Deck 7: Chinas First Empire, 221 B.C.E 589 C.E

Question 1

The Ancient Roman and Han Chinese Empires had all of the following characteristics in common except
(Global Perspective, pp. 172-173)

A) both had formidable armed forces.
B) both were large and culturally diverse.
C) both were based on distinct theoretical foundations.
D) both had legacies that would continue long after their demise.

Answer 1

both were large and culturally diverse.

Question 2

Which among the following was not a function of Han government?

A) strict control of subjects' everyday lives
B) collection of taxes
C) maintenance of military forces
D) administration of laws

Answer 2

strict control of subjects' everyday lives

Question 3

During the so-called Six Dynasties era,

A) China reached its greatest territorial extent ever.
B) China began to trade directly with Europe and Africa by ship.
C) Japan invaded and conquered most of northern China.
D) nomadic peoples repeatedly overran much of northern China.

Answer 3

nomadic peoples repeatedly overran much of northern China.

Question 4

Because China was susceptible to frequent earthquakes, they invented a seismograph under the Han Dynasty that used which of these mechanisms? (Image, p. 185)

A) a suspended weight that moves a lever that drops balls into a frog's mouth
B) a magnetic arm moves a writing instrument across a piece of parchment
C) specially colored wooden dragons that float in a vat of colored water
D) two chemicals separated inside an urn that when shaken produced a distinct glow

Question 5

The novel Journey to the West based on the monk Xuangzan's pilgrimages reflects the growth of what religion in China after the fall of the Han Dynasty?

A) Islam
B) Hinduism
C) Christianity
D) Buddhism

Question 6

Buddhism contributed to

A) societal disruption and political chaos in southern China.
B) improved relations between "barbarians" and Chinese by acting as a bridge between cultures.
C) the decline of philosophical thought in China.
D) the practice of polygamy and footbinding in northern China.

Question 7

Discuss the similarities and differences between the Chinese Empire and the Roman Empire. How did geography affect each empire? How did the "philosophical revolutions"
affect each empire? What was the role of the military in each political unit?
Conceptual

Question 8

What was the dynastic cycle in China? Why was there a specific mandate from heaven for this political activity? In what manner did the Qin Dynasty fail in the cycle? What were the general reasons for a downward trend in the cycle?
Conceptual

Question 9

Who were the four major contenders for power in the Han Dynasty and how did each group perceive its particular role in society? What were the most successful ways of gaining and maintaining power?
Conceptual

Question 10

Why did the Later Han Dynasty succeed where the Former Han had failed? What geographic areas were involved in the new empires? Where was most of the opposition to this control?
Conceptual

Question 11

After the collapse of the Later Han Dynasty, why did the south prosper with the capital at Nanking? What factors were important in developing a sound economy and attracting Chinese to the south? What role did religion play in this development?
Conceptual

Question 12

What were the contributions of philosophy to the Han Dynasty? How did philosophy aid in uniting the large empire? What were some of the major controversies of the time?
Conceptual

Question 13

Why was there interest in history during the Han period? How did this study reflect the values of society? What role did Confucian thought have in this development?
Conceptual

Question 14

Why did Buddhism appeal to the Chinese? Why were some of the Indian practices utilized by many who became involved in the faith? What importance did the collapse of the Han Dynasty have in this movement?
Conceptual

Question 15

Compare and contrast the first emperors of China and Rome. What were the policies of each emperor and how did each achieve his goals? Which were the most successful? You may need to refer to the previous chapter on Rome to complete your response on this topic.
Conceptual

Question 16

To what extent does the rise and fall of the dynasties in China support the dynastic cycle theory?
Conceptual

Question 17

Compare and contrast the policies of the Qin and Han empires. Which was the more successful dynasty and why?
Conceptual

Question 18

Compare and contrast Confucianism and Legalism. What were the primary teachings of each school of thought and how did each impact various dynasties?
Conceptual

Question 19

Discuss the process of unification in China under the first emperor. What reforms did he initiate and what was their impact on China? To what extent did these reforms survive his reign and influence other dynasties?
Conceptual

Question 20

Analyze the changes in Confucian thought during the Han period. To what extent did the Han embrace earlier Confucian teachings and to what extent did they modify them? To what extent were Han teachings influenced by schools of thought other than Confucianism?
Conceptual

Question 21

Compare and contrast the new ideologies that developed in the Han period, including Neo-Daoism, Buddhism, and other new influences in China. What was the impact on Chinese society and politics of these new schools of thought?
Conceptual