east asia (1.1)

Neo-Confucianism Dates

Developed 770-840 CE in China. Syncretic philosophy blending Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism.

Neo-Confucianism Beliefs

Emphasized ethics over gods or nature, focusing rational thought. Shaped post-1200 social and political norms in East Asia.

Neo-Confucianism Expansion

Popular in China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam by 1200 CE. Influenced governance and family structures.

Heian Period Dates

794-1185 CE in Japan. Marked by emulation of Chinese culture and feudal structure.

Heian Period Society

Feudal with no centralized government; daimyos and shoguns held power. Majority were rice farmers; regional rivalries persisted.

Heian Period Culture

Emulated Chinese politics, art, literature. Produced world’s first novel, The Tale of Genji, in 11th century.

Japan Shogun Rule

Minamoto installed shogun in 1192; shoguns centralized power by 17th century. Emperor had little authority.

Japan Feudalism

Daimyos more powerful than European nobles; bushido code stressed loyalty, honor. Contrasted with China’s centralized bureaucracy.

Song Dynasty Dates

960-1279 CE, ruling China after Tang. Smaller but prosperous, lost northern lands to Jin Empire.

Song Dynasty Bureaucracy

Expanded imperial bureaucracy from Qin origins, highly organized. Grew large, draining wealth by dynasty’s end.

Song Meritocracy

Civil service exams based on Confucian texts allowed upward mobility. Poor underrepresented but system outshone contemporaries.

Song Economic Growth

Grand Canal, Champa rice, irrigation boosted agriculture and trade. Population grew from 25% to 40% of world total.

Song Gunpowder

Innovated first guns from earlier gunpowder; spread via Silk Roads. Enhanced military power post-1200.

Song Proto-Industrialization

Rural overproduction of goods like porcelain, silk. Relied on home-based production, not factories.

Song Trade

Most commercialized society; exported porcelain, textiles, tea. Controlled South China Sea trade with naval advances.

Song Tributary System

Foreign states paid tribute, performed kowtow to emperor. Strengthened economic and political dominance.

Song Social Structure

Scholar gentry, farmers, artisans, merchants; merchants low status. Urbanization led to cosmopolitan cities like Hangzhou.

Song Foot Binding

Practice restricted women’s mobility, reflecting Confucian gender norms. Reinforced patriarchal family structure.

Song Woodblock Printing

Enabled mass production of texts, spreading Confucian and Buddhist ideas. Boosted literacy among elites.

Song Confucianism

Emphasized filial piety, subordinating family to male head, ruler. Supported stable governance and hierarchy.

Song Theravada Buddhism

Focused on meditation, self-discipline; strongest in Southeast Asia. Influenced regional spiritual practices.

Song Mahayana Buddhism

Emphasized spiritual growth, service; dominant in China, Korea. Promoted Buddhist integration in society.

Song Tibetan Buddhism

Focused on chanting; strongest in Tibet. Shaped regional religious identity.

Song Chan/Zen Buddhism

Syncretic with Daoism, emphasized meditation, direct experience. Popular among ordinary Chinese.

Song Religious Diversity

Buddhism, Confucianism, Daoism coexisted; Neo-Confucianism dominant. Buddhist monasteries faced Tang restrictions.

Song Cultural Influence

Confucianism and Buddhism spread, shaping East Asian culture. Most enduring legacy of Song achievements.

Korea Tributary Role

Close contact with China via land border, paid tribute. Adopted Chinese political and cultural models.

Korea Culture

Emulated Confucian, Buddhist beliefs; adopted Chinese writing. Developed own writing system in 15th century.

Korea Aristocracy

More powerful than China’s, limited peasant access to exams. Prevented full meritocracy adoption.

Vietnam Chinese Influence

Adopted Chinese writing, architecture, merit-based bureaucracy. Faced resistance due to cultural differences.

Vietnam Social Structure

Nuclear families, independent villages; women had more autonomy. Rejected foot binding, polygyny.

Vietnam Military

Rebelled against Tang in 8th century using guerrilla warfare. Maintained cultural purity despite sinification.