Traditional China Test Review Sheet
Chapter 8 Section 1 (pp. 179-182)
& Chapter 15 Section 2 (pp. 327-333)
RELIGIONS & PHILOSOPHIES
Philosophy/
Religion
Buddhism
Confucianism
Taoism
Legalism
Buddha
Confucius
Lao Tzu
Han Feizi
Wheel
NONE
Yin yang
NONE
Founder
Symbol
Main
Beliefs
Four Noble Truths
1. Everyone suffers
2. Desire causes
suffering
3. If you get rid of
desire, you get rid of
suffering
4. To get rid of
desire, you must
follow the Eightfold
Path
Superior/Inferior
relationship
6 relationships that
help each other
(superior teaches
and takes care of
inferiors; inferior
obeys and respects
superior)
2. Father-Son
4. Older Brother –
Younger Brother
5. Husband - Wife
Middle Way
Live life in the
middle; “if you
tighten the string too
tight, it will snap. If
you leave it too
loose, it will not
play.”
Chi
Energy
Six Relationships
1. Ruler - Ruled
3. Teacher - Student
Eightfold Path
The things you must
do to get rid of
suffering
Way of Nature
Go with the flow of
nature; do not alter
or go against nature;
holistic (whole
picture) view
How Taoism is
reflected in Taoist
art
Taoists look at the
whole picture
(holistic) and so
their art is from a
far-away
perspective;
additionally, natures
is the focus of the at
and the human
aspects are depicted
very small
View of the people
People are stupid,
and do not know
how to behave
without the Two
Handles
How to get people to
follow rules
Strict rewards and
punishments
Two Handles
Rewards and
punishments
6. Friend = Friend
(only one not
superior/inferior)
Filial Piety
respect and honor
children owe their
parents
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Chapter 15 Section 3 (pp. 333-336)
What are the main social classes in traditional China?
PATTERNS OF LIFE
Gentry (wealthy land owners) and peasants (poor)
Compare:
Gentry
Wealthy
Land owners
Educated in Confucian tradition
Looked down on those who dud physical labor
Gentry produced scholars who became
government officials (collected taxes, kept the
peace, advised the emperor)
Peasants
Most people were peasants
Some owned and farmed a small piece of land
Some were tenant farmers, paying a portion of
their crop to the land-owner
Some were landless laborers
Lived in villages surrounded by farmland
Some simple craftsmen
Define:
Social
mobility
Ability to change your status in society; the Chinese could change their social status
through hard work and acquiring wealth, or though education and the exam system
Joint
family
Many generations living together; father and mother, grandmother and grandfather;
children; uncles and their family
Filial
piety
Respect and honor children owe their parents (Confucian)
Respect People valued their heritage and ancestors, this idea is connected to the idea of filial piety
for
ancestors
How did people show respect for their ancestors in traditional China?
People would have shrines dedicated to their dead ancestors and offer food and clothing, or burn
incense, in their honor
Explain the role of women in traditional Chinese society. (Include marriage and her
husband’s family)
Women were inferior to men in traditional Chinese society; She moved in with her new husband
and his family and was expected to serve them and bear sons
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Chapter 15 Section 4 (pp. 337-343)
POWERFUL EMPIRES
Describe the following dynasties. Be sure to include answers to the question(s) included.
Dynasty
Native?
Invader
What idea did it contribute to the position of emperor?
Mandate from Heaven
Zhou
How did it unite China? What were its great accomplishments?
Chin
(Qin)
Built the first Great Wall; China had the Terracotta Soldiers made to
guard his tomb in the afterlife
What major trading system started during this dynasty?
Han
Mongol
Conquest
Who was the significant leader? How did they gain control of
China?
Foreign
Genghis Kahn & Kublai Kahn; invaded by going around the Great Wall
of China
Native
Won China back from the Mongols; Built stone Great Wall; Built the
Forbidden City
Where did they come from?
Manchu
(Qing)
Native
Peace and prosperity
What three major things did they accomplish?
Ming
Native
Silk Road
How was it a Golden Age?
Tang &
Song
Native
Foreign
Manchuria (northeast)
What was the Silk Road? How is it connected to the concept of cultural diffusion?
It was a trade route that stretched across Asia all the way to Mediterranean; it is connected to
cultural diffusion because it helped spread Chinese inventions to other parts of the world, as well as
brought new materials and ideas to China.
Exam System
 What was it? Who took it? Why did they take it?
An examination system to test people’s abilities and insure similar values and traditions; It could
bring honor to those who passed, and shame to those who didn’t; A son could be educated, pass a
test and help his family move up in society
 How is it a reflection of Confucian ideas?
It reflects the value of hard work and learning being rewarded
3
Chapter 15 Section 5 (pp. 343-348)
Opium war
Conditions
leading up to
the war
ROOTS OF REVOLUTION
The Qing Dynasty was in decline; a population in crease caused famines;
Britain wanted to balance trade so they started selling illegal opium in China
Cause of the
war
China destroyed a shipment of Opium
Balance of
power during
the war
European military power had increased during the industrial revolution, but China’s
had not
Result of War
Treaty of Nanjing – these “unequal treaties” did the following:
1. Pay millions of dollars to England for the destroyed opium
2. Open ports to foreigners
3. Britain gained control of Hong Kong
4. Extraterritoriality - Europeans the ability to be tried in their own country for
crimes committed in China
Increase in Foreign Influence
A low bow to the emperor to show respect
Kowtow
Spheres
of
Influence
Open
Door
Policy
During the Age of Imperialism in China, European nations and Japan established areas of
economic control in China; economic control leads to political control; Britain, France,
Russia, Germany, and Japan established Spheres of Influence in China
The US’s attempt to protect its trade interests and prevent colonies from forming in China
4
Define:
Cause:
Taiping
Rebellion
Result:
Declining quality of life in China;
rebellion crushed by foreigners; China
Sharp increase in population; Increased forced to allow foreign troops in
foreign influence; rebels v. foreigners
Attempt to modernize China
Hundred Days
of Reform
Empress from the Qing Dynasty who opposed any reforms to modernize China;
she wanted to continue the traditional, Confucian society
Ci Xi
Cause: Continuing poor quality of life Result:
Boxer Rebellion in China; Increased foreign influence;
rebels v. foreigners
rebellion crushed by foreigners; China
forced to allow foreign troops in
Cause: Continuing poor quality of life Result:
Revolution
of 1911
in China; Increased foreign influence;
rebels v. foreign dynasty
Successfully overthrow dynasty and
established a democracy
What is the common cause of all three wars/rebellions?
Anti-foreign feelings
Who was Sun Yatsen? What were his “Three Principles of the People?”
Led the Nationalists in the Revolution of 1911 and became the first president of democratic
China; The Three Principles of the Peoples were nationalism, democracy, and livelihood.
Leader(s)
Nationalists
Sun Yatsen
Chiang Kaishek
Mao Zedong
Communists
Principles




Promoted Three Principles of the People
Tried to remove the Communists from China
Capitalist
Wanted foreigners out of China





Wanted to improve economy for the poor
Wanted to defeat Nationalists
Established People’s Republic of China
Communist
Wanted foreigners out of China
Describe the Long March. Who was on the offensive? Who was on the defensive? Who
was successful in the end?
Chiang Kai-shek and the Nationalists efforts to defeat the Communists
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