East Asia Review

Flashcards about East Asia and its early dynasties.

Early East Asian Agriculture

East Asia agriculture developed independently. Rice was cultivated by 6500 BC in the Yangzi region, and millet by 5500 BC in the Yellow River region.

River Basins in China

The Yellow and Yangzi River Basins had a dispersed population that prevented centralization, unlike Egypt.

Shang Dynasty

Most dominant among competing Yellow River societies starting in 1600 BC.

Bronze

Key to the Shang Dynasty's success; used to block rivals and gain military advantage.

Environmental Factors Affecting Shang Dynasty

Warming cycle in 1200 BC caused sandstorms on Chinese farmlands reducing fertility causing social, political instability.

Zhou Dynasty

Dynasty that defeated the Shang armies in 1045 BC and adopted Shang social and political customs.

Mandate of Heaven

The principle that rulers must uphold heaven’s principles of harmony, honor, and prosperity to maintain ruling legitimacy.

Zhongguo (‘middle kingdom’)

The Zhou state's attempt to manufacture Chinese ethnicity (Huaxia Shang) and political/cultural unity.

Spring and Autumn & Warring States Periods

Periods of war during the Zhou Dynasty (722-481 BC and 403-221 BC) characterized by unprecedented violence and growth.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher (551-479 BC) who sought to fix a ‘broken’ society through political and social stability.

Qin

One of the states that defeated other warring states from 230-221 BC and took the Mandate of Heaven from Zhou.

Burning of the Books and Burying of the Scholars

Qin policy that standardized weights, measures, currency, and writing, while banning other writing systems and targeting Confucians.

Han Dynasty

Dynasty led initially by forced laborers that wins the civil war after the people of Qin mutiny due to the harsh environment of the empire.

Han Dynasty Governance

Ruling style of the Han Dynasty characterized by heavy taxes, conscript military and labor, and Confucian government schools.