Introduction to China

Question 1

Geography of China

Answer 1

• Vast 9.6km2
• Diverse climate tropical in south (monsoonal - grow food all year ie rice) subarctic in northwest (farming h/w droughts frequent)
• Divided into provinces ie Manchuria, Mongolia, Tibet, Xinjiang = increased conflicts due to regionalism
• Mountain ranges cover 60% of country
• Majority of pop live @ coastal regions / along Yellow or Yangzi river
• Diverse pop= 90% Han h/w other 10% = 55 ethnic gps

Question 2

Key aspects of Chinese culture

Answer 2

5000 years of history where distinct dynasties have ruled over Ch h/w x unified as central power was fragmented and wars divided land
Confucianism - key ideas of filial piety, obligation to respect those of higher social standing, encouragement of harmonious society
Daoism + Buddhism = encourage similar beliefs

Question 3

Social hierarchy of China pre-1912

Answer 3

PEASANTS
- Majority gp ie 80% of pop
- Valued in soc due to food they produced
- Worked long hours in bad conditions + poverty closed off social advancement
- Pop growth ie 1800 = 300mil -> 1850 = 450mil led to increase in land prices - peasants became tenant farmers
TOWNSPEOPLE
- Wealth ranged within gp
- x valued as many gps ie merchants and soldiers benefited from others work or made a living out of killing
LANDLORDS AND OFFICIALS
- Rented to tenant farmers, 1930s 4% of pop owned 50% of land
- Acted as informal administrators in regions
- Increased corruption within gp
WOMEN
- Least valued ie x hold official positions, marriage required a dowry and wife went to live and serve husbands fam, young girls from poor fam allowed to die from neglect, many x get names, foot binding, many men had concubines

Question 4

Mandate of Heaven

Answer 4

Emperor =revered as ‘Son of Heaven’/representative of divine pwr
MoH:
Emp ruled wisely and remained virtuous - peace and harmony guaranteed
Emp ruled unwisely/corrupted - heaven would show disapproval through nat disasters
A successful coup or rebellion = x imoral b/c Heaven had approved

Question 5

Challenges facing the Qing Dynasty

Answer 5

Long term:
- Prosperity of 1700s -> growing land shortages and rural poverty
- Qing Dynasty = become complacent in rule t/f increased tensions btw ethnic gps
- Qing = Manchu
Beginning of Century of Shame:
- Increased mil defeats
- Opium Wars
- Many West pwrs declared Ch under their sphere of inf
Peasant Rebellions:
- Increased tensions b/c rural poverty = uprisings
- Lrgst uprisings = Taiping Rebellion (1850-1864) btw 30-50mil ppl killed
Poor efforts to reform:
- Self-Strengthening movements + Hundred days reform failed