Deck 8: Imperial China, 589-1368

Question 1

Before the sixth century C.E., the Chinese maintained imperial unity while the Europeans did not for all of the following reasons except (Global Perspective, pp. 192-193)

A) Buddhism served as the ideological basis of the Chinese government.
B) China had a more homogenous culture.
C) the population density of China was considerably higher.
D) military valor was more highly regarded in China.

Answer 1

military valor was more highly regarded in China.

Question 2

All of the following constituted principle threats to the Tang state except the

A) Japanese.
B) Tibetans.
C) Turks.
D) Manchurian tribes.

Answer 2

Japanese.

Question 3

The high point of Buddhism in China was during the

A) Tang dynasty.
B) Song dynasty.
C) Yuan dynasty.
D) Qin dynasty.

Answer 3

Tang dynasty.

Question 4

The primary geopolitical difference between the Northern and the Southern Song dynasties can best be described as (Map 8-3, p. 203)

A) the Liao Empire dominated the northern half of China under the Northern Song.
B) the Jin Empire dominated the northern half of China under the Southern Song.
C) the Northern Song controlled the Grand Canal while the Southern Song did not.
D) the Southern Song controlled the Grand Canal while the Northern Song did not.

Question 5

About how many Mongols lived in China during the Yuan period?

A) 100,000
B) 400,000
C) 700,000
D) 1,000,000

Question 6

Discuss the general trends in world history from 500 to 1500. What were the general patterns of the Chinese, Persian, and Indian development? How did the Arab invasions affect world history? Why did Europe fail to unite?
Conceptual

Question 7

What is the importance of the Sui dynasty to the Tang dynasty? What former Chinese empire developed as a role model for these two dynasties? What great building program developed in the Sui period?
Conceptual

Question 8

Why was Empress Wu (625-706) successful in obtaining control in the Tang period? How did her role affect Chinese history? Did her influence enhance or detract from the prestige of the Tang Empire?
Conceptual

Question 9

What was the impact of Buddhism on the Tang dynasty? Why were there three distinct Buddhist divisions? Did this movement represent certain social strata?
Conceptual

Question 10

Describe how peasants in China changed from serfs to free farmers. What was the role of the aristocracy in this transformation? Why did the equal field system collapse?
Conceptual

Question 11

Discuss the influence of technological changes during the Song period. What was the impact of money on trade? Why did the population shift to the south? What role did the scholar-gentry play in these changes?
Conceptual

Question 12

What was the importance of the examination system in the Song period? How did this development bring about stability in the court? Who had the best opportunity to pass the exam?
Conceptual

Question 13

Describe the methods utilized by the Mongols to control China. What advantage was there in maintaining a language barrier between the Mongols and the Chinese? What happened to the examination system during the Yuan dynasty?
Conceptual

Question 14

Compare and contrast the development of Europe and China from 500 to 1500. What factors influenced the development of both areas?
Conceptual

Question 15

Compare and contrast the role of women as seen in the career of the Empress Wu, the poetry of Li Bo, the "Chaste Woman" Shi, and during the Yuan dynasty. How did the roles of women evolve and how do their roles in China compare to those in other civilizations in your studies?
Conceptual

Question 16

Compare and contrast the political, social, and economic structure of China during the Tang dynasty to that during the Song dynasty. What were the strengths of the Tang? The Song? And what innovations did both dynasties contribute to China?
Conceptual

Question 17

Compare and contrast trade and foreign contact during the Tang and Yuan periods. What impact did trade and contact with foreigners have on China during these periods?
Conceptual

Question 18

What were the tactics that allowed Temujin to transform the Mongols into a successful conquering force? What was the impact of the Mongols on Asia?
Conceptual

Question 19

What were some of the cultural achievements of the Chinese during the Tang dynasty? What various influences were reflected in Tang literature and poetry? How do these achievements compare to those of the Song and Yuan dynasties?
Conceptual