Dynasties of China
What major dynasty succeeded the Tang and became known for technological and economic innovation?
The Song Dynasty
Which Mongol leader conquered the Song Dynasty and established the Yuan Dynasty?
Kublai Khan
What Confucian principle stresses obedience, respect, and devotion to one’s parents and ancestors?
Filial piety
What Chinese office was responsible for supervising government officials and preventing corruption?
The Censorate
What term describes the Mongol Empire’s four regional political divisions after Genghis Khan’s death?
Khanates
Which Mongol-led dynasty replaced the Song Dynasty in China?
The Yuan Dynasty
Who was the Chinese-Muslim admiral who led massive naval voyages during the Ming Dynasty?
Zheng He
What philosophy reemerged in the Song Dynasty by blending Confucian ideas with Buddhism and Daoism?
Neo-Confucianism
What term refers to selecting government officials based on ability rather than family background?
Rule by merit
What long-term economic effect did Mongol rule have on Eurasia?
Increased Silk Road trade during the Pax Mongolica
Which dynasty restored Han Chinese rule after the collapse of the Mongols’ Yuan Dynasty?
The Ming Dynasty
What elite class of educated landowners gained influence through civil service exams?
The scholar-gentry
How did Neo-Confucianism shape Chinese society during the Song and Ming periods?
It reinforced strict social hierarchy and moral discipline.
What is the term for the practice in which foreign states acknowledged Chinese superiority in exchange for trade rights?
The tribute system
What term refers to fear or distrust of foreigners or foreign influence?
Xenophobia
What was one major administrative change introduced by the Mongols during their rule of China?
They placed Mongols and Central Asians in top government roles instead of the Chinese scholar-gentry.
Which group regained political dominance after the Mongols left China?
The scholar-gentry class
What belief system emphasized education, moral development, and proper social behavior?
Confucianism
Under the tribute system, what did foreign states have to do to receive permission to trade with China?
Acknowledge China’s superiority and offer tribute goods.
Why did the Mongols face difficulty governing China effectively?
Cultural differences and their reluctance to fully adopt Chinese institutions.
Why did the Ming Dynasty end long-distance naval voyages after 1433?
They viewed the expeditions as costly and contrary to Confucian priorities.
Which group proved militarily superior to the Song Dynasty due to their cavalry and mobility?
The Mongols
Which philosophy’s emphasis on hierarchy and obedience supported the rise of the scholar-gentry class?
Neo-Confucianism
What was a major weakness of Song China’s government structure?
Limited military strength compared to nomadic invaders
What symbolic architectural project represented Ming power and authority?
The Forbidden City