1.) During the fifteenth century, China and Europe both began rebuilding their civilizations after the destruction that the plague brought. Both commenced to rebuild their population, economy, and to begin cultural growth. Although the two civilizations had their difference in the way that they began to rebuild, they also shared some similarities. As both showed signs of improvement, it is viewed that “Europe was […] more different from its own recent past than [the] Ming dynasty China was from its pre-Mongol glory” (428). Even though Europe went though the most change, China still showed a lot of improvement, especially considering that they were coming back from having a foreign ruler. After China had been conquered by the Mongols and their population was diminished by the plague, they began to look to into their past in order to shape their future. The Chinese society allowed “two empresses [write] instructions for female behavior” (423). These behaviors included those that were held previously to the Chinese women and were seen as “traditional expectations” (423). Much of the Chinese culture was changed due to the rule of the Mongol Empire. Because of this, China attempted to put an end to any evidence of foreign rule from the Mongol Empire. This included the “[discouragement] [of] the use of Mongol names and dress” (423). This discouragement of the Mongol traditions provided China the opportunity to reintroduce the concept of Confucian learning. This is another
As much as the Mongols affected the worlds they conquered, those worlds also influenced China's social landscape. For example, the Mongols brought influences from the Persian, Islamic and Byzantine parts of the world (p 372). This influenced the way the chinese practiced medicine, architecture, science and many other aspects (p 372). The impact this had on a global level was that it created a system of contact between these different areas of the world that previously did not communicate as well prior. Increases in communication allowed for advancements in trade, commerce and technology. Connections with parts of Europe and Africa allowed for the exchange of ideas and practices that changed the cultural landscapes in all these areas due to the Mongolian
The increased flow of silver altered the worldwide global trading both socially and economically. The global flow of silver from the mid-sixteenth century to the early eighteenth century caused social and economic issues by creating social impact in China, changing the economic purpose for trading, and the overall exchange between the Chinese and European nations.
When comparing Han China and Classical Rome, many political, geographical, and religious similarities can be found, though many differences are also prevalent. Though Roman and Han political structures both emphasized bureaucracies, they came to them quite differently. Through copious amounts of expansion, both societies spread culture and earned money, though expansion was eventually their downfalls. Their religions differed immensely, with Rome emphasizing polytheism and Han China focusing on Confucianism. The differences and similarities between these two civilizations are to be discussed in this essay.
China has changed in certain ways and remained the same in others from the early Golden Ages to the late 1900s. China has experienced a series of cultural and political transformations, shaping the lives of many Chinese citizens. Culturally, the country’s art and literature hardly changed for almost eight hundred years. Along with their culture, China remained politically the same from the beginning of the Golden Ages all the way until the 1800s. On the other hand, China’s government and society were restructured after new leaders took over. From a monarch to total communism, China’s society had a multitude of new ideas and policies they had to adapt to.
All empires sought to foster an imperial identity that transcended more local identities and loyalties.
Earlier this week we focused on ancient eastern China during the Han Dynasty and the east asian philosophies that arose during this time period. We reviewed three great asian philosophers, Confucius, Lao Tzu, and Buddha. In class we also picked from a list of quotes from these three philosophers a quote they said that really resonated with us and wrote a descriptive essay on it and shared it in class for extra credit.
a. The population of China approximately doubled between the start of the Ming dynasty in 1368 and its collapse and replacement by the Manchus in 1415 in North China . This population increase, along with a reduction in government regulation, led to China’s Commercial Revolution, which lasted from 1500 and 1800. Economic advances during this
22. What political and cultural differences stand out in the histories of fifteen century China and Western Europe? What similarities are apparent? Why?
When comparing Han China and Roman Empire, many political, geographical, and religious similarities can be found, though many differences are also prevalent. Though Roman and Han political structures both emphasized bureaucracies, they came to them quite differently. Through many amounts of expansion, both societies spread culture and earned money, though expansion was eventually their downfalls. Their religions differed immensely, with Rome emphasizing polytheism and Han China focusing on Confucianism. The differences and similarities between these two civilizations are to be discussed in this essay. One might ask, Which civilization yielded the best economy during this era?
McNeil is also critical of Landes’ preoccupation in the happenings of Europe alone, while remaining dismissive of all economic and technological accomplishments of China after 1 000 A.D. While Landes dismisses the economic demise of China as a “weird pattern of isolated initiatives and Sisyphean discontinuities,” McNeil instead portrays the rapid innovations of the Sung era, and how they were damaged and disrupted by Mongol conquests and contained within the Ming dynasty, thereby showing that Europe did not surpass Europe in achievement due to their own pre-eminence.
The Chinese Empire is a land of innovation, mystery, culture, and art. From mysterious trade partners to military expansionists, the Chinese people have faced a constant evolution of change over their vast history. China’s innovative and advanced mindset has made the West wonder in awe for centuries, and it is difficult to realize that, unlike the West, the East has been the center of technological and industrial advancements for centuries until their eventual decline. Due to China’s vibrant and long past, many have debated which time period was China’s strongest age, and it is difficult to answer this question without clear and precise evidence. Although many Dynasties have been both influential
China enjoyed a number of technological advances over Europe in the period running up to the 15th century, most significantly the development of gunpowder, compasses and printing. These inventions revolutionised European technology facilitating exploration, conquest and literature. Unlike in Europe, these inventions were not put to such use by the Chinese who held a fairly isolationist view. Meaning that they did not involve themselves in trade to nearly the same degree as many Europeans. In this essay I will be assessing China’s technological lead over Europe before the 16th century and commenting on the extent to which they held this lead.
If a Chinese from the Song Dynasty and a Western European went to each other lands they would notice a difference in government, religion, and culture. The Chinese government was more structured than Western Europe. The religions differed based upon who they prayed to for help, and the religion
In todays world China is still considered by most scholars a third world country, with a large amount of the population living on low wages earned from an agricultural based economy. At one point however China was one of if not the most prosperous civilization in the world. China led the world in innovation and culture (Stanard). They were able to stay a vibrant culture for thousands of years. This paper will provide concise and scholarly evidence that China was far more advanced than its Western counterparts at the height of the European renaissance . The reasons lie within three main points. The first issue that will be addressed is the difference of religions. The second will give brief insight into China's military
This year is my forth year that I has been studying in the United State. I’m already used to the U.S. culture and the U.S. living style. So in general, I didn’t experience any culture shock after I got here. If I had any culture shock, it’s probably three years ago. I couldn’t remember any of them. However I do have some thoughts about the differences between the U.S. and China after four years of studying in the United States.