East Asia from 221 BC to 1910 AD

Exam Structure

• The exam includes matching questions
• The exam includes document-based questions
• The exam includes multiple-choice questions
• The exam includes true or false questions
• The exam includes a timeline section
• The exam includes two written response questions
• The exam is worth a total of 105 points

Qin Dynasty (221 BC - 206 BC)

• Governed by the philosophy of Legalism
• China derived its name from this dynasty
• Achieved unification more rapidly than Rome
• Heavily relied on brutal military force

Terracotta Army

• A clay army constructed to protect Qin in the afterlife

Chinese Tribute System

• Required non-Chinese entities to pay tribute for trade with China
• Involved the kow-tow ritual (ritual bowing)
• Included offering valuable gifts
• Korea, Japan, Vietnam, and Tibet participated in this system
• Displayed China's perceived superiority

Silla (688-900 AD)

• Korean Dynasty

Koryo (918-1392 AD)

• Korean Dynasty

Joseon (1392-1910 AD)

• Korean Dynasty

Kublai Khan

• The first foreign ruler of China in 1279
• Founded the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368), a non-Chinese dynasty
• Constructed Dadu, considered one of the best cities

Samurai

• Meaning "one who serves"
• A privileged warrior class following Bushido
• Bushido consisted of a strict code valuing loyalty, honor, and bravery
• Protected the Shoguns and Daimyo

Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368)

• A non-Chinese dynasty

Tang Xuanzong

• Fell in love with a commoner (Yang Guifei)
• Led to a rebellion that ended with Yang Guifei's suicide

Grand Canal

• Connects the Yangtze River with main cities near the Yellow River (Huang He)

Rustichello

• A famous author who wrote Marco Polo's tale titled "A Description of the World."
• "A Description of the World” is considered a primary source

Marco Polo (1275-1324)

• From Venice, Italy
• Traveled with his father and uncle on the Silk Road at age 17
• Spent 17 years in court and serving Kublai Khan
• Called Mongolians "Tartars"
• Headed back to Venice in 1279
• Robbed upon leaving Mongolia
• Traveled for 24 years covering 24,000 miles
• Ended up in prison and shared his tales

Liu Bang

• General
• Won after years of seesaw conflict
• Made himself the founder of the Han dynasty

Khanates

• States/territories ruled by descendants of Genghis Khan

Confucianism

• A system of philosophical and ethical teachings

Legalism

• Extreme adherence to the law

Dadu

• Meaning "Great Capital"
• Yuan and modern day Beijing

Early Mongolians

• Nomadic people from northern China
• Lived on the steppe (vast, flat, dry grasslands)
• Were herders and skilled horsemen
• Organized in clans (kinship groups)
• Invaded permanent settlements

Han Dynasty (202 BC-220 AD)

• Abandoned Legalism
• Embraced Confucianism
• Government and order were based on family relationships
• Respect for elders and education were essential elements
• Political patterns lasted until the 20th century

Prince Shotoku

• Visited China from Japan
• Brought back Buddhism
• Chinese calendar
• Confucianism
• Chinese styled government blended with Shintoism

Shintoism

• Native Japanese religion
• Worship of Kami nature gods

Sea of Japan

• Separates Japan from China

Daimyo

• Lived in Japanese Castles

Gobi Desert

• Mongols resided here to expand through war and conquest to build a vast empire

Great Khan

• China
• Korea
• Mongolia

Shoguns

• Great generals in feudal Japan

Foot Binding

• Practiced by the Chinese starting around 950 AD
• Involved breaking a young girl's feet and binding them to keep them small
• Small feet were called "lotus feet" and required special "lotus shoes"
• Chinese culture viewed this as beautiful

Bloody Revolt of the Red Eyebrows

• Peasant rebellions against Wang Mang
• Participants painted their eyebrows red to look like demons

Vietnam

• Controlled by China during the Han and Tang dynasties
• Referred to as "southern barbarian"
• Chinese culture was forced upon them, including clothing, hair, and Confucian education

Silk Road

• Trade routes connecting the East and West

Sui Dynasty (581 AD)

• Emperor Wen

Genghis Khan (1206)

• Meaning "universal leader/ruler"
• Original name was Temujin Khan in 1200
• Aimed to unify all clans
• Terrorized Central Asia and became a successful conqueror
• Brilliant organizer and gifted strategist
• Used new weapons and technology
• Employed cruelty as a weapon
• Died in 1227 from illness

Qin Shi Huangdi

• Developed bureaucracy
• Died in 210 BC from mercury poisoning via elixir
• Renamed himself Shi Huangdi (first emperor)
• Led military campaigns
• Defeated warring states in 10 years
• Believed in creating a universal empire
• Laid the foundation for a unified Chinese state that endures to the present time
• Ordered book burning if the books opposed legalistic methods

Samurai Code on Leadership

• Carefully select men for your service, avoiding "difficult" fellows
• If subordinates lack intelligence, rely on experienced older men for important duties
• The key to discipline is fair treatment in rewards and punishments
• Make allowance for minor misdeeds
• Never kill or wound a man in anger
• Reflect carefully before making difficult decisions
• Remember that there are two sides to every accusation
• Fair decisions are essential in commanding soldiers and governing a country

Confucius on Education and Human Nature

• Confucius was recognized as a great teacher during the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-220 A.D.)
• His teachings became the basis of the Chinese educational system
• This system was used to select government officials
• Confucius' ideas penetrated the lives of ordinary Chinese people
• Differences in human beings are determined by environment, education, habits, and preferences
• Confucius emphasized learning and the principles of humaneness and filial piety (devotion to family)

Progression of Chinese Dynasties

• Warring States
• Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC)
• Han Dynasty (202 BC-220 AD)
• Sui Dynasty (581-618 AD)
• Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD)
• Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD)
• Mongols (Yuan Dynasty)

Written Response: The Mongols

• The Mongols were nomads from Central Asia, known for military skills and horsemanship
• Genghis Khan (born Temüjin) united the Mongol tribes in the early 13th century, expanding the empire
• Success was from siege tactics, psychological warfare, and fast-moving cavalry
• The empire split into Khanates after Genghis Khan died in 1227
• The empire grew under successors like Kublai Khan, who conquered China
• The Mongol Empire, at its height, was the largest contiguous empire
• The Mongols spread ideas, technologies, and innovations across Eurasia

Written Response: Spread of Chinese Culture

• Japan's adoption of Chinese culture was voluntary due to not being invaded
• The Japanese selectively borrowed aspects like writing systems, Buddhism, and political structures but kept their own culture
• Vietnam was under Chinese control during the Han and Tang Dynasty
• The Vietnamese were forced to adopt parts of Chinese culture including Confucianism, governance, and education
• Japan's borrowing was more selective and less forced than Vietnam's, which was shaped by direct political control

Written Response: Confucius' Vision

• Confucius envisioned a peaceful and harmonious society based on filial piety (xiao)
• Filial piety emphasizes respect, loyalty, and devotion within the family
• A well-ordered society begins with strong family relationships, fostering respect and harmony
• His philosophy stresses moral virtues like kindness, integrity, and respect for authority for social stability
• Achieving such a society might be challenging today due to shifting cultural values and individualistic tendencies
• However, ideas on respect and moral integrity remain relevant for social harmony

Written Response: Unification under the Qin

• China became a unified empire under the Qin Dynasty through Emperor Qin Shi Huang
• Qin Shi Huang defeated rival states during the Warring States period and established centralized control
• His government was based on Legalism which emphasized strict laws, harsh punishments, and state authority
• To unify the empire, Qin Shi Huang standardized weights, measures, currency, and the writing system
• He built a network of roads and canals to improve transportation and connected regions
• The rule was harsh with centralized control, and reforms helped establish a more unified and centralized Chinese state