China context

Question 1

Key components to C culture

Answer 1

Confucianism- key ideas of filial piety + ppl w lower status obligated respect higher social status + those in higher positions expected to care + guide those bellow (2 way r/ship) + encouragement of harmonious society/X challenge soc order

• Daoism- views that there is a balance of all comp forces in life = yin + yang –> natural order shouldnt be disrupted
• Buddhism- religion- 4 noble truths- suggests that through overcoming attachment, leading a virtuous, disciplined life + prac meditation - ppl are able to gain enlightenment (Nirvana) t/f provides hope that through accepting suffering, kindness + charity will transcend

ALL emphasise a culture of respect + obedience

Question 2

Geo features

Answer 2

• Mountain ranges = 60% t/f limited farming space = 15-20%
• 55 ethnic groups w Han majority- C divided into provinces (oft in conflict + run by warlords x central gov)
• Farming in north dif b/c of both draughts + floods + south vuln to typhones
• Maj pop live costal or on rivers

Question 3

Peasants- pros + cons in life

Answer 3

General-80% of pop + oft lived in simple villages w 10-100 fams, worked long hrs + forced to work on gov projects when required
pro- valued as nobody being able to live w/o produce= exceptional farmers (best yield p/HA globally)

con-Pop growth (1700= 200m, 1800=300mil, 1850=450mil) –> inc land prices –> tenant farmers t/f inc poverty + debt resulting in reduced social mobility, inc discontent
-pov –> LE =25yrs (h/w high U5MR)

Inc discontent towards towns ppl + emperor

Question 4

Towns ppl

Answer 4

Status- Some @ bottom b/c seen as exploiting other ppls hard work for living (e.g. merchants) + sold x respected b/c life based on killing other ppl (despite many peasants joining out of necessity or conscription)
Who- many dif ppl w varying levels of wealth- inc sold, tradesppl + merchants

Question 5

Landlords + officials

Answer 5

Status/who- made of ruling elite who oft acted as informal admin in regions (expected to settle legal disagreements, deal w rebellions) h/w oft corrupt–> inc bribes + pressure placed on impov farmers to sell land/over tax peasants + lending $$ to peas @ v high rates

Wealth- rented land to tenant farmers (managed by bailiffs) by 1850’s 4% of pop owned 60% of land –> 1930 = 50% (peas = 70% h/w only own 14%)

Question 6

Mandate of heaven

Answer 6

Why- emperor = supreme lord of Mid King + revered as Son of Heaven (t/f rep divine power + must be obeyed)
What- Emperors duties inc renew petitions, compose laws etc + was unthinkable to disobey
What- dictation of whether change or stability- if emp ruled wisely- peace + harmony h/w if unwise or w/o virtue heaven show disapproval through nat disasters + successful rev X immoral b/c clear heaven approv

NB-geming (C word for rev) means to abolish the mandate

Question 7

Reasons for fall of Q Dynasty (1644-1911)

Answer 7

• LT- land shortages + inc rural pov in 1800 + Q.D complacency + corruption inc tension + Machu t/f lack understanding Han nat
• Foreign imp- Cent of Shame- Military defeats (e.g. try to stop Br opium smuggling) + others w US,J etc resulting in ‘unequal treaties’ where areas of C territory lost to FP = damaging to QD rep
• Poor efforts to reform- failed attempts= Hundred Days of Reform (saw emp Guangxu placed under house arrest) + Self strenthening movement (attempt to learn from imperial powers modernisation techniques) + 1901-09 New Gov period of reforms highlighted inadequacies of dynastic systs –> inc anomist 4 gov