Question 1

The Tang dynasty was situated in Changan  or modern day Xian. It was formed by the Li family and existed at the period that followed the Sui dynasty. It was then replaced by an era historically described as the Five dynasty - Ten kingdoms period. The Grand Canal of China built by the Sui family, encouraged trade and settlement along it, leading to the formation of a cosmopolitan culture, later hailed as the zenith of Chinese civilization. The large populace was an advantage as it led to a large pool of trained professional and military men and thus enabled control of trade (Silk Road) and resource. The Li family adopted a model where a selected group of individuals, who after competitive training, constituted the civil service. They also applied hegemony, where a region was considered greater than the other surrounding regions. The surrounding states were required to pay tribute to the central government. These countries were in return allowed to have some power to run some of their affairs. The influence of this dynasty spread not only along the Silk Road but also to far-flung areas like Tajikistan and Indochina. In contrast, the Song dynasty favored a nine-rank system that ensured merit as a prerequisite for training. The Tang dynasty had chosen an aristocratic model to decide who was to be trained to act as intermediaries between the rulers and the people. This system led them to lose grassroots support as the manner in which the officials were selected resulted in only a tiny pool of possible rulers, effectively alienating the people. This factor is attributed to have led to the fall of the empire.


Question 2

World of Shining Prince.
The book gives an account of Japan during the Hein period, the period that marks the end of classical Japanese History. It represents a period when Chinese influence was highest in Japan and concepts like Buddhism and Taoism were in vogue. The period also marks an era where Japanese art finally flourished after years in the shadow of Chinese art. The arts, among other forms, included poetry and works of literature. The emergence was due to the increased significance of the imperial courts. These courts were cover screens used to hide the real power brokers - the Fujiwara clan. This aristocratic family had claimed its status via intermarriage with the emperor. This marriage ensured beneficial family ties as relation to power could always be drawn such as an uncle or cousin not being too far from power. The aristocracies flourished due to the diminishing allure of china and the emergence of Japanese forms of expression, the arts. The support of the aristocracies for Japanese art led to a renewal of sorts, as Chinese ways were slowly abandoned. The political framework as a result changed from a centralized government passing through aristocracies and settling on traditional concepts that were clan-based.

Question 3

The Mongols were able to conquer the Hans Chinese because of the approach they used. Instead of use of force, the leaders such as Khubilai Khan accepted some of the practices of the Chinese. This was due to the long interaction of the two peoples and the fact that Chinese had ruled the region previously and had thus spread their culture. The political changes that Khubilai adopted included the sino-centric system of rule where it was a common belief that China was supreme and all other regions were backward. As a result, these backward regions were required to pay tribute to China (Rossabi 1989). This belief formed the basis of all Chinese beliefs and practices including even trade. He even went further by making Dadu (present-day Beijing) his capital city. By upholding the beliefs and societal structures of the Chinese people he was able to win their trust and loyalty, although his period of rule was short lived he is credited as being the founder of a united China.

Question 4

A comparison of China to Japan in the 12th Century yields interesting perspectives. For the Japanese it marks the period of feuds. They abandoned the shoen system by stripping off powers of the court, emperor and abandoning the centralized form of rule. In addition, they then adopted a militant leadership by bestowing all the powers of the old institutions to a shogun, the defacto leader, of the new ruling class the samurai (Bushi class). The shogun ruled via vassals, who were loyalists, and who in turn rewarded them with inheritable land. This by itself marked the transition to an economy based on land. The wars and concomitant suffering led to the spread of Buddhism as people went in search for solace. Newer versions of Buddhism emerged and they included the pure land Buddhism. The Chinese, in contrast, were enjoying a period of cultural and technological advancements. This period was marked by the Song dynasty, a period when the Chinese flourished. They had developed technologies such as mass printing, use of gunpowder and their advanced knowledge in agriculture ensured constant supply of rice leading to an economic boom. The higher population was also an impetus for change in governance, as the sheer numbers of the lower classes demanded their participation in governance. The ascent to a leadership position was based on ones merit rather than ancestry. The social elite were preoccupied with meeting in entertainment spots to indulge and trade in expensive art. It would have been quite a shock for the Confucius male to witness the social disharmony, bloodletting, hatred, disregard for life and anarchy existent in Japan.