Social Studies Asia Test Flashcards
What are dynasties?
They are periods of rule by a family. This government style was used for most of China’s history.
How did the dynasties affect China?(5)
The dynasties had some very important inventions, such as…
Silk
Porcelain
A new written language that is used today by Japan and Korea
The Great Wall of China
The great canal, which allowed grain from river valleys to be carried to cities with ease.
Who were the Mongols?
Foreign invaders that conquered China in the 1200s AD.
How did the Mongols impact the Chinese region?
They founded the Yuan dynasty and established Ta-tu as their capital. The fall of the Yuan dynasty came when the Mongol leaders broke out in war. The Ming dynasty was then created, named after the Mongol winner. He unified the pieces of land that we call China today.
What was Confucianism?
It is a religion that was created towards the end of the Zhou dynasty by komgfuzi(commonly known as Confucius). He taught a new philosophy stating the importance of moral character and taking responsibility for the state of their society. He also taught that rulers should take care of their people like a father would yo his children. His teachings became popular and widespread after his death.
How did the Chinese incorporate Confucian teachings into its government?
Confucianism was named the official policy that guided China’s bureaucracy(the administration of a government). Bureaus were run and staffed by Confucian scholars. This method made their government and their culture more stable.
What is China’s one child policy and why does it exist?
Due to overpopulation that led to famines and food shortages, Mao Zedong created China’s one child policy, which is still used today.
What are the rules and punishments of China’s one child policy?(2 R, 1 P)
If you live on the countryside, you may have a second child if the first was a girl.
If you and your spouse were only children, then you may apply to have more than one child.
Women are regularly inspected for pregnancy, and those who fail to comply wiht the rules are forced to have an abortion or even have a forced sterilizaton, which prevents them from bearing children permenantly.
Who was tank man?(4)
Tank man was a person who blocked a tank’s path as protest. When the tanks would swerve out of the way, he would block their path again.
He then went on top of a tank and banged on it, requesting permission for them to leave, trying to convince them of their wrong-doings.
His act was an act of bravery, but it was also very risky.
Nobody knows who tank man is today, for he would be taken by the government and killed if his identity was not already found.
What was the Tianamen Square Massacre?(3)
During the Tianamen Square Massacre, the Chinese army randomly fired at unarmed protesters.
The massacre occurred in 1989 in Tianamen Square, Peking(modern-day Beijing).
Many people were killed as a demonstration, and those who were found and not killed were taken to work camps, as well as those in their family.
How was the Tianamen Square Massacre covered up?
The government payed internet search engines like yahoo and google to filter the sights with information about Tianamen square, as well as information about things that could make people curious and want to rebel against the government.
How has China been able to remain communist and succeed economically?
They have a completely communist government. Unlike other communist countries, China has a capitalist economy full of private businesses and more, keeping the country in check.
What was Mao’s Great Leap Forward and how did it turn out?(4)
The Great Leap Forward was a program designed to speed up China’s economic development in four years.
Collective farms become large communities of 25,000 people that grew crops, ran small industries,many provided education and healthcare.
What was supposed to be four years lasted only two, in which the program shattered China’s remaining economy.
Poor agricultural production, droughts, and floods caused the worst famines in history. 20 million starved and millions more died of disease.
Name the two main religions in Japan.
Buddhism
Shinto
What are some characteristics of the Shinto religion?(8)
Shinto means, “way of the gods”
No founder or sacred scriptures
Deeply rooted in Japanese people and traditions
Shinto gods are called kami
Kami are sacred spirits that take the form of things and concepts important to life, like wind, rain, fertility, etc.
Humans become kami after they die and are admired by their families as ancestral kami.
107 million are considered shinto in Japan
What are some characteristics of the Buddhist religion?(8)
Brought to Japan by China and Korea
There were conflicts between the religions, but they were able to co-exist with the Shinto eventually
Believed you need to accept suffering and pain as a part of live
Need to have no wants or goals in life
The eightfold path is a guide to this
Believed in reincarnation
By truly following the path and accepting this method completely, you reach the state of nirvana and break the cycle of reincarnation.
90 million are considered buddhist in Japan
Describe the Japanese feudal system.
Period of Japanese history dominated by the powerful regional families adn the military rule of warlords
Used from 12th to 19th century
Periods divided into the reigns of different families
What are the ranks of the feudal system in Japan?(Make a chart)
Emperor(symbol of state and unity of the people, figurehead, head of the imperial family, has no actual powers)
Shogun(commander of the armies, true leader of the country, no longer used in Japan)
Daimyo(powerful territorial lords who ruled most of Japan’s land, means great name, no longer hold power but play prominent roles in the government)
Samurai(military nobility, bound by code of honor, known as Bushido)
Peasants, farmers, serfs(largest group)//Artisans(equal in rank, but in different class)
Merchants(badly looked upon because they earn money off of others’ labor and work, thus the lowest rank)
What is a haiku and what structure does it follow?
A type of poem, following a 5, 7, 5 syllable pattern
Why did Japan become a closed country?
Tokugawa Ieyasu wanted Japan to be pure and Christianity was spreading rapidly. He banned all foreigners as well as christians.
What does it mean to be a “closed country?”
It means to be an isolated country. Since they were not isolated before, they are considered “closed.”
Who was allowed into Japan when it was a “closed country?”(5, 1 side note)
Dutch East India Co. Korea Private Chinese Traders Portugal Spain Portugal and Spain were eventually banned for trying to spread christianity
What positive effects did isolationism have on Japan?(5)
Peace
Stability of power
Self-sufficiency made increasing job availability and higher wages
Thriving cities
Ability to control trade with other countries
