AP World Unit 1

How was Confucianism revived?

It was carried over from Tang Dynasty and Han Dynasty, it was China’s official state philosophy

Confucianism

• Human society is hierarchical by nature and is composed with unequal relationships

• “Greater” entities should be benevolent; “lesser” entities should obey

Filial Piety

• The practice of honoring ones ancestors/parents, emphasized by rulers as a prerequisite for honoring the emperor

What did the revival of confucianism demonstrate?

Historical continuity between ancient China and the Song period

Impact of the revival of confucianism on women

• They were subordinates in the Confucian social hierarchy and restricted legal rights (property to husband, no remarriage for widows or divorced)

Foot-binding

• Women’s foot were broken and bound up to become smaller and made women unable to walk; symbol of beauty and nobility

• Neither Vietnam, Japan, or Korea adopted

Neo-Confucianism

New version made to suit contemporary practices, was influenced by Buddhist and Taoist ideas

Imperial Bureaucracy

Governmental body that carried out the emperors will; grew significantly during the Song Dynasty and helped them maintain their rule

Civil Service Examination

• An examination based on Confucianism that elected government officials based on merit which increased competency of government

How did Song China influence Korea?

• Korea maintained close relationships based on China though politically independent (feared invasion)

• Adopted:

  • Similar civil service exam

  • Confucian principles which organized their family structures and further marginalized women

• Chinese influence mainly applied to Korea elite

How did Song China influence Japan?

• Voluntarily adopted culture from Song Dynasty

• Restructured its power structure based on China’s

• Selectively adopted what they thought was useful

  • Buddhism (among elites)

  • Chinese writing

• Less centralized (under one ruler) than China

How did Song China influence Vietnam?

• Shared south border, similar relationship to China like Korea

• Elites adopted

  • Confucianism

  • Buddhism

  • Chinese literature

  • Civil service examination

• Marginalized women less than Japan, China, and Korea

What is a trend seen in the adoption of Song China’s culture by Vietnam, Korea, and Japan?

Many of the Chinese influences mainly applied/were adopted by elites in their respective societies

What were the (four) effects of innovation on the Chinese community?

• Widespread commercialization

• Iron and steel industry explosion

• Innovations in agriculture

• Transportation

How did innovation affect the widespread commercialization of the Chinese economy?

They produced a surplus of goods for the world market which increased the use of paper money, credit, and promissory notes (loans)

What was Iron and Steel used for in China?

Armor, coins, and agricultural tools

What were innovations in agriculture in China and why was it beneficial and what was its impact?

Champa Rice from Vietnam: drought-resistant and could be harvested twice a year, which doubled the output

This led to a population explosion (more food = more people)

What were transportation innovations in China?

• The expansion of the Great Canal

• The Magnetic Compass

What was the effect of the expansion of the Great Canal?

It linked the Yellow and Yangtze rivers, making trade cheaper

What was the effect of the expansion of the Magnetic Compass?

Improved sea navigation, facilitating sea-based trade

What were the effects of new ship-building techniques for Junks?

• Fostered navigation and trade

  • Water-tight bulkheads and stern-mounted rudders improved accuracy

  • Increased trade and economic prosperity

Dar-al-Islam

Everywhere Islam was the majority religion around 1200, facilitating interactions

What was Judaism?

Ethnic religion of Jews originating in the Middle East

What was the impact of Judaism?

It was monotheistic which influenced the monotheistic nature of other religions

What were the experiences of the early christians and why did these experiences change?

Early Christians were persecuted and a minority until the Roman Empire adopted Christianity

• this was the most significant influence of Christianity upon society (it spread into Europe and Africa)

Islam