Economic Growth
Which dynasty brought peace and gave more land to farmers?
The Tang dynasty.
Name one important invention during the Tang or Song dynasty.
Examples: gunpowder, magnetic compass, movable type printing, steel, coal, improved ships.
During which dynasties did Chinese literature and arts reach a golden age?
Tang and Song dynasties.
What material did Chinese people use to make strong, high-quality pottery?
Porcelain.
What is one key teaching of Confucianism?
Respect, good behavior, loyalty, or the importance of education.
Why did giving farmers more land increase food production?
More land allowed farmers to grow more crops, improve irrigation, and increase food production.
How did movable type printing change the production of books?
Movable type made printing faster and cheaper because characters could be reused.
What ideas were commonly expressed in Tang poetry?
Themes: beauty of nature, friendship, unfairness of life, shortness of life.
Why was trade important for Chinese society?
Trade brought wealth, new goods, and cultural exchange.
Why did rulers support the revival of Confucian ideas?
Rulers supported it because it encouraged loyalty, order, respect, and moral behavior.
How would you explain the connection between better farming methods and population growth?
Better farming = more food → more people survive → population grows.
Choose one invention and explain how it could improve life in another country at that time.
Example:
The compass would help sailors in other countries travel farther without getting lost.
Gunpowder would change warfare in other countries.
Printing could spread ideas faster.
If you were a Tang poet, which theme (nature, friendship, life) would you write about today? Explain why.
Example: "I would write about friendship because it connects people today."
How might daily life change for someone living near new roads and waterways?
Daily life becomes easier: faster travel, easier trade, more goods available.
How could Confucian values improve discipline or harmony in a school today?
Confucian values can help students respect teachers and classmates.
They can improve cooperation and good conduct.
Which factor do you think had a bigger impact on economic growth: improved roads or improved farming? Explain your reasoning.
Sample:
Improved farming had a bigger impact because food is necessary for survival and population growth.
Improved roads helped trade and travel, so it supported economic activity.
Compare the impact of gunpowder and the magnetic compass. Which invention influenced the world more? Why?
Sample:
Compass impacted global exploration more because it helped long-distance sea travel.
Gunpowder changed warfare everywhere.
Why do you think landscape painters made nature larger than people in their art?
Artists wanted to show that nature is powerful and bigger than humans.
Compare life in China before and after technological inventions. What major differences do you notice?
Before inventions: slower travel, less trade, fewer books, weaker tools.
After inventions: stronger tools, more books, better ships, more trade, better weapons.
Analyze how Confucian exams changed the government. What problems did they solve?
Civil service exams allowed talented, educated people to work in government instead of only nobles. This reduced corruption and improved leadership.
If you were a Tang ruler, what policy would you create to continue economic growth? Why?
Sample policies:
Give more land to farmers.
Improve irrigation systems.
Build more roads to support trade.
Reduce taxes on farmers to increase production.
If you had to remove one Chinese invention from history, which one would you choose and what would be the global consequences?
Sample:
Removing gunpowder → no modern weapons, slower military development.
Removing printing → slower spread of knowledge, fewer books, less education.
Removing the compass → slower global exploration and trade.
Create a short explanation for how art and poetry helped people understand life during the Tang and Song periods.
Sample:
Poetry and art helped people understand emotions, nature, and the meaning of life.
Paintings showed harmony with nature.
Poems expressed feelings during war, peace, and daily life.
Imagine you are a merchant in Song China. Write a brief statement about how society benefits from long-distance trade.
“As a merchant, long-distance trade lets me sell Chinese goods and earn money for my community.”
“Trade helps bring new products into China.”
Create a short suggestion for a modern system inspired by Confucian ideas that could improve leadership in your community or school.
Sample:
A leadership program that rewards responsibility and respect.
A school system where leaders are chosen based on knowledge and good character, similar to the exam system.