Name: ____________________ Date: ___________________ Per: _______
China: Essential Questions Group Activity
Question #1: What led to Buddhism becoming popular during the
Period of Disunion? (page 168)
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There was widespread suffering during the Period of Disunion.
People took comfort in the Buddhist teaching that people can
escape suffering and achieve a state of peace, so they were drawn
to Buddhism.
By the end of the Period of Disunion, Buddhism was well
established in China. As a result of this, wealthy Chinese donated
money to have more temples built—which helped spread the
religion further.
Question #2: During the Tang and Song Dynasties, how did China
advance in technology, trade, and inventions? How has the world
benefited from these advancements? (pages 170-174)
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Dragon backbone pump increased productivity in agriculture
because water could more easily be transported to crops.
Grand Canal—irrigation system that made farming and shipping
more productive.
Fast-Growing rice—Made farming rice more productive
Porcelain was a thin, beautiful pottery that attracted many foreign
traders—which brought much revenue (money) to China. Today,
“china” refers to delicate, beautiful dinnerware.
Paper was invented during the Han dynasty. It gave China a
cheap, easy way of keeping records and made printing possible.
The concept of paper money forever altered the way in which
societies exchanged currency.
Woodblock printing was invented during the Tang Dynasty, and
allowed printers to copy drawings or texts much more quickly that
copying by hand. This allowed for more copies to be made in the
same amount of time, an increase in productivity.
Gunpowder was used to make fireworks and signals. The Chinese
did not generally use this invention as a weapon. However, it
forever changed the way that men fought wars.
Moveable type made printing much faster than woodblock printing
had. Carved letters could be rearranged and reused to print many
different messages in mass quantities—increasing production of
books and other printed materials dramatically. Our modern
typewriter is based on this system.
Magnetic compasses were invented during the Han period, but
were perfected by the Tang. The new compass allowed sailors and
merchants to travel vast distances, increasing trade and interaction
between peoples and cultures.
Question #3: What was the difference between Confucianism and NeoConfucianism? How are religions today similar to the Confucianism and
Neo-Confucianism of the past? (pages 177-178)
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Confucianism taught that people should live according to two
principles: ren and li, or concern for others and appropriate
behavior. Confucius believed that society would function best if
everyone followed ren and li.
Confucianism also taught that everyone had a place in society.
Neo-Confucianism was based on Confucianism and taught that
people should follow proper ways of behaving. In addition to these
basic teachings, Neo-Confucianism placed emphasis on spiritual
matters that combined Buddhist and Daoist concepts about the
meaning of life.
Many religions today have different branches, called sects. These
sects are based on the same basic teachings, but have a wide range
of differing beliefs in addition to basic teachings.
o For example, followers of Christian teachings may come
from many different sects: Protestant, Baptist, Catholic,
etc. These religions all have similar foundations, but do
not agree on all religious matters.
Compare the system that China used to select people to work in Civil
Service with the way in which people in America get jobs today.
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Americans can choose which jobs they will do; they do not have to
do the jobs their ancestors did if they choose not to.
Americans cannot be required to practice a certain religion or know
the teachings of a religion in order to obtain a job working for the
government.
In both medieval China and modern America, tests for certain jobs
are required. For example, Ms. Peterson had to pass four tests
before she could become a teacher.
The Civil Service system enabled people from all walks of life to rise
to the top of society through education, just as Americans can do
today.