Question 4 of 20
Read the following quote from Buddhist scripture Dhammapada.
“Well-makers lead the water (wherever they like); fletchers bend the arrow; carpenters bend a log of wood; wise people master themselves.”
What central part of Buddhism expressed in the quote appealed to samurai who practiced Zen?
A.
patience
B.
self-control and discipline
C.
purity
D.
loyalty and obedience
B. self-control and discipline
What does it reveal about Korean culture?
A.
It was heavily influenced by Japanese culture.
B.
It developed in opposition to Chinese culture.
C.
Its porcelain was imported from elsewhere in Southeast Asia.
D.
It was influenced by China but developed its own unique style.
D. It was influenced by China but developed its own unique style.
Which belief system spread first from India to China and then to Korea and Japan, helping to create cultural unity in the region?
A.
Buddhism
B.
Daoism
C.
Confucianism
D.
Christianity
A. Buddhism
Question 7 of 20
How did Southeast Asia’s geography contribute to the region’s economic development?
A.
Much of Southeast Asia is separated from the rest of Asia by high mountains, making it a difficult place to invade.
B.
Many Southeast Asian countries depended on their plentiful gold supply to make them wealthy.
C.
Some Southeast Asian countries commanded important waterways and controlled rich trade routes.
D.
Many Southeast Asian countries were easily accessible by monks and therefore adopted Buddhist culture.
C. Some Southeast Asian countries commanded important waterways and controlled rich trade routes.
What factor contributed to Genghis Khan’s expansion of the Mongol empire?
A.
He expanded trade routes by building a complex system of canals and waterways.
B.
He led a ruthless military into foreign land, using powerful weapons to break down city walls.
C.
He established a new social order that led to the creation of a stable government.
D.
Inventions and innovations during his time of leadership helped industries to grow.
B. He led a ruthless military into foreign land, using powerful weapons to break down city walls.
Which elements of Chinese culture spread throughout the world? Select the two correct answers.
A.
gunpowder
B.
Hinduism
C.
feudalism
D.
Buddhism
E.
celadon
A. gunpowder and D. Buddhism
Question 10 of 20
Which of the following statements MOST accurately represents settlement and geography of Japan? Select the two correct answers.
A.
The western border of the Japanese peninsula is the most densely populated.
B.
Japan relies heavily on food sources from the ocean.
C.
The climate along the coast is much hotter than inland plains.
D.
Inland Japan is mostly mountainous and volcanic and not good for farming.
E.
Japan's close proximity to China's border made it a center for trade.
B. Japan relies heavily on food sources from the ocean and D. Inland Japan is mostly mountainous and volcanic and not good for farming.
Question 11 of 20
Of the following statements, which one MOST accurately represents the major difference between the Japanese and European feudal systems?
A.
In Europe, feudal lords protected peasants in exchange for part of their crops. In Japan, feudal lords protected peasants without asking anything in return.
B.
Most Europeans shared one religion. The Japanese practiced several different religions.
C.
European knights followed a code of behavior. Japanese samurai did not.
D.
Japan had powerful noble landowners. In Europe, only the Catholic Church could own land.
A. In Europe, feudal lords protected peasants in exchange for part of their crops. In Japan, feudal lords protected peasants without asking anything in return.
Japanese Shinto believed that kami spirits could be found in what kinds of objects? Select the two correct answers.
A.
rivers
B.
scriptures
C.
trees
D.
sculptures
E.
paintings
A. rivers and C. trees
In what aspects of Japanese culture would you find influence of Chinese culture? Select the three correct answers.
A.
gardening
B.
currency
C.
scroll painting
D.
social structure
E.
government
B. currency, D. social structure, and E. government
Of the following statements, which one MOST accurately represents Koryo culture?
A.
Traditional dress of Korean women mirrored that of Chinese women.
B.
Civil service exams and government jobs were open to all Koreans.
C.
Only aristocrats could own property in Korea.
D.
Koreans had their own unique religion and discouraged people from practicing Buddhism.
B. Civil service exams and government jobs were open to all Koreans.
Which statement MOST accurately represents the Kingdom of Silla?
A.
The Silla were economically and culturally advanced.
B.
The Silla's powerful military helped to defeat the Mongols in China.
C.
The Silla adapted a government similar to the Japanese feudal system.
D.
Art and architecture of the Silla culture can be seen throughout China.
A. The Silla were economically and culturally advanced.
How did Ming emperors try to erase Mongol influence on China? Select the two correct answers.
A.
They restored the civil service system.
B.
They embraced foreign trade.
C.
They became suspicious of foreign visitors.
D.
They rejected Confucian values.
E.
They moved the capital to Hangzhou.
A. They restored the civil service system and C. They became suspicious of foreign visitors.
How did the Japanese imperial court system of appointing government officials lead to the rise of the Fujiwara family?
The Japanese imperial court system of appointing government officials led to the rise of the Fujiwara family as they took advantage of the intermarriage of their daughters with emperors and princes, which allowed them to dominate the imperial court. Through this, they could secure key government positions for their relatives and enforce their rule over the country. The imperial family began to lose power to the Fujiwara family, who eventually had so much influence over the imperial court that they effectively ruled Japan from behind the scenes.
Describe feudal Japanese society. What were the roles of shoguns, samurai, daimyo, and peasants?
Feudal Japanese society was a hierarchical social structure that operated on the basis of land ownership and military service.
The shoguns were military leaders who held real power in Japan and were appointed by the emperor. They were responsible for defense and maintaining social order.
Samurai, who were warriors and members of the military class, served under the shoguns and fought to defend their lords' territory.
Daimyo were powerful landowners who governed their territories and maintained their own private army of samurai. They often allied and battled each other for control and power.
Peasants made up the largest class of Japanese society and were responsible for farming and producing food. They were divided into small groups known as villages and were heavily taxed by their lord or daimyo.
The social structure was rigidly defined, with little movement between classes. The samurai and daimyo were at the top of the social hierarchy and enjoyed many privileges, while peasants were at the bottom and had little power or say in government affairs.
Compare and contrast the Chinese government bureaucracy under the Tang and Song dynasties. How was it similar? How did it differ?
The Tang and Song dynasties in Chinese history both displayed significant advancements in government bureaucracy, but there were also several critical points that differentiated the two eras.
Similarities:
- Both dynasties were characterized by centralized government bureaucracies that were organized around a complex network of officials with clearly defined responsibilities.
- Both the Tang and Song dynasties adhered to a system of merit-based recruitment, in which officials were appointed based on their performance on imperial examinations.
- The central government was in charge of collecting taxes and taxes were often paid in the form of crops.
- Provincial governors were carefully monitored by the imperial court.
Differences:
- The Tang Dynasty enlarged the government bureaucracy with the establishment of several different ministries that specialized in specific areas of governance, while the Song Dynasty streamlined the bureaucracy in an attempt to reduce its size and therefore reduce corruption.
- The Tang Dynasty extended its political influence towards India, whereas the Song dynasty primarily focused on strengthening the Chinese economy and protecting it from invasion by the Mongols.
- The Tang Dynasty gave provincial governors more autonomy than the Song Dynasty, and the Tang Dynasty had fewer restrictions on the amount of foreign goods individuals could import, whereas the Song government put in place strict limits on imports to safeguard local manufacturing.
In summary, both Tang and Song Dynasties had distinct differences and similarities in their government bureaucracies. While the Tang Dynasty had a more expansive and expensive system, the Song Dynasty had a leaner and more focused government with more stringent economic policies. Overall, both dynasties contributed to the development and maintenance of the bureaucratic system that characterized imperial China.
Choose one of the following belief systems and describe its characteristics:
Buddhism
Confucianism
Daoism
Shinto
Consider the following questions while writing your response:
Where is this belief system practiced?
Is it a religion or a philosophy?
What are some of its key ideas?
How has it influenced the cultures who follow its teachings?
Daoism
Daoism, also known as Taoism, is an eastern philosophy that originated in China more than 2,000 years ago. It is still practiced in China, but has also spread to other parts of Asia, particularly Vietnam, Korea, and Japan.
Daoism is both a philosophy and a religion, depending on the manner in which it is practiced. It emphasizes the concept of "the Way," or the Dao, which is used to describe the path that one can take in life to achieve inner peace. Through Daoism, individuals seek to live in harmony with the natural rhythms of the universe.
Some key ideas of Daoism include:
- Emphasis on the balance between the individual and the natural world
- Importance placed on meditation and mindfulness
- Belief in the interconnectedness of all things
- Emphasis on the "wu-wei" concept of non-action or allowing life to take its natural course
- Affection for nature and its natural processes.
Daoism played a key role in Chinese art and literature, as well as the development of Chinese medicine. Its teachings inspired some of the most famous artwork, literature, and architecture in Chinese history, and the practice of Daoism still reflects in those aspects of Chinese culture today. Daoism is also known to have influenced martial arts, such as Tai Chi, which emphasizes balance, control, and harmony in movement.