The Chinese Dynasties
1. What happened in China after the fall of the Han dynasty in A.D. 220?
China entered 400 years of civil war.
Why did the people begin to resent Yangdi’s rule?
He forced peasants to work like slaves and launched costly wars.
What was a major cause of the Tang dynasty’s decline?
Instability, weak rulers, and lots of deaths.
Why did many Chinese resent Mongol rule?
Society was divided into 4 classes, Mongols were on top; people lost land, some were enslaved, and forced to work, and they didn't get a place in politics, because the Mongols were too scared they would rebel.
How did the Qing dynasty respond after taking power from the Ming?
The Qing kept Ming customs and government structure but added new Manchu traditions.
They continued isolationist policies and used the military to expand.
They forced Chinese men to wear a long braid as a symbol of loyalty.
They also faced a huge population boom, reaching 300 million by 1800.
What caused the end of the Sui dynasty?
A rebellion broke out and Yangdi was assassinated.
2. Who founded the Sui dynasty in 581?
General Wendi.
What crop helped double China’s population during the Song dynasty?
Rice, especially fast-growing rice from Southeast Asia.
What was the Forbidden City?
A luxurious, highly restricted palace in Beijing, built by nearly 1 million workers and symbolizing the emperor's divine role.
Why did Emperor Zhengtong end China's maritime voyages?
He said the voyages were too expensive.
He didn’t like foreign ideas.
He and others believed that China was the most civilized and saw outsiders as barbarians.
What was one major achievement of Yangdi?
He restored the Great Wall and built canals.
Which dynasty rose to power after the fall of the Sui?
The Tang dynasty.
What was an economic first during the Song dynasty?
World’s first government-backed paper money.
Why did China stop Zheng He’s voyages?
China stopped Zheng He’s voyages because they were too expensive and China wanted to focus on protecting its borders. And Zheng He passed away.
What did the Tang dynasty continue from the Sui dynasty?
The Tang continued the Sui's tolerance of religions and cultures.
How did Wendi strengthen the Sui dynasty’s central government?
He united kingdoms, reduced rich people’s power, created a new law code, and gave land to soldiers.
What invention helped improve navigation at sea?
Magnetic compass.
What was one result of China's isolationist policies during the Ming and Qing dynasties?
China lost control over sea trade, which increased the influence of European powers and Japanese pirates.
What helped the Tang dynasty select government officials?
Civil service exams to select scholar-officials.
Who was China’s only female emperor?
Wu Zhao, wife of Taizong’s son.
Who united the Mongol tribes into a powerful force?
Genghis Khan (Temujin)
What led to the fall of the Ming dynasty?
Secret Chinese societies formed to plot rebellions.