Global Tapestry and Developments in East Asia

Flashcards covering key concepts from the Global Tapestry unit, focusing on the Song Dynasty, East Asia, and influences from China on Japan, Korea, and Vietnam.

What was the wealthiest and most innovative empire between 1200 and 1450?

The Song Dynasty in China.

What earlier empire influenced the rise of the Aztec empire in Mesoamerica?

The Mayan Empire.

What facilitated trade across Eurasia under Mongol rule?

The unity of territory under one group.

What was the significance of the Song Dynasty (960-1279)?

It was the leading example of diversity and innovation in Afro-Eurasia and the Americas during the 13th century.

What is a bureaucracy?

A vast organization in which appointed officials carry out the empire's policies.

What is a meritocracy?

A system in which officials obtain their positions by demonstrating their merit on exams.

What were some of the accomplishments of the Tang Dynasty that led to prosperity during the Song Dynasty?

Promoted agricultural development, improved roads and canals, encouraged foreign trade, and spread technology.

What was the Grand Canal's impact?

It was an inexpensive and efficient internal waterway transportation system that enabled China to become the most populous trading area in the world.

What innovation occurred in the Song Dynasty regarding gunpowder?

Innovators made the first guns.

What was Champa rice, and why was it important?

A fast-ripening and drought-resistant strain of rice from the Champa Kingdom that greatly expanded agricultural production in China.

What manufacturing capability did China have developed in the 4th century B.C.E.?

Discovery of "black earth" - coal which enabled China to produce greater amounts of cast iron goods.

What is proto-industrialization?

A set of economic changes in which people in rural areas made more goods than they could sell, relying on home-based or community-based production using simple equipment.

What key advances in trade and navigation occurred in China?

Use of the compass in maritime navigation and redesigned ships to carry more cargo. China's ability to print paper navigation charts made seafaring possible in open waters.

What changes did the Song Dynasty make to public projects and what was the impact?

Instead of requiring labor, the government paid people to work on projects, increasing the amount of money in circulation and promoting economic growth.

What is the tributary system?

An arrangement in which other states had to pay money or provide goods to honor the Chinese emperor.

What ritual did the emperor expect from tributary states?

A kowtow, in which anyone greeting the Chinese emperor must bow his or her head until it reached the floor.

What new social class emerged in China due to the bureaucratic expansion?

The scholar gentry, who were educated in Confucian philosophy and became the most influential social class.

What was the role of women in China during the Tang and Song dynasties?

Confucian traditions included both respect for women and the expectation that they would defer to men. This patriarchal pattern strengthened, and foot binding became common among aristocratic families.

What intellectual pursuits thrived during the Tang and Song eras?

Technology, literature, and visual arts.

What invention did China develop as early as the 2nd century C.E. that helped distribute literature?

Paper.

What are the three forms of Buddhism that came to shape Asia?

Theravada, Mahayana, and Tibetan Buddhism.

What is Chan Buddhism (Zen Buddhism)?

A syncretic faith combining Buddhist doctrines with elements of Daoist traditions, emphasizing direct experience and meditation.

What is Neo-Confucianism?

A syncretic system combining rational thought with the more abstract ideas of Daoism and Buddhism, emphasizing ethics.

What is sinification?

The assimilation of Chinese traditions and practices.

What aspects of Chinese culture influenced Japan?

Buddhism, Confucianism, politics, art, and literature.

What distinguished Japanese feudalism from that of Europe?

The daimyo enjoyed much more power than the nobility in Europe and the code known as bushido stressed frugality, loyalty, the martial arts, and honor unto death.

What is a shogun?

A military ruler in Japan.

How did Korea emulate China?

Centralized its government, adopted Confucian and Buddhist beliefs, and adopted the Chinese writing system.

What is one important difference between Korea and China?

The landed aristocracy were more powerful in Korea than in China.

In what ways did Vietnam differ from China leading to resistance?

Vietnamese women enjoyed greater independence, preferred nuclear families, and villages operated independently. Scholar-officials often led revolts, and they rejected foot binding and polygyny.