Chapter 8 (China and the World)

China and the World
East Asian Connections
500 - 1300

China influenced the world because of its wealthy culture, economy, and technological innovations, but was affected and changed by interactions from  non-Chinese "barbarians."

Together Again: The Reemergence of a Unified China

• The Han dynasty left China socially and politically fragmented and these centuries were also accompanied a migration of people that gave rise to agriculture and deforestation. It was eventually reunited under the Sui Dynasty with canals promoting economic unity, but it collapsed leading to the Tang and Song dynasties. The centuries of the Tang and Song dynasties were called the "Golden Age" because a flourishing of arts, literature, scholarship, etc. Politically, the Tang and Song dynasties created ministries, education, and strict selection of public officials, verified by the Censorate, or the agency, where officials were primarily selected by wealth and merit. China was highly economically prosperous and advanced, especially in agriculture, creating a large population and attractive location to be. It was very urban and commercial, with many businesses such as markets, restaurants, and inns. Water systems promoted a surplus of food and transportation. Industrial production soared, primarily with the help of coal, along with technology, inventions, and scientific advancement, but interrupted by Mongol conquests. Everything was specialized with a focus on marketing.
• By the Song dynasty, Confucianism and economic growth gave rise to patriarchy and submission of women. Foot binding among women was a standard of beauty for smaller feet and was a painful procedure of submission. Economic growth caused a decline of roles available to women in textile production, replaced by factories and manufacturing dominated by men. In some ways, women had freedom rights during the Song dynasty as they could control dowries and receive education.

I think that it is interesting how the wealthy were most often selected to hold public office even if they performed poorly on examinations. Something the text does not explain in great detail is how power and wealth were items necessary to receive an elite education. I also think it is interesting how China became the most urbanized country in the world. Factors contributing to this could be the political system, economic system, infrastructure and irrigation systems, and possibly even the culture of the time. It is also very nice that Strayer dedicates an entire subsection to women, something we would most likely not encounter in other history textbooks. 

China and the Northern Nomads: A Chinese World Order in the Making

• China's interactions with Eurasia and intrusions from Northern nomadic people were constant factors in China's historical development - trade, economies, etc. China viewed themselves as superior because they represented civilization and viewed others as barbarians. The tribute system was a set of practices emphasizing non-Chinese to acknowledge Chinese superiority. Sometimes China could not keep up with these assumptions because barbarian societies were strong. The Xiongnu raided northern China so China decided to establish it as politically equal with gifts and promises, providing economic resources to nomadic states.
• There was some cultural influence despite the divide between the Chinese and nomads. Nomads generally kept their own cultural patterns, but dancing, music, religion, etc. influenced Chinese upper classes.

I think it is interesting how though the Chinese perceived themselves as superior, representers of civilization, yet the contributions from their neighboring barbarians were very influential and relevant to their historical development. They developed a creative way to feel that they were still in a sense of control. 

Coping with China: Comparing Korea, Vietnam, and Japan

• Unlike the peoples of Southern China, the peoples of Korea, Vietnam, and Japan maintained their identities, sometimes resisting political domination, but sought their culture and wealth.
• Early Korean states mostly resisted Chinese political control, sometimes allying for their benefit. Korea practiced the tribute system with China enabling Korea to have knowledge of Chinese politics, religion, trade, education, military systems, etc. Chinese Confucianism affected women and family life, but still Chinese cultural influence had little impact on Korean society. Korea achieved political independence. They retained their culture and even developed an alphabet for Korean language.
• Vietnam participated in the tribute system with China, and was inspired by Chinese religions, styles, arts, and cultures. China wanted to cultivate Vietnam, and learning Chinese culture became required for the Vietnamese. When the Tang dynasty weakened, Vietnam could become their own independent state, still paying homage to China and adopting Chinese government styles. The elite especially valued Chinese culture, but retained Vietnamese cultures that were distanced from the strict gender roles of Confucianism. Also emerged was a script for language.
• The Japanese islands were physically separated from China, no military invasions or conquests, but Japan sought to model Tang dynasty systems. Leader Shotoku Taishi sent Japanese groups to learn Chinese styles. Japan adopted Chinese systems, arts, advancements, etc. They eventually stopped the missions to China but blended their own culture with Chinese elements. The Samurai warrior class emerged as political power decentralized, emphasizing bushido, the way of the warrior - bravery, loyalty, etc. Japanese religious focus on spirits remained, but Buddhism took form. Japanese culture and literacy evolved, poems, writing system. Japanese women were more free from Chinese Confucian values perhaps because China's most influential impact on Japan happened when women of the Tang dynasty enjoyed freedom. Japan borrowed extensively from China but developed its own distinct civilization at the same time.

I think it is interesting how early Korean states resisted political control under China, yet they still strived to model it. For example. despite resistance of the time, leaders wanted their own state to resemble Tang China. A common similarity among these three regions and China's influence is that they managed to keep some of their own identities and traditions in the flourishing of new civilizations. Each of them also kept their political independence, as the text directly states.

China and the Eurasian World Economy

• China's economy, which flourished during the Tang and Song dynasties, influenced Eurasia. Technological innovation was a heavy impact. Printing and papermaking were Chinese inventions, influenced by Buddhism with implications for literacy. Chinese inventions were mostly stimulated by local needs. Prosperity during the Song dynasty stimulated commercial life. Products such as silk created wealth and a large economy, supply and demand for business and profits. 
• China also took ideas and gained resources from other places. Chinese technological innovation gave rise to cross-cultural contact and interaction. China's growing participation in Indian ocean trade made China more involved with the wider world. 

It is obvious to us that China is very advanced and innovative, but I am still curious why this is and how this came out to be. The text emphasizes that the Chinese saw theirselves as models of civilization and outsiders as barbarians, so I wonder if this mindset in fact motivated them to believe they had to be technologically advanced. I also am curious how the political dynasties came to shape these high levels of Chinese advancement.

China and Buddhism

• Buddhism was the most important gift that China received from India, providing commonality and a foundation for it to spread. Buddhism was inspired by the collapsing of the Han dynasty that left China fragmented and discrediting of Confucianism. It was welcomed by nomadic rulers and it provided comfort in a collapsing society. Buddhist monasteries provided social service and accommodation. Buddhist educators translated the dharma into dao so that it was more understandable for the Chinese. Buddhism in China took root in Theravada, broader form. Support for Buddhism, especially by the emperor grew, building of monasteries, arts. 
• Increasing Buddhism was criticized because of wealth, challenge to imperial authority. Growing resentment of culture, elite class wants to return to "purity of old times.." Chinese state took direct action against Buddhism and foreign religions, monasteries, temples destroyed. Still, Buddhism did not vanish, Buddhist values helped reconstruct Song dynasty Confucian thinking.

Influenced by external societies, China grew to become their own innovative civilization and a model for other societies. Sometimes views disagreed on what was right and wrong.