unit 1 - pg. 69-75

Chinese Dynasties, Cultural Influence, and East Asian Relations (600-1600)

What modern urge is reflected in ancient Daoism in China?

A yearning to escape constraints, artificiality, and hierarchies.

What was the impact of civilizations extending their reach around 1200?

It occurred at the expense of poorer communities.

What types of societies were shrinking as civilizations evolved?

Farming villages, pastoral societies, and hunting and gathering societies.

Which regions did ancient Chinese civilization influence?

Korea, Vietnam, and Japan.

What was the extent of Islamic civilization around 1200?

It stretched from the Atlantic Ocean to North Africa, the Middle East, and Southeastern Asia.

What was the status of Byzantium during this period?

Byzantium was declining while Christianity flourished in Mesoamerica and the Andes.

What characterized the core of Chinese civilization before the Mongol takeover?

It was powerful, relatively stable, and a sophisticated and dynamic region.

What was regarded as the high point in Chinese history?

The Song Dynasty, which ruled around 1200.

What were some achievements of the Song Dynasty?

It was a golden age of art, literature, and Confucian philosophy, with a relatively stable rule.

How did education change during the Song Dynasty?

The ability to print books allowed for the education of some smart but poor individuals, enabling social mobility.

What was the population growth in China from the 9th to 1200?

It grew from 50 million to 120 million.

What agricultural innovation contributed to the Song Dynasty's economic revolution?

A new strain of drought-resistant rice from Vietnam.

What was the significance of Hangzhou during the Song Dynasty?

It was the capital and had a population of over 1 million people.

What fueled the industrial revolution in China during this period?

Coal and technological innovations.

What was the impact of gunpowder during the Song Dynasty?

Initially used for fireworks, it later became a significant weapon in military affairs.

How did the commercialization of society affect women in China?

It undermined their position in textiles and led to a loss of income as weaving was taken over by men in factories.

What was foot binding and its cultural significance?

A practice among elite women that became a source of pride and a rite of passage, reflecting new beauty standards.

What were the views of women in Confucian society?

Women were seen as weak and delicate, while men were viewed as strong and educated.

What rights did women gain despite the rise of Confucianism?

Expanded property rights, control over dowries, and the ability to inherit property.

How did Korea maintain its political independence while interacting with China?

Through a succession of dynasties and a tributary relationship.

What were the names of the Korean dynasties that interacted with China?

Silla, Koryo, and Joseon.

What was the nature of Korea's relationship with the Chinese imperial court?

Koreans sent emissaries and acknowledged the emperor's preeminence through rituals of submission.

What role did tributary relationships play in Korea and Japan's interactions with China?

They encouraged peaceful relations and facilitated official and personal trade.