APWH Unit 5

How did mountains and rivers affect unity in East Asia?

They caused isolation, leading to diverse cultures and less political unity.

Why did most Chinese people live near rivers?

Rivers provided water for farming, transport, and trade.

What was the significance of the Grand Canal?

It connected north and south China, improving trade and food distribution.

How did proximity to other empires influence East Asia?

It allowed cultural exchange through trade but also caused conflicts.

Why did cities and empires develop near rivers?

Access to water helped farming, transport, and defense.

What was the political structure of the Sui Dynasty?

Centralized government with emperor control.

How did the Grand Canal help the Sui Dynasty?

It linked regions for better economic integration.

Why did the Sui Dynasty collapse quickly?

Heavy taxes, forced labor, and military failures caused rebellion.

What was a key achievement of the Sui Dynasty?

Reunifying China after a long period of division.

What type of government did the Tang Dynasty have?

Bureaucracy with civil service exams.

How was Buddhism treated early in the Tang Dynasty?

It was widely accepted and popular.

Why did the Tang government oppose Buddhism later?

Buddhist monasteries were wealthy and exempt from taxes.

Who was Empress Wu?

The first and only female emperor who supported Buddhism.

What agricultural innovation helped the Song Dynasty?

Champa rice, which allowed two harvests per year.

How did Champa rice affect China?

It increased food supply and supported population growth.

Name some Song Dynasty technological achievements.

Gunpowder, printing, paper money, and improved ships.

What is Neo-Confucianism?

A mix of Confucian ethics with Buddhist ideas about spirituality.

How did Neo-Confucianism impact politics?

It promoted social order and loyalty to rulers.

What does foot binding symbolize?

The control of women in a patriarchal society.

Which Chinese ideas did Korea adopt?

Buddhism, Confucianism, and the writing system.

How did Korea keep its own culture?

By maintaining its kings and traditions.

Which Chinese ideas did Vietnam adopt?

Civil service exams and Confucianism.

How did Vietnam resist Chinese control?

Keeping their language, village rule, and revolts.

Who were the Trung Sisters?

Leaders of a Vietnamese rebellion against Chinese rule.

How did Japan’s geography influence its culture?

Being an island let Japan choose which Chinese ideas to adopt.

What Chinese ideas did Japan borrow?

Buddhism, Confucianism, writing, and government structure.

What were the Taika Reforms?

Changes to centralize power like Tang China.

Who held real power during the Tokugawa Shogunate?

The Shogun, while the emperor was mainly symbolic.

How is Japanese feudalism similar to Europe’s?

Both had warriors serving lords (samurai/knights) in exchange for land or protection.

How did Japanese feudalism differ from Europe’s?

Japan had more centralized control by the shogun.

Why was the Grand Canal important economically?

It facilitated trade and connected agricultural and population centers.

What caused the fall of the Tang Dynasty?

Internal rebellion economic troubles

How did the Song Dynasty maintain political stability?

Through Neo-Confucianism and civil service exams.

How did Champa rice spread to China?

Through trade and tribute from Vietnam.

What role did Confucianism play in Song society?

It reinforced social hierarchy, filial piety, and respect for authority.

What was the social impact of foot binding?

It limited women's mobility and symbolized male dominance.

How did Vietnam’s geography influence its resistance to China?

Mountains and jungles made control difficult and helped local rebellions.

How did the Tokugawa Shogunate control Japan?

By limiting the power of daimyo and enforcing strict social order.

What was the political structure of the Sui Dynasty?

Centralized government under the emperor; used forced labor and heavy taxes; short-lived due to rebellion.

How was the Tang Dynasty’s government organized?

Strong bureaucracy with civil service exams; emperors had real power; influenced by Confucianism and Buddhism.

What was unique about Empress Wu’s rule in the Tang Dynasty?

She was the only female emperor and promoted Buddhism to strengthen her rule.

How did the Song Dynasty maintain political stability?

Developed Neo-Confucianism to reinforce social order and loyalty; expanded civil service exams; focused on bureaucracy over military power.

How did the Sui Dynasty’s government contribute to its fall?

Heavy taxes and forced labor led to widespread rebellion.

What role did civil service exams play in Tang and Song governments?

They selected government officials based on merit, not birth, strengthening the bureaucracy.

How did Neo-Confucianism affect Song politics?

It blended Confucian ethics with Buddhist ideas to promote loyalty and social harmony.

What was a key political difference between Tang and Song dynasties?

Tang emphasized military expansion and Buddhism; Song focused more on civil administration and Neo-Confucianism.

What were the major economic achievements of the Song Dynasty compared to the Sui and Tang?

The Song developed advanced agriculture (like Champa rice), improved trade with paper money, and had booming urban markets.

How did the Sui Dynasty’s Grand Canal impact China?

It unified north and south economically, boosting trade and troop movement, laying groundwork for Tang and Song prosperity.

How did religion differ between Tang and Song Dynasties?

Tang embraced Buddhism widely, with some opposition; Song promoted Neo-Confucianism blending Confucianism and Buddhism.

What caused the Sui Dynasty to be short-lived while Tang and Song lasted longer?

Sui’s harsh policies caused revolt; Tang and Song had stronger bureaucracies and cultural unity to stabilize rule.

How did military focus differ between Tang and Song?

Tang had a strong military and expanded borders; Song focused more on internal administration and economic growth.

How did the Song Dynasty’s government affect its military strength?

Song focused less on military power, relying more on diplomacy and bureaucracy.

Why was centralized power important for these dynasties?

It helped unify diverse regions, maintain order, and support economic and cultural growth.