AP WORLD HISTORY NOTES UNITS 1-4

How did China create a relatively stable and prosperous state that lasted for over three and a half millennia?

Answer: Dynasty System, Mandate of Heaven, Imperial Bureaucracy, Civil Service Examination, Large State-Sponsored Infrastructure Corveé Labor.

How are Chinese cultural traditions similar and how are they different and how did these traditions affect East Asia over time?

Answer: Three schools of thought developed: Legalism, Daoism, Confucianism. They are similar because they reinforce the patriarchy and give people a moral and ethical code to live by. Filial Piety is one important cultural tradition. They are different because Legalism seeks to maintain harmony through strict laws, Daoism seeks too maintain harmony through humans living in a simple state of balance with nature and Confucianists believe that harmony is only achieved when everyone knows their place in society. These schools of thought led to traditions such as foot binding, and political and economic systems based on high ranking government officials and low status merchants, while peasants carried the economy through artisan labor.

What innovations were developed in China prior to 1450 and how did they spread?

Answer: Advanced iron and steel production. Gunpowder, paper and the printing press were developed and spread through the Silk Road and Indian Ocean Trade Network. Several commodities such as silk and porcelain also spread through those trade networks.The Song Dynasty developed the world\'s first government backed paper money and the maritime compass.

In what ways did China exert influence on other regions of East Asia (Korea and Japan)?

Answer: China created a Tribute System where diplomats from neighbouring states had to recognize Chinese superiority. They were required to kowtow in front of the emperor. In return, China would give substantial gifts to maintain good relations.Chinese literary and scholarly traditions spread to Japan and Korea. Japan adopted Confucianism, Buddhism, Chinese-style bureaucracy and Chinese urban planning.

How was South Asia organized politically prior to 1450 CE?

Answer: The Indian subcontinent was politically fragmented and unification was rare because India is culturally, and ethnically diverse.It was divided into Buddhist (Sinhala), Islamic (Delhi Sultanate) and Hindu (Rajput) kingdoms. Religion offered stability to a politically decentralized region.

What are the origins of Hinduism and how did it spread?

Answer: Hinduism has no historical founder and no clear starting point. When nomads moved into India (Aryan Migration) they brought with them the VEDAS (oral prayers maintained by the BRAHMINS- priests). Some criticism emerged over the brahmins power and two things happened: the VEDAS became the UPANISHADS (accessible to population) some people turned to buddhism instead. It is NOT a missionary religion and didn\'t spread farther than India and SE Asia.