Asian History Overview

What is Confucianism

Ancient Chinese belief system emphasizing moral order

Core beliefs of Confucianism

Humanism, Righteousness, Propriety, Wisdom, Faithfulness

Where did Confucianism originate?

Ancient China

When did Confucianism's originate

6-5th Century BCE

Who founded Confucianism

Confucius

Significance of Confucianism

Emphasized moral character and marked the beginning of the Confucian Scholar-Official System

What is the Imperial Examination System

Recruiting civil officials based on merit, allowing commoners the opportunity to gain wealth and status through education

When was the Imperial Examination System?

Began in the Sui Dynasty, developed in the Tang Dynasty, and matured in the Song Dynasty

Where did the the Imperial Exam System spread to in East Asia?

Korea and Japan adopted with but variations in its purpose and eligibility

Significance of Imperial Exam System

Created a meritocratic government based on education

When was the Indus Valley Civilization

2500-1500 BCE

Where was the Indus Valley Civilization

Present-day Pakistan

What was different about the Indus Valley Civilization

It was an advanced civilization with advanced cities, plumbing system, and peace

Significance of Indus Valley Civilization

One of the earliest urban civilizations with social and urban organization

What is the Varna System

Classified society into priests, warriors, merchants, labourers, outcastes

When did the Varna System start?

Originated in Vedic culture, influenced Indian society

Who introduced the Varna System?

The Vedic civilization in ancient India

Significance of Varna System

Structured Indian society, influenced occupations

What is Buddhism

Religion focusing on personal spiritual development and enlightenment

Who founded Buddhism

Siddhartha Guatama a.k.a Buddha

When was Buddhism founded?

6th century BCE

Where did Buddhism originate

India

Significance of Buddhism

Major religion influencing art, culture, and societal norms in Asia

When did Buddhism spread to other parts of Asia

Began to spread beyond India in 3rd century BCE and reached central Asia in 1st century CE

Who spread Buddhism to other parts of Asia?

Through missionaries, traders, and rulers

Where did Buddhism spread?

China, Southeast Asia, and Tibet.

Why is the spread of Buddhism to other parts of Asia significant?

It facilitated cultural exchange and influence art and architecture

Who introduced Islam to Southeast Asia?

Traders and missionaries first introduced Islam to Southeast Asia and later established by local rulers.

What is Islam and what was the conversion to Islam like in Southeast Asia?

A monotheistic religion that followed the teachings of Muhammed. The spread of Islam to SEA was peaceful due to the attraction to muslim teachings, techniques, and economic benefits

When was Islam introduced to Southeast Asia?

8th century BCE

Where is Islam present the most in Southeast Asia:

Coastal areas like Indonesia, Malaysia, and southern Philippines

Why is Islam in Southeast Asia important?

Islam shaped the political and cultural landscape of Southeast Asia, influencing architecture, language, and governance.

What are Sultanates

Muslim dynasties ruling over the Indian subcontinent

When were the Sultanates

13-16th century, ended with Delhi conquest

Where did the Sultanates rule?

India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan

Significance of Sultanates

Opened India to Islamic world and created an enriched culture

What was the spice Trade

Exchange of spices like cinnamon, pepper, and nutmeg between Europe and Asia

When was the Spice Trade

Dating back to 2000 BCE

Why was the spice trade important?

Spice became a commodity due to its preservative properties and the trade fostered exploration and cultural exchange

Who was involved in the Spice trade?

Europe and Asia, specifically India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Europe

What is the textile Trade?

Production, distribution, and exchange of fabrics and clothing

When was textile trade?

Ancient origins in India and China.

Who was involved in textile trade?

Europeans, Indians, China, etc

Where was textile trade?

Middle East, Southeast Asia, India, China and Europe

Significance of textile trade:

It was a driver of economic growth and cultural exchange

What is the Opium Trade

The trafficking of opium which is a highly addictive narcotic from British-controlled India to China

When was the Opium Trade?

Became significant in 18th-19th century when British East India Company began to monopolize on the trade and smuggling of Opium into China

Why is Opium trade significant?

Led to the widespread addiction of opium and played a role in the deterioration of Chinese sovereignty, opium wars, and beginning of unequal treaties

When did the British East India Company start?

Establishment of English East Indian Company in 1600

What is the British East India Company?

Started as a trade for spices and textiles but later became involved in territorial conquest and governance in India

Who started the British East India Company?

Established by Queen Elizabeth

Where was the British East India company?

Operated primarily in India but trade extended to Southeast Asia and China

Why is the British East India Company important?

The company played a crucial rule of British rule in India and introduced new goods to Europe and Asia

When was India occupied by Britain?

19th-20th Century

Who was involved in British India?

Britain and British East India Company

What was British India?

Territory comprising of India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh ruled by the British crown

Significance of British India:

British India marked a period of political and economic change in India and along with rebellion and economic instability of native Indians

When did Portuguese start to have colonies in Asia?

16th century

Who did Portuguese colonize?

Goa (India), Malacca (Malaysia), Macau (China), and parts in Indonesia

What did Portugal want from these colonies?

Trade, forts, and spice

Why was the Portuguese colonization significant?

It marked the beginning of European colonialism in Asia from European powers

When did Spain colonize the Philippines?

16th-19th century

Who was involved in colonization of Philippines?

Spanish explorers and conquistadors

Where did Spain colonize first in the Philippines?

First colonized the capital of Manila then governed all of Philippines

What was Spain’s impact on the Philippines?

Introduced Christianity, Spanish culture, and governance systems

Significance of Spain colony of the Philippines:

It marked the beginning of nearly 400 years of Spanish rule in the Philippines

When was the Dutch’s colonization of Indonesia

Began in 17th century until 20th century

Where did Dutch occupy in Indonesia

Present day Indonesia like Java, Sumatra, and Bali

What did Dutch control in Indonesia

The Dutch controlled the region’s politics, economy, and society

Significance of Dutch colonization of Indonesia

Led to the discovery of major sources such as spices, tea, and coffee. It also marked the beginning of the cultivation system.

When did the British colonize the Malay Peninsula?

18th - 20th century

Where was the colonialism in Malaysia

Penang, Malacca, and Singapore

Significance of British Colonialism in Malaysia:

Led to the modernization of the Malay Peninsula and immigration from China and India

Who were the most asian immigrants?

China, India, Japan, etc

What was the reasons for Asian immigration?

Economic opportunities and trade

Where did the immigrants go to?

Mostly Malaysia

When did most immigrate to Malaysia?

British colonial period

Significant of Asian Immigration:

Led to economic development, cultural diversity, and the development of Singapore

When did Western invasions start in China?

19th century

What were the western invasion’s impact on China?

Series of military conflicts and unequal treaties that made China trade and expand Western influence in the country

Who invaded China?

Britain, France, Germany, Japan, etc

Where did most invasions happen?

Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing, and Tianjin

Why is the Western Invasions in China Significant?

Led to the loss of territory, like Hong Kong, humiliation, and loss of Chinese sovereignty

When was the Boxer Rebellion?

19th century (Late Qing dynasty)

Who was the Boxer Rebellion?

Violent and anti-foreign and anti-Christian uprising in China

What was the Boxer Rebellion?

Experts in martial arts and launched attacks against foreign nationals

Where was the boxer rebllion

Northern China

Significance of Boxer Rebellion

Highlighted the downfall of Qing government and led to the military intervention by alliance of Western powers

When was the Sino-Japanese war?

19th century

Who was involved in the Sino-Japanese War?

Qing Dynasty of China and Empire of Japan

What was the Sino-Japanese War?

China’s defeat over control of Korea

Significance of Sino-Japanese War:

Led to Taiwan and Liadong Peninsula being ceded, marking a period of humiliation for China as it showed Japan as a major world power

When was the Taiping Rebellion?

19th century

Who led the Taiping Rebellion?

Hong Xiuquan

What was the Taiping Rebellion

A civil war in China between Taiping, a Christian state, that wanted to overthrow the Qing Dynasty

Where was the Taiping Rebellion?

Began in Guangxi and then Nanjing and Shanghai

Significance of Taiping Rebellion:

Weakened the Qing dynasty, contributing to its collapse and was one of the bloodiest conflicts in history