EALC 001 – Flashcards
Unlock all answers in this set
Unlock answersquestion
King Wen (Zhou)
answer
Formed alliances with neighboring states and tribes (marriage) in preparation to attack the Shang
question
King Wu (Zhou)
answer
Built new capital at Hao-jing and launched expedition that defeated the Shang; died young He had the "Mandate of Heaven"
question
tian
answer
Chinese term for cosmos Justified the idea of "heaven's mandate" - heaven chooses the son of heaven (tian zi) to rule over others because the tian zi is the worthy recipient Put a check on the emperor or else mandate will transfer Used to justify the takeover of the Zhou dynasty after the Shang dynasty
question
Springs and Autumns (722-481 BC)
answer
Capital is moved to Luoyang after old capital is sacked Zhou kings ran by default as vassals competed against each other (making alliances, exchanging hostages, sometimes military conflict) Strong sense of chivalry in warfare Idea of Hegemon emerges: the chief of an alliance of states responsible for defense against foreigners
question
Warring States (453 - 221 BC)
answer
7 warring states (fewer compared to Springs and Autumns); more territory annexation Technological development: crossbows + chariots + iron Larger armies, more deaths, larger/longer battles, emphasis on infrastructure and logistics Philosophical development: Confucianism, Mohism, Legalism, Taoism Idea of hegemon (Ba): is very powerful- creates a balance of power for a certain time that brings a lull in fighting Concludes with the victory of the Qin
question
Confucius (551-479 BC)
answer
Tried to be a advisor of the court, then committed to being a moral philosopher Linked moral behavior to traditional roles/hierarchies, respected the "learned men" + court advisors, emphasis on the venerated traditions (book of songs, book of documents) Filial piety is key "The Analects": written by his disciples
question
Ren
answer
highest virtue to Confucius perfect goodness, humanity, nobility: deep concern for the well-being of others, a virtue without the hierarchy of filial piety
question
Shu
answer
reciprocity: treating others the way you want to be treated
question
Zheng (rectify/govern)
answer
Confucian times - leading by virtuous example so people feel ashamed of committing crime rectifying the morality of all people
question
Mencius (370-300 BC)
answer
Studied with Confucius' grandson; traveled around and offered advice to nearby rulers Reminded rulers about the Mandate of Heaven (to make sure rulers ensured the well being of the people) Difference between King vs. Hegemon (hegemon rules by brute force, king rules by moral persuasion - chosen for his virtuosity) Believed in the human potential for goodness Teachings documented in "The Mencius" - collection of conversations
question
Siduan (Four Beginnings)
answer
Anybody who sees a baby about to fall into a well feels alarmed/concerned → innate moral tendencies of human beings, it's just society forces us to act in immoral ways Humanity, Righteouness, Ritual, and Wisdom are within each person Education is needed to unlock these innate moral characters
question
Xunzi
answer
Follower of Confucius but differed from Mencius Critical of competing schools such as Daoism and Mohism Believed that human nature is greedy, impulsive, needed to be curbed through education Believed strongly in rituals Teachings documented in the "Xunzi" , orderly because collection of essays written by Xunzi rather than random conversations
question
Li
answer
Rules of individual and social conduct (ceremonies, traditions) that help mold humans into moral beings
question
Mo Di (Warring States)
answer
Impartial caring (jian ai- universal love): people should be caring for each other regardless of relationships, opposed to Confucian idea of prioritizing family/kinsmen (cronyism) Supported a meritocratic government, opposed expansionary military warfare, expert at defense Viewed arts as ostentatious Helped many small states survive sieges during the Warring States period Influenced waned after the Warring States period, especially compared to other leading schools of thought: Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism
question
Laozi
answer
Writer of the Dao de Jing and founder of Daoism Dao: the way, the natural energy that is the source of all that exists or happens Human society is seen as a small part of the total reality, and to gain power people must see their continuity with the natural world Emphasizes naturalness, simplicity, spontaneity, wuwei
question
Wuwei
answer
Non action - not acting in any way that would contradict the way; being receptive to the Dao and letting the way do its job for you (ex: water: being receptive to gravity and taking the form of the receptacle) The ruler should allow a return to a natural state → if people knew less, there would be no desire for war
question
Zhuangzi (Warring States)
answer
Writer of the Zhuangzi, one of the key texts of Daoism (a series of fables) Not interested in politics; new perspectives on life and death, didn't like to make choices,- simply understanding and highlighting wuwei
question
Gongsun Yang, Lord Shang (Warring States)
answer
Chief minister of the states of Qin, one of the states that adopted Legalism most fully, wrote "The Book of Lord Shang" Urged ruler to make changes to strengthen the state (refashion the country into a state of agriculture and warfare) Abolish aristocracy and established meritocracy, institute state-determined hierarchy, abolish private serfdom, Fa- standard/method Legalism: believed people were naturally evil and needed law to rein them in
question
Han Fei (Warring States)
answer
Wrote one of the most classic works of Legalism: Han Feizi For rulers: holding onto the handles of power, namely rewards and punishments Different from the Confucian notion that government should be based on virtue and ritual
question
First Emperor of Qin
answer
Took the throne at age 9 with the aid of Lu Bu Wei and Li Si, led Qin to military victory and establishment of the empire in 221 BC established strict legalist code, with increase in agriculture and taxation, standardization, mechanization Built the Great Wall of China for defense against the Xiong Nu Later became obsessed with immortality: terracotta warriors to protect him in his tomb
question
Lu Buwei (Qin)
answer
Helped King Zhuangxiang (father of the first emperor of Qin) become the heir to the Qin throne Later implicated in a scandal involving the mother of the first emperor of Qin and her lover Lao Ai Banished to the remote region of Shu in the South of Qin Commissioned the Springs and Autumns of Mr. Lu: an encyclopedia on subjects ranging from music to agriculture Suicides once he is sent a sword by the emperor
question
Li Si (Qin)
answer
Influential prime minister in the state of Qin Standardization of weights and coinage , centralization of state control Convinced emperor to suppress intellectual dissent: scholars were burned alive → the purpose of education is used solely for the training of future officials He believed that scholars threatened the emperor through criticizing Killed by the second emperor of Qin, Qin dynasty fell apart subsequently
question
Jia Yi (Qin)
answer
Poet during the Han Dynasty, author of the Guo Qin Lin (Essay on the Transgressions of Qin) to explain the reasons behind the fall of the Qin Government that terrifies its citizens will not last long Criticized the failings of the legalist Qin government Wrote favorably of Confucian rule and the need for teachers/education Leads to success of Confucianism in the government system
question
Liu Bang, Emperor Gao (Han)
answer
After the fall of the Qin and civil war amongst the former Qin generals, he defeated Xiang Yu to rise to the top Set capital as Chang'An In order to dissociate the central government with tyranny, Gaozu rewarded comrades with large territories to govern as vassal states - a mistake since dispersed power is dangerous to the emperor Relied on meritocracy over aristocracy
question
Liu Che, Emperor Wu (Han)
answer
Key figure in the strengthening of the Han government: confiscated the domains of the princes and lords on whatever pretext he could find and forced the lords to divide their land equally amongst all heirs to reduce the concentration of power Curbed power of merchants through state monopolies and taxes Aggressive foreign policies: took offensive against the Xiongnu in the North Very expensive campaigns, but gained territory and came into contact with foreign states Made use of Confucian notions of the moral basis of superior - subordinate relations, a patron of Confucian education One problem: vulnerability of the imperial institution when a young or weak willed emperor succeeded to the throne
question
Xiongnu (Han)
answer
The first great confederation of nomadic tribes in Inner Asia Merely a confederation, so even if Han buys one group off, others won't listen Inner Asia Steppe region: Grasslands that support cattle pastoralists who frequently raided China for goods, even reaching right outside the capital Han expansion encroached on Xiongnu pastor lands Acquired silk from China and spread it to the West through trade Weakened because of internal division and eventually got tributary status Costly for china: Vassals sent a prince to China and the Han government gave massive amounts of silk to the tributes Pressure for government to collect enough revenues
question
Wang Mang (Han)
answer
Rose to power as a relative of Empress Wang (mother of emperor, widow of another) Example of how people other than the emperor could heavily influence the court Took the throne himself and founded the Xin dynasty (AD 9-23) Confucian scholar who wished to implement policies described in the classics Built ritual halls and renamed offices, however nationalization of gold and overissuance of coins led to economic turmoil + flooding of Yellow river displaced many Liu Xiu took over afterwards, moved capital to Luo Yang, start of the Eastern Han
question
Yellow Turbans (184-205 AD )
answer
Peasant outbreak, attacking local officials, killing magistrates throughout the country, sign that the Han dynasty had lost its mandate of heaven Reasons for outbreak: Agrarian crisis + flooding of the Yellow River Central government in disarray and not enough revenue to feed people Weakening of the government due to increased influence of the court eunuchs "The Way of the Great Peace" - a Daoist sect led by Zhang Jue Generals assigned to put down the Yellow Turbans became stronger than the central government, there was civil war amongst the generals and by 189 one warlord gained control and this was the end of the Han dynasty
question
Huainanzi (Han)
answer
A text commissioned by Liu An, the Prince of Huai Nan A philosophical work, intended to be the blueprint for a new administration Heavy Daoist influence, describes the stories of mountain gods Focus on the Five Phases + Ying Yang
question
Five Phases
answer
Water, metal, earth, wood, and fire Each phase was associated with a season as well: Wood (spring) Fire (summer) Metal (fall) Water (winter) Earth (transition season) Explains a wide range of phenomena: The workings of internal organs and Chinese traditional medicine Cosmic cycles Dynastic changes stem from the cyclical nature of Qi Qi: the substance of the universe, comes in different forms as it cycles through the different phases Mentioned in Huainanzi + the Springs and Autumns of Mr. Lu
question
Sima Qian (Han)
answer
Author of the Shiji Spoke in the defense of a general who surrendered to the Xiongnu, chose to be castrated rather than be killed in order to finish the Shiji - lived in disgrace Was critical towards Wudi, emphasized those whose courage had been unrecognized in their times Debate on the objectivity of his writing since he frequently made up conversations to bring the history to life Shaped the Chinese perception of the Xiongnu as the complete opposite of the Han; no written language, only warfare
question
Shiji
answer
Records the past through chronological narrative of political events Yellow Lord, Xia, Shang, Zhou, Wudi of Han Dynasty Biographies of important individuals Emperors, philosophers, poets, merchants , non-Han people, Xiongnu Set the pattern for government-sponsored histories by later dyansties Profound impat on Chinese thinking about government: narration is too complex to focus around events or chronology, but also from the individual's actions and understanding
question
Ban Zhao (Han)
answer
Sister of Ban Gu (author of the Han Shu, a reign by reign account of emperors) Helped finish the Han Shu and wrote "The Admonitions for Girls" Advocated for the cultivation of virtues appropriate to women (humility, subservience, obedience, cleanliness, and industry) Assumed men and women social roles are distinct One of the most learned females in the empire, but prescribed sexist education
question
Yantie Lun - Discourses on Salt and Iron
answer
Recorded debate between the learned people (Confucians) and government officials about the necessity of a government monopoly over the salt and iron industries Reason: government tribute system and defense against the Xiongnu was a huge financial burden so revenue was needed and this would stabilize prices for the general population Government profiting off the people through taxation is immoral
question
Wang Chong (Han)
answer
Han dynasty philosopher: rational, secular, naturalistic, mechanistic view of the world Wrote "the Balance of Discourses" (Lunheng) Mentions astronomy, meteorology Denial that Heaven has any purpose for us, critical of the five phases theory Treated the words of the sages critically when they were contradictory Disliked how revered Confucianism and Daoist were in society
question
Cao Cao (Three Kingdoms & N & S Dyn.)
answer
Established himself as the leader of Northern China following the Yellow Turban rebellion His death marked the end of the Han dynasty; was a brilliant leader His son, Cao Pi, established the Northern Wei and forced the abdication of the last Han emperor
question
Three Kingdoms
answer
Wei (Cao Pi) Wu (Sun Ce, Sun Quan) Shu (Liu Pei, Zhuge Liang) Wei defeated Shu because it had the largest population and army Wei is taken over by the Jin, and Jin conquers Wu, so there is brief unification under the Jin Dynasty in 280 Bloody period, lots of death; romanticized in Luo Guan Zhong's Romance of the Three Kingdoms in Ming dynasty
question
Northern and Southern Dynasties
answer
Jin Dynasty is weak, which brings Xiongnu clan to sack Jin capital in Luoyang, forcing Jin Dynasty to relocate to Nanjing (Eastern Jin: 317-420) Four dynasties (Song, Qi, Liang, and Chen,) collectively called the Southern Dynasties (420-589) rule from Nanjing Problem: generals are capable of holding the government together during their lifetime but can't transfer the power successfully Northern Dynasties: rival warlords from different ethnic groups fight for control
question
Northern Wei (439-534 AD)
answer
Tuoba clan of the Xianbei, foreign Turkish origins Used a hybrid system of government: relied on Chinese officials to help with governmental administration because of small Tuoba population and lack of experience as a nomadic tribe, however Tuoba managed the military Reminiscent of Han and Jin governmental systems Sinicization of the upper class (religion, language, last name etc.) - very capital centric regime Problem: soldier assigned to the frontier garrisons are unhappy: rebellion Qi, and then Northern Zhou Dynasty, and then finally Sui
question
Celestial Masters
answer
Daoism as a religion didn't emerge until the 2nd century because of 1. Development of Buddhism as a major religion in China and 2. Harness popular yearnings for a new and better age with the failings of the Han dynasty Founded by Zhang Daoling, one of the first groups of organized Daoism Received revelation from gods about the reformation of Daoism Whereas Yellow Turbans were wiped out, the Celestial masters remained active in Sichuan, taking advantage of political instability to operate autonomously Believed that illness was caused by sin (and thus Qi left the body)
question
Seven Worthies of the Bamboo Grove
answer
Lived during the Three Kingdoms period (late) Atmosphere of alienation and personal indulgence pervaded the elite as Confucian ideals of public service lost their appeal Explosion of self expression in the arts Drank a lot, do drugs, spontaneous and debate- quite wealthy, so upper class movement: reaction to growing disloyalty to the state and government Growing sense of autonomy: they can avoid service to the state Not entirely Daoist recluses, still upholds the Confucian virtues to a certain extent
question
Qingtan
answer
"pure conversation" -debates about popular amongst well-educated upper-class; talked and debated about music, philosophy, metaphysics etc. a spirit of escapism that provides refuge given the political turmoil disillusioned by their ability to create political change; talking about the 'purest pursuits" instead
question
xian
answer
Ones who drink the immortal elixir (made by Ge Hong) Would go to forests and eat pine needles Detachment from political life: ideal form of life away from society
question
Ge Hong (Jin)
answer
Official from the Jin dynasty, wrote considerably, but known for his search for immortality/made elixirs for immortality, Daoism
question
Grand Canal (Sui and Tang)
answer
Important because it connected Northern and Southern China (natural rivers all flowed west to east), and there was lots of rice agriculture in the South - unifying China Helped support the military garrisons in the Northern frontier with supplies from the South Sui Dynasty ended as the construction of the canal finished - required a huge amount of natural resources, conscripted labor, and engineering ability
question
Chang'an
answer
Capital of the Sui Dynasty, rebuilt during this period Religious diversity, multiethnic, cosmopolitan envoys, merchants, pilgrims, goods from Korea, Japan, Tibet Islam, Judaism, Manichaeism, Zoroastrianism, Nestorian Christianity trade from Central Asia silk route + higher volume sea routes
question
Li Shimin, Emperor Taizong (626-649)
answer
Reasons for the downfall of the Sui dynasty: heavy levies for labor service and military campaigns made the people unhappy Taizong was the son of Li Yuan (Emperor Gaozong,) who led the rebellion initially One of the strongest conquerors of all time - drove Turks out of the steppe region and ruled all of China (mainland, steppe, Manchuria) Seen as a wise ruler
question
Wu Zetian (During Tang)
answer
First female Chinese empress, originally Gaozong's concubine started the "Zhou dynasty" in 690 At first regarded as illegitimate because she wasn't in the direct line of succession circulated the Great Cloud Sutra (a buddhist literature about a female monarch) to legitimize her rule Aggressive foreign policy, moved the court to Luoyang to counterbalance the influence of the northwest aristocracy
question
An Lushan (Tang)
answer
Led a rebellion against the Tang Imperial Army in Luoyang He captured Luoyang and declared himself emperor of "Yan"
question
Khitan
answer
From the north east, originally participated in the Tang tributary system, and as Tang weakened, established their independence The people of the Liao Dynasty (916-1125) ruled over Mongolia, Northern China, Northern Korea and parts of Russia Devised their own language that was similar to, but intentionally different from Chinese (created a dual state with distinct Khitan and Chinese areas )
question
Zhao Kuangyin, Emperor Taizu of Song
answer
Warlord who emerged victorious in the South - established the Song Empire after the Five Dynasties period (transition between the fall of the Tang and rise of the Song) He was depicted in art as a fat man in plain clothes, wearing a civil servant's hat His weight implied that he was of a military background His soldiers chose him to become emperor, he wanted to demilitarize after the unification of China remove the commanding powers of the military generals and focus on the civil servants instead Civil servants were valued above all under his reign → breaking down the powers of the aristocratic families through the exam system
question
Treaty of Chanyuan
answer
Treaty between the Liao and the Song in 1004 Led to massive economic expansion, particularly in the Song empire The Song were forced to pay a tribute to the Liao, but received markets on the border between the regions (even more valuable)
question
Kaifeng
answer
The Song placed its capital here, further emphasizing its central goal of economic prosperity Kaifeng is the terminus of the Grand Canal, so it's a fantastic location to spur trade
question
Paper Money
answer
The Song issued paper money (feiqian or jiaozi) The demonstrated the enormous amount of faith that the people had in the government and the economy Paper money in China predated the rest of the world by hundreds of years Song economists were extremely intelligent, were able to control for inflation
question
Jurchen
answer
The Jin Dynasty Overthrew the Liao in the North in 1115 Agreed to give the Song back their 16 prefectures initially as the Jurchens and Song allied together to fight against the Khitans However, then the Jurchens attacked Kaifeng in 1126 Song had to move their capital to Hangzhou: start of the Southern Song Song government had to appease the Jurchens with tributary payments rapidly adopted Chinese customs, unlike the Khitans
question
Fan Zhongyan (11th century)
answer
Scholar and high-ranking minister under the Song Empire Attempted to abolish nepotism and corruption, create a strong local militia system, and reform the civil service exam (Qingli reforms) Wanted the exam to test actual economic or administrative ability, rather than stylistic elegance advocated for publicly funded education Great Confucian scholar, against Buddhism
question
Ouyang Xiu (11th century)
answer
A statesman, historian, and essayist of the Song Dynasty Led the Qingli reforms along with Fan Zhongyan Compiled an analytical catalogue of rubbings on stone and bronze, a pioneering work in the fields of epigraphy and archaeology The works of Ouyang Xiu and Fan Zhongyan were a precursor to the work of Wang Anshi
question
Wang Anshi (11th century)
answer
Statesman, poet, and chancellor of the Song Dynasty, led the Reformist movement Tasked with the problem of trying to increase state revenues and taxes: New Policies Introduction of wage based labor instead of corvee labor Government joined the money-lending business (lended to farmers) Printed more currency Tried to break private monopolies by having the Government regulate commodity prices government began to institute public orphanages, hospitals, cemeteries
question
Green Sprouts Policy
answer
Started by Wang Anshi, government would loan grain/supplies to farmers at no interest to help peasants escape the cycle of poverty Not very successful as many officials continued to charge high interest rates in order to increase revenue
question
Sima Guang (11th century)
answer
Prime minister , led opposition to Wang An Shi, was part of the Conservative Confucian faction Argued for moral leadership through following the classics Wrote narrative history of China from late Zhou to founding of the Song : Zizhi Tongjian (very well regarded work-considered one of the greatest Chinese historians )
question
Su Shi
answer
Song dynasty essayist, poet Supported Sima Guang against Wang Anshi Wanted less intervention in the economy from the government Upholds Confucian ideals, but draws upon Daoism + Buddhism Once arrested on the grounds of slandering the emperor, banished twice, many of his poems are written during his times of exile
question
Zhang Zai (Song Neo-Conf.)
answer
Neo-confucian philosopher that argued: Qi explains the universe and makes up everything Different qualities of Qi explain why there are good and evil people "Forming one body with the universe" The idea of ren: human-heartedness, fulfilling one's duty as a member of society and the universe Influenced the Cheng brothers + Zhu Xi greatly
question
Cheng Brothers (Song Neo-Conf.)
answer
Cheng Yi and Cheng Hao Metaphysical theory: used Qi + Li to explain the universe Allows Song philosophers to accept Mencius' theory of the goodness of human nature The primary goal of each person is to discover Li Emphasis on fundamental self-improvement (the Great Learning) Indifferent to the method of discovery because Li is everywhere
question
Li
answer
The inherent pattern, the veins in jade, the reason why a tree goes through cycles during the seasons Li explains everything (even the rise and fall of dynasties)
question
Gewu (Song Neo-Conf.)
answer
Since li is everywhere, you can observe trees, read books, do anything to see the systematic similarities
question
Zhu Xi (Song Neo-Conf.)
answer
Follower of Cheng Yi, from the Southern Song period Revived Confucianism by helping establish academies, seen by some as pretentious because he insisted upon the correctness of his own interpretations Advocated for Jing (discipline, reverence) to calm the ripples of Qi in one's heart that leads to immortality. Discipline through practicing art, music etc. "Investigation of things" - opposed the idea that you can find Li in everything, the most efficient mode of ge wu is from studying the classics because the sages who authored the classics understand Li already (different from the Cheng brothers) Impact: 1241 the emperor made it so that the civil service exams tested Zhu xi's commentaries on the four Books (rooted in politics because the Song dynasty was in jeopardy and thus the government wanted to be seen as the guardian of Chinese culture)
question
Lu Jiu yuan (Song Neo-Conf.)
answer
Criticized Zhu Xi's philosophy for an excessive emphasis on reading, His belief" the heart/mind is the ultimate source that encompasses everything including the universe and the principle Practice through inner reflection and self education Founded the School of the Universal Mind His ideas are later refined by Wang Yang Ming during the Ming Dynasty
question
Temujin, Ginggis Qaghan (1162-1167)
answer
Late 12th century the steppe region faces a subsistence crisis because drop in temp reduces grass for grazing animals, Ghengis was the one that gained access to the agricultural world for the steppe people Through avenging of the death of his father, united various Mongol tribes, fully militarized Mongol society Pillaged, burned, sacked Jurchen capital in 1215, conquered mongolia, Manchuria, Korea, Central Asia, even Ukraine Reason for the success of the Mongols: their ability to quickly incorporate the conquered into their forces - those loyal to the Mongols were rewarded handsomely Upon his death, the empire was split amongst his four successors
question
Ogodei
answer
Third son of Genghis Khan, in charge of Mongolia conquered the Jin and became ruler of North China in 1234 Originally planned on converting all of North China into pasture land, but then resisted after listening to the words of Yelu Chucai, used tax farming instead, leads to economic problems
question
Yele Chucai
answer
A sinified Khitan who worked for the Mongols after they conquered Beijing in 1215 convinced Ogodei that greater wealth could be gained by taxing farmers however, his rivals convinced Ogodei that rather than direct taxation, it was better for Central Asian Muslim merchants to bid against each other for licences to collect taxes → leads to economic failure
question
Qubilai
answer
Genghis Khan's grandson that actually began the conquering of Southern China (the Southern Song) Able to conquer the South as he began the construction of a river fleet + siege warfare techniques Led the founding of the Yuan dynasty in 1271 Aggressive foreign conquests in Korea, failed conquests in Japan
question
Toghto
answer
Government official during the later Yuan dynasty Opened government positions to the Chinese that had traditionally had been reserved for the Mongols Restored the Chinese examination system Helped quell the Red Turban uprisings (began in reaction to a shite in the route of the Yellow river that brought floods, famine, and epidemic to the region) during the 1350s
question
Zhu Yuanzhang, Hongwu Emperor (Ming)
answer
First emperor of the Ming dynasty, first commoner emperor in 1500 years Born to poverty: parents died after the Yellow River floodings,, joined the Red Turbans, rose to power in the organization and conquered Nanjing, and then finally took Beijing in 1368 and declared the rise of the Ming dynasty Set up administration to reduce the influence of the literati (since he came from a peasant family), set a very strict sense of hierarchy and absolute authority Retained many aspects of Yuan governance Attempted to organize government around unpaid service → unsuccessful Taxed the rich very highly, eunuchs had strong influence as well
question
Brocade Guard (Ming)
answer
Secret police force that spied on officials and because Hongwu was paranoid that others were plotting against him (especially the literati) Leads to China's decline? People aren't willing to speak their mind and offer suggestions about governance (no checks on power) Executed chief minister (and everybody remotely connected to him, reaching 30000 lives)
question
Yongle Emperor (Ming)
answer
Moved main capital to Beijing (geographically Beijing isn't as great of a site because it is exposed to the Northern frontier and is isolated from China's cultural heartland) Rehabilitated the Grand Canal to ensure North South transportation Sponsored expeditions to glorify his name and leave a legacy (ex: Zheng he's conquests) Good relationships with the Mongols in the north by giving them autonomy Relied heavily upon eunuchs for governance, even setting up a special eunuch agency tasked with ferreting out treasonable activities Sponsored the compilation and publications of confucian and neo-confucian classics (Yongle dadian) Strong ruler, however, his projects left the people exhausted
question
Zheng He (Ming)
answer
Eunuch that led 7 voyages under the name of the Yongle emperor during the Ming Dynasty Increased China's political sway over maritime Asia, however didn't lead to the establishment of trading empires, more to flatter the emperor's vanity
question
Great Wall
answer
While built originally by Qin Shi Huang during the Qin dynasty, most of the Great wall that we know today is from the Ming Dynasty Reason for construction during Ming Dynasty: Tumu incident (Ming emperor - Yongle's son, was captured by the Mongols)
question
Wokou
answer
Pirates who raided China, Japan, and Korea - difficult for Ming government to control the Wokou, contributes to loss of power of the government A reflection of the heavy governmental taxation and unhappiness of the people
question
Single-whip method (Ming)
answer
Fiscal law aimed to simply fiscal code by combining all forms of taxation (poll tax, land tax etc.) into a single silver payment based upon population and cultivated land in each prefecture Unit of tax collection: silver (problematic because lots of silver was being imported into China from the New World, leading to huge amounts of inflation) Problem #2: peasants didn't have silver currency very often, so they had to resort to money lenders for conversion at outrageous rates) Eventually leads to downfall of the Ming dynasty, but also increased European trade in the region
question
Wang Yangming (Ming)
answer
A mid-ming scholar who challenged the thoughts of Zhu Xi Whereas Zhu Xi advocated for finding "Li" inside of classics, Wang Yang Ming believed that the "Li" one is looking for is inside of yourself already He submitted a critic of the corrupt behaviour of a powerful eunuch, and was publicly flogged and banished to Guizhou as a result A neo-confucian philosopher - regarded as one of the greatest confucian philosophers of all time
question
Liangzhi (Ming)
answer
Good knowledge (most important term of Wang Yang Ming's philosophy) analogous to the Four Beginnings: you already have an innate knowledge of what is good and bad (the roots of this idea trace back to Mencius's conception of humanity)
question
Gu Yanwu (Ming)
answer
Gan Yanwu travelled across China to understand economic issues such as: banking, mining, and farming An evidential scholar argued for a new interpretation of reading Confucian classics, believed that Zhu Xi and the others were systematically misinterpreting the classics
question
Kaozheng
answer
"Evidential scholarship" A way of thinking that emphasized careful textual study and critical thinking defining the meanings of terms through comparing how these terms were used throughout time Heavily influential on the Qing Dynasty
question
Wu Sangui (Early Qing)
answer
Was a general in the Ming military, before he defected to the Qing Opened the gates of the Great Wall to allow the Qing (manchu) forces into China As a reward, he was offered a large fiefdom in Yunnan Kangxi took away this land, and so Wu Sangui rebelled and named himself emperor of the Zhou Dynasty His rebellion was quelled after 8 years
question
Kangxi
answer
Widely considered one of the greatest rulers in Chinese history, ruled for 60 years Culturally: Created the Kangxi dictionary, a great feat for scholarship Militarily: suppressed Wu Sangui's revolt, and blocked Russia on the Amur river through the Treaty of Nerchinsk also gets Taiwan, Tibet, and Xin Jiang province
question
Treaty of Nerchinsk
answer
Treaty between Russia and China during the early Qing dynasty that placed the border along the Amur river Important diplomatic victory ensuring peace between the two nations
question
Qianlong
answer
Abdicated the throne so as to not rule longer than his uncle - Kangxi Put a serious emphasis on culture during his reign: Burning of Books: destroyed a vast array of works that were deemed anti-Qing or rebellious compiled the Si Ke Quan Shu: collection of important literature that wasn't deemed "rebellious" The end of his reign ushered the beginning of the decline and demise of the Qing dynasty
question
Siku quanshu
answer
Under Qianlong's rule, created the largest encyclopedia in the world at the time, only recently surpassed by the Encyclopedia of Britannica Collected all of the writings at the time, related to the Burning of Books, because works deemed anti-Qing or rebellious were destroyed and not included in the collection
question
Cohong
answer
A guild of merchants who held an import-export monopoly in Canton Very few of them, only around 13 people total Europeans could only trade in Guangzhou, and the British in the 17th century started to demand more and more tea exports from the Chinese, but had little to offer in return Held the monopoly until the Treaty of Nanjing
question
Opium Wars
answer
First Opium War (1839-1842) Britain had an increasingly large trade imbalance with China, but had nothing to offer The British East India Company had virtually a monopoly on international trade for England, just as the Cohongs did for China BEIC began to trade large amounts of opium to China, which lead the Chinese to have a massive outflux of silver Chinese attempted to prevent the British from selling opium in China, so the British attacked. Vastly superior technology lead to a crushing defeat, and led to British privileges in treaty ports per the "The Unequal Treaty" Also took Hong Kong Britain justified the war by saying it was "protecting freedom of trade" Second Opium War (1856-1860) Fought over similar issues as the First Opium War The english ransacked the summer palace in Beijing, and won once again in a very one-sided victory Opium trade was legalized, freedom of religion was established in China, tianjin was opened as a trade port, massive tribute to be paid
question
Treaty of Nanjing
answer
The first unequal treaty against the Chinese following the First Opium War The treaty: Abolished the monopoly of the Cohong free missionary activity in China (Protestantism and Catholicism emerge) Opened five additional 'treaty ports' The Qing had to pay 21 million silver dollars over 3 years Extraterritoriality internationals that violate the law in China are subject to the rulings of their home court (unfair) Hong Kong was ceded to the English "Most favored nation" status any concession that China grants a foreign power must be granted to Britain as well Fixed tariffs catastrophic for the Chinese industrial economy as young Chinese companies have to compete with their more well-developed European counterparts
question
Taiping Heavenly Kingdom
answer
The oppositional state during the Taiping rebellion formed by Hong Xiuquan Hong Xiuquan believed he was the brother of Jesus, and commanded an army of some 30 million people outlawed polygamy: a very Christian perception of marriage The Qing eventually quelled the rebellion with the help of the British and the French, over 20 million people died in the war
question
Self-Strengthening movement
answer
Following consecutive crushing defeats to Western powers, the Qing government decided it needed to strengthen itself to defend from foreign incursions This was done by adopting western technologies, and hiring western military advisors Sometimes these advisors were not at all qualified, which led to difficulties
question
Tianjin Massacre
answer
Rumors spread through China that French Catholic missionaries were removing the eyes of Chinese children for medicine. The missionaries paid people to bring orphans into their orphanages, which led to the kidnapping of children A large anti-Catholic Chinese crowd gathered in Tianjin and began burning down a number of Catholic buildings -> 60 people died in total because of the riots This led to a greater distrust of the Chinese from Western countries, and they believe that the Chinese were incapable of protecting foreigners or their investments.
question
Sino-Japanese War
answer
The Qing and Meiji Japan fought primarily over control of Korea The Chinese lost the war badly, and demonstrated that the Qing's "Self-strengthening" had failed to produce any results This was the first time that Japan had ever been stronger than China, and led to a massive cry of public outrage Established Japan as the defacto powerhouse in Asia
question
Empress Dowager Cixi
answer
An extremely powerful woman who effectively controlled China from 1861 until her death in 1908 She was a concubine for the Xianfeng Emperor, gave birth to Tongzhi, who became emperor, making her Empress Dowager Could possibly be the single-blame for the fall of the Qing empire. She had an opportunity to modernize China following the Sino-Japanese war (Hundred Days' Reforms), but was afraid that such reforms would check her power.
question
Boxer Rebellion
answer
An anti-imperialist and anti-Christian uprising at the end of the Qing dynasty Cixi, along with other government officials, supports the boxers and 'declared war on foreign powers'. The Eight-Nation Alliance (Austria-Hungary, France, Italy, Japan, Russia, UK, USA) invaded China, crushed the imperial army, and captured Beijing. They plundered the city and executed the boxers and all of the government officials that supported them The Qing were forced to pay a massive fine, and the conflict further emphasized the deficiencies of the Qing military
question
Sun Yat-sen
answer
First president and founder of the Republic of China. Sun Yat-sen, a Christian, was educated in Hawai'i and sought to bring democracy to China. He played an instrumental role in the overthrowing of the Qing Empire, and is widely considered one of the greatest leaders of modern China
