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Confucianism

Core ideas: filial piety (respect for parents/ancestors), social harmony through hierarchy, order in relationships (ruler-subject, father-son, husband-wife, elder-younger, friend-friend). Impact on government: Shaped the civil service exam, which tested knowledge of Confucian classics. Officials were chosen (in theory) by merit, not just birth. This stabilized government across dynasties. Impact on society: Reinforced patriarchy (women subordinate to men), loyalty to family, and the importance of education for social mobility (at least for men).

Song China

Political: Highly centralized bureaucracy, based on civil service exams. Sometimes costly, but created stability. Economic: The 'Commercial Revolution.' Expansion of trade, paper money, credit, canals (Grand Canal expanded), Champa rice increased food supply → population boom. Social: Social hierarchy: scholar-officials at the top, peasants, artisans, then merchants (viewed with suspicion since they didn't 'produce'). Women's status declined (ex: foot binding). Cultural: Neo-Confucianism rose, blending Confucian thought with Buddhist/Daoist elements. Military/Tech: Gunpowder weapons, advanced iron/steel production, woodblock printing, and the compass → set foundations for future global influence.

Civil Service Exam

Reinforced the idea of a merit-based bureaucracy, though in reality wealthy families had an advantage (education was costly). Helped unify Chinese identity under Confucian values.

Foot Binding

Began with elite women during the Song; eventually spread to lower classes. Made women physically dependent and symbolized control of female mobility. Example of how gender roles became more restrictive in some advanced societies.

Chinese Innovations

Printing → spread of literature, education, bureaucracy. Gunpowder → first used in fireworks, then in weapons. Compass → revolutionized navigation, boosted maritime trade. Steel/Iron → supported construction and military tech. Paper → improved record-keeping and communication.

Impacts on Neighbors

Korea: Adopted Confucianism, Buddhism, Chinese writing system; still kept strong aristocratic rule and independence. Japan: Borrowed Buddhism, writing, and Confucian elements, but kept Shinto as its native religion and a feudal warrior system (samurai). Vietnam: Adopted Chinese-style bureaucracy, Confucian exams; resisted domination; women had relatively higher status (more matrilineal traditions).

Abbasid Caliphate

Political: Abbasid dynasty ruled from Baghdad; caliph as both religious and political leader. Cultural: Golden Age of Islam — flourishing in art, literature, science, philosophy.

Economic

Baghdad was a major trade hub on Silk Roads, Indian Ocean routes, and Trans-Saharan networks. Connected Afro-Eurasia.

Decline

Political fragmentation (local dynasties), invasions (Seljuk Turks, Crusaders, Mongols), and the sack of Baghdad in 1258 ended Abbasid dominance.

House of Wisdom

Established in Baghdad, a major learning center.

Scholars

Translated Greek, Indian, and Persian works into Arabic.

Preserved classical knowledge

Expanded it: mathematics, astronomy, medicine, philosophy.

Symbol of cultural diffusion

Islamic scholars built on knowledge from many regions.

Math

Development of algebra (al-Khwarizmi).

Medicine

Ibn Sina (Canon of Medicine) → medical reference in Europe for centuries.

Astronomy

Refined astrolabe; advanced star charts for navigation.

Technology

Paper-making spread from China through the Islamic world to Europe.

Philosophy

Ibn Rushd (Averroes) and others debated religion and reason.

Political Patterns in South Asia

Mostly regional kingdoms after fall of Gupta Empire. No single empire controlled entire subcontinent during this period.

Political Patterns in Southeast Asia

Dominated by maritime and land-based kingdoms controlling trade routes.

Chola Empire

Wealth from Indian Ocean trade, controlled southern coastlines.

Vijayanagara Empire

Hindu kingdom resisting Islamic expansion; blended cultures.

Srivijaya Empire

Controlled the Strait of Malacca, wealth from maritime trade; Buddhist.

Khmer Empire

Agricultural prosperity through advanced irrigation; Hindu-Buddhist cultural blending; Angkor Wat as a symbol.

Rise of Empires

Based on strategic trade routes (Indian Ocean, Strait of Malacca).

Maintenance of Power

Bureaucracies, alliances, religious patronage, and military strength.

Cultural projects

Like temples and monuments displayed power (ex: Angkor Wat).

Decline of Empires

Invasions (Muslim states pressing into India, Mongols further north), decentralization, loss of control over trade routes.

The Constant

Even as empires rose and fell, Hinduism and Buddhism remained central to cultural and social life in South and SE Asia.

Islam's Growth

Grew through trade and Sufi missionaries, but Hindu/Buddhist traditions gave continuity.

Big Picture Connections

East Asia: Stability + innovation = powerhouse that influenced neighbors.

Dar al-Islam

Intellectual + cultural hub connecting Afro-Eurasia.

South/SE Asia

Politically fragmented but culturally continuous, trade-based powerhouses.