CH8 1-11 Flashcards
Describe what happened in China after the fall of the Han Dynasty?
1) Ushered in more than 3 centuries of political fragmentation
2) The invasion of northern nomads
3) The beginning of Chinese migration southward toward the Yangzi river valley
4) More acceptance of Buddhism and Daoism among the elite
Under which Dynasty was China reunified? What were the impacts of the canal system they built?
- Under Sui Dynasty
- they linked northern and southern china economically
Why are the centuries of the Tang and Song dynasty in China sometimes referred to as the “golden age”?
- Tang and Song Dynasty built unity!
- Setting standards of excellence in poetry, landscape painting and ceramics.
- During Song Dynasty, an explosion of scholarship gave rise to Neo-Confuciansim
In what ways did the Tang and Song dynasties establish an enduring state structure?
- It consisted of 6 major ministries, personnel, finance, rites, army, justice, and public works. These ministries were watched over the Censorate.
- Examination system revived and was made to be more elaborate.
Why would cheating on the civil service exam be a major concern for the Chinese government?
- System was created to take away power from warlords.
- This was also a main way to staff officials, and if someone cheats, there’s a bad person placed in authority.
What explains the rapid population growth of China during this time?
- China has remarkable achievements in agriculture production.
- Particulary the adoption of a fast ripening and drought resistant strain of rice from vietnam.
- Many people found their way to the cities, making china the most urbanized country.
Summarize what a Chinese observer in 1235 recorded about Hangzhou.
- immense network of internal waterways
- industrial production soared
- improvent of agricultural production in Hangzhou.
Describe China’s industrial output and technological innovations in this period?
- industrial output: iron industry fueled by coal discoveries, metal for coins, tools, construction
- technological: inventions in printing, woodblock, and movable type, navigation and shipbuilding
What was gunpowder originally used for in China? How did it become a military tool?
- Originally thought to be an “elixir” for immortality, in mid 9th century.
- Later used to make fireworks and to set a target on fire as a battle weapon
What can the development of gunpowder-based weapons and their spread tell us about technological innovation in China?
- After gunpowder became more powerful and effective, China advanced in innovation and became dominant.
What do the payment of taxes in cash and the development of paper money indicate about the Chinese economy?
- It shows that the economy is becoming better. It is now stable enough to rely on paper money as opposed to peasant labor and goods.
