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ClassZone.com WebQuest The Great Wall of China, A. D. 1400 You are a guard on the Great Wall charged with protecting Ming China. Suddenly, a flurry of Mongol fireballs shatters the peaceful morning. A Mongol attack is beginning. How will you repel the attack? The Chinese built a signal fire on top of the nearest watchtower to warn of a Mongol attack. What is another way the Chinese might have warned each other of an attack? The Chinese constructed the wall on the tops of hills and mountains to make it even more difficult to overcome. Why might building the wall on mountain peaks make it more difficult to attack? 206

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Page 1: The Great Wall of China, . 1400 · The Great Wall of China, A.D. 1400 You are a guard on the Great Wall charged with protecting Ming China. Suddenly, a flurry of Mongol fireballs

ClassZone.comWebQuest

The Great Wall of China, A.D. 1400You are a guard on the Great Wall charged with protecting Ming China. Suddenly, a flurry of Mongol fireballs shatters the peaceful morning. A Mongol attack is beginning.

How will you repel the attack?

The Chinese built a signal fire on top of the nearest watchtower to warn of a Mongol attack.

What is another way the Chinese might have warned each other of an attack?

The Chinese constructed the wall on the tops of hills and mountains to make it even more difficult to overcome.

Why might building the wall on mountain peaks make it more difficult to attack?

206

Page 2: The Great Wall of China, . 1400 · The Great Wall of China, A.D. 1400 You are a guard on the Great Wall charged with protecting Ming China. Suddenly, a flurry of Mongol fireballs

Chapter 7

China Buildsan Empire

Chapter 8

Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia

To make rockets, the Chinese stuffed gunpowder into bamboo tubes. Sometimes they mixed stones, lead pellets, and broken pottery with the gunpowder.

What might be some of the advantages of a rocket in warfare?

207

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208

Chapter

7China Buildsan Empire

Before You Read: K-W-LThe K-W-L approach will help you recall prior knowledge and develop a plan for learning new information. Consider the following questions as you read this chapter:• What do you already know about China?• Study the map and time line on these pages. What do they

tell you about China’s lands and its people?• What do you want to learn about China?

Big Ideas About Ancient ChinaBelief Systems People adopt new beliefs that give meaning to life.Belief systems, such as Confucianism and Daoism, arose in ancient China. The Buddhist religion also became widely practiced. These belief systems had a powerful effect on Chinese society and government.

300sBuddhism flourishes in China

and spreads to Korea.(sculpture of Buddha)

!

618Li Yuan foundsTang Dynasty.

(Tang horse sculpture)

!

610Muhammad begins

preaching Islam.!(Qur’an)

Integrated Technology

• Interactive Maps• Interactive Visuals• Starting with a Story

INTERNET RESOURCES

• WebQuest• Homework Helper• Research Links• Internet Activities

• Quizzes• Maps• Test Practice• Current Events

Go to ClassZone.com for

The Mongol Empire

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209

QinghaiHu

Amur R.

Huang

He

(Yel

lowR.)

HuangHe

(Yel

lowR.)

G r and Canal

(Yan

gtze

R.)

Yalu

Jian

g

Ch

ang Jiang

Xi Jiang (West R.)

Mekong

R.

BrahmaputraR.

Gongga Shan24,790 ft.(7,556 m)

Kongur Mt.25,325 ft.(7,719 m)

TIAN SHAN

Kunlun Shan

H I M A L A Y A S

Gre

atK

hing

anM

ount

ains

Altai Shan

Ma

nch

uri

an

Pla

in

PLATEAU OF TIBET

N o r t hC h i n aP l a i n

G O B I D E S E R T

TaklimakanDesert

Hainan

Yel lowSea

E a s t

C h i n a

S e a

S o u t h

C h i n a

S e a

Taiw

anSt

rait

K A Z A K H S TA N

KYRGYZSTAN

R U S S I A

VIETNAM

L A O S

T H A I L A N D

M YA N M A R

BHUTAN

NEPAL

I N D I A

C H I N A

M O N G O L I A

NORTHKOREA

SOUTHKOREA

TAIWAN

PHILIPPINES

20°N

30°N

10°N

40°N

100°E90°E80°E70°E 120°E110°E 130°E 140°E

Tropic of Cancer

Physical Geography of Present-Day China

Elevation

Mountain peak

(4,000 m)(2,000 m)(1,000 m)

(200 m)(0 m)

Below sea level

13,100 ft.6,600 ft.3,280 ft.

650 ft.0 ft.

N

S

EW0

0 250 500 kilometers

250 500 miles

209

960Song Dynasty is established. (Song vase)

!

1095European Christians

begin First Crusade to capture the Holy Land.

1325The Aztecs build

Tenochtitlán.(Aztec ornament)

!

1405–1433Zheng He makes several voyages.

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Background: In the past, you may have learned aboutthe Han Dynasty, which ruled China from 206 B.C. to A.D. 220.As you may recall, China often had conflicts with enemyinvaders from the northwest. One group of those invaderswas the Xiongnu (shyung•noo).

When the Han Dynasty fell, China broke apart intosmaller kingdoms. The lack of a strong central governmentto organize defenses put China in greater danger frominvaders. As you read the following story, imagine you areliving during those dangerous times.

Soldiers on horseback were a favoritesubject of Han artists.

!

210

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YY ou are a Chinese merchant in A.D. 311. You’re very proud of the citywhere you live—Luoyang (lwoh•yahng). Your grandfather toldyou that the city used to be the Han capital. It still has palaces and

temples. Students from all over the country flock to the university there.Hundreds of thousands of people live in Luoyang. The walled city has survivedtough times, such as peasant revolts, civil wars, and even the fall of a dynasty.

Since the Han Dynasty fell, Luoyang has had many different governments.Some of your friends wonder who is going to rule your city next, but you’retoo busy to worry about it. You tell your friends, “Rulers come and go, butmerchants and farmers make sure that life goes on.” Most of the time, yougo about your daily work and never think about the government at all.

Today, while you are selling porcelain in the market, you hear poundinghooves and shrill screams down the street. A man shouts, “Xiongnu!”Your heart leaps in terror. The Xiongnu are fierce nomadic warriors onhorseback who have attacked China many times in the past. Now they havebroken through the city’s walls!

WHISH! An arrow flies by your head. You duck under the table holdingyour porcelain. Delicate teapots and bowls crash to the ground and shatter.Quickly, you crawl away and run down an alley until you see an outhouse.You crawl into the sewage pit and hide there all night. The stench is terrible.

The next day, you learn that the Xiongnu have killed thousands of peopleand destroyed your beautiful city. It looks like a garbage dump. Instead ofriding away, the Xiongnu have decided to stay and start a new dynasty.

What do you think will happen to China now?

Starting with a Story

1. READING: Plot The first stage of the plot of a story isthe exposition. In it, characters and setting are introducedand background information is provided. With a partner,identify the information provided in the exposition to thisstory. As you read other stories in this book, note how theexpostion is used to “set the scene.”

2. WRITING: Response to Literature How do youpredict the story will continue? Write a paragraphdescribing what Xiongnu rulers might be like.

211

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MAIN IDEAS

Government The Han Dynasty, China’s strongcentral government, fell in A.D. 220. A period ofconflict followed.

Belief Systems China went through majorchanges in its belief systems.

Government In 589, the Sui Dynasty reunifiedChina. In 618, the Tang Dynasty took over China.

TAKING NOTESReading Skill:Understanding Cause and EffectFollowing causes and effects will help youunderstand why events occurred. In Lesson 1, lookfor the effects of each event listed in the chart.Record the effects on a chart of your own.

! Han Watchtower The Hanoften placed pottery modelsof buildings, like the militarywatchtower above, in tombs.These models provided thedeceased with shelter andprotection in the afterlife.

Lesson

1

Causes EffectsThe Han Dynasty falls.

Buddhism becomes widely practiced.

The Sui and Tang dynasties reunify China.

Skillbuilder Handbook, page R26

212 • Chapter 7

plagued afflicted,troubled, or annoyed(page 213)

Many people died fromthe hunger that plaguedthe region.

efficient acting withas little wasted effort aspossible (page 214)

While the new workerswere slow, the experiencedworkers were efficient.

harmony an agreementin feeling (page 215)

He enjoyed the beauty ofnature and felt in harmonywith it.

complex having manyconnected parts (page 218)

The government startedsmall and simple, but itbecame more complex.

Words to KnowUnderstanding the following words will help you read this lesson:

Page 8: The Great Wall of China, . 1400 · The Great Wall of China, A.D. 1400 You are a guard on the Great Wall charged with protecting Ming China. Suddenly, a flurry of Mongol fireballs

Reunifying ChinaBuild on What You Know What words would you use to describe the country of China? Does your list include the words huge and powerful? In this chapter, you will learn that China was a huge and powerful country 1,500 years ago.

Fall of the Han DynastyESSENTIAL QUESTION What happened after the Han Dynasty fell in A.D. 220?

The Han Dynasty, founded in 206 B.C.B.C., was a period of progress and prosperity for China. In time, however, political struggles, social problems, and a widening gap between rich and poor weakened the Han Dynasty. It fell in A.D.A.D. 220.

Conflict and Chaos A time of great disorder followed. Various kingdoms fought among themselves. Invading nomads from the north crossed the Mongolian Plateau into northern China. (A nomadnomad is a person who moves from place to place.) Floods, droughts, and food shortages also plagued the land.

Despite these troubles, Chinese culture survived. In the north, the invading nomads eventually settled down and adopted Chinese customs. In the south, good harvests and growing trade helped people to prosper. Even so, most Chinese people led difficult lives.

What were the effects of the fall of the Han Dynasty on China?

TERMS & NAMES

nomad

Confucianism

Buddhism

Daoism

reunify

The Himalayas This great mountain range provided a barrier to protect China from invasion from the southwest. !

213

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Changes in Belief SystemsESSENTIAL QUESTION What changes took place in China’s belief systems?

The turmoil after the fall of the Han Dynasty led to major changes in China’s belief systems.

Confucianism For centuries, the Chinese had looked to Confucianism (kuhn•FYOO•shuh•nihz•uhm) for comfort and guidance. ConfucianismConfucianism is a belief system based on the ideas of Confucius (551–479 B.C.B.C.). He was a scholar who taught moral virtues and ethics—ideas of right and wrong. In his teachings, Confucius emphasized these principles.

• Use right relationships to produce social order.

• Respect family and older generations.

• Educate individuals and society.

• Act in morally correct ways.

Confucianism Influences Chinese Life Confucianism affected many aspects of Chinese government and society. For example, Confucius taught that people could advance in life through education. An emphasis on education helped to produce an efficient, well-trained set of government officials.

Confucius’ ideas also influenced society. He thought society should be organized around five basic relationships. A code of conduct governed these relationships. For example, one relationship was between ruler and subject. Confucius taught that the ruler should be virtuous and kind. The subject should be loyal and obey the law. Other relationships were based on the family. Confucius wanted children to have respect for their parents and older generations. Around A.D.A.D. 200, however, Confucianism began to lose its influence as the Han Dynasty lost power.

The Spread of Buddhism As Confucianism lost influence, many Chinese turned to Buddhism. BuddhismBuddhism is a religion that started in India and is based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama (sihd•DAHR•tuh GOW•tuh•muh) (c. 566–486 B.C.B.C.). Siddhartha was known as the Buddha, or “Enlightened One.”

Buddha This huge seated Buddha, located in caves about 150 miles west of Beijing, was carved in the fifth century A.D.

!

The suffix -ism refers to an action, a process, or a practice. Confucianism is the practice of Confucius’ teachings.

Vocabulary Strategy

214 • Chapter 7

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The Spread of Buddhism,500s B.C.–A.D. 500s

INDIAN OCEAN

Bay ofBengal

SouthChinaSea

EastChinaSea

PACIFICOCEAN

HIMALAYASC H I N A

I N D I A

KOREAJAPAN

Tropic of Cancer

Equator0°

10°N

20°N

30°N

40°N

80°E 90°E 100°E 110°E 120°E

0

0 350 700 kilometers

350 700 miles

Spread of Buddhism

Core area of Buddhism

N

S

E

W

Buddhism teaches the following principles:• Suffering is a part of life.

• The reason people suffer is that they are too attached to material possessions and selfish ideas.

• By living in a wise, moral, and thoughtful way, people can eventually learn to escape suffering.

During the first century A.D., missionaries and traders carried Buddhist teachings to China, as the above map shows. Over time, the religion spread into Korea and Japan too. Buddhism became widely practiced after the Han Dynasty fell. Buddhist teachings helped people endure the suffering that followed the dynasty’s collapse.

Influences on Confucianism Confucianism began to enjoy a rebirth in the 600s. However, gradual changes began to take place in Confucian thought. Buddhism and Daoism caused some of these changes. DaoismDaoism is a belief system that seeks harmony with nature and with inner feelings. Daoism began in China in the 500s B.C.

Since the Han Dynasty, Confucianism had mostly been a set of social ethics and political principles. Later, during the Song Dynasty, Confucian thinkers blended Buddhism and Daoism into Confucianism. As a result, Confucianism broadened its outlook.

1 Buddhism began in this area of India around the 500s B.C.

2 Buddhism spread to China in the first century A.D.

3 Buddhism came to Korea from China in the late 300s.

4 Koreans brought Buddhism to Japan in the 500s. It mixed with the native religion of Shinto.

GEOGRAPHY SKILLBUILDERINTERPRETING MAPSMovement How did Buddhism spread to eastern and southeastern Asia?

1

2 3 4

China Builds an Empire • 215

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A Change in Confucian Thought This new Confucianism was greatly concerned with human behavior and a person’s relationship with the universe. It emphasized the following principles:

• Morality is the highest goal a person can reach.

• This morality can be achieved through education.

• Education can occur through books, observation, or interaction with other wise people.

How did China’s belief systems change?

The Sui and Tang Dynasties Reunify ChinaESSENTIAL QUESTION How did the Sui and Tang dynasties reunify and strengthen China?

After the fall of the Han, the Chinese people endured more than 350 years of chaos and conflict. Finally, the Sui (sway) Dynasty (581–618) reunified China and brought order. ReunifyReunify means to bring a group together after it has been divided.

The Sui Dynasty Yang Jian founded the Sui Dynasty. He was a general in the army of the Zhou (joh), the rulers of northern China. In 581, he took power by killing the heir to the Zhou throne—his grandson. He then massacred 59 royal princes. By 589, he had conquered the south and reunified China. He declared himself first emperor of the Sui Dynasty. Later he became known as Wendi.

The Great Wall Wendi rebuilt parts of the Great Wall to keep out invaders. This section of the wall winds through the mountains northwest of Beijing. !

216 • Chapter 7

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Wendi Reunifies China During his rule, Wendi did many thingsto make the Chinese feel more unified. He restored old politicaltraditions that reminded the Chinese of their glorious past. Forexample, on taking the throne he accepted the traditional Chineseimperial gifts of red doors for his house and a robe with a red sash.

Wendi also reduced conflict by allowing people to follow theirown belief systems. Although he was a Buddhist, he encouragedDaoist beliefs and practices. As you read earlier, Confucianism alsoenjoyed a rebirth during this time. For example, candidates forgovernment jobs once again had to take a civil service examination.The examination carried out Confucius’s belief that a government hadto be built on the skill of its people.

Wendi also began public works projects. He rebuilt portions ofthe Great Wall, which you learned about on pages 206–207. He alsostarted the building of the Grand Canal. It connected the Huang He(Yellow River) and Chang Jiang (Yangtze River), linking northern andsouthern China. Thousands of peasants labored five years to dig theGrand Canal. Nearly half of them died during the project.

Wendi and his successor, Yangdi, raised taxes to pay for all theseprojects. In time, the Chinese people grew tired of high taxes, andthey revolted. As a result, the dynasty fell after only 37 years.

GEOGRAPHY SKILLBUILDERINTERPRETING MAPSLocation Why is Yangzhou’slocation important?

China Builds an Empire • 217

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PATTERNSin HISTORY Cycle of Chinese Dynasties

The Tang Dynasty Although the Sui Dynasty lasted only a shorttime, it set the foundation for the Tang Dynasty. The Tang Dynastystarted in 618 and ruled for nearly 300 years. During this period,China expanded its borders on all sides. In addition, Tang emperorsexpanded the network of roads and canals to bring the countrytogether. Such a large empire needed many officials to manage it.So the Tang emperors fully adopted the Confucian ideas of howgovernment should be run. The Tang government system was one ofthe most advanced and complex in the world at the time.

Tang Emperors Taizong (ty•johng) helped his father, Gaozu(gow•joo), to found the Tang Dynasty. Taizong seized the throne in 626after killing his two brothers and all ten of his brothers’ sons. Even thoughTaizong used violence to rise to power, many Chinese considered him afair and just leader. For example, he did not overburden peasants withhigh taxes. He also took some lands from the rich to give to peasants.

In 690 Wu Zhao (woo jow) declared herself emperor. She was the onlywoman to occupy the throne of China. She proved to be a capable leader.One of her greatest achievements was the reconquest of Korea. (China hadruled Korea earlier, in the 660s and the 670s.) She did not leave poweruntil 705, when she was more than 80 years old.

Chinese dynasties rose and fell in a similar pattern.Historians call this pattern the dynastic cycle.

1 New dynasty is considered tohave the Mandate of Heaven, orthe approval of heaven.

3 Disasters such asfloods, famines, andinvasions occur.

6 New dynasty gainspower and restorespeace and order.

5 Dynasty is overthrownthrough rebellion.

4 Old dynasty is seen as havinglost the Mandate of Heaven.

2 In time, dynasty declinesand becomes corrupt. Itspower weakens.

218 • Chapter 7

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Homework HelperClassZone.com

Another great Tang emperor, Xuanzong (shwahn•zung), came topower in 712. He ruled for more than 40 years. During his reign, Chineseliterature and art reached great heights. The Tang period is best knownfor its masterful and lively poetry. (See the Primary Source feature on page228.) Also, Tang sculptures of graceful horses were greatly desired trade items.

In the next lesson, you will learn more about the development ofthe Chinese empire. In addition, you will learn about agricultural,technological, and commercial developments in China.

What methods did the Sui and Tang dynasties use toreunify and strengthen China?

Lesson Summary• Confucianism helped shape Chinese beliefs about

social morals and political principles.

• Buddhism spread throughout East Asia because ithelped people during difficult times.

• The Sui and Tang dynasties reunited China andbrought a new sense of national identity.

Why It Matters Now . . .In Asia today about 10 percent of the population followsConfucianism and Buddhism.

1Terms & Names1. Explain the importance of

nomad Buddhism reunifyConfucianism Daoism

Using Your NotesUnderstanding Cause and Effect Use yourcompleted chart to answer the following question:2. How did the fall of the Han Dynasty affect the

spread of Buddhism?

Main Ideas3. Why did Buddhism spread throughout China and

other Asian countries?4. How did Confucianism influence Chinese society

and government?5. What actions by Sui and Tang emperors helped

unify China?

Critical Thinking6. Comparing and Contrasting Compare the role

of families and older generations in Confucianismand in West African culture.

7. Making Generalizations How did Wendi viewpeasants? Provide examples to support yourgeneralizations.

Creating an Illustrated Chart Review the information about the teachings of Confucius inthis lesson. Create a chart that shows the basic ideas of what Confucius taught. Use drawings toillustrate the teachings.

Causes EffectsThe Han Dynasty falls.

Buddhism becomes widely practiced.

The Sui and Tang dynasties reunify China.

China Builds an Empire • 219

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SkillbuilderIdentifying Issues and ProblemsGoal: To use a reading selection to identify issues and problems thatdeveloped in China during a period of much disorder

Learn the SkillTo explain issues and problems from the past, you must first identifythe problem and then look for the effects of the problem. Then youwill want to see if the problem was solved. Studying how people solvedproblems in the past can help you learn ways to solve problems today.

See the Skillbuilder Handbook, page R28.

Practice the Skill1 Read the passage at right. Look for the main idea or issue by reading the

title or topic sentence. Ask yourself what might be a problem connectedwith the main idea.

2 Look for causes. Ask yourself what events might be linked with theproblem. In this case, internal and external fighting caused China’s disorder.

3 Determine effects. Think about which groups of people might beaffected by the problem. Remember that there may be more thanone effect. Look for cue terms such as so, because, or as a result. Oneeffect of China’s disorder was the fall of the Han dynasty.

4 Make a graphic organizer. Using a graphic organizer can help youunderstand the issues and problems. The graphic organizer belowshows what problems resulted because of disorder in China.

Example:

SOLUTIONTeachings of Buddhism helped deal with the hardships of disorder.

EFFECTSuffering people

looked for a way to deal with hardships.

LONG-TERM EFFECTBuddhism spread.

EFFECTTraditional values of Confucius were

not practiced.

PROBLEMDisorder in

China

4

Extend Lesson 1

220 • Chapter 7

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SB_Text

In the passage below, the author discusses what happened in China during a time of much disorder. Look for the problem and the effects it had on the people. Remember that sometimes there are several effects. Then see if you can find the solution to the problem.

1 China Faces Disorder

2 Military battles against outsiders and fights

between insiders caused much disorder in China.

3 As a result, the Han Dynasty fell apart around

220 A.D.A.D. People were upset because the traditional

values of Confucius were no longer practiced. They

felt their world was collapsing. 3 Because of this,

they began looking for a belief system to help them

deal with their suffering. The teachings of Buddhism

helped them live with the hardships they experienced.

3 As a long-term effect, Buddhism became widely

practiced in China.

Apply the SkillRead the paragraph on page 217 about the building of the Grand Canal in China. Use what you have learned to identify the issues and problems connected with the Grand Canal. Create a graphic organizer to show these issues and problems.

! Buddha This sculpture of the Buddha shows him with Chinese features. Many Chinese turned to the teachings of the Buddha during troubled times.

China Builds an Empire • 221

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! Court Dress This pottery figurineshows how women at the Tangcourt dressed.

Lesson

2

Skillbuilder Handbook, page R2

MAIN IDEAS

Government The Tang Dynasty builta powerful imperial state. This efficientgovernment continued under the Song Dynasty.

Economics Tang and Song China had a strongeconomy based on trade and farming.

Science and Technology Under the Tang andSong, the Chinese developed technologies thatinfluenced the world.

TAKING NOTESReading Skill: Finding Main IdeasAs you read each section of Lesson 2, look foressential information about the main ideas.Record this essential information on a clusterdiagram like the one shown below.

Tang and Song China

1. 2.

Imperial state

1. 2.

Economy

1. 2.

Technology

222 • Chapter 7

Words to KnowUnderstanding the following words will help you read this lesson:

practical useful ina common activity(page 224)

The exam was practicalbecause it covered the skillsthat people needed at work.

marsh an area oflow-lying, wet land(page 226)

Reeds grew well in thedamp soil of the marshesnext to the river.

figurine a small statue,often made of clay(page 227)

The figurines looked liketiny soldiers.

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TERMS & NAMES

imperial

bureaucracy

scholar-official

wood-block printing

movable type

porcelain

Calligraphy This document shows one skill that all Chinese government officials had—calligraphy. The ability to write Chinese characters was the sign of an educated person. !

Advances Under the Tang and SongBuild on What You Know As Lesson 1 explained, the Sui Dynasty reunited China. In 618, the Tang Dynasty succeeded the Sui. The Tang rulers faced the task of keeping the recently reunified China together. They also wanted to hold onto their newly gained power.

Building the Imperial StateESSENTIAL QUESTION How was the Chinese government organized under the Tang and Song dynasties?

Ruling a vast country like China was a difficult task. To rule more efficiently, the Tang rulers developed an imperial state. ImperialImperial means related to an empire.

The Tang used several ideas they had learned from the Sui Dynasty to set up this organized, well-run government. For the most part, Tang central and local government and military organization followed Sui models. In addition, the Tang used the Sui tax system. They even made the Sui capital—the city of Ch’ang-an on the Wei River—their capital. (See the map on page 217.) Ch’ang-an was important because it was located on major trade routes.

223

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Chinese Government The Tang government was like a pyramid. An emperor ruled at the top, and many people served in various levels below him. The emperor’s chief advisers served him directly. They were the second-highest level of the pyramid.

Below those advisers was the bureaucracy. A bureaucracybureaucracy is a government that is divided into departments. Each department in China was in charge of a certain area, such as taxes, agriculture, or the army. This political system ruled all of China. Local governments throughout China had to report to the central bureaucracy.

A Law Code Tang rulers created a new code of law. It listed all of the laws of China so that the same laws would be used everywhere. This new code proved highly effective. China used it from about 624 until the late 1200s.

Scholar-Officials The Tang needed to educate people to work in the bureaucracy. For many jobs in the bureaucracy, people had to take an exam given by the government. The Han and Sui dynasties had also given exams to job seekers, but the Tang rulers greatly expanded the system. The state exam tested knowledge of Confucian ideas, poetry, and other subjects. The test was long and difficult. Most people who took it failed.

A person who passed the state exam could become a scholar-officialscholar-official, an educated person with a government position. Almost all scholar-officials came from the upper class. Most wealthy people had relatives who worked in government. In China, relatives often helped each other get jobs. Also, only rich people could afford the education needed to pass the test.

The Song Dynasty After the Tang, the Song Dynasty ruled from 960 to 1279. The Song Dynasty expanded and improved the exam system. It set up more schools and changed the exam to cover more practical subjects. More people took the exams, passed them, and got government jobs. Even so, most officials continued to come from rich families with political influence.

What were the features of the Chinese government during the Tang and Song dynasties?

Confucius Confucius taught a system of ethics and morals. Chinese rulers thought that people who studied these ideas made good government officials.

!

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! State Exams This illustration from a 17th-century history of China shows scholars taking the state exam in front of a Song emperor, who is dressed in yellow.

Prosperity from Trade and FarmingESSENTIAL QUESTION On what was China’s economy based during the Tang and Song periods?

Under Tang and Song rule, China’s economy grew. In fact, China became the wealthiest and most developed nation in the world. One factor in this growth was an improved transport system.

Changes in Travel and Trade The Tang and Song governments built many roads and waterways. This transportation system helped tie the Chinese empire together.

Better transportation improved trade. Traders used the new roads to move grain, tea, and other goods. Along the roads were inns in which travelers could stay. Mounted messengers and runners carried government mail on the roads. This improved communication.

Waterways were just as important. The government repaired old canals and built new ones to link major rivers. The resulting network of waterways provided an efficient way to move goods and people.

Trade was also improved by several technological developments. These developments included gigantic ships powered by both oars and sails. Such ships made sea voyages faster and safer. The development of the magnetic compass, too, improved travel on the open seas.

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Changes in Agriculture Around A.D.A.D. 1000, Chinese farmers began planting a new type of rice from Southeast Asia. This rice ripened faster than the type they had used before. With the new rice, farmers could raise two or even three crops a year instead of one. The food supply expanded rapidly, allowing the population to grow to about 100 million.

During Tang and Song times, the Chinese turned areas of the Chang Jiang valley into productive rice paddies, or fields. Farmers used pumps and canals to drain water from marshes. They built terraces on hillsides and used elaborate irrigation systems to water them. By changing their environment, the Chinese farmers gained cropland. Additional land enabled them to grow more rice.

These changes and a mild climate allowed southern China to grow more rice than the people in that region needed. Farmers sold the extra rice to merchants, who shipped it by canal to imperial centers in northern China. Having extra food meant that fewer people needed to work as farmers. As a result, more people could work in trade.

Terraced Rice Fields1 Chinese farmers moved

massive amounts of soil to change the slope of a hillside into a series of level steps.

2 Then the farmers constructed a ridge of earth along the rim of each terrace.

3 Finally, they flooded the new fields before planting rice seed-lings. Rice is generally grown in about four inches of water.

GEOGRAPHY SKILLBUILDERINTERPRETING VISUALSHuman-Environment Interaction Why did the farmers add the ridge of soil before they flooded the new fields?

Originalslope of hill

Ridge made of earth

1

3

2

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Changes in Commerce By the Song period, trade was thriving in China. Barges and cargo ships carried goods on canals and rivers and along the coastline of China. They also brought Chinese foods and other products to foreign lands, such as Korea and Japan.

The growth of trade led to a rapid expansion in the use of money, in the form of coins, to pay for goods. However, large numbers of coins were heavy and difficult to carry. To solve this problem, Tang and Song governments began to print paper money. They were the first governments in history to do so.

As trade increased, more people became merchants. China’s merchant class lived mainly in cities and towns, where most private trade took place. The cities grew and prospered. By the Song period, China had a few cities with populations of about 1,000,000 people. In contrast, Paris, one of Europe’s largest cities, had only 150,000 people at the time.

What brought about the change to a money economy during China’s Tang and Song dynasties?

A Time of Brilliant AchievementsESSENTIAL QUESTION What technological advances were made under the Tang and Song dynasties?

The Tang and Song dynasties were among the most creative periods in China’s long history. Poetry and art, in particular, flourished during this time.

A Golden Age for Poetry and Art Three Tang writers—Li Bai, Du Fu, and Wang Wei—are considered among the greatest Chinese poets of all time. Li Bai wrote about life’s pleasures. In his poetry, Du Fu praised orderliness and Confucian values. And Wang Wei wrote of the beauty of nature and the briefness of life. (To read one of Wang Wei’s poems, see the Primary Source feature on the next page.)

Tang artists produced beautiful pottery figurines. During Song times, landscape painting became an important art form. Song painters used only black ink—in every shade from pale grey to the darkest black. As one Song artist noted, “Black is ten colors.” Today, Tang pottery figurines and Song landscape paintings can be found in museums around the world.

! Chinese Money The Chinese developed the first paper money in the world.

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“On Being Demotedand Sent Away to Qizhou”By Wang Wei

How easy for a lowly official to offendand now I’m demoted1 and must go north.In my work I sought justice2

but the wise emperor disagreed.I pass houses and roads by the riversideand villages deep in a sea of clouds.Even if one day I come back,white age will have invaded my hair.

1. demoted: forced to take a lower-ranking job.

2. justice: moral rightness, fairness.

Technological Progress In addition, the Tang and Song periodswere a time of exciting advances in technology. Because the Chineseloved learning, they looked for better ways to support scholarly study andspread traditional ideas. They developed methods to manufacture paper inlarge quantities. Paper was easier to write on than other materials, such assilk cloth.

The Chinese also invented wood-block printingwood-block printing. Printerscarved wooden blocks with enough characters to print entirepages. Later, printers created movable typemovable type. The Chinese usedpaper and printing to make the first printed books. Thisallowed them to record their knowledge in a permanent form.

Historic Influence Chinese technology shaped history inChina and the West in many different ways.

• The technology of paper-making spread to the Arabworld in the 700s and later to Europe.

• The Chinese invented gunpowder, which they usedfor fireworks. Later, gunpowder changed warfare bymaking deadly new weapons possible.

• The Chinese made the first magnetic compass, whichspread to Europe. Compasses helped make theEuropean Age of Exploration possible.

DOCUMENT–BASED QUESTIONAccording to this poem, what problemsdid scholar-officials sometimes face?

Background: Wang Wei (shownbelow) who lived from 699 to759, was one of the great poetsof the Tang Dynasty. This poem isabout his experiences as a scholar-official. It describeswhat happened afterhe disagreed with theemperor.

movable type: a smallblock of metal or woodwith a single raisedcharacter. Movable typecan be used more thanonce andrearranged tospell differentwords.

Visual Vocabulary

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Homework HelperClassZone.com

The Chinese influenced daily life by exporting porcelain and teato the world. PorcelainPorcelain is a hard white ceramic often called china.People desired porcelain for its beauty. It became one of China’s mostvaluable exports.

For centuries, the Chinese used tea as a medicine.During the Tang Dynasty, it became a popular drink.Later, traders brought tea from East Asia to Europe.

What were some key Chinese inventions or productsthat had a great influence on the world?

Lesson Summary• Imperial China was run by a bureaucracy filled

with scholar-officials.

• Improvements in agriculture and transportationhelped make China one of the most powerfulcountries in the world.

• Chinese inventions such as the compass, gunpowder,and paper shaped the history of other world regions.

Why It Matters Now . . .Chinese inventions, such as porcelain and paper money, are apart of everyday life in the 21st century.

Terms & Names1. Explain the importance of

imperial scholar-official movable typebureaucracy wood-block printing porcelain

Using Your NotesFinding Main Ideas Use your completedcluster diagram to answer the following question:2. What are two examples of technology developed

during the Tang and Song dynasties?

Main Ideas3. Who served as China’s scholar-officials?4. How did farming change in Tang and Song

China?5. What were the historic influences of tea, printing,

paper, gunpowder, and the compass?

Critical Thinking6. Making Inferences Why do you think the Song

Dynasty tried to make the exams cover morepractical subjects?

7. Understanding Cause and Effect How did theuse of a new type of rice in China affect China’srelationship with foreign lands?

Making a Map Using the map on page 209 as a model, make an outline map of China. Thenreread the section “Changes in Agriculture” on page 226. In what river valley did the Chinesecreate new rice fields? Put that river on your map.

2

! Tang Tea Cup Thedesigns on this Tangtea cup show aPersian influence.

Tang and Song China

1. 2.

Imperial state

1. 2.

Economy

1. 2.

Technology

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Seismoscope

Paper Currency

Extend Lesson 2

!

Past A Chinese scientist invented an accurateseismoscope (a machine to record the occurrenceof earthquakes) in A.D. 132. It was a bronze vasewith eight dragons around the outside.

" Present We use seismographs that arecapable of not only recording earthquakes but alsomeasuring their magnitude.

Each dragon held a ball in its mouth.When the ground shook, one ballwould fall into the mouth of a frog.

Seeing which frog held the ball madeit possible to tell the direction ofthe earthquake.

Past Paper money came into use in Chinain the A.D. 800s. It was called ”flying cash.“ Itwas used for goods bought in distant regions.

!

Present Businesses accept paper moneyin payment for goods all over the world.

The Chinese LegacyPurpose: To learn about Chinese contributionsto science and culture

Many Chinese inventions are still a part of our lives today.The compass, the wheelbarrow, and the umbrella are onlya few of the many Chinese inventions that people stilluse. Some of these inventions were the result of solvinga problem. Others may simply have been an accident.

ClassZone.comResearch Links

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Testing

Fireworks

Past The Chinese used testing to fill positions inthe government. To prevent cheating, candidateswere searched when they entered the testing room.The candidates’ names did not appear on their tests;they were each identified by a number.

!

Present The federalgovernment uses civilservice exams to fillgovernment positions.Schools use teststo show that theirstudents have learnedrequired material.

Past Over 1,000 years ago, a Chinese cookcreated a black powder that exploded when itwas lit by fire. The powder was placed insidebamboo tubes. When the tubes were lit, theymade a loud noise. The result was firecrackers!

" Present This technology is now usedfor gunpowder and weapons—as well as forfireworks used in celebrations like this one.

1. TALK ABOUT IT Why doyou think paper money becamepopular?

2. WRITE ABOUT IT Which ofthe inventions shown on these twopages are solutions to a problem?Choose an invention and write aparagraph identifying the inventionand telling how the inventionsolved a problem.

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MAIN IDEAS

Government The Mongols built a vast empirestretching from Europe to China.

Government The Mongols kept some featuresof the Chinese form of government but did not letChinese officials have important jobs.

Economics The Mongols encouraged andincreased trade and foreign contacts.

TAKING NOTESReading Skill:Explaining Chronological Order and SequenceOrdering events in the correct chronological ordercan help you see how they are related. As youread about Mongol China, record major events ona time line like the one shown below.

! Mongol Passport The Mongolsissued passports for officialson government business inother countries or for importantforeign visitors. The passportstated that the bearer wasprotected by the emperor.

Lesson

3

Skillbuilder Handbook, page R15

1200 1300

232 • Chapter 7

passport a governmentdocument that allows aperson to travel to anothercountry (page 234)

Each traveler showed apassport at the border.

banditry the activity of arobber or a gang of robbers(page 236)

People in northern Chinasuffered from banditryby invaders.

missionary a personwho goes to another placeto do religious work(page 236)

Missionaries from Europebrought many religiousideas to China.

diplomat a person whorepresents a governmentin dealings with othercountries (page 236)

Other kingdoms sentdiplomats to meet withthe rulers of China.

Words to KnowUnderstanding the following words will help you read this lesson:

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The Mongol EmpireBuild on What You Know As you read in Lesson 1, nomads from the north invaded China when the Han Dynasty fell. In the 1200s, outsiders once again invaded China. This time, the invaders were the Mongols.

The Mongol InvasionESSENTIAL QUESTION How did the Mongols build a vast empire that stretched from Europe to China?

The Mongols were fierce nomadic warriors who lived in the vast plains to the northwest of China. In the 1200s, they invaded and conquered China.

A Great Leader The Mongols lived in independent family groups called clans. These clans were joined together into several tribes, which were independent of each other. But around 1206 a strong leader named Temujin (TEHM•yuh•juhn) united the Mongol tribes. He fought and defeated all his rivals for leadership one by one. By doing so he became the khan, or ruler, of all the Mongols. He took the name Genghis KhanGenghis Khan (JEHNG•gihs KAHN), which means “universal ruler.” Genghis organized the Mongol warriors into a mighty fighting force and began a campaign of conquest. He invaded northern China, then moved west across Central Asia.

Throughout history, nomadic people often had a military advantage against settled people. Settled people tried to defend their cities and towns. Nomads, however, moved quickly, looked for weak spots, attacked, and moved on. This helped them succeed at war. By 1221, the Mongols had conquered all of Central Asia.

Mongol Warrior In this Persian painting from the 15th century, a Mongol warrior prepares to do battle. Stirrups allowed the warrior to stand and use both hands to fight.

!

TERMS & NAMES

Genghis Khan

Kublai Khan

MongolAscendancy

Marco Polo

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Gan ges River

Mongol Empire, A.D. 1294

Cas

pian

Sea

Seaof

Japan

YellowSea

AralSea

LakeBaikal

LakeBalkhash

SouthChinaSea

EastChina

Sea

Black Sea

Red

Sea

Arabian Sea

Mediterranean

Sea

Euphrate s R.Tigris

R.

(Yangtze River)

Hua

ng

He

(Y

ellow R.)

DanubeR

iver

Chang Jiang

VolgaR

.

Indu s Rive

r

Venice

KievMoscow

Bukhara

Kabul

Samarkand

Constantinople

Kashgar

Beijing

Hangzhou

Karakorum

BaghdadTyre

AntiochAlexandria

LuoyangNanjing

Dunhuang

A R A B I A

I N D I A

KOREA

TIBET

E U R O P E

A S I A

KHANATE OF THEGOLDEN HORDE

(KIPCHAK)

CHAGATAIKHANATE

ILKHANATE(PERSIA)

KHANATE OF THEGREAT KHAN

RUSSIANPRINCIPALITIES

HI M A L A Y A S

GOBI DESERT

160°E

140°E

20°N

60°N80°N

60°E80°E 100°E

Topic of Cancer

0

0 500 1000 kilometers

500 1000 miles

N

S

EW

Silk Roads

Great Wall

Border of Mongol Empire

The Mongol Empire When Genghis died in 1227, his son, Ogadai (OH•goh•DAY), took power. Ogadai captured the rest of northern China. He also extended Mongol rule as far west as Russia and Persia.

The Mongol Empire was divided into four large parts called khanates. A different descendant of Genghis ruled each part. KublaiKublai KhanKhan (KOO•bly KAHN), Genghis’s grandson, took power in the Chinese part of the empire in 1260. At that time, southern China was still under Song control. Kublai’s forces finally defeated the Song in 1279. The Mongols now controlled all of China and would rule until 1368.

What regions did the Mongol leaders conquer?

This map shows the size of the Mongol Empire at the time of Kublai Khan’s death. He ruled from the Khanate of the Great Khan.

GEOGRAPHY SKILLBUILDERINTERPRETING MAPSHuman-Environment Interaction What geographical obstacles do the Silk Roads avoid?

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Mongol GovernmentESSENTIAL QUESTION What features of the Chinese form of government did the Mongols adopt?

Kublai Khan was the first ruler in 300 years to control all of China. The Mongols were also the first foreign power to rule China. Kublai ruled China for 15 years and died in 1294.

Learning to Rule The Mongols did not have much experience with government. The Chinese, on the other hand, had a long history of organized government. So Kublai kept many aspects of Chinese rule. He built his capital at Beijing in traditional Chinese style and declared himself emperor. He also founded a new dynasty—the Yuan (YOOYOO•ahn) Dynasty. These steps were familiar to the Chinese and made it easier for Kublai to control China.

Maintaining Control Kublai kept features of the Chinese form of government, but he made sure that the Chinese politicians didn’t gain too much power. He did this to keep control of China in Mongol hands. He ended the civil-service examination system for choosing officials. Instead, he gave the important government jobs to Mongols or to trusted foreigners. Chinese officials were given only minor jobs with little or no power.

Even so, the influence of Confucian thought remained strong during Mongol rule. Mongol officials adopted Confucian approaches to government. In addition, Kublai appointed Confucian scholars to educate the sons of the Mongol nobility.

Despite differences with the Chinese, Kublai Khan was a capable leader. He worked to rebuild China after years of warfare. He restored the Grand Canal and extended it 135 miles north to Beijing. And he built a paved highway that connected Bejing and Hangzhou. These land and water routes allowed for easy travel between north and south. He also made changes that helped promote trade and contacts with the rest of the world.

How did the Mongols maintain control of China?

Opening China to the WorldESSENTIAL QUESTION How did the Mongols encourage trade?

During Kublai Khan’s rule, China became more open to the outside world. The Mongols developed a thriving sea trade and welcomed visitors from foreign lands.

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Trade Routes One way that the Mongols encouraged trade was by making trade routes safer. In the past, China sometimes closed overland trade routes because of warfare and banditry. Now, the Mongols controlled all of Central Asia. This period of Mongol control is known as the Mongol AscendancyMongol Ascendancy. Mongol control made overland travel safe.

Caravans moved along the Silk Roads, ancient trade routes stretching from China to the Black Sea. (See the map on page 234.) Merchants took silks, porcelain, tea, and other goods to western Asia and Europe. The merchants brought back new foods, plants, and minerals. The Mongols also encouraged sea trade. Ships crossed the Indian Ocean and South China Sea to reach Chinese ports such as Guangzhou (gwahng•joh) and Fuzhou (foo•joh). There, merchants did a lively trade in goods from both East and West.

Foreign Contacts Trade brought increased contact with foreign peoples and cultures. People from Arabia, Persia, and India frequently visited Mongol China. Even missionaries and diplomats from as far away as Europe made the long trip. These visitors helped tell the rest of the world about Chinese civilization.

The most famous European visitor during this period was Marco PoloMarco Polo. Polo was a young trader from Venice, Italy. He traveled

ascendancy: dominance in position or power. Ascendancy comes from the Latin root word scandere, “to climb.” For example, a sports team climbs to first place by defeating its competitors. If successful, that team has ascendancy.

Vocabulary Strategy

Kublai Khan (1215–1294)

Kublai Khan was the Great Khan, the leader of all Mongol people. He gained this title in 1260 and named himself emperor of China around 1279.

Unlike most Mongols, Kublai was interested in Chinese culture. He lived in high style in lavish Chinese palaces and supported the work of Chinese artists.

At the same time, Kublai remained loyal to his Mongol roots. To remind him of home, he planted grass from the northern plains in his palace garden at Beijing. He also honored his ancestors in Mongolian style. Every August he performed a special ritual, scattering horse milk on the ground and calling out the name of his grandfather, Genghis Khan.

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ClassZone.com

Terms & Names1. Explain the importance of

Genghis Khan Mongol AscendancyKublai Khan Marco Polo

Using Your NotesExplaining Chronological Order andSequence Use your completed time line to answerthe following question:2. What were the main events of the Mongol

conquest of China?

Main Ideas3. How did the Mongols gain power?4. How did the Mongols control China’s

government?5. What was the Mongol policy toward trade and

foreign contacts?

Critical Thinking6. Making Inferences Why do you think Kublai

Khan did not want Chinese to fill importantgovernment jobs?

7. Forming and Supporting Opinions WasMongol rule good or bad for China? Explain youropinion.

Internet Activity Use the Internet to research the inventions that Marco Polo brought back fromChina. Create a poster showing these inventions. Write captions for the inventions pictured.INTERNET KEYWORDS: Marco Polo, inventions

3

the Silk Roads to China with his father and uncle. He arrived around1275 and stayed for 17 years. Polo became an assistant to KublaiKhan and traveled throughout China on government missions. Helater published a book about his adventures. Polo’s book was a greatsuccess, but many Europeans found his vivid descriptions of Chinahard to believe. In the next lesson you will learn how the Chineseoverthrew the Mongols.

How did the Mongols promote Chinese contact with the restof the world?

Lesson Summary• The Mongols built an enormous empire stretching

from China to Europe.

• The Mongols adopted some features of the Chinesestyle of government.

• The Mongols increased foreign trade, especially alongthe Silk Roads to Western markets.

Why It Matters Now . . .The contacts between Mongol China and the Arab and Westernworlds spread important ideas and trade goods. Because of this,many Chinese inventions can be found worldwide today.

Homework Helper

1200 1300

Primary SourceHandbook

See the excerptfrom The Travels of Marco Polo,page R43.

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MAIN IDEAS

Government Chinese rebels overthrewMongol rule and started the Ming Dynasty.

Economics At first, Ming emperors encouragedtrade and exploration, but they later becameless interested in maintaining relations with theoutside world.

Government The Qing Dynasty ruled foralmost 300 years. It was China’s last dynasty.

TAKING NOTESReading Skills:Forming and Supporting OpinionsAfter reading this lesson, you will be asked toform and support an opinion about China’socean voyages. To prepare, use a web diagramlike the one shown below to record informationabout the voyages.

Lesson

4

Skillbuilder Handbook, page R22

! Emperor’s Robe This robe was wornby a Qing emperor for special events.Its golden color and dragon designswere symbols of the emperor’s power.

Ocean Voyages

238 • Chapter 7

Words to KnowUnderstanding the following words will help you read this lesson:

treason helping an enemy ofone’s own country (page 239)

The emperor ordered the execution ofpeople who committed treason.

symbolize to representsomething else (page 240)

The large, beautiful buildingssymbolized the power of the emperor.

isolate to separate from others(page 241)

They tried to isolate China so thatother cultures would not affect it.

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TERMS & NAMES

Forbidden City

maritime

tribute

Zheng He

Manchus

A Return to Chinese Rule Build on What You Know The Chinese were a proud people with a long history of great achievements. Many did not like being ruled by the Mongols.

Overthrowing the Mongols ESSENTIAL QUESTION How was the Ming Dynasty established?

After Kublai Khan’s death in 1294, Mongol rule slowly weakened. In 1368 a rebel army led by Zhu Yuanzhang (joo yoo•ahn•jahng) overthrew the Mongol emperor.

The First Ming Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang established the Ming Dynasty and became its first emperor under the name Hongwu (hung•woo). He encouraged Confucianism and brought back the state exams. To help trade, he rebuilt roads and canals. In addition, he rebuilt and extended the Great Wall to improve China’s defenses. Hongwu also helped farmers by lowering taxes and providing them with land.

In addition to these positive steps, Hongwu began to increase his personal power. He did away with the position of prime minister and took control of all government offices. He made all decisions himself without consulting his advisers. He also set up a secret service to spy on his people. And he had tens of thousands of people arrested for treason and killed.

Connect to Today

Forbidden City The Forbidden City, built mostly during the Ming Dynasty, is one of China’s leading tourist attractions. !

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The Voyages of Zheng He, A.D. 1405–1433

Mecca

Aden

CalicutBangkok

Hormuz

Mombasa

Mogadishu

Guangzhou

Nanjing

HI M

A L A Y A S

SouthChinaSeaBay of

Bengal

A r a b i a n S e a

I N D I A N O C E A N

Strait ofMalacca

20°N

80°E60°E40°E 100°E

Equator

Tropic of Cancer

MaldiveIslands

Java

Ceylon

Borneo

Sumatra

Malay Peninsula

FUJIANPROVINCE

A F R I C A

A R A B I A

I N D I A

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Voyages of Zheng He

Yongle’s Rule Hongwu died in 1398. He had chosen his grandson to succeed him. Not everyone supported this decision, however. A struggle for power began. After nearly five years of fighting, Yongle (yung•law)—one of Hongwu’s sons—won victory. He declared himself emperor in 1403.

Yongle, like his father, was a strong, capable leader. Under his leadership, the Ming Dynasty reached the height of its power. One of his greatest achievements was the enlarging of the capital city at Beijing. A great complex of palaces and temples, surrounded by 35-foot-high walls, stood at the center of the city. In time, this collection of buildings became known as the Forbidden CityForbidden City because commoners and foreigners were not allowed to enter it. (See the photograph on the previous page.) The Forbidden City symbolized Yongle’s, and China’s, power and might.

Yongle wanted not just China but also the rest of the world to know of his greatness. This desire led to another of his great achievements.

What improvements did the Ming emperors make in China?

GEOGRAPHY SKILLBUILDERINTERPRETING MAPSMovement About how far would Zheng He travel on a journey from Calicut to Hormuz?

1 In the Strait of Malacca, Zheng He fought a deadly battle with pirates. The Chinese won, burning ten pirate ships and capturing seven others.

2 The sultan of Aden gave the Chinese lions, zebras, ostriches, and a giraffe. He also gave them gold belts and a gold hat covered with jewels.

3 Near Mogadishu, the Chinese used gunpowder explosives to force a town to surrender. Local rulers feared the Chinese would conquer the African coast.

1

2

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Trade and Overseas VoyagesESSENTIAL QUESTION How did China’s relations with the outside world change under the Ming emperors?

In the early 1400s, Yongle sent a series of maritime expeditions to other civilizations. MaritimeMaritime means “related to the sea.”

The Voyages of Zheng He Yongle wanted to extend Chinese influence and win tribute from other countries. TributeTribute is a payment made by one country to another as a sign of respect. To achieve this goal, Yongle built a great fleet of ships for exploration.

China completed seven long voyages between 1405 and 1433. Admiral Zheng HeZheng He (juhng huh) led the fleet. He had as many as 300 ships and nearly 28,000 crew members. Zheng He sailed around Southeast Asia to India, Arabia, and Africa. (See the map opposite.) He returned with tribute that included gold and jewels. China’s foreign trade and reputation grew because of his voyages.

A Change of Policy By the 1430s, Yongle and Zheng He had died. Most Confucian officials thought the government gained little from trade and contact with foreigners. They were more concerned with threats of invasion from Central Asia. So the Ming government ended the maritime voyages and banned the building of seagoing ships.

China did not remain isolated, however. Chinese merchants expanded trade with the rest of Southeast Asia. In addition, European ships were traveling to China by the early 1500s. The Chinese traded silk, tea, and porcelain for a variety of Western goods, including silver.

How did China’s policies change after the 1430s?

Zheng He’s Voyages Columbus’ Voyages

Date Zheng He began his voyages in 1405.

Columbus began his voyages in 1492.

Ship Zheng He’s largest ships were more than 400 feet long.

Columbus’ largest ship, the Santa Maria, was about 100 feet long.

Crew One of Zheng He’s ships could carry up to 1,000 people.

Columbus’ first voyage totaled about 90 people on three ships.

Results China decided in the 1430s to end its maritime voyages and focus more on its northern borders.

The Europeans continued their voyages and established colonies.

maritime: relating to the sea. The Latin word for the sea is mare. Mare is the root wordof maritime. Other words based on mare are marina and marine.

Vocabulary Strategy

Chinese and European Exploration

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ClassZone.com4

The Last Dynasty ESSENTIAL QUESTION How was the Qing Dynasty established?

The Ming Dynasty declined after almost 300 years in power. Weakrulers, high taxes, and poor harvests led to rebellion. To the northeastof China was a region called Manchuria. The people were known as theManchusManchus. In 1644, the Manchus took advantage of Ming weaknessesand conquered China. They started the Qing (chihng) Dynasty.

Like the Ming rulers, the Manchus allowed some trade. But ingeneral, they limited foreign contacts and tried to restrict foreigninfluence in China. The Qing Dynasty, China’s last, endured until 1911.

How did the Manchus gain power?

Lesson Summary• The Ming Dynasty restored China to a great empire.

• The Ming Dynasty greatly expanded overland tradeand maritime voyages.

• After the 1430s, China focused on its northern borders.

Why It Matters Now . . .Today the Chinese government still tries to limit foreign influence inpolitical and economic affairs.

Terms & Names1. Explain the importance of

Forbidden City tribute Manchusmaritime Zheng He

Using Your NotesForming and Supporting Opinions Use your com-pleted web chart to answer the following question:2. Did the voyages of Zheng He benefit the Ming

Dynasty? Explain.

Main Ideas3. What changes did the Ming rulers bring

to China?4. Why did Yongle support ocean voyages?5. How did trade change under Manchu rule?

Critical Thinking6. Comparing and Contrasting How did Mongol

and Ming trade policies after the death of Yonglecompare?

7. Explaining Historical Patterns How werethe invasions by the Mongols and the Manchussimilar?

Writing Interview Questions Review the information about the voyages of Zheng He.Create a series of questions you would ask him about his travels for either a newspaper ortelevision interview.

Homework Helper

Ocean Voyages

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Extend Lesson 4

Make a CompassGoals: To understand the Chinese invention of the magneticcompass and its historic influence; to work with a partner to createa model compass and explain the compass’s importance

PrepareResearch the development of the compass in books onexploration or Chinese history.

Do the Activity1 Unbend a paper clip and straighten it. Rub one end of the

paper clip on a magnet until it is magnetized. Using themarking pen, mark the magnetized end. Stickthe paper clip through the piece of foamor cork. Turn the ends slightly upward.

2 Fill the bowl with water. Float thepaper clip on the water. The clipwill turn so that the magnetizedend points north.

3 Carefully place the bowl on the map nearChina. Follow the route of Zheng He by slowlymoving the bowl south toward the islands of Indonesia.Then slide the bowl toward the Indian Ocean. Finally, movethe bowl to the coast of Africa. Now return the bowl to Chinafollowing the route you took to reach Africa.

Follow-UpWhat did you notice about the movement of the compass needleas you moved the bowl?

ExtensionWriting a Paragraph Write a paragraph explaining how thecompass would have helped people to make a long sea voyage. ! Magnetic Compass

The Chinese charactersaround the rim of thiscompass give directions.

Materials & Supplies• paper clip• magnet• marking pen• piece of foam or cork• bowl• water• desktop size world map

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ReviewChapter 7VISUAL SUMMARY TERMS & NAMES

Explain why the words in each set below arelinked with each other.

1. Confucianism and Buddhism 2. bureaucracy and imperial 3. Kublai Khan and Mongol Ascendancy 4. maritime and Zheng He

MAIN IDEASReunifying China (pages 213–221) 5. What was the main reason Buddhism spread

from China to Korea and Japan? 6. What did the Sui and Tang dynasties

accomplish?

Advances Under the Tang and Song(pages 222–231) 7. How did the imperial state and the

scholar-official class develop? 8. How did Chinese inventions influence

the world?

The Mongol Empire (pages 232–237) 9. How did Kublai Khan change China?10. What kind of government did the Mongols

establish in China?

A Return to Chinese Rule (pages 238–243) 11. How did Yongle try to extend Chinese

influence in the world?12. How did the Ming rulers after Yongle relate

to the world outside China?

CRITICAL THINKING Big Ideas: Belief Systems

13. MAKING INFERENCES After the collapse ofthe Han Dynasty, why did many Chinese turnfrom Confucianism to Buddhism?

14. FORMING AND SUPPORTING OPINIONSExplain whether Confucian morals wereupheld in the development of the scholar-official class.

15. EVALUATING INFORMATION How didConfucianism change during Song andMongol times?

Tang Dynasty (618–907)• Expanded Chinese territory• Used state exams to

choose officials• Created a law code

Song Dynasty (960–1279)• Built a network of

roads and canals• Expanded trade• Oversaw advances

in technology

Yuan Dynasty (1279–1368)• Kept Chinese out of power• Ended state exams• Encouraged foreign trade

Ming Dynasty (1368–1644)• Sponsored Zheng He’s

voyages; then limitedforeign trade

• Restored state exam system• Rebuilt Great Wall of

China

Qing Dynasty (1644–1911)• Tried to restrict foreign

influence• Was China’s last

dynasty

Early Dynasties

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Grand Canal of China, c. 800s

Beijing

Luoyang

NanjingHangzhou

EastChina

Sea

YellowSea

GOBI DESERTN

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Chang Jiang

(Yangtze River)

HuaiWei

Huang He

(Yellow R.)

Hua

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(Yel

low

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Fen

0

0 150 300 kilometers

150 300 miles

Tang Dynasty

Grand Canal

Great Wall

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Technology Activity

Research LinksClassZone.com

Standards-Based Assessment

ClassZone.comTest Practice

ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT 1. WRITING ACTIVITY Imagine that you

are an adviser to the emperor of Chinain A.D. 1000. The emperor has askedyou to write a paragraph summarizingthe reasons the network of roadsand canals in the country should beexpanded. Write your paragraph usinginformation from the chapter.

2. INTERDISCIPLINARY ACTIVITY—MATHUse books or the Internet to researchthe abacus. The abacus is a computingmachine that has been used in Chinasince Tang and Song times. Create adisplay showing what an abacus lookslike and explaining how it is used to docalculations.

3. STARTING WITH A STORYReview the way you endedthe story “The Fall ofLuoyang.” Now that you‘ve

read the chapter, would you end thestory differently? If so, how?

Reading Maps The 1,794-km-long GrandCanal is the longest artificial waterway in theworld. Use the map and your knowledge ofworld history to answer the questions.

1. What is the southernmost porton the Grand Canal?A. BeijingB. LuoyangC. NanjingD. Hangzhou

2. Which rivers are connected bythe Grand Canal?A. Huang He and WeiB. Wei and Chang JiangC. Chang Jiang and Huang HeD. Wei, Chang Jiang, and Huang He

4. PLANNING A VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPUse the Internet to research theForbidden City. Work with a partnerto plan a virtual field trip of the city.Include Web sites that explore thecity’s many gates, palaces, andgardens.• Create an itinerary for the trip.• Include any maps or graphics.• Write questions and answers to

accompany each Web site.

ClassZone.comTest Practice

Additional Test Practice, pp. S1–S33

China Builds an Empire • 245