AP World History Unit 1.1

UNIT 1.1 | Developments in East Asia from c. 1200 to c. 1450

Worksheet Section: Key Developments & Objectives

Objective 1: Explain the systems of government employed by Chinese dynasties and how they developed over time.

  • A. How an imperial bureaucracy/meritocracy works:

    • Vast organizations in which appointed officials carried out the empire's policies.

  • B. Political continuity in Song Dynasty's bureaucracy:

    • This imperial bureaucracy has been passed on since the Qin Dynasty.

  • C. Bureaucratic changes over time:

    • The civil service exam was introduced, allowing lower-income men to get well-paying jobs.

  • D. Use of Confucianism for control:

    • How well one did on the Civil Service Exam would lead to their position. Higher-ups scored much better on the test.

  • E. Imperial bureaucracy/meritocracy leading to Song decline:

    • Due to an increase in jobs, the Song government was using up its money, lowering their wealth.

Objective 2: Explain the effects of innovation on the Chinese economy over time.

  • A. Lasting economic impact of the Tang Dynasty on the Song Dynasty:

    • In the Tang Dynasty, there was tons of agricultural growth, improved roads/canals, increased foreign trade, and spread technology.

  • B. Trade networks:

    • Grand Canal economic impact: Due to the large size of the canal, it allowed China to become the ruling trading area.

    • Major trade network: The Silk Road.

    • Developments for sea trade: Compass & shipbuilding techniques.

  • C. Agricultural innovations and population growth:

    • Champa Rice: The use of Champa Rice from Vietnam allowed the Chinese population to flourish (25% of world to 40%).

    • Inventions: The invention of plows and irrigation systems gave way to the mass production of Champa Rice.

  • D. Coal discovery and steel manufacturing:

    • Impact of steel: Used in many things such as bridges, gates, religious items, and agricultural equipment.

    • Major Song exports: Porcelain, Silk, and steel items.

  • E. Commercialization during proto-industrialization:

    • Commercialization definition: Means a switch from local consumption to market production \rightarrow economy may thrive.

    • Free peasant and artisan labor: Artisans developed items for sale by using steel and porcelain.

  • F. The Tributary System:

    • Other states had to pay the Chinese emperor. This allowed economic prosperity and increased trade.

Objective 3: Explain the effects of Chinese cultural traditions on East Asia over time.

  • A. Social urbanization:

    • Huge urbanization and the growth of cities.

  • B. Social hierarchy (most to least powerful):

    • Emperor

    • Aristocrat

    • Scholar gentry

    • Farmers

    • Artisans

    • Merchants

  • C. Evidence of patriarchy (male dominated):

    • The evidence of foot-binding (restricted female growth).

  • D. Intellectual/literary developments:

    • Woodblock printing.

  • E. Buddhism in Song China:

    • Migration: Through the Silk Road & Xuanzang's help.

    • Commonalities among main types: They all follow the Four Noble Truths (suffering can be dissolved through the elimination of cravings) & all embrace the 8-fold path.

    • Zen Buddhism as a syncretic religion: The beliefs of Buddhism combined with Daoism.

    • Treatment by Song Dynasty: They didn't outwardly promote it, but they benefitted by the idea of filial piety (treating elders with respect).

  • F. Sinification (Assimilation with the Chinese):

    • Japan:

      • Similarities: Adopted Buddhism and Confucianism. Also adopted Chinese literature.

      • Differences: They had a feudalist society. Also, many followed Bushido rules, practicing frugality, loyalty, and martial arts unto death.

    • Korea:

      • Similarities: Same government system, same language, and practiced Buddhism/Confucianism.

      • Differences: The land aristocracy was much stronger in Korea.

    • Vietnam:

      • Similarities: Similar writing system & architectural style.

      • Differences: Women have more rights, nuclear family, families live independent from national government, and more respect for peasants.

  • Margin Vocabulary:

    • Polygyny: Having more than one wife at a time.

Notebook Section: Lecture Notes (1.1 APWH)

China Overview & Dynastic Shifts

  • Han Dynasty collapsed 220 C.E.

  • 3 centuries of fragmentation and assistants.

  • Nomads came to China (adapted).

  • Re-spuns unity (584–618) under Sui.

  • Adapts Daoism and Buddhism (not Confucianism).

Buddhism in China

  • After the collapse of the Han, people discredited Confucianism.

  • Buddhism gained traction via Silk Road; elites liked Buddhism (found comfort).

  • Three Sects:

    • Theravada: "Way of elders" (oldest) \rightarrow Nirvana through monk, nun, & meditate.

    • Mahayana: Teaches the idea of enlightenment; not necessary to be a monk/nun; Bodhisattvas.

    • Tibetan: Similar to Mahayana; believes special techniques to achieve Nirvana.

Neo-Confucianism & Social Shifts

  • Progression: Han (Confucianism) \rightarrow Tang (Confucianism & Buddhism) \rightarrow Song (Neo-Confucianism & strict order).

  • Neo-Confucianism:

    • Buddhism was deemed a threat to imperial bureaucracy (resented its wealth).

    • Through the Song, Neo-Confucianism gained awareness.

    • Neo-Confucianism mixes Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism.

    • Revival of filial piety, entire relationships.

  • Women in the Song:

    • Tang: Women enjoyed greater freedom in the Song.

    • Song Dynasty w/ Confucianism had stricter ideals, patriarchy \rightarrow weak & distraction.

    • Foot Binding: Broke foot bones to make them smaller.

Golden Age of China & Accomplishments

  • Sui (584–618 C.E.), Tang (618–907 C.E.), & Song (960–1279 C.E.).

  • The Sui extended the canal system linking Northern and Southern China.

  • Economic Growth: Huge economy growth (pop. doubled); agricultural production (Champa rice).

  • China Accomplishments:

    • Huge iron industry.

    • Wood-block books spread.

    • Navigation & shipbuilding improved.

    • Gunpowder & paper money.

    • Cheap transportation (canals/waterways) allowed peasants to grow crops.

    • Commercialization (used paper money, promissory notes \rightarrow loans).

Tributary System & Foreign Influences

  • Forced non-Chinese to pay China to acknowledge their "superiority".

  • "Middle Kingdom," center of the world.

  • Foreigners must send a delegation to Chinese court or a series of bowings, and tribute in order to enter \rightarrow allowed to trade \rightarrow emperor provides worthy gift.

  • This helped form relationships.

  • Cultural Influence:

    • Jurchen: Nomads who came to China and assimilated into their culture in the north (beyond the Great Wall); they did NOT assimilate.

    • Western Asian culture grew in Tang Southern China; did not like the Han legacy.

    • Korean, Japan, & Vietnamese influence (took China culture).