Ancient China - Social Classes Flashcards
What is the main factor of how the Chinese respected different social classes?
The Chinese respected different classes according to how much they contributed to the benefit of the WHOLE society.
Why are Merchants at the bottom of the ancient Chinese social ladder, despite them earning a very luxurious living?
Because they do not contribute to society; rather they work for their own selfish gain: money.
What did nobles generally become?
They either became a landowner and collected taxes from the people living on their land to accumulate their wealth, OR they served in the government as military officials.
Why are peasants well respected according to the social pyramid?
Peasants are well respected because they provide food for all of the country. The Chinese acknowledge that nothing can be done on a empty stomach. Although peasants were never very wealthy, but how rich you were was irrelevant to the amount of respect you received from Chinese people.
Which three social classes are on the fifth plane of the social pyramid?
Artisans, soldiers and tradespeople.
Name the order of EVERY social class according to the pyramid.
- Emperor and Imperial Family
- Nobles
- Scholars
- Peasants and Workers
- Tradespeople, Artisans and Soldiers
- Merchants and Slaves
