Midterm 1.1 Flashcards
What’s another way to describe the Mandala system?
Galactic polity
What are 4 important features of the Mandala system?
- People more important than territory
- Overlapping sovereignty and alliances
- Constant fluctuation in the size of states
- Ethnicity not politicized - migration was normal, multi-ethnic
What are 3 implications of the Mandala system for international relations?
- Looseness in international politics
- Defining nations is difficult (who are YOUR people)
- Borders - historic disputes over territory
What was Ayutthaya?
The second capital of the Siamese kingdom
When was Ayutthaya in power?
14th-18th centuries
Height of power was 1600-1700’s
True or False: In the 1700s, Ayutthaya was the largest city in the world!
True
True or False: At its height, merchants came to Ayutthaya from Europe, China, and all over the world to trade.
True
How did Ayutthaya compare to European powers during its height in the 16-1700’s?
- Massive population
- Massive wealth due to trade networks led to elaborate building projects like the canal system that facilitated that trade
- Cosmopolitan
- Fine works of art, temples, palaces being done, Thai culture
Which Asian political structure can be described using concentric circles of power with the seat of power at the center?
Mandala
Which Asian political structure has ties to religion?
Both - Tributary and Mandala based on the idea that a demi-God or son of heaven was at the center of order
Why is galactic polity another name for the mandala system?
Because galaxies resemble the mandala structure. Numerous star systems, those stars have planets orbiting them, with moons orbiting those planets. Interconnected, overlapping orbits.
Which massive Mandala was described as “Singapore-ish” in the 1600-1700’s?
Ayuttahaya
What was Pagan?
The capital of Burma mandala during the 9th-13th centuries
What was Ava/Taungoo?
The capital of Burma mandala during Taungoo dynasty in the late 1700s and early 1800s
What was Angkor?
capital of the Khmer empire/mandala in the early 12th century (cambodia)
What was Srjivaya?
Empire in Indonesia mandala between 7th-13th centuries
What was Majapahit?
The empire that took over Indonesia mandala following the collapse of Srjivaya. 13th-16th centuries
What is the official view of the tributary system by the Chinese government?
They believed almost all Asian cultures and European powers paid them tribute to acknowledge their supreme power. They believed they were on top of the world and everybody else bowed to them.
Examples of when the Chinese view of the tributary system was false:
Anywhere in Southeast Asia. Thailand specifically had a demi-god king that continued until the 20th century. They didn’t care about the religious / power authority of other states.
Also maritime had much weaker trade/tributaries with China.
Was there any time when China’s view on the tributary system was correct?
With Korea for sure and maybe Japan, until the dharma moved and they no longer respected the Son of Heaven’s right to rule over them.
Why did China’s tributary system evolve?
Under the Ming dynasty 14th-17th centuries, it was a way to formalize China’s imperial authority.
Why did most countries accept China’s tributary conditions?
Because it opened up the door to trading with a wealthy country.
What is “Tianxia”?
It means “all under heaven” and describes the Chinese view of the world order. That the son of heaven at the center would eventually control all around it (all under heaven).
What are the layers of Tianxia?
Son of heaven at the center with his court, minor officials, commoners, tributaries, and barbarians.