Ancient China Flashcards
Define dynasty.
Historians divide Chinese history into periods ruled by China.
Define the Mandate of Heaven.
Heaven chose and supported the emperor’s dynasty. If something bad happened, this gave citizens the justification to overthrow the emperor.
Define aristocracy.
Government controlled by rich families. Highest social class.
Define bureaucracy.
A network of government officials, sometimes unelected with authority.
Define meritocracy.
Government or the holding of power by people selected on the basis of their ability.
Define urbanization.
The process of making an area more urban/city-like.
What is a civil service exam? How did it help China? How did it hurt China?
An exam that assessed a person’s qualifications for a job in the government. Under the Song dynasty, it gave everyone an opportunity for a good government job. But it only focused on Confucian teachings and neglected math, science, and business; China fell behind.
What did Kublai Khan do to the civil service exam? Why?
He ended it because he believed that the Chinese people should not be involved in the government.
Who filled government positions during the Yuan dynasty under the Mongols?
Friends/family members and foreign allies.
In what ways were women in cities overlooked or unvalued? Why?
Foot binding.
What physical features in China led to new kinds of agriculture? List three characteristics.
Used fertilizer, created irrigation systems, and improved the plow and harrow.
What are some similarities and differences between China’s urbanized cities in the Middle Ages and our own cities today? ANSWERS MAY VARY
Similarities can include that there are busy, crowded streets with many shops and harbors for trading goods. Differences can include that today people drive cars and buses around the cities, and also there was no gun violence in medieval Chinese cities like there is in cities today.
Why did the population rise during the Song dynasty?
There was an abundance of food.
In what ways did wealthy landowners and new ways of water transportation/navigation contribute to China’s economy?
New ways of navigation via water transportation by wealthy landowners.
Which Chinese technologies changed military weaponry?
Gunpowder.
