Timeline
1. Final collapse of China's Han empire
2. Sui Dynasty briefly reunites China
3. Prince Shotoku Taishi introduces Confucianism to Japan
4. With Chinese support, Silla Dynasty unifies Korea
5. Tang Dynasty collapses in China
6. Song Dynasty is established
7. Mongols become unified under Genghis Khan
8. Kublai Khan completes conquest of China
2. Sui Dynasty briefly reunites China
3. Prince Shotoku Taishi introduces Confucianism to Japan
4. With Chinese support, Silla Dynasty unifies Korea
5. Tang Dynasty collapses in China
6. Song Dynasty is established
7. Mongols become unified under Genghis Khan
8. Kublai Khan completes conquest of China
- What qualities define power struggles and stable periods of rule?
- How can invasions change the lives of people in conquered lands?
China Reunified
In China, there were three dynasties at the time. The Sui Dynasty was not long lasting, but it unified China once again under the authority of an emperor after suffering through disorder and civil wars. But Sui Yangdi, the ruler in the Sui Dynasty, was a cruel ruler; using forced labor, raising taxes, ... caused a rebellion against him. Then the Tang Dynasty, it created a more stable economy by giving land to the peasants and breaking up land estates to reduce owner's power. The men would memorize Confucian classics. After three-hundred years the Tang Dynasty weakened and became prey to rebellions. Then the Song Dynasty, where many invaders caused them to move lower and lower losing their land. The Mongols overthrew the Song Dynasty.
The Tang and Song Dynasties restored the merit-based selection of civil servants. The selection gave China a government staffed by a literate bureaucracy. China made advancements in science, math, trade, ... ; like gunpowder, sophisticated number system. For trade they renewed the Silk Road. A rise of landed gentry emerged created a class known as the scholar-gentry, who controlled most of the land and produced most of the candidates for civil service. An empress rose known as Empress Wu. She was impressing because at this time few women had any power. And the women were to provide a dowry for her husband which was a gift of money or property paid at the time of marriage.
The Tang and Song Dynasties restored the merit-based selection of civil servants. The selection gave China a government staffed by a literate bureaucracy. China made advancements in science, math, trade, ... ; like gunpowder, sophisticated number system. For trade they renewed the Silk Road. A rise of landed gentry emerged created a class known as the scholar-gentry, who controlled most of the land and produced most of the candidates for civil service. An empress rose known as Empress Wu. She was impressing because at this time few women had any power. And the women were to provide a dowry for her husband which was a gift of money or property paid at the time of marriage.
- What qualities define power struggles and stable periods of rule?
- How can invasion change the lives of people in conquered lands?
The Mongols and Chinese Culture
The Mongolian Empire was a turning point in world history. They invaded and conquered land from Asia and Europe resulting in the largest land empire in history. After Genghis Khan's death, his once-united empire separated into several separate territories known as khanates. Gun-powder and firearms were introduced to the Mongols, China, and Europe making a major technological impact. Mongols overthrew the Song Dynasty, so they welcomed merchants into court and trade flourished. The Mongol Dynasty eventually fell victim to too much spending on foreign conquests, corruption at court, and growing internal instability. Buddhism and Daoism rivaled the influence of Confucianism in China. A new doctrine flourished, Neo-Confucianism, which is a revised form of Confucianism that revolved as a response to Buddhism and held sway in China from the late Tang Dynasty to the end of the dynastic system. It divided the world into material and spiritual world. Poetry, painting, and ceramics flourished during this period; like porcelain, ceramic made of fine clay baked at very high temperatures.
- What qualities define power struggle and stable periods of rule?
- How can invasion change the lives of people in conquered lands?
Early Japan and Korea
Japan is and archipelago, which is a chain of islands, and very mountainous. The Japanese prince, Shotoku Taishini, unified Japan through introduction and acceptance of Confucianism. By the aristocrats taking the high tax money for themselves, the central government steadily lost power and influence. With the decline of the central government, local aristocrats took manners into their own hands. They turned to military force, and a new class of military servants emerged whose purpose was to protect the security and property of their employers. These warriors were known as samurais, "those who serve." Like knights, the samurais had a strict law code called the Bushido, "the way of the warrior." Finally a powerful noble named Minamoto Yoritomo defeated the aristocrats and set up his power. Daimyo, noble families who control vast landed estates rallying on samurai for protection, raised to power while the central Rule was collapsing.
The Shinto, "sacred way/ way of god," was the religion in Japan and is still practiced today. Zen a sect of Buddhism that became popular with Japanese aristocrats and became part of the samurai's code of behavior; under Zen Buddhism, there are different paths to enlightenment. Korea emerged with China and Japan because of it's location in between both.
The Shinto, "sacred way/ way of god," was the religion in Japan and is still practiced today. Zen a sect of Buddhism that became popular with Japanese aristocrats and became part of the samurai's code of behavior; under Zen Buddhism, there are different paths to enlightenment. Korea emerged with China and Japan because of it's location in between both.
- What qualities define power struggles and stable periods of rule?
- How can invasion change the lives of people in conquered lands?
India and Southeast Asia
In India, for religion, they had Theravada which was a school of Buddhism; its followers view Buddhism as a way of life. And the Mahayana, which was another school of Buddhism that developed in northwest India, stressing the view that nirvana can be achieved through devotion to the Buddha; its followers consider the Buddha a divine figure. India was divided in Islam and Hindu. The two religions are very different, so they keep contradicting each other. Internal trade within India decline during this time period because of the fighting among the many states of India. Hindu religious architecture developed in India along with artists and writers.
Between China and India lies the region of Southeast Asia. It has two major parts: one is the mainland region , the other is an extensive archipelago. This area was also known as the "golden region/islands." It contains mixtures of races, cultures, and religions. The geographical barrier encouraged the development of separate, distinctive cultures within Southeast Asia. The Vietnamese were one of the first people in Southeast Asia to develop their own state and their own culture. Angkor was the most powerful state in mainland Southeast Asia. Thai groups formed into what is today Thailand. The Burmese played an active role in regional sea trade. The Malay peninsula and the Indonesian archipelago united to form one state.
Southeast Asia's social classes varied, consisting of two classes. The top class were the hereditary aristocrats, who held both political power and economic wealth. Beyond the cities lived the rest of the population, consisting of farmers, fishers, artisans, and merchants. Women worked side by side with men in the fields and often played and active role in trading activities.
Between China and India lies the region of Southeast Asia. It has two major parts: one is the mainland region , the other is an extensive archipelago. This area was also known as the "golden region/islands." It contains mixtures of races, cultures, and religions. The geographical barrier encouraged the development of separate, distinctive cultures within Southeast Asia. The Vietnamese were one of the first people in Southeast Asia to develop their own state and their own culture. Angkor was the most powerful state in mainland Southeast Asia. Thai groups formed into what is today Thailand. The Burmese played an active role in regional sea trade. The Malay peninsula and the Indonesian archipelago united to form one state.
Southeast Asia's social classes varied, consisting of two classes. The top class were the hereditary aristocrats, who held both political power and economic wealth. Beyond the cities lived the rest of the population, consisting of farmers, fishers, artisans, and merchants. Women worked side by side with men in the fields and often played and active role in trading activities.
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