Podcast
Questions and Answers
How did Neo-Confucianism affect the selection process for government positions during the Sung Dynasty?
How did Neo-Confucianism affect the selection process for government positions during the Sung Dynasty?
- It reinforced the traditional practice of hereditary succession, ensuring that sons of high-ranking officials automatically inherited their fathers' positions.
- It introduced civil service exams based on Confucian teachings, emphasizing merit and knowledge over familial connections for government appointments. (correct)
- It led to the abolishment of the civil service exams, as emperors began directly appointing officials based on personal loyalty.
- It decreased the importance of Confucian texts, emphasizing practical experience.
Which of the following best describes the relationship between Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism in Chinese history?
Which of the following best describes the relationship between Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism in Chinese history?
- They were separate and unrelated belief systems that all originated outside of China.
- They were isolated belief systems that had minimal impact on each other or on Chinese society.
- They coexisted and influenced each other, forming the core of Chinese ethical philosophy with Confucianism as the only one originating in China. (correct)
- They were competing philosophies with distinct and conflicting principles, each vying for dominance.
What role did new technologies play in promoting Confucianism during the Sung Dynasty?
What role did new technologies play in promoting Confucianism during the Sung Dynasty?
- Technologies like movable type enabled the mass production of Confucian texts, making them more accessible and affordable for study. (correct)
- Advanced weaponry was developed using Confucian principles, increasing the power of those who followed Confucianism.
- The invention of the compass allowed Confucian scholars to travel more easily, spreading their teachings to new regions.
- Agricultural advancements based on Confucian ideals led to greater food production, supporting a larger population that could study Confucianism.
What was the most significant impact of the civil service examinations in Sung China regarding social mobility?
What was the most significant impact of the civil service examinations in Sung China regarding social mobility?
What was the primary focus of Confucianism as a philosophy in ancient China?
What was the primary focus of Confucianism as a philosophy in ancient China?
Why were the Four Books of Zhu Xi considered important during the Sung Dynasty?
Why were the Four Books of Zhu Xi considered important during the Sung Dynasty?
How did Kublai Khan attempt to legitimize his rule over China, considering the general Chinese attitude toward foreign influence?
How did Kublai Khan attempt to legitimize his rule over China, considering the general Chinese attitude toward foreign influence?
What was the long-term impact of Kublai Khan's policies and actions on the Yuan Dynasty's identity?
What was the long-term impact of Kublai Khan's policies and actions on the Yuan Dynasty's identity?
Which of the following best describes the Yuan Dynasty's approach to civil service examinations during its rule in China?
Which of the following best describes the Yuan Dynasty's approach to civil service examinations during its rule in China?
What primary factor contributed to the downfall of the Yuan Dynasty after its embrace of Chinese customs and institutions?
What primary factor contributed to the downfall of the Yuan Dynasty after its embrace of Chinese customs and institutions?
Flashcards
Confucianism
Confucianism
A Chinese philosophy emphasizing moral behavior in government, business, and family life.
Daoism
Daoism
Along with Buddhism, one of the three cornerstones of Chinese ethical philosophy.
Neo-Confucianism
Neo-Confucianism
A revival of Confucianism, blending in Buddhist principles.
Sung Dynasty
Sung Dynasty
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Civil Service Exams (Sung China)
Civil Service Exams (Sung China)
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Sung Dynasty Civil Exams
Sung Dynasty Civil Exams
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Mongol Empire
Mongol Empire
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Yuan Dynasty
Yuan Dynasty
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Kublai Khan & Confucianism
Kublai Khan & Confucianism
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Reinstatement of Civil Service Examinations
Reinstatement of Civil Service Examinations
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Study Notes
- Confucianism is a Chinese philosophy for moral behavior in government, business, and family life.
- It is named after the ancient teacher Confucius.
- Along with Buddhism and Daoism, it is one of the three cornerstones of Chinese ethical philosophy.
- Confucianism is the only one that was originally founded in China.
- Confucianism has been one of the most influential practices in Chinese history, guiding the decisions of peasants and emperors alike.
Confucianism in the Sung Dynasty
- Confucianism was dominant in ancient China but faded into the background for several years.
- It was revived in the Tang Dynasty around the 9th century.
- During this time, Buddhism was widely popular in China.
- Chinese intellectuals found ways to mix Buddhist principles into Confucian teachings, creating Neo-Confucianism.
- The foundations of Neo-Confucianism were set during the Tang Dynasty but came to fruition in the Sung Dynasty (960-1279).
- Under the Sung, Neo-Confucianism became the dominant philosophy that influenced Chinese politics.
- By 1241, the Four Books of Zhu Xi were standard textbooks for students interested in government work.
- The rise of Neo-Confucianism revived the idea that qualified people should run the government.
- Merit, earning something based on qualifications, is very important to Confucianism.
- Sung China instituted civil service exams to ensure that all government officials were fit for office.
- These tests were rigorous, extremely difficult, and required complete knowledge of the Confucian teachings and modern political theory.
- New Sung technologies, like movable type printing, allowed for the mass production of textbooks.
- The exams were based solely on qualifications, so they were the best way for people in Sung China to improve their social class.
- Any peasant could study hard and earn a highly-respected position in government.
Confucianism in Mongol China
- The Sung Dynasty was defeated by the Mongol Empire, led by Genghis Khan.
- A grandson of Genghis Khan, Kublai Khan, finally defeated China and became the emperor of the Yuan Dynasty.
- The Yuan Dynasty lasted from 1271-1368.
- China was controlled by the Mongols.
- China was very cautious of foreign influences.
- Confucianism stressed that merchants were the lowest class of people because they voluntarily left China to do business elsewhere.
- To win the respect of the people and give his leadership legitimacy, Kublai Khan modeled himself as an ideal Chinese ruler.
- Kublai Khan lived his life by Confucianism.
- Kublai Khan opened schools for Confucian scholars
- He lived by the Confucian rules for a good leader
- He sponsored Confucian practices.
- Kublai Khan valued international business, even to the point that China started trading with people as far away as Europe.
- Kublai Khan never reinstated the civil service examinations of the Sung.
- Kublai Khan set a very important precedent for Yuan emperors.
- Near the end of the dynasty, the Yuan rulers saw themselves as more Chinese than Mongolian.
- In 1313, the civil service examinations were re-instated.
- The administrations of the last emperors opened Confucian schools specifically targeted at teaching Mongolians proper Chinese behavior.
- Mongol factions developed within China and the Mongol territories.
- The Yuan Dynasty fell soon after to internal warfare and rebellions by Chinese leaders, anxious to get foreign powers out of China.
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Description
Confucianism is a Chinese philosophy for moral behavior. It was revived in the Tang Dynasty and mixed with Buddhist principles, creating Neo-Confucianism. Neo-Confucianism came to fruition in the Sung Dynasty (960-1279).
