WAP East Asia (1200–1450)Overview of the Post-Classical Period (1200–1450)

Post-Classical Period

A historical era characterized by the expansion of large empires.

Re-establishment Empires

Build on existing systems, updating them for the period (e.g., Tang and Song Dynasties in China).

New Empires

Introduce fundamentally different structures (e.g., Islamic Empires, covered in other lessons).

Continuities from Han Dynasty

Dynastic cycle and Mandate of Heaven.

Merit-based bureaucracy

Bureaucracy with exams based on Confucian principles and Chinese history.

Tribute States

States pay tribute (gold, goods, and symbolic submission) to avoid conquest or gain trade benefits.

Key Tribute States

Korea, Vietnam, and Japan (not a tribute state).

Korea

Paid tribute to avoid conquest and gain access to Chinese markets.

Vietnam

Similar to Korea, paid tribute for autonomy and trade benefits.

Japan

Traded with China but maintained independence.

Feudal Structure

Decentralized power shared between emperor and daimyo.

Daimyo

Controlled land, supported by samurai for military service.

Shogun

A powerful daimyo acting as a military leader in case of invasion or internal conflict.

Buddhism in China

Spread via Silk Roads through merchants and missionaries.

Empress Wu

Elevated Buddhist influence in government.

Political Developments

Pre-Tang Context: Warring States period led to political chaos with warlords, landed elites, and nobility holding power.

Tang Dynasty Strategy

Reduced noble influence by expanding bureaucracy.

Civil Service Exams

Opened opportunities for lesser nobles and merchants to take civil service exams, increasing social mobility.

Key Changes

Expanded bureaucracy and imperial power.

Introduction of foreign religions

Impacting politics (e.g., Buddhism).

Neo-Confucianism

Developed to counter Buddhist influence by blending Confucianism with Daoist elements (meditation, harmony).

Foot Binding

Practice among wealthy families to bind young girls' feet to a 'lotus' size (3 inches).

Symbolism of Foot Binding

Symbolized wealth (wives didn't need to work) and reinforced patriarchal control.

Golden Age of China

Tang/Song era marked by peace, prosperity, and trade.

Movable Type

Enabled faster, less labor-intensive printing of books.

Impact of Movable Type

Increased literacy among the wealthy, facilitated trade, and aided civil service exam preparation.

Porcelain

Refined into a luxury good (white clay for decorative items).

Demand for Porcelain

High demand globally, alongside silk.

Magnetic Compass

Improved navigation for Silk Roads and Indian Ocean trade.

Impact of Magnetic Compass

Reduced travel time, increased trade efficiency.

Junk Ships

Large (over 100 feet), watertight cargo ships carrying over 1,000 pounds.

Purpose of Junk Ships

Enabled long-distance trade with fewer trips.

Gunpowder

Initially developed for fireworks, later used in hand cannons (unpredictable until the 1700s).

Military Use of Gunpowder

Limited military use in this period but significant for future developments.

Champa Rice

Introduced via Vietnam tribute, high-yield crop that supported population growth.

Agricultural Innovations

Improved irrigation and steel/iron plows enhanced agricultural output.

Paper Money

Exchanged for copper coins, safer for trade but only valuable in specific markets.

Flying Money

Early credit system (like checks) for long-distance trade, reducing bandit risks.

Banking Growth

Growth of banking and diasporic merchant communities (e.g., Chinese merchants in the Middle East).

Continuities

Dynastic cycle, Mandate of Heaven, Confucian bureaucracy, and tribute system.

Changes in Society

Expanded bureaucracy, Neo-Confucianism, foot binding, and technological/economic advancements.

Technological Impact

Movable type, porcelain, magnetic compass, junk ships, and gunpowder drove trade and prosperity.

Population and Agriculture

Champa rice and irrigation improvements led to population growth, necessitating financial innovations.