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Definition
Second member of Sui dynasty; murdered his father to gain throne; restored Confucian examination system; responsible for construction of Chinese canal systems; assassinated in 618
Significance: -extended conquests and territory
-established less harsh legal code
-upgraded Confucian education and thought
Analyze: -wanted more scholar-gentry members in the imperial system |
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Definition
AKA Duke of Tang; minister for Yangdi; took over empire following assassination of Yangdi; first emperor of Tang dynasty; took imperial title of Gaozu
Significance: -his armies conquered deep into central Asia as far as present day Afghanistan; much farther than that of the Han
Analyze: -power, money, wealth, the usual; he also wanted restoration and unification of the empire |
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Definition
Capital of Tang Dynasty; pop. of 2 million, larger than any other city in the world at that time
Significance: -location of the imperial household and other dignitaries
Analyze: -every great empire needs a capital |
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Term
page 270
Ministry of Rites |
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Definition
Administered examinations to students from Chinese government schools or those recommended by distinguished scholars
Significance: -administered examinations to students
Analyze: -examinations determined students'/ participants' level of expertise and where they would serve in the political system |
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Term
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Definition
Title granted to students who passed the most difficult Chinese examination on all of Chinese literature; became immediate dignitaries and eligible for high office
Significance: -won the jinshi special social status and occupational opportunities
-had right to wear special clothing and were exempt from corporal punishment
Analyze: -intelligence was highly revered in Chinese society, and still is to this day |
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Term
oage 271
pure land Buddhism |
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Definition
Emphasized salvationist aspects of Chinese Buddhism; popular among masses of Chinese society
Significance: -seemed to provide refuge from war and tumultuous times
-popular among lower and middle classes
Analyze: -salvationist beliefs were appealing to those whose current lives were not enjoyable |
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Definition
Known as Zen in Japan; stressed meditation and appreciation of natural and artistic beauty; popular with members of elite Chinese society
Significance: -emphasized meditation and appreciation of natural and artistic beauty
-popular among higher social classes
Analyze: -higher classes had less to worry about and could therefore indulge in more abstract, relaxing belief systems |
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Term
page 272
Empress Wu
(r. 690-705 CE) |
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Definition
Tang ruler from 690-705 CE; supported Buddhist establishment; tried to elevate Buddhism to state religion; had multistory statues of Buddha created
Significance: -great revere for Buddhism; had statues and monasteries built in Buddha's honor
Analyze: -liked the religion, as well as the political, social, and economic force it possessed |
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Term
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Definition
Chinese emperor of Tang dynasty who openly persecuted Buddhism by destroying monasteries in 840s; reduced influence of Chinese Buddhism in favor of Confucian thinking
Significance: -persecuted Buddhism and replaced it with Confucian thinking
-previously monastic peoples and lands were no longer exempt from paying taxes
Analyze: -favored Confucianism over Buddhism, and, hey, he's the emperor |
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Term
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Definition
Leading Chinese emperor of the Tang dynasty; r. 713-755, though he encouraged overexpansion
Significance: -originally had strong interest in political and economic reforms, but slowly lost touch
-became infatuated with Yang Guifei
-spent time indulging in imperial pleasures
Analyze: -all these distractions led to eventual decline of Tang dynasty
-appeal of material items overtook his leadership |
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Term
page 274
Yang Guifei
(719-756) |
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Definition
Royal concubine during reign of Xuanzong; introduction of relatives into royal administration led to revolt
Significance: -took attention of Xuanzong and snuck family members into imperial administration
-executed after revolt
Analyze: -An Lushan, a military leader of the emperor, led a revolt over these injustices, which led to Guifei's death |
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Term
page 275
Zhao Kuangyin
(r. 960-976) |
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Definition
Founder of Song dynasty; originally a general following fall of Tang; took title of Taizu; failed to overcome northern Liao dynasty that remained independent
Significance: -founder of Song dynasty
-very intelligent and wise
Analyze: -collected books during conquests, not booty
-could not defeat Liao dynasty due to their weak military |
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Definition
Founded in 907 by nomadic Khitan peoples from Manchuria; maintained independence from Song dynasty
Significance: -able to remain independent from Song
Analyze: -more militarily adept than Song dynasty |
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Term
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Definition
Nomadic peoples of Manchuria; militarily superior to Song dynasty but influenced by Chinese culture; forced humiliating treaties on Song China in 11th century
Significance: -militarily superior
-forced treaties on Song China in 11th cent.
Analyze: -they possessed the power and force to get almost whatever they wanted |
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Term
page 276
Zhu Xi
(1130-1200) |
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Definition
Most prominent of neo-Confucian scholars during Song dynasty in China; stressed importance of applying philosophical principles to everyday life and action
Significance: -great neo-Confucian scholar; emphasized significance of philosophical principles in everyday life
Analyze: -believed that cultivating morality was the highest goal of humans, as did most other Neo-Confucians |
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Term
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Definition
Revived ancient Confucian teachings in Song era China; great impact on the dynasties that followed; their emphasis on tradition and hostility to foreign systems made Chinese rulers/bureaucrats less receptive to outside influences and ideas
Significance: -revived Confucian teachings of wisdom and morality
-made rulers and other nobles less receptive to outer influences
Analyze: -hostility to foreign and different systems |
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Definition
Rulers of Xi Xia kingdom of northwest China; one of regional kingdoms during period southern Song; conquered by Mongols in 1226
Significance: -established kingdom of Xi Xia
Analyze: -saw weaknesses of Song dynasty |
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Definition
Kingdom of Tangut people, north of Song kingdom, in mid-11th century; collected tribute that drained Song resources and burdened Chinese peasantry
Significance: -great kingdom, posed threat of invasion to Song
-forced Song to pay tribute; drained their resources and further impoverished peasantry
Analyze: -kingdom wanted power and wealth, as every kingdom does |
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Term
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Definition
Confucian scholar and chief minister of a Song emperor in 1070s; introduced sweeping reforms based on Legalists; advocated greater state intervention in society
Significance: -scholar and imperial minister
-issued Legalist reforms
Analyze: -believed greater intervention of state in society was necessary |
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Term
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Definition
Founders of the Qin kingdom that succeeded the Liao in northern China; annexed most of the Yellow River basin and forced Song to flee to south
Significance: -replaced Liao kingdom and overtook most of the Yellow River Basin
-forced Song to flee south
Analyze: -exerted great power over large territory and posed major threat to Song dynasty |
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Term
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Definition
Kingdom north of the Song; est. by Jurchens in 1115 after overthrowing Liao dynasty; ended 1234
Significance: -establishment of kingdom was done by Jurchens in 1115; caused Song to go south
Analyze: -strength of kingdom and growing territory forced Song to move south |
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Term
page 278
Southern Song
(1127-1279) |
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Definition
Rump state of Song; carved out of much larger domains ruler by the Tang and northern Song; culturally one of the most glorious reigns in Chinese history
Significance: -agricultural prosperity
-widespread trade
-literary and artistic expression
-technological innovations (grand canal)
Analyze: -surpluses of food = room for growth and prosperity |
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Term
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Definition
Built in 7th century during reign of Yangdi during Sui dynasty; designed to link the original centers of Chinese civilization on the north China plain with the Yangzte river basin to the south; nearly 1200 miles long
Significance: -great architectural feat
-allowed south Song to prosper and assist north kingdom
Analyze: -flow of water produced agricultural surpluses and opportunities for trade (economic growth) |
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Definition
Chinese ships equipped with watertight bulkheads, sternpost rudders, compasses, and bamboo fenders; dominant force in Asian seas east of the Malayan peninsula
Significance: -example of technological innovation; best ship in the world during period (besides Arab dhows)
Analyze: -conquests and building of canal system promoted commercial expansion and eventual trade overseas |
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Term
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Definition
Chinese credit instrument that provided credit vouchers to merchants to be redeemed at the end of the voyage; reduced danger of robbery; early form of currency
Significance: -early form of currency
-effective method of preventing robbery
-led to creation of paper money
Analyze: -demand for flying money became so high that paper money had to be produced (too much pressure on private merchant banks) |
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Definition
Most famous poet of Tang era; blended images of the mundane world with philosophical musings
Significance: -greatest poet of Tang era
-interest in nature spurred paintings of natural world
Analyze: -blending images of boring, human world with philosophy was entertaining and appealing to masses of all people |
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