Song Dynasty Imperial Bureaucracy Quiz & Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What was the duration of the Song Dynasty?

840-960

500-700

960-1279 (correct)

1300-1400

What was the Grand Canal?

An internal waterway transportation system that extended over 30,000 miles.

What is Champa rice?

A fast-ripening and drought-resistant strain of rice from the Champa Kingdom.

What is the tributary system?

An arrangement where other states paid money or provided goods to honor the Chinese emperor. Signup and view all the answers

What does Kowtow refer to?

A ritual in which anyone greeting the Chinese emperor must bow their head until it reaches the floor. Signup and view all the answers

Who were the scholar gentry?

The highest social class in China, educated in Confucian philosophy. Signup and view all the answers

What was foot binding?

A process beginning at a young age, where girls wrapped their feet tightly to restrict their growth. Signup and view all the answers

What is Zen Buddhism also known as?

Chan Buddhism. Signup and view all the answers

Define filial piety.

The duty of family members to subordinate their needs to those of the male head of the family. Signup and view all the answers

What is Neo-Confucianism?

A syncretic faith combining elements of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. Signup and view all the answers

What does Sinification refer to?

A process where non-Chinese societies come under the influence of Chinese culture. Signup and view all the answers

The Song Dynasty's bureaucracy became known as a __________.

meritocracy Signup and view all the answers

How did the Song Dynasty's imperial bureaucracy represent political continuity?

It maintained the policies of the empire in a consistent manner. Signup and view all the answers

How did the imperial bureaucracy change over time?

It became a meritocracy where officials were chosen based on civil service exams. Signup and view all the answers

How did Song China utilize Confucianism to maintain control?

By promoting filial piety and ensuring loyalty to the emperor as the male head of the family. Signup and view all the answers

What led to the decline of the Song Dynasty?

The expansion of bureaucracy increased government costs, leading to a decline in wealth. Signup and view all the answers

What lasting impact did the Tang Dynasty have on the Song Dynasty?

It promoted agricultural development, improved infrastructure, and encouraged trade. Signup and view all the answers

How did the Grand Canal contribute to Song China's economic success?

It created an efficient internal transportation system that boosted trade. Signup and view all the answers

What major trade network allowed China to trade items with Eurasia?

The Silk Roads. Signup and view all the answers

Key innovations in agriculture included the use of __________ to improve soil quality.

manure Signup and view all the answers

What were some examples of trade items from Song China?

Porcelain, silk, cast iron goods. Signup and view all the answers

What does commercialization mean for an economy?

The process of bringing new products or services to the market. Signup and view all the answers

How did Song China continue to rely on free peasant and artisan labor?

By reducing labor requirements for government projects and paying workers. Signup and view all the answers

How did the Tributary System support both economic and political power for Song China?

It required other states to pay tribute, providing economic benefit and asserting political influence. Signup and view all the answers

What was the difference in urbanization during Song China compared to earlier periods?

Song China was very urbanized with cities over 100,000 people. Signup and view all the answers

From most powerful to least powerful, the six classes of social hierarchy are __________.

Scholar gentry, farmers, artisans, craftsmen, merchants, peasants Signup and view all the answers

What evidence is there that Chinese society was patriarchal?

Confucian traditions emphasized respect for men and the practice of foot binding. Signup and view all the answers

What inventions allowed for the flourishing of literature in the Song Dynasty?

The development of printing and woodblock printing. Signup and view all the answers

How did Buddhism migrate to China?

Via the Silk Road from its origin in India. Signup and view all the answers

What do the three main types of Buddhism have in common?

They all include a belief in the Four Noble Truths and embrace the Eight-Fold Path. Signup and view all the answers

How is Zen Buddhism a syncretic religion?

It merges Buddhist doctrines with Daoist traditions. Signup and view all the answers

How did the Song Dynasty treat Buddhism?

They were friendly but focused more on promoting Confucianism. Signup and view all the answers

What similarities does Japan share with China?

Japan promoted Confucianism and imitated Chinese traditions. Signup and view all the answers

What similarities exist between Korea and China?

Korea imitated China's culture and adopted Confucianism and Buddhism. Signup and view all the answers

What similarities and differences exist between Vietnam and China?

Both adopted the Chinese writing system, but Vietnam had more independent village operations. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Song Dynasty

Chinese dynasty that lasted from 960 to 1279, known for its cultural prosperity and bureaucratic expansion.
Ruled a smaller region due to invasions from Manchurian pastoralists.
Emperors, particularly Song Taizu, promoted educational opportunities for lower economic classes through civil service exams.
The expansion of bureaucratic positions led to increased government costs and weakened China's overall wealth.
Agriculture advancements saw China's population grow from about 25% to nearly 40% of the world population.

Grand Canal

An extensive internal waterway transportation system over 30,000 miles long.
Significant in making China the world's most populous trading area during the Song Dynasty.

Champa Rice

Fast-ripening and drought-resistant rice strain from the Champa Kingdom (modern-day Vietnam).
Revolutionized agricultural production in China, allowing cultivation in previously unsuitable lands.

Tributary System

Arrangements in which other states paid tribute to honor the Chinese emperor, helping assert China's economic and political authority.
Created stability and promoted trade among tributary states, including Japan and Korea.

Kowtow

A formal gesture of respect where individuals bowed their heads to the floor when greeting the emperor.
Expected from representatives of tributary states.

Scholar Gentry

The highest social class in China, educated in Confucian philosophy and highly influential in societal matters.

Foot Binding

A cultural practice among aristocratic families starting at a young age, aimed at creating tightly bound feet.
Considered a marker of social status and beauty; restricted women's mobility and public participation.
Banned in 1912 due to its oppressive nature.

Zen Buddhism

Also called Chan Buddhism, it blends Buddhist doctrines with Daoist elements.
Focuses on personal experience and meditation rather than traditional scripture study.

Filial Piety

A cultural norm within Confucianism requiring family members to prioritize the male head of the family’s needs over their own.

Neo-Confucianism

A syncretic philosophy that emerged between 770 and 840, merging rational thought with Taoist and Buddhist concepts.
Gained popularity in East Asian countries like Japan, Korea, and Vietnam.

Sinification

The process by which non-Chinese societies adopt Chinese cultural elements, despite efforts to maintain their own cultural identity.

Imperial Bureaucracy/Meritocracy

An organizational structure where appointed officials enforce imperial policies, primarily established since the Qin dynasty.
The Song Dynasty's meritocracy allowed individuals to rise based on examination performance, leading to more educational opportunities for lower classes.

Economic and Political Control

Utilized Confucianism to reinforce hierarchical family structures, ensuring loyalty to rulers and maintaining societal order.
Expanded bureaucratic positions increased government expense, contributing to the Song’s eventual decline.

Agricultural Innovations

Farmers implemented manure, built irrigation systems, and used water buffalo in plowing, leading to increased productivity.
Innovations resulted in food abundance, spurring population growth.

Trade Networks

The Silk Roads facilitated trade across Eurasia, while maritime innovations like the Grand Canal and new navigation techniques improved sea trade.

Commercialization

Transition from local consumption to market-oriented production, enhancing economic dynamism.

Patriarchal Society

Evidence includes Confucian emphasis on women's subordination and practices like foot binding.

Intellectual Pursuits

Advances in printing technology from the 7th century enabled broader access to literature and knowledge for the elite, fueling Confucian scholarship.

Cultural Exchanges: Japan, Korea, Vietnam

Japan adopted Confucian ideals and woodblock printing but maintained unique political structures.
Korea imitated Chinese governance and culture but later developed its own writing system and hierarchical power structure.
Vietnam implemented merit-based bureaucracy while granting women more independence in marriage compared to Chinese norms.

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Description

Explore the essentials of the Song Dynasty in China, which lasted from 960 to 1279. This flashcard quiz covers its political structure, cultural advancements, and economic prosperity. Learn about Emperor Song Taizu and his efforts to expand educational opportunities during this influential period.

AP History Flashcards: Song Dynasty