The Mandate & The Han
This "divine right to rule" meant that if an Emperor was good, he had heaven's support; if he was bad, he could be overthrown.
What is the Mandate of Heaven?
These grueling tests ensured that only the most educated people could work in the Chinese government.
What are the Civil Service Exams?
This term describes the shift of people moving from the countryside into crowded, busy cities.
What is urbanization?
This group of "foreigners" ruled China during the Yuan Dynasty and were originally nomadic warriors from the north.
Who are the Mongols?
This famous Ming admiral led seven massive naval expeditions to show off China's power and collect tribute.
Who is Zheng He?
These three philosophies—Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism—offered different ways to bring order to China.
What are the Three Philosophies?
Under the Tang, these exams were unfair to the poor because they couldn't afford these to help them study.
What are tutors (or private schools)?
New farming techniques and a fast-growing type of rice caused China’s food supply and this to explode
What is the population?
The Mongols did this to the Civil Service Exams because they didn't trust Chinese scholars to run the government.
What is ended (or abolished) them?
Historians debate this: was Zheng He an explorer looking for new things, or was he this, looking to dominate others?
What is a conqueror?
On their "History Report Card," this dynasty failed partly because of high taxes on peasants and a massive gap between the rich and poor.
What is the Han Dynasty?
The Song Dynasty made the government more "fair" by opening these up to allow even poor students a chance to learn.
What are public schools?
While cities were great for doing business and making money, they were often "bad" for this due to overcrowding.
What are living conditions?
Under Mongol rule, native southern Chinese people were placed at this level of the social hierarchy.
What is the bottom?
This policy involves a country interacting with the world, trading, and sharing ideas with other nations.
What is an Open Door policy?
When these occurred, it was often seen as a sign that the Emperor had lost the Mandate of Heaven and a revolt was coming.
What are natural disasters (floods, earthquakes, etc.)?
The goal of the exams was to make sure government workers were familiar with Chinese politics and this specific traditional culture.
What is Confucianism?
Because of better farming and trade, the Song Dynasty saw a massive growth in this—the system of how money and goods are produced.
What is the economy?
Despite the harsh rules, one "good" effect of the Mongols was the increased safety and trade along this famous route.
What is the Silk Road?
After Zheng He’s death, the Ming turned to this policy, shutting China's borders to the outside world.
What is a Closed Door policy (or Isolationism)?
This is the specific "grade" or reason the Han fell—it involved government officials taking bribes and ignoring the needs of the people.
What is corruption?
This term describes a government where people are hired based on their ability and talent rather than their wealth or family name.
What is a meritocracy?
This specific type of "fast-ripening" plant allowed farmers to harvest two crops a year instead of one.
What is rice?
One reason the Mongols were so harsh was that the Chinese had done this to them for a very, very long time before they took power.
What is mistreated them (or looked down upon them or fought against them the longest)?
This was the primary goal of Zheng He’s massive "Treasure Ships"—not to find new land, but to get other nations to pay this to China.
What is tribute?