Review on East Asian Developments 1200 AD
Origins and Prosperity
The Song Dynasty emerged from the Tang Dynasty.
The Tang Dynasty experienced a golden age, but the Song took China to new heights.
The Song united many regions of China in 960 and ruled until 1279.
Despite being smaller than the Tang, the Song Dynasty was very prosperous.
Governance Structure
Song rulers aimed to govern through a complex bureaucracy.
This system was first introduced during the Qin Dynasty (221 BC - 207 BC).
The bureaucracy is a long-standing continuity in world history.
Admission to the bureaucracy was based on performance in the civil service exam.
Meritocracy and Education
Educational opportunities expanded for young men from lower classes.
Government positions were based on merit rather than heredity.
The exam focused on Confucian texts, history, and culture.
This system allowed for significant upward mobility in society.
Economic Impact
The large bureaucracy increased government costs, leading to a surplus depletion and tax increases.
The size and power of the government eventually became a weakness.
Trade and Agriculture
The Grand Canal facilitated prosperous trade.
Gunpowder was utilized for weaponry and spread throughout Eurasia.
Champa rice from Vietnam improved agricultural production, being drought-resistant and allowing for two harvests a year.
Innovations like manure use and animal labor increased crop yields.
China's population grew from 25% to about 40% of the world during the Song's reign.
Technological Advancements
Discovery of coal in the 300s enabled mass iron production.
China learned to create steel before the rest of the world.
Proto-industrialization led to profit-driven production of goods.
Exports and Trade
Luxuries included silk, tea, and porcelain.
A strong navy facilitated trade and cargo transport.
A tributary system required surrounding regions to submit to Chinese authority and provide tribute.
Population and Class Development
China had a predominantly rural population but developed cities with over 100,000 residents.
The Scholar Gentry emerged as the elite bureaucratic class, outnumbering the aristocracy.
The Scholar Gentry were well-educated in Confucian values.
Gender Roles
Women were respected but remained subordinate to men, influenced by Confucian values.
Foot Binding
Foot binding was a practice that symbolized patriarchy, involving the tight wrapping of young girls' feet.
It began with dancers and courtesans in the 10th or 11th century and spread among elite families.
The practice emphasized ideals of female beauty and restricted women's mobility.
Literacy and Printing
Paper was available since the 2nd century.
Woodblock printing allowed for the reproduction of texts, leading to an explosion in literature and poetry.
China experienced a cultural renaissance centuries before Europe.
Cultural Independence
Japan struggled to maintain independence from Chinese influence.
Geographically better positioned than Korea and Vietnam, Japan controlled its cultural interactions.
Cultural Adoption
Buddhism and Confucianism were promoted by Japanese emperors.
Woodblock printing and Chinese art, politics, and literature were emulated during the Heian period.
Architectural styles were also influenced by Chinese designs.
Feudal Hierarchy
Figurehead Emperor, Shogun, Nobles (Daimyos), Warrior Class (Samurai), and Peasants (70% of the population).
Craftspeople and merchants formed the lower classes.
Political and Cultural Parallels
Korea had a centralized government and practiced Confucianism and Buddhism.
The educated class studied Confucian philosophy and adopted the Chinese writing system.
Power Dynamics
Landowners held power, and a lack of meritocracy prevented lower-class citizens from rising to official positions.
Cultural Resistance
Vietnam adopted Chinese writing and architecture but resisted Chinese influence.
Vietnamese women enjoyed more freedoms in marriage compared to Chinese women.
The Vietnamese nuclear family structure contrasted with the Chinese extended family model.
Local government officials often prioritized village loyalty over central government allegiance, leading
Origins and Prosperity
The Song Dynasty emerged from the Tang Dynasty.
The Tang Dynasty experienced a golden age, but the Song took China to new heights.
The Song united many regions of China in 960 and ruled until 1279.
Despite being smaller than the Tang, the Song Dynasty was very prosperous.
Governance Structure
Song rulers aimed to govern through a complex bureaucracy.
This system was first introduced during the Qin Dynasty (221 BC - 207 BC).
The bureaucracy is a long-standing continuity in world history.
Admission to the bureaucracy was based on performance in the civil service exam.
Meritocracy and Education
Educational opportunities expanded for young men from lower classes.
Government positions were based on merit rather than heredity.
The exam focused on Confucian texts, history, and culture.
This system allowed for significant upward mobility in society.
Economic Impact
The large bureaucracy increased government costs, leading to a surplus depletion and tax increases.
The size and power of the government eventually became a weakness.
Trade and Agriculture
The Grand Canal facilitated prosperous trade.
Gunpowder was utilized for weaponry and spread throughout Eurasia.
Champa rice from Vietnam improved agricultural production, being drought-resistant and allowing for two harvests a year.
Innovations like manure use and animal labor increased crop yields.
China's population grew from 25% to about 40% of the world during the Song's reign.
Technological Advancements
Discovery of coal in the 300s enabled mass iron production.
China learned to create steel before the rest of the world.
Proto-industrialization led to profit-driven production of goods.
Exports and Trade
Luxuries included silk, tea, and porcelain.
A strong navy facilitated trade and cargo transport.
A tributary system required surrounding regions to submit to Chinese authority and provide tribute.
Population and Class Development
China had a predominantly rural population but developed cities with over 100,000 residents.
The Scholar Gentry emerged as the elite bureaucratic class, outnumbering the aristocracy.
The Scholar Gentry were well-educated in Confucian values.
Gender Roles
Women were respected but remained subordinate to men, influenced by Confucian values.
Foot Binding
Foot binding was a practice that symbolized patriarchy, involving the tight wrapping of young girls' feet.
It began with dancers and courtesans in the 10th or 11th century and spread among elite families.
The practice emphasized ideals of female beauty and restricted women's mobility.
Literacy and Printing
Paper was available since the 2nd century.
Woodblock printing allowed for the reproduction of texts, leading to an explosion in literature and poetry.
China experienced a cultural renaissance centuries before Europe.
Cultural Independence
Japan struggled to maintain independence from Chinese influence.
Geographically better positioned than Korea and Vietnam, Japan controlled its cultural interactions.
Cultural Adoption
Buddhism and Confucianism were promoted by Japanese emperors.
Woodblock printing and Chinese art, politics, and literature were emulated during the Heian period.
Architectural styles were also influenced by Chinese designs.
Feudal Hierarchy
Figurehead Emperor, Shogun, Nobles (Daimyos), Warrior Class (Samurai), and Peasants (70% of the population).
Craftspeople and merchants formed the lower classes.
Political and Cultural Parallels
Korea had a centralized government and practiced Confucianism and Buddhism.
The educated class studied Confucian philosophy and adopted the Chinese writing system.
Power Dynamics
Landowners held power, and a lack of meritocracy prevented lower-class citizens from rising to official positions.
Cultural Resistance
Vietnam adopted Chinese writing and architecture but resisted Chinese influence.
Vietnamese women enjoyed more freedoms in marriage compared to Chinese women.
The Vietnamese nuclear family structure contrasted with the Chinese extended family model.
Local government officials often prioritized village loyalty over central government allegiance, leading
