History Exam - Ancient China

Question 1

What is buddhism?

Answer 1

A religion or philosophy from India, brought to ancient China in the 1st century that promotes the idea of reaching the state of nirvana, free from hurt or pain.

Question 2

Explain Confucianism.

Answer 2

A Chinese philosophy based on the teaching of Confucius, which was a code of behaviour, promoting the ideas of obedience, honouring ancestors and elders, respecting traditions, family relationships and fairness.

Question 3

What is daoism (Taoism)?

Answer 3

A Chinese philosophy based on the writings of Lao-Tzu that promoted meditation and exercise to create a balance of yin (female) and tang (male) in oneself.

Question 4

Explain the emperor.

Answer 4

The title of someone who rules an empire; Ancient Rome and ancient China had emperors.

Question 5

Explain an empire.

Answer 5

A group of countries and/or areas, often with different languages and having different cultures, that are ruled by a central power or leader (known as an emperor or empress).

Question 6

What is the Huang He River?

Answer 6

Also known as the yellow river, one of the two major river systems in China which supported agriculture and economic development.

Question 7

Explain legalism.

Answer 7

Enforcing strict laws or rules that are limiting on personal freedoms, usually involving severe punishments, as was the case under the rule of Emperor Qin.

Question 8

Explain the Mandate of Heaven.

Answer 8

A theory in ancient China that those who were in power were given the right (or blessing) to rule by a divine power.

Question 9

Explain standardisation.

Answer 9

The process of making something common to a standard; as within the Qin dynasty, where weights, measures, currency and language were made common across China.

Question 10

Explain ‘The Gong.’

Answer 10

The third class of Ancient Chinese society, consisting of artisans and craftspeople, who were well regarded for the skills.

Question 11

Explain the Great Wall.

Answer 11

A defensive stone wall built in China’s north to protect the nation from invasion.

Question 12

Explain ‘The Nong.’

Answer 12

The second highest Ancient Chinese society, consisting of farmers, who were highly respected fo the work they did to feed the population.

Question 13

Explain ‘The Shang.’

Answer 13

The lowest class of Ancient Chinese society, consisting of merchants who were wealthy but considered to be people who did not contribute.

Question 14

Explain ‘The Shi.’

Answer 14

The highest class in Ancient Chinese society beneath the imperial family, consisting of nobles and officials.

Question 15

What is the Silk Road?

Answer 15

A trade route stretching west from China to the Mediterranean Sea; it wad the main way in which silk was introduced to the west.

Question 16

Explain unification.

Answer 16

The process of becoming united, used to describe the Qin dynasty’s victory over the seven warring states, making China one country.

Question 17

What are the warring state periods?

Answer 17

A time of civil war within China between the many states resulting in seven that came to dominate; a period of constant war between 481 and 221 BCE.

Question 18

Explain the ancient Chinese hierachy. Who’s on it? Why are farmers higher up than merchants?

Answer 18

The Ancient Chinese hierachy is in the shape of a diamond. The emperor is on the top on the outside of the diamond, then inside the diamond, there’s the Shi (nobles), The nong (farmers), the Gong (crafts people, and the Shang (merchants). Farmers were third highest because they provided food for the nation and they were valued whereas merchants were on the bottom because they worked for money.