January 2022

Question 1

What is a dynasty?

Answer 1

A series of rulers from a single family

Question 2

How did the geography contribute to China’s culture?

Answer 2

Because of its isolation, China developed a unique culture

Question 3

From which direction could invaders come and what did the Chinese do about it?

Answer 3

The north - they built a Great Wall

Question 4

When did Buddhism become popular in China and why?

Answer 4

After the fall of the Han dynasty - its appealing when things are rotten

Question 5

Why was Confucianism popular with rulers?

Answer 5

It’s based on respect for authority

Question 6

What is the Mandate of Heaven?

Answer 6

The concept that Heaven supports China’s ruler conditionally, so long as they rule well.

Question 7

What did the Chinese build during the Sui dynasty to improve trade?

Answer 7

the Grand Canal

Question 8

From which group were the Tang dynasty officials chosen?

Answer 8

The aristocracy - the rich protecting the rich

Question 9

From which groups were the Song and Ming officials chosen?

Answer 9

Scholars - by passing exams based on Confucian teaching

Question 10

From which group were the Yuan officials chosen?

Answer 10

Foreigners, based on loyalty more than talent

Question 11

What group was generally favored when taking exams?

Answer 11

The wealthy because they could afford to give their sons an education.

Question 12

Why were merchants considered the lowest class in traditional society?

Answer 12

They produced nothing, just made money on other people’s labor

Question 13

Why did the Tang dynasty territory extend so far west?

Answer 13

To keep the Silk Road open

Question 14

Why didn’t the Tang dynasty having the territory they had bother the Song?

Answer 14

They had begun to focus on maritime (sea) trade

Question 15

What technological advancements made maritime trade possible?

Answer 15

Watertight compartments, the magnetic compass, and the stern post rudder

Question 16

What sparked the economic boom of the Song dynasty?

Answer 16

The shift south and rice cultivation

Question 17

What fueled the economic boom of the Song dynasty?

Answer 17

Commerce, canal travel, and urbanization

Question 18

What brought the Song dynasty to an end?

Answer 18

They were conquered by Kublai Khan who established the Yuan dynasty

Question 19

What groups were favored by the Yuan?

Answer 19

Mongols and other foreigners, merchants, and northern Chinese

Question 20

Who was Marco Polo and what was his legacy?

Answer 20

A trader from Venice who served Kublai Khan and brought knowledge of China to Europeans

Question 21

What also traveled to Europe during the Yuan dynasty?

Answer 21

The Bubonic Plague

Question 22

What system did the Ming prefer over commercial trade?

Answer 22

Tribute and kowtowing to the emperor

Question 23

Who was Zheng He and what was his mission for the Ming emperor?

Answer 23

the “Admiral of the Western Seas” voyages of exploration to establish more tributary states

Question 24

How did their ships compare to Europe’s at the time?

Answer 24

5 times the size and far more seaworthy

Question 25

Why did the Ming stop exploration and trade?

Answer 25

Mis-trust of foreigners, too expensive, and the belief the outside world had nothing valuable to offer them

Question 26

How did the Ming establish a “closed door” policy?

Answer 26

They built the Great Wall, forbade outside travel, and controlled all interactions with foreigners

Question 27

How did a closed door policy hurt China?

Answer 27

They fell behind technologically as the West began to advance

Question 28

What inventions changed the world once in the hand of Europeans?

Answer 28

The magnetic compass, paper, and gunpowder

Question 29

What Chinese practice reflected Neo-Confucian views in regards to women?

Answer 29

foot binding

Question 30

Despite the previous popularity, how did the Chinese rulers come to view Buddhism?

Answer 30

As something basically not Chinese