AP Modern World History

1.

What characterized China's political history between 1200 and 1450?

China alternated between periods of unity and disunity.

How did China influence neighboring countries?

Vietnam, Korea, and Japan were shaped by China but also developed their own traditions.

When did China first become a unified state?

During the third century BCE.

Which dynasty expanded Chinese borders and created a cosmopolitan culture?

The Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE).

What happened to Tang China in the tenth century?

It broke into separate competing states.

What was the time frame of the Song Dynasty?

960-1279 CE.

How did the Song Dynasty's territories compare to the Tang's?

Song territories were not as extensive and shrank further during the twelfth century.

What educational innovation allowed young men to gain influence in Song China?

Civil service examinations.

What philosophical system did some scholars in Song China promote?

Confucianism.

Who was Zhu Xi and what was his contribution?

A scholar who compiled Confucian writings into the official version for examinations.

What was the proper realm for women in Song China?

The household.

What dynasty did the Mongols establish after conquering southern China?

The Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368 CE).

What led to disorder in the fourteenth century in China?

Drought, disease, rebellions, and ineffective leadership.

Who founded the Ming Dynasty and when?

Taizu, in 1368.

What was the significance of economic expansion for the emperors of the Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasties?

Rulers depended on taxes and required labor for their power.

What agricultural innovation expanded food supply in China?

Wet-field rice culture.

How did the Chinese population change from the eighth to the twelfth century?

It grew from about 50 million to about 100 million.

What were some cash crops grown in China during this period?

Sugar, tea, mulberry leaves, and cotton.

What was the world's first government-issued paper money?

Introduced by the Song government in the 1120s.

What technological advancements aided text production in China?

Block and movable printing technology.

What was a significant military innovation developed in China?

Gunpowder, used for bombs, land mines, and cannons.

How did economic expansion affect urban growth in China?

It fueled the growth of cities.

What role did women play in household enterprises during the Song Dynasty?

They raised silkworms, spun silk thread, and wove textiles.

What was the impact of Confucian writings on social hierarchies?

They emphasized relationships such as ruler/subject and husband/wife.

What was the fate of the Song Dynasty?

It ended with the Mongol conquest in the 1270s.

What was the primary focus of scholar-officials in Song China?

To appreciate and produce literature, music, and art.

What was the significance of the civil service examinations in Song China?

They provided a path to government positions for able men.

What was the relationship between the Mongols and the Chinese during the Yuan Dynasty?

There was a maintained separation between Mongols and Chinese.

What was the most urbanized part of the world by 1200?

Eastern China, with at least six cities having over 100,000 residents.

What city became the largest in China during the Tang dynasty?

Hangzhou.

What major religions and philosophies were present in Hangzhou during the Tang dynasty?

Nestorian Christianity, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Islam, Buddhism, and Confucianism.

What happened to Hangzhou after 1132?

It became the capital of the Song state.

What was the estimated population of Hangzhou a century after it became the capital?

Approximately one million.

What role did Hangzhou play in Chinese society?

It was a center of trade, production, culture, entertainment, and education.

What dynasty moved the capital of China to Dadu (now Beijing)?

The Mongol Yuan dynasty.

Which countries were influenced by Chinese culture?

Vietnam, Korea, and Japan.

What political system did the Koryŏ dynasty in Korea model after?

The Chinese government and capital city.

What happened to Korea during the Mongol conquest?

Korea was conquered by the Mongols in the 1250s, but the Koryŏ remained in charge under Mongol orders.

What indigenous dynasty took power in Korea after the fall of Mongol rule?

The Chosŏn dynasty.

How did Japan avoid conquest by the Mongols?

Japan successfully repelled Mongol invasions in 1274 and 1281.

What family dominated Japan during the Heian period?

The Fujiwara family.

What new script was developed in Japan during the Heian period?

A phonetic script for writing Japanese.

What two strains of Buddhism were introduced to Japan by monks traveling from China?

Chan (Zen) and Pure Land Buddhism.

What characterized Pure Land Buddhism?

It venerated the Buddha Amitabha and offered the possibility of reaching paradise through simple devotional practices.

What led to the end of Fujiwara dominance in Japan?

Civil war in the late twelfth century.

What title did the military leaders in Japan hold?

Shogun.

What was the role of shoguns in Japan?

They advised emperors, appointed officials, directed the military, and became the center of courtly life.

What was the social structure in Korea under the Koryŏ dynasty?

A powerful aristocracy controlled a poor peasantry.

What was the impact of Mongol rule on Korea's population?

Forced migration of hundreds of thousands of people to other places under Mongol rule.

What was the cultural influence of China on Vietnam during the Tang dynasty?

Confucian political ideas, Buddhist teachings, and Chinese writing were adapted for local use.

How did Chinese influence persist in Vietnam after the eleventh century?

Despite the expulsion of most Chinese people, Chinese cultural influence remained.

What was the significance of the Heiji Insurrection of 1159?

It was a notable event in the history of samurai battles in Japan.

What did visitors report about Hangzhou?

They noted its many markets, bathhouses, silk shops, and painted ships.

What was the relationship between the Mongol Yuan dynasty and the Koryŏ dynasty?

The Koryŏ remained in charge but had to obey Mongol orders.

What was the cultural significance of the Tang dynasty for East Asia?

It was a period of strong cultural influence on neighboring countries, especially Vietnam and Korea.