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The Historical Context - Political Patterns of the Past

37 important questions on The Historical Context - Political Patterns of the Past

What was the first dynasty of China?

The Shang dynasty (1600- 1027 BCE)

Why did the feudal system adopted by the Zhou become hard to maintain?

It used to be the case that serfs were supposed to give priority to irrigating and cultivating the plot of the feudal lord, before they could work on their own plots. This system became hard to maintain when the economy altered and argicultural surpluses offered new opportunities for living and making money. (Examples of changes: the spread of iron tools increased farm production and clearing of forests; rising food output provided surpluses to be exchanged in trade etc.).

Under the Qin philosophical schools adopted doctrines called Legalism. What did they emphasize?

Harsh laws to control behavior (instead of Confucianism's dependence on morality).

Which measures did the Qin take to ensure conformity within the new empire?

The idea of the oldest son inheriting all of his father's property and status was abolished (since this could lead to a power that might threaten the state)
Land was now privately owned and freely bought and sold
Walls were rebuilt to discourage raids; these have become known as the Great Wall.
Forced labor was levied as part of taxes, so that the Great Wall and imperial roads and canals could be built
Intellectuals who questioned the state were suppressed

Despite the fact that the Qin laid the foundation for following dynasties and modern China, they were already toppled in 15 years. How was this possible?

The measures of the Qin, an oppressively heavy set of state controls, led to revolts; rebels eventually toppled the Qin (in 206 BCE).

Who became the new ruler of China in 202 BCE?

This was Liu Bang, who founded the Han dynasty.

How could you describe the Han ruling?

The harsher aspects of the Qin rule were softened because of the humane morality of Confucianism. The new dynasty emphasized the Confucianist precept that government exists to serve the people and that unjust rulers must forfeit the support of the ruled. Many of the empire-building systems of the Qin were however retained.

The Han further expanded the empire (Guangdong, northern Vietnam, southern Manchuria, northern Korea and the desert of Xinjiang).

Which period was called the Six Dynasties?

This was the period after the last Han ruler abdicated, in which barbarian groups ruled most of the north, while the south was contested among a number of Chinese rivals. China was no longer unified, but fragmented. In this time of trouble, Buddhism spread widely (for a time it eclipsed Confucianism and at the folk level merged with Daoism).

What was the most destructive impact of the increasing population in the south?

The removal of forest to clear land for farming. The deforestation resulted in erosion, siltation of stream and irrigation channels and flooding.

Which reasons were provided to justify the deforestation?

The forests harbored wild beasts like tigers and offered refuge to bandits

Why was the Grand Canal built?

The Grand Canal was built to link the north with the south for transport of goods like rice. This was necessary because the north had little irrigated and cultivated land because the deforestation had led to erosion, siltation and floodings.

In what ways was the south advantaged in comparison to the north?

In the south most places could easily be reached by cheap water transport, while in the north most streams were not navigable, and goods had to be transported by pack animal, cart and human porters at greater cost.
The south benefited from overseas trade
In the north there was little irrigated and cultivated land because of the consequences of deforestation (which made them dependent on the south for food). Due to the wetter and warmer climate, forest could more easily reestablish itself after deforestation in the south.

How can the cultural differences between the Cantonese/Fujianese and main body Chinese be explained?

Canton and Fujianese ports generated a maritime, mercantile, seagoing world that contrasted with the inward-centered and agricultural world of the rest of China. Nowadays the languages from the Cantonese and Fujianese still remain distinct, the same goes for the food and other customs. In addition, there is still a prejudice among other Chinese against the Cantonese, who are seen as wily traders communicating in their own language and practicing clanishness and sharp dealing. The Cantonese on the other hand stereotype northerners as slow-witted peasants or interfering bureaucrats.

Describe the period of the Sui dynasty.

In 589 CE, the Sui dynasty reunited China by using harsh methods. They rebuilt the Great Wall and constructed the first Grand Canal. They used corvée labor to realize this. Rebellion soon spread, and they were followed up by the Tang dynasty.

Why is the Tang dynasty considered the high point of Chinese history?

They presided over even a greater empire than the Han
Elite culture flourished and poetry achieved new richness (Li Bai and Du Fu are still thought to be China's greatest poets).
The best-known aspect of their art are the (mass-produced) glazed porcelain figures and paintings of their horses.
The Tang capital (located in the Wei valley where the first capital of the Han used to be located) was a highly cosmopolitan place which attracted merchants and travelers from as far as the eastern Roman Empire and from most of Asia.
The southern development continued and trade flourished

The Song dynasty has been criticized for giving up part of the Chinese empire. Why was this a wise move according to the author?

The conquests on Vietnam, Korea, Mongolia, Tibet and Xinjiang had never begun to pay their way. According to the author they were wasteful and unprofitable. By giving up these parts, the Song avoided endless wars and could focus their energy on the richest, most profitable and productive areas (the provinces south of the Great Wall and east of the deserts and mountains of the west).

Why was the re-created civil service system an important reason for the success of the Song?

In this sytem officials were selected from among those who passed imperial examinations. Imperial relatives ('a plague in the past') were barred from taking these exams. The chosen officials were regularly rated for merit and promoted or passed over accordingly. Whatever one's birth, you had the opportunity to become an official.

What was one of the biggest mistakes of the Song?

They did not value the army highly. Soldiers were recruited from poorer classes and the army was not efficient. However, they had to face strong opponents and in 1126 Kaifeng was captured by a nomad group from Manchuria. The Song regrouped and forced the nomads north of the Yangtze, but they had to move their capital, first to Nanjing and later to Hangzhou (This period is called the Southern Song. The Kaifeng period is known as the Northern Song).

How did the siege of Kaifeng by the nomads eventually lead to flourishing of the Song dynasty?

When the Song moved to the new capital Hangzhou, they were cutoff from normal traderoutes through the northwest. Therefore, they had to develop more sea routes to Southeast Asia and India. These ports flourished and were the world's largest port cities of the time, which attracted many foreign merchants. The Song dynasty also advanced the size and design of oceangoing ships, which were much larger and better equipped than those of any other country.

Name three other examples of the success of the Southern Song, besides its great ports.

Examples:

Technological innovations in agriculture, manufacturing and transport
Further development of mathematics (algebra and the use of zero)
Resurgence of philosophical and religious thinking
Government and private schools multiplied; both sons of the rich and able sons of the less well-to-do were educated.

Why were the Song eventually overrun by the Mongols?

The Mongols were formidable fighters
Because the Song had made an alliance with the Mongols in 1222 > within two years the Song reoccupied Kaifeing > a year later they were defending their gains.
The Song were weakened by factionalism at court, divided counsels and inconsistent and faulty strategies.

When did the Mongol triumph in China?

They triumped in the north by 1273 and Hangzhou surrendered in 1276.

Describe the period of Mongol rule

The Yuan dynasty depended on many Chinese collaborators to administer the empire, as well as on foreigners. Kublai Khan was the first Mongol ruler and he moved the capital to Beijing. He became almost Chinese culturally speaking, although he did welcome travelers and innovations from all over the world and he gave rewards to fellow Mongols, which disturbed his subjects. After his death the empire fell apart and after years of rebellion, the Yuan dynasty lost control over the Yangtze valley in 1350.

Why did Mongol rule in China last for less than a century?

The successors of the first Mongol ruler in China (Kublai Khan) were less able and the empire fell apart after Khan's death. This mainly happened because of rivalries among Mongol commanders and the widespread revolts among the Chinese against the exploitation of Mongol rule.

Why did the Ming decide to move their capital from Nanjing to Beijing, eventhough Nanjing was in the growing southern heart of the country and Bejing in the north?

Bejing was close to the border of Inner Mongolia and the imperial tradition of locating the capital close to the frontier threats obliged the Ming to move to Beijing, despite the fact that the north declined economically and ecologically.

What is meant by the dynastic cycle?

This is the cycle which almost all dynasties went through (except for the Yuan). Most post-Qin dynasties lasted about three centuries. The first century would be one of vigor, expansion and efficiency, the second century would build on the first. In the third century vigor and efficiency would wane, corruption would mount, banditry and rebellion would multiply and the dynasty would fall.

What was characteristic of new dynasties?

They would not change the system, only its management. This lead to a continuous culture. Most elements of modern Chinese culture were thus already present by Tang times.

When was the Ming dynasty officially founded?

In 1368

The expeditionary voyages were the most spectecular of the first century of Ming-ruling. Why were these expeditions mainly undertaken?

This was for political reasons. China wanted to show its flag and command respect for the empire.

Despite the fact that seamanship like that of the Chinese were unequaled by others, it made little impression on the Chinese themselves. Why was that?

The Chinese continued to think their empire was the only civilized one and thus had little curiosity about foreign places.

What factors played a role in the decision to stop the sea expeditions in 1433?

The expeditions were expensive, and it seemed unlikely that trade profits would cover the costs.
The emperor may also have felt that he had made his imperial point by then.
The capital was moved from Nanjing to Beijing in 1421 (to command the troubled northern frontier).

Which factors led to the collapse of the Ming dynasty by the end of the 16th century?

Decline in administrative efficiency; made worse by a succession of weak emperors and the rise of palace eunuchs to power.
As a result, banditry and rebellion increased and poorer areas suffered distress. Famine spread.
In addition, the increasing population was not accompanied by an increase in officials, who became overworked and less effective and prone to bribery.

Who established a dynasty after the Ming?

The Manchus (from the northeastern border) established the Qing dynasty in 1644.

Why were the Qing more succesful in controlling China than the Mongol?

Because the control of the Qing rested on widespread Chinese collaborations, a large majority of the official posts were filled by Chinese. In addition, the Qing successfully reproduced the Chinese pattern in all ways.

Although the foreign traders hurt the Chinese pride by winning the wars, they also helped China in several ways. How did they do that?

Foreign troops helped put down the Taiping and Nian rebellions in southern China, they helped widen the market and introduced aspects of modernization (e.g. railways).

When did the Qing dynasty topple?

In 1911, when a republic was inaugurated under Sun Yat-sen, the Nationalist leader.

What was the role of Honk Kong in the period after China's inauguration as a republic?

Honk Kong was part of the British colony during that time (until 1997). It was able to build a new profitable structure of light industry and banking and housed and employed refugees from the rest of China.

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The question on the page originate from the summary of the following study material:

Understanding contemporary China | 9781588268440 | Robert E Gamer

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