He revived the civil service system. He tried to rule in the interest of the people.

What advantages helped Genghis Khan as he led early Mongol conquests?

He was a strong military leader who had an army of expert fighters.

Why did the Tang dynasty fall?

High taxes, rebellions, and revolts weakened the empire. A military leader overthrew the last Tang emperor.

What happened after Genghis Khan's death?

His successors expanded the empire and conquered all of China as well as other areas in Europe and Asia.

How did the civil service system differ between the Tang and Song dynasties?

In the Tang dynasty, only the wealthy could afford to take the time to study for the exam. During the Song dynasty, the tests became part of a merit system.

Why was the invention of the compass important to sailors?

It allowed them to sail in open seas and travel to distant lands

What happened to the population of China after 750?

It doubled.

What new rules were scholar-officials required to follow during the Ming dynasty?

Officials could not serve in their home district and had to change jobs every three years.

How did the civil service system strengthen the government during the Song dynasty?

Only highly qualified people could become scholar-officials. The system was no longer run by wealthy families. Instead, it was run by people who could perform their jobs well.

How did Empress Wu believe a ruler should rule?

She believed that a ruler should rule the people the same way a mother cares for her children.

Who founded the Tang dynasty?

Tang Gaozu

What elements of Chinese culture spread throughout the world

Technological advancements, inventions, belief systems, arts, and architecture all spread to different parts of the world

What impact did the Mongols have on trade during the Yuan dynasty?

The Silk Road reopened and trade with foreigners increased.

What were the Yuan and Ming dynasties like?

The Yuan Dynasty welcomed foreigners and had them in a high place in the ranks but the Ming Dynasty had strict rules and didn't welcome foreigners.

What impact did Chinese technology have on the trade and the world?

The advancements in shipbuilding, such as watertight compartments and the invention of the compass, helped sailors and traders travel to distant lands. The invention of paper eventually traveled west to Muslim lands and Europe where technologies were adapted. The invention of gunpowder led to the creation of advanced warfare. Inventions in farming, such as advanced irrigation systems, helped industries to grow. This resulted in an increase in trade

What trade advantage did the Grand Canal provide that Silk Road did not?

The canal allowed trade between northern and southern China. It also gave access to the sea.

What made the south well suited for growing rice?

The climate was warm with adequate rain.

What innovations shaped Chinese civilization and influenced other world cultures?

The development of gunpowder, the compass, and block printing shaped Chinese civilization and influenced other cultures around the world. Some other important Chinese innovations included porcelain, iron smelting, silk, and the mechanical clock.

What happened as a result of improvements in paper and printing?

The inventions made writing and publishing cheaper and easier. In turn, more people learned to read

What was considered the greatest change under the Mongols in the Yuan dynasty?

They changed the social order.

How did the new Song rulers protect the empire?

They created a huge army.

How did the Chinese increase rice production?

They developed a sophisticated irrigation system.

Within the merit system, what had to happen in order for people to move higher in the bureaucracy?

They had to pass 9 very hard exams and also perform well in their job.

How did advances in printing affect education

They lowered the cost of books which led to more schools being formed and more people learned to read and write.

Why did some countries pay tribute to China?

They wanted to prevent attacks and win favor for Chinese trade.

What do the figurines and sculpture have in common? What might that say about Tang and Song society?

They're all women, so women must have been important in Tang and Song society.

How did Asian cultures influence each other?

Through access to the Silk Road, the Tang capital became a cultural center. Goods from other cultures were carried in and out of the city. They welcomed foreigners and were influenced by their cultures. Tang rulers modeled their government on the Han dynasty. The Song expanded and changed that system. The "Elements of a Culture" video showed that Japan's culture was influenced by China. Buddhism and calligraphy are two examples of this.

As China turned inward after Yongle's death, what happened to trade?

Trade decreased. Trade with foreigners became less frequent and they had strict rules.

What neighboring nations adapted Confucian ideas as well as the Chinese writing system

Vietnam, Japan, and Korea

Why did Buddhism never become China's official religion?

because some critics thought of it as a foreign religion

What were the "three perfections" of Chinese culture

painting, poetry, and calligraphy

What group gained more power in Song government?

scholar-officials

Why did the Mongols change China's social structure?

to acquire the highest social status and distance themselves from the Chinese

What Chinese inventions were used in building projects?

water pumps and wheelbarrows