Reunification of China
Which dynasty fell in 220 CE?
Han Dynasty
What are four innovations created during the Tang and Song dynasties
Compass, Smallpox Inoculation, Paper Money, Mechanical Clock, Rocket, Moveable Type, Canal Lock, Porcelain, Gunpowder, Toothbrush, Umbrella, Steel, Tea
What is one positive and one negative of Mongol rule in China?
Positives: brought stability, were religiously tolerant
Negatives: took over by force, destroyed much of the land that they conquered
What does Ming mean?
Brilliant
Who was Zheng He? Why is he a significant historical figure?
Chinese explorer. He traveled throughout Southeast Asia, bringing Chinese culture with him. He also brought back ideas and goods from the foreign places he visited.
Under which dynasty did Yangdi build the Great Canal?
Sui Dynasty
How does a fire lance work? How did it help the Chinese?
It worked similarly to a gun -- could shoot flames and objects ~40 yards
It helped improve China's army
Who was Marco Polo? Why is he significant?
Italian traveler who lived in China for many years. He wrote about his travels in a book that spread Chinese culture and sparked interest in global exploration.
He ruled the city of Yangzhou for a few years.
Describe the Imperial City and the Forbidden City.
Imperial City: had palaces and government buildings
Forbidden City: contained gardens, palaces, China's emperor and court lived there, it lies at the center of the Imperial City
What are skills of the Mongols?
horseback riding, fighting/shooting arrows from far distances
Describe civil service exams.
candidates had to memorize Confucian writings & recited them; they started preparing at four years old; 1 in 5 candidates passed; only boys could take the tests
How does moveable type work? Why was the invention of printing important?
Moveable type: a form of printing where each individual character has its own piece. The pieces can be moved around to form sentences.
Printing allowed more books to be distributed (improves literacy) and led to the use of paper money.
The Mongols forced thousands of Koreans to build warships. What did the Mongols attempt to use these warships for? Were they successful?
They attempted (twice) to invade Japan. They failed because storms destroyed their fleet.
What are four ways Ming rulers changed China?
1. brought back civil service exams
2. established a census
3. created a strong government
4. repaired and expanded the Grand Canal
5. supported the silk industry
How did the printing of paper money help the economy of China?
Printed money was easier to make and carry then coins, so more money became available for traders to use in business. As a result, the economy grew.
How did Buddhist monks and nuns help the Chinese?
they ran schools and provided food & housing for travelers
monks were also bankers and provided medical care
What themes did Chinese poets often write about?
Li Bo: nature
Du Fu: problems of the poor, unfairness of life, wastefulness of war
Who were the Yuan rulers? Why did they stop using civil service exams as a requirement to be in the government?
Mongols
They stopped using them because the exams tested people on Chinese culture and Confucianism, which are not a part of Mongolian culture
What was the most significant literary development under the Ming? What was significant about it?
Production of novels. They were written in everyday language so they were accessible to more people; this brought back the production of plays
Why did the rulers of the Tang and Song dynasties support the arts and literature?
The arts reflect the ideas and vales of a culture. Rulers of these dynasties likely wanted poets and artists to create works that celebrated the Chinese landscape, people, and beliefs.
How did Empress Wu of the Tang Dynasty come to power?
she overthrew her own son
What event in 220 CE crippled the Chinese economy?
fall of the Han dynasty
What city did Kublai Khan make the capital of the empire? In what year?
Khanbaliq; 1264
When did Zheng He go on his travels (decades)?
Ex. 1970s-1980s
1405-1453
How did the Ming Dynasty represent a revival of Chinese culture?
Ming officials reinstated civil service exams. The dynasty brought increased prosperity which allowed investments in the arts. The Ming reversed the ban of traditional Chinese dramas.