Developments in East Asia (c. 1200 - c. 1450)

Flashcards reviewing governance, cultural developments, economic innovations, and regional comparisons across East Asia from c.1200 to c.1450 based on lecture notes.

Which Chinese dynasty was the first official dynasty of China?

Shang Dynasty

What key concepts were associated with governance and religion during the Zhou Dynasty?

Mandate of Heaven, oracle bones, and ancestor worship

What political philosophy was utilized by the Qin Dynasty?

Legalism (excessive rule of law)

Who was the founder of the Song Dynasty?

Emperor Song Taizu

What were the major accomplishments of the Song Dynasty regarding governance and education?

China's bureaucracy expanded with more government positions, educational opportunities were expanded, and the civil service exam was extended to lower status men.

What two key problems did the Song Dynasty experience as a result of its governance system?

Having so many people in government dried up China's surplus money to pay them, and politicians (bureaucrats) ran the military without prior experience.

What were the populations of Chang'an and Hangzhou during the Song Dynasty?

Chang'an had 2 million people and Hangzhou had 1 million people.

How did the Song Dynasty alter China's tax policy to promote economic growth?

It reduced the requirement for people to perform labor for the government and instead paid people to work on public work projects.

What is smelting?

The process of separating metal from ore.

What was 'flying cash' as used in the Song Dynasty?

A system that allowed a merchant to deposit paper money under his name in one location and withdraw the same amount at another location.

What is proto-industrialization?

A phase that precedes and enables full industrialization later.

What does the Chinese word for 'landscape' literally mean?

"Mountain-water"

What was the social hierarchy of China from highest to lowest class?

1. Aristocracy (landowners who inherited wealth), 2. Scholar Gentry (passed civil service test and worked for government), 3. Farmers, artisans, craftsmen, 4. Merchants.

Why were merchants considered the lowest social class in traditional Chinese society?

Because they did not produce anything new and profited off the work of others.

According to the CFPS 2014 study cited, what percentage of China's population practiced Buddhism?

15.87%

Who was the founder of Daoism and what book expressed his beliefs?

Laozi was the thinker, and his beliefs were expressed in the book Tao de Ching.

What are the 5 Relationships emphasized in Confucianism?

1. Ruler and subject, 2. Father and son, 3. Husband and wife, 4. Older brother and younger brother, 5. Friend and friend

What is filial piety?

Respect for elders

What is Neo-Confucianism?

A blending of Buddhism and Confucianism beliefs into a social and ethical philosophy rather than a religious belief.

What is Zen Buddhism?

A combination of Buddhism and Taoism beliefs.

Which nomadic force conquered the Song Dynasty and established its own dynasty in China?

The Mongol Empire, which established the Yuan Dynasty.

What was the Bushido Code followed by Japanese samurai?

A code that stressed loyalty, martial arts, and honor unto death.

How did Korea's civil service exam differ from China's civil service exam?

In Korea, poor people could not take the civil service exam.

What is sinification?

Assimilation to Chinese traditions and practices.

How did Vietnamese family structure and women's rights differ from Chinese traditions?

In Vietnam, married women had more rights and lived in nuclear families, whereas in China, married women had fewer rights and lived with extended family.