Question 1

After the death of the first Ming emperor, which city was once again made the capital of China?

Accepted Answer

After the death of the first Ming emperor, Beijing was once again made the capital of China. This decision was part of the efforts to consolidate power and control over the vast empire, with Beijing serving as a strategic and symbolic center.

Question 2

What caused the Chinese to be closed to the idea of Westerners?

Accepted Answer

The Portuguese had offended Chinese sensibilities so much that they were temporarily expelled from the country. This had a lasting impact on the Chinese perception of Westerners and their ideas.

Question 3

What was the general condition of the residents of cities in Ming China?

Accepted Answer

The general condition of the residents of cities in Ming China was that they were housed and fed adequately, if not overly prosperous. Ming China was marked by a growth in urbanization, and while there were certainly challenges and inequalities, the overall standard of living for city-dwellers was not poor.

Question 4

How did the Chinese government respond to pirate attacks in the 16th century?

Accepted Answer

The Chinese government responded to the increasing threat of pirate attacks in the 16th century by improving defenses and abandoning many coastal areas to make them less attractive targets for pirates. This strategy was part of a broader effort to protect the coastline and reduce the impact of piracy on trade and local communities.

Question 5

During the Qing Dynasty, Chinese writing took on a new tone, with stories more often written about what?

Accepted Answer

During the Qing Dynasty, there was a trend in Chinese literature towards depicting the lives and struggles of ordinary people, as opposed to focusing solely on court life and the emperor. This was due in part to the influence of the Ming-style novel, which emphasized realistic characters and everyday experiences.

Question 6

Which of the following was strongly discouraged by Ming Confucianism?

Accepted Answer

Ming Confucianism advocated for a conservative approach to society, valuing tradition, stability, and social harmony over innovation and change. Therefore, innovation was strongly discouraged in Ming Confucianism.

Question 7

Why did the Chinese conversion from Ming to Qing rule go smoothly?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why did the Chinese conversion from Ming...

Question 8

When the government of China was brought under the control of the Ming rulers, what was their view on Confucianism?

Accepted Answer

The Ming rulers revived Confucianism in even stronger form, making it the official ideology of the state. They saw Confucian morality as the key to maintaining social order and strengthening the centralized government. During this period, Confucianism became deeply entrenched in Chinese culture and continued to play a dominant role in Chinese society for centuries to come.

Question 9

During the Ming Dynasty, from whom did the emperor receive intelligence reports on government officials?

Accepted Answer

During the Ming Dynasty, eunuchs played a significant role in the imperial court, with some of them acting as the emperor's trusted advisors and intelligence officers. They were responsible for monitoring and reporting on the activities of government officials and had access to the imperial palace.

Question 10

Which developments made it fairly easy for the Manzhou to subdue Ming China?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which developments made it fairly easy for...

Question 11

What would be the best description of the Ming Emperor Hongwu?

Accepted Answer

Hongwu, the founder of the Ming Dynasty, was known for his dual nature. He was indeed capable of great cruelty, especially in consolidating his power and dealing with opposition. However, he was also very talented, particularly in his efforts to rebuild China after the turmoil of the Mongol Yuan Dynasty's collapse, implementing reforms that improved agricultural productivity and governance.

Question 12

How did the Chinese view the results and findings of their maritime expeditions of the 1400s?

Accepted Answer

The Chinese viewed their expeditions as having little value in terms of what the outside world had to offer. They believed that they had everything they needed in their own country and saw little reason to continue exploring. This is reflected in their eventual decision to halt these expeditions and turn their attention inward.

Question 13

How did Matteo Ricci's access to the emperor contribute to the Jesuits' goals?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How did Matteo Ricci's access to the...

Question 14

To which single port did the Chinese government limit European trade contacts?

Accepted Answer

The answer of To which single port did the Chinese...

Question 15

How did Hongwu change the government administration to make it effective?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How did Hongwu change the government administration...

Question 16

All of the following were true of Qianlong's reign EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

Qianlong divided China into eighteen administrative districts, not fifteen.

Question 17

When the Ming Dynasty in China built up an army of one million, what was one of the primary reasons for this military growth?

Accepted Answer

The answer of When the Ming Dynasty in China built...

Question 18

To what were most Chinese schools of the Ming period geared toward?

Accepted Answer

Most Chinese schools of the Ming period were geared toward preparation for the civil service examinations, which were an essential requirement for anyone who wanted to hold a position in the government. The examinations covered a wide range of topics, including history, philosophy, and literature, and passing them was seen as a way to achieve upward social mobility for individuals and their families. Therefore, the education system was designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in these exams.

Question 19

Who is credited with developing a new interpretation of some Confucian ideas?

Accepted Answer

Wang Yangming is credited with developing a new interpretation of some Confucian ideas known as the "Wang Yangming school" or "Yangmingism." He emphasized the need for individuals to look inward and trust their own consciousness in order to achieve moral understanding and self-improvement.

Question 20

On what was the Ming and Qing government and bureaucracy based?

Accepted Answer

The Ming and Qing governments and bureaucracy were based on Confucian philosophy and ethics, with an emphasis on education and meritocracy in selecting officials. This system of government became known as the "civil service examination system," in which individuals studied and took exams to become government officials. The system was designed to promote moral and intellectual qualities in government officials, rather than favoring those from privileged backgrounds or social connections.

Quiz 26: China From the Ming Through the Early Qing Dynasty