Bentley Ch. 26 Test

The Ming and Qing emperors embraced neo-Confucianism because it aligned with their objective of maintaining a stable empire. Neo-Confucianism emphasized values such as self-discipline, filial piety, and obedience to the ruler, which were crucial for ensuring social order and harmony. By promoting these principles, the emperors believed that they could strengthen their authority and control over the empire. This adherence to neo-Confucianism also helped to legitimize their rule and maintain the hierarchical structure of society, which was essential for political stability.

During the 12th through mid-19th centuries in Japan, the emperor theoretically held the highest authority. However, in reality, it was the shoguns who controlled Japan. The shoguns were military leaders who held real power and governed the country, while the emperor had a more symbolic role. This division of power between the emperor and the shoguns was a characteristic feature of Japan's feudal system during this period.

During the late Ming and Qing dynasties, footbinding was most commonly practiced among the upper classes. This practice was a symbol of social status and beauty, and it was believed that small, bound feet were desirable and attractive. The upper classes had the means and resources to enforce this tradition, while the lower classes did not have the same access to such luxuries. Additionally, footbinding was seen as a way for women to demonstrate their obedience and submission, which aligned with the values and expectations of the upper classes.

During the Ming and Qing eras, there were several changes in popular urban culture. One of these changes was the expansion in the number of urban teahouses, which became popular gathering places for socializing and entertainment. Additionally, there was a growth in the popularity of wine shops, indicating a shift in drinking habits and socialization patterns. Furthermore, the development of the trickster character in Chinese literature was another notable change during this time. These changes collectively contributed to the transformation and diversification of popular urban culture in the Ming and Qing eras.

The Chinese civil service exams were open to all males regardless of age or social class and included district, provincial, and metropolitan levels. This meant that any male, regardless of their background or social status, had the opportunity to take the exams and potentially enter the civil service. The exams were not restricted to family members of existing civil servants, as the purpose was to provide equal opportunities for all individuals to join the civil service and maintain social stability. The exams also included different levels, allowing individuals to progress and advance in their civil service career.

During the Qing era in China and the Tokugawa Shogunate in Japan, merchants played a significant role in bringing social change. As the economy grew and trade flourished, merchants accumulated wealth and gained influence. They formed guilds and associations, which allowed them to exert political and economic pressure on the ruling classes. Merchants also introduced new ideas, technologies, and cultural influences through their interactions with foreign traders. Their economic power and ability to challenge traditional social hierarchies made them instrumental in driving social change during these periods.

The Chinese civil service exams were open to all males regardless of age or social class and included district, provincial, and metropolitan levels. This suggests that the exams were designed to provide equal opportunities for individuals from all backgrounds to enter the civil service. The inclusion of different levels also indicates a hierarchical structure within the civil service, allowing individuals to progress and attain higher positions based on their performance in the exams.

During the Tang and Song dynasties, China was at the forefront of technological advances. However, in the Ming and Qing eras, Chinese technological innovation was limited. This suggests that there was a decline in technological progress during the later periods compared to the earlier ones.

The mocking "rule of women" was used to describe the tendency of rulers to confer with female members of the imperial family. Despite the interdiction against public roles for women in the Islamic empires, this phenomenon allowed women to have influence and play advisory roles in the political decision-making process.

The concept of "alternative attendance" was conceived to restrict the power of the daimyos. This concept was introduced during the Edo period in Japan as a means to control the regional lords, known as daimyos. Under this system, the daimyos were required to spend every other year in the capital city of Edo, leaving their domains and families behind as hostages. This effectively limited their ability to consolidate power and challenge the central authority of the shogunate. By implementing this system, the shogunate aimed to maintain stability and prevent any potential rebellions or uprisings by the daimyos.

The use of mandarins who traveled throughout China overseeing the implementation of Ming imperial dictates is most comparable to Charlemagne's missi dominici. Both the mandarins and the missi dominici were officials appointed by the central authority who were responsible for ensuring the enforcement of imperial policies and maintaining control over the provinces. They acted as representatives of the emperor and had the authority to inspect and report on the local administration. Just like the mandarins, the missi dominici played a crucial role in maintaining the unity and power of the empire by ensuring the loyalty and obedience of the local officials.

During the Ming and Qing eras, the eunuchs proved to be the most effective faction in usurping the emperors' rule. Eunuchs were castrated males who served as palace officials and had direct access to the emperor. They often gained significant influence and power within the imperial court, manipulating the emperors and making important decisions on their behalf. Their proximity to the emperor allowed them to control access to the throne, influence political appointments, and accumulate wealth. This made them a formidable force and a major threat to the emperors' authority.

Both the Ming and Qing dynasties in China were primarily focused on maintaining stability in a large agricultural society. They achieved this by adopting traditional Chinese political and cultural policies. This similarity is evident in their approach to governance and their efforts to preserve Chinese traditions and culture. Both dynasties aimed to maintain social order and stability by upholding Confucian values and implementing strict bureaucratic systems. They also sought to maintain the agrarian economy and support the peasantry, which was the backbone of Chinese society. By adopting traditional policies, they aimed to ensure stability and continuity in Chinese society.

The correct answer states that the Ottoman imperial household resembled the imperial households of most Chinese emperors in terms of meeting the administrative and personal goals of the emperor. This suggests that both the Ottoman empire and the Chinese emperors had similar structures and objectives in their imperial households, emphasizing the parallelism between the two empires.

Farmers had the highest social status according to the social hierarchy of Ming and Qing China. This is because agriculture was considered the foundation of the Chinese society and economy. Farmers were responsible for producing food and sustaining the population, which was highly valued. They were also respected for their connection to the land and their contribution to the stability and prosperity of the country.