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unit 1: test prep material ❗

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1.1 : Developments in East Asia

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Learning Objective
1.1 A
Explain the systems of government employed by Chinese dynasties and how they developed over time.


Thematic Focus: Governance

Key Concept(s)
3.2 B
Empires and states in Afro-Eurasia and the Americas demonstrated continuity, innovation, and diversity in the 13th century. This included the Song Dynasty of China, which utilized traditional methods of Confucianism and an imperial bureaucracy to maintain and justify its rule.
Related Key Terms
Confucianism
Bureaucracy
Illustrative Examples
N/A
NOTES:
Song dynasty had a bureaucratic government that elected officials based on merit and skill rather than just picking random wealthy people
State structure: six departments: personnel, finance, rites, army, justice, and public works
all overseen by the Censorate, checking on officials’ competence and character
bureaucracy - system of managing government through departments run by appointed officials
bureaucracies have levels of authority
Confucianism was employed by the Song to regulate their government
[this is a major continuity throughout China]
the civil service examination - government officials had to pass an exam before becoming an official
this shifted power from a hereditary form of aristocracy to scholarly leaders
basically common people now could also have a chance to be officials, although it was harder for them because they couldn’t afford resources to study for this exam
What is Confucianism?
Confucianism is a philosophy that concentrated on practicality, morals, and ethics that aimed to bring about political and social harmony through relational goals.
emphasized proper ordering of relationships/respect for the social hierarchy
subjects defer to rulers
sons defer to fathers
younger brothers defer to elder brothers
wives defer to husbands
Confucianism reinforced the patriarchy
good government officials and rulers have a sense of moral integrity and the ability to make fair and wise decisions
they should be well-educated
junzi - “superior individuals” who would lead by example
Ren, Li, Xiao
Ren: kind, courteous, respectful, diligent, loyal
Li: proper, treat all humans with courtesy, show respect to superiors
Xiao: filial piety
children should respect family elders
children should take care of family elders when they reach old age
children should remember and respect them after their deaths
like long-standing Chinese tradition of ancestor veneration
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Learning Objective
1.1 B
Explain the effects of Chinese cultural traditions on East Asia over time.
Thematic Focus: Cultural Developments and Interactions
Key Concept(s)
3.1Ki
Chinese cultural traditions continued, and they influenced neighboring regions.
3.1Kii
Buddhism and its core beliefs continued to shape societies in Asia and included a variety of branches, schools, and practices.

Related Key Terms
Patriarchy
Illustrative Examples
Filial Piety
Neo-Confucianism
Confucian traditions of both respect for and deference expected from women
Chinese literary and scholarly traditions
Buddhism
Branches of Buddhism: Theravada, Mahayana, Tibetan
NOTES:
Chinese traditions and Chinese Buddhism were spread to Japan, Korea, and Vietnam
but all three of these countries had factors that kept them culturally distinct/independent
Korea:
How was Korea influenced by China?
they had a tributary relationship with China
when they went to the courts of China to give the tributes, they were able to see Chinese life
they tried to emulate Chinese government
Confucian ideas like filial piety spread to Korea
took away Korean women’s rights
How did Korea stay culturally distinct?
Chinese influence didn’t really reach the lower classes—mostly just aristocrats
hangul - Korea developed their own writing system
they tried to use the Chinese exam system, but it never got as popular as it was in China. However, they were able to maintain their bureaucratic office better than China.
Vietnam:
How was Vietnam influenced by China?
was a vassal state like Korea
Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism spread to Vietnam
they used the Chinese civil service examination system
they believed in the Mandate of Heaven
they used Chinese court life as an example for their own
they thought they were an extension of China rather than a separate state
How did Vietnam stay culturally distinct?
chu nom was developed - a Vietnamese writing system
women still had rights (Confucianism didn’t affect this)
i.e. female children were actually preferred to male children
female nature deities and female Buddha
Japan:
How was Japan influenced by China?
since Japan was geographically separated from China, not much influenced them without choice
they picked and chose which aspects of Chinese culture they wanted to absorb
Buddhism - the Chan school of Buddhism became known as Zen in Japan; it became popular
they centralized their government like the Chinese
Chinese writing, calligraphy, poetry, arts were appealing to higher class Japanese
HEIAN ERA: the era in Japanese history where they emulated Chinese culture from A.D. 794-1185, arts and writing flourished during this time
kami were spirits that got incorporated into Japanese Buddhism
later called Shinto
How did Japan stay culturally distinct?
the samurai class - a warrior class that were the local military forces
emerged when the bureaucracy wasn’t as effective as China’s
bushido - the way of the warrior. emphasized the importance of honor and loyalty, and honorable deaths (death rather than surrender)
contrasted Chinese beliefs that warriors were below govt officials
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Learning Objective
1.1 C
Explain the effects of innovation on the Chinese economy over time.
Thematic Focus: Economics Systems

Key Concept(s)
3.3C
The economy of Song China became increasingly commercialized while continuing to depend on free peasant and artisanal labor.
3.1D
The economy of Song China flourished as a result of increased productive capacity, expanding trade networks, and innovations in agriculture and manufacturing.
Related Key Terms
N/A
Illustrative Examples
Champa Rice
Grand Canal
Steel and Iron production
Textiles and porcelains for export

NOTES:
China during the Song dynasty prospered through innovations, new technology, and successful economy
industrial production - mass production of armor, iron arrowheads, metals for coins, bells, tools
invention - printing, gunpowder, navigational tools, and shipbuilding techniques
Use of paper money, credit notes - helped make China wealthier
Champa rice:
introduced from Vietnam
could be harvested many times a year
more food → more people fed → more babies → growing population
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