Spread of Chinese
Civilization
Vietnam
Korea
Japan
Korea
313-618: Three Kingdoms period
All vie for control, but unable to unite Korea
Influx of Chinese influence
618-668: Silla (Korean) & Tang
dynasties ally to conquer Korea
668-918: Silla independent rule
918-1392: Koryo dynasty
1231-1392 – Mongol Overlords
1392-1910: Yi dynasty
Vietnam
111 BCE – 939 CE = Chinese rule
39 CE: Trung Sisters lead revolt
939-1500 = Vietnam breaks free of
Chinese rule
various dynasties continue Chinese-style
policies
Spread of Chinese Civilization:
The Basics…
•
Tribute System
•
Buddhism
•
Sinification
Korea: Between China & Japan
Korea
Middle
Kingdom
Vietnam
Japan
Independent, but…
Korea filled with political rivalry
Koguryo, Paekae, Silla
Tang & Silla (668-918)
Koryo (918-1392)
Long lived in shadow of China
Han expansion
Buddhism
Settlers during Chinese weakness
Civilization for the Few
Society & sinification dominated by
elite
Everyone oriented to service aristocrats
Schooling
Administrative techniques
Exam system bureaucrats – Elite only
Flexibility of women replaced
Confucianism
Only Buddhism permeates masses
Effects
Elite & legitimizing rule
Hangul
1392-1910: Yi
Hermit Kingdom
Vietnam: b/t China & SE Asia
Korea
Middle
Kingdom
Vietnam
Japan
Conquest & Sinification
Vassal in tribute system
Aware of China’s superiority
Han & Tang expansion results in full
incorporation by China (111 BCE-939 CE)
Expected to assimilate “southern
barbarians”
Elite & the Masses
Vietnamese elite value some advantages
of Sinification:
Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism
Political & military organization
But strong popular identity remains:
Language
Nuclear families
Freedom of women
Customs
Effects
Political resistance remains
Cross-class, cross-gender
Vietnam expands southward
Cultural influence remains
Mandate of Heaven
True exam system
Buddhism
Japan: Selective Borrowing
Korea
Middle
Kingdom
Vietnam
Japan
Imperial Age
600-794 CE: Deliberate borrowing
Taika Reforms: aimed at creating a
Chinese-styled central government
Son of Heaven, but not Mandate of
Heaven
Chinese script & histories
Professional bureaucracy & peasant
conscript army
Undermined by Buddhist monasteries &
aristocrats
Heian Period
794-857 CE: Early Heian Period
Adapting borrowed ideas
Ultra-civilized – superficial focus on beauty
& social interactions
Tale of Genji
857-1185: Transition in the Late Heian
Attempts at centralization fail amidst
powerful aristocrats (court & regional)
Feudal Age
1185-1600: Feudal Age of warfare
Daimyo
Samurai
Bushido
Peasants
Merchants
Age of gradual economic growth
Merchants & internal trade
Guilds & artisans