Chinese technologies and European connection Flashcards
What was the initial Chinese compass? What was it used for?
For political predictions.
What is strange about China being the most advanced civilization in the world?
Didn’t do anything with it, had the potential to conquer the world, but never did.
What was ‘Black powder’?
Potassium nitrate, ‘elixir of life’, later became gunpowder. Used to chase away evil spirits from religion.
Who invented rocketry? What did they use it for?
Chinese, for festivals.
Why did the Chinese use their inventions differently than the Europeans might have?
Religion/world view, different approach to change. Change was unacceptable to the Chinese.
What technology did the Chinese invent around 600 AD?
Exams.
Why were exams important for the Chinese?
Used on children to obtain the best of the best to work for the government.
How did exams select the best child?
Best kid from village would go to major town, then to city, then to final exam. Final exam was 7 days long.
How did the domestication of pigs end the Roman empire?
Pigs’ urine combined with pigs’ droppings = potassium nitrate/gunpowder!
How did the technology of gunpowder transfer civilizations from the Chinese?
China - Mongolia - Turkey - Bye bye Eastern Roman Empire.
What did castles evolve into along the medieval age?
Palaces, as a need for books came up.
What was the duty of knights in Europe?
To convert pagans to Christianity (would really just kill them)
What was the problem with knights?
Had nothing to do except kill pagans and peasants all day, would just cause problems.
What was the solution to the problem created by knights?
Send them on a crusade and get them out of here, there was no way they’d come back alive, right? Wrong, they captured Jerusalem instead lol
What did the knights of the first crusade bring back from Jerusalem? Why?
A bunch of books, not because they could read, but because they knew they’d be worth something - books were rare.
Who was Thomas Aquinas? What is his story?
An editor and translator of the books brought back from the first crusade.
He would edit Aristotelian and Platonic works, and write them into Christianity. Were “inspired by Christian god”.
What were the 4 major technologies to do with printing?
- Paper
- Fast drying in
- Reusable ink
- Press
When was paper invented and by whom? When did it come to Europe?
China, 1st century AD. Came to Europe in 11th century AD.
How did the Europeans acquire the secret to paper?
Would torture the Chinese.
What was a significant event in Europe in 1347? What is the story on how this would affect the paper industry?
Black death, wiped out half of Europe. The property of the dead (including their underwear) was intact and went into possession of the alive. Linen underwear would be turned into paper and then sold, wealth ensued for the living.
What was the best way to show off your wealth in the medieval ages?
To own your personal bible.
Who was responsible for copying the bibles by hand?
Monks.
Why were the monks almost wiped out entirely during the black death?
They would pray really close together, leading to easier spread of the disease once one homie got it.
What was the solution to the monks dying out and being unable to copy anymore bibles?
Gutenberg’s printing press.
