Stearns Chapter 12 China

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  • 1/14 Questions

    In what way did foot-binding serve to diminish the independence of Chinese women by the end of the Song era?

    • Because foot-binding could only be afforded by the elite, poorer women were assigned to a lower social status.
    • Foot-binding sufficiently crippled women to effectively confine their mobility to their household.
    • As foot-binding was required in order to practice certain professions, Chinese women found that occupational alternatives were diminished.
    • Foot-binding, although considered socially attractive, was condemned by neo-Confucians.
    • Upper-class women considered it high status and hoarded money to pay for it.
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About This Quiz

This quiz focuses on China during the Tang-Song era, examining aspects like urbanization, political history, and the influence of Buddhism and Confucianism. It assesses understanding of historical shifts and the roles of key figures and ideologies in shaping Chinese society.

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  • 2. 

    What Tang ruler actually attempted to have Buddhism recognized as a state religion?

    • Yangdi

    • Wendi

    • Gaozu

    • Empress Wu

    • Empress Wei

    Correct Answer
    A. Empress Wu
    Explanation
    Empress Wu, the correct answer, attempted to have Buddhism recognized as a state religion. She was a Tang ruler who ruled during the 7th century and was a strong supporter of Buddhism. She promoted the religion by building temples, sponsoring Buddhist scholars, and implementing policies that favored Buddhism. Empress Wu's efforts to have Buddhism recognized as a state religion were part of her larger goal to consolidate her power and gain support from the Buddhist community.

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  • 3. 

    The title of jinshi was reserved for those who

    • Were members of the Chinese aristocracy.

    • Served in the Chinese military.

    • Were members of the imperial family.

    • Passed the most difficult exams on Chinese literature.

    • Traced their ancestry back to the Han.

    Correct Answer
    A. Passed the most difficult exams on Chinese literature.
    Explanation
    The title of jinshi was reserved for those who passed the most difficult exams on Chinese literature. This title was highly prestigious and was awarded to individuals who demonstrated exceptional knowledge and understanding of Chinese literature. It was not reserved for members of the Chinese aristocracy, military, imperial family, or those who traced their ancestry back to the Han. Rather, it was specifically given to those who successfully completed the rigorous examination process in Chinese literature.

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  • 4. 

    The dynasty that ended the period of political chaos after the fall of the Qin-Han was the

    • Tang

    • Chou

    • Song

    • Sui

    • Qing

    Correct Answer
    A. Sui
    Explanation
    The Sui dynasty is the correct answer because it succeeded the period of political chaos that followed the fall of the Qin-Han dynasty. The Sui dynasty, which ruled China from 581 to 618, was able to reunify the country and bring stability after years of division and turmoil. The Sui dynasty played a crucial role in laying the foundation for the subsequent Tang dynasty, which is often considered one of the most prosperous and culturally significant periods in Chinese history.

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  • 5. 

    During the Song dynasty the interest of Confucian intellectuals in nature was most apparent in their production of

    • Riddles.

    • Devotional objects.

    • Religious homilies.

    • Landscape paintings.

    • Sculptures of ideal athletic figures.

    Correct Answer
    A. Landscape paintings.
    Explanation
    During the Song dynasty, Confucian intellectuals showed a great interest in nature, which was most evident in their production of landscape paintings. These paintings were highly valued and considered a form of spiritual expression. They depicted the beauty and tranquility of natural landscapes, reflecting the Confucian belief in the harmony between humans and nature. The landscapes often included mountains, rivers, and trees, and were meant to inspire contemplation and reflection on the natural world. These paintings were a way for Confucian intellectuals to connect with and appreciate the beauty of nature.

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  • 6. 

    What was the attitude of the Tang emperors toward the Confucian scholar-gentry?

    • The Tang continued to support and patronize the growth of Buddhism in China at the expense of the Confucian scholar-gentry.

    • The Tang supported the rebirth of the Confucian scholar-gentry, often at the expense of the aristocracy.

    • The Tang feared the development of the scholar-gentry and continued to support the nomadic aristocracy of China.

    • Confucianism continued to wane during the Tang dynasty and was only resuscitated under the Song.

    • The scholar-gentry class began to evolve into a new merchant and trade class due to the intervention of the emperors.

    Correct Answer
    A. The Tang supported the rebirth of the Confucian scholar-gentry, often at the expense of the aristocracy.
    Explanation
    The Tang emperors supported and promoted the revival of the Confucian scholar-gentry class, sometimes at the cost of the aristocracy. This indicates that the Tang dynasty valued the influence and contributions of the Confucian scholars and sought to strengthen their position in society. By supporting the scholar-gentry, the Tang emperors aimed to consolidate their rule and maintain social stability by relying on the educated and bureaucratic class. This support for the scholar-gentry also suggests a shift in power and influence away from the aristocracy towards the intellectual elite during the Tang dynasty.

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  • 7. 

    What proved to be the most damaging attack on Buddhism's popularity with the people during the early Tang dynasty?

    • The Buddhists' insistence on rebellion against the emperor

    • The Confucians' successful campaign to convince the emperor that the Buddhist monastic establishment represented an economic threat

    • The aristocracy's concern that the growing Buddhist monastic establishment was monopolizing land that otherwise would belong to them

    • The entry of nomadic invaders who were Islamic during the ninth century

    • The challenge from Daoism and other polytheistic religions which were appealing to Chinese merchants

    Correct Answer
    A. The Confucians' successful campaign to convince the emperor that the Buddhist monastic establishment represented an economic threat
    Explanation
    The most damaging attack on Buddhism's popularity during the early Tang dynasty was the successful campaign by Confucians to convince the emperor that the Buddhist monastic establishment posed an economic threat. This campaign led to the emperor's support for policies that restricted the influence and power of Buddhism, causing a decline in its popularity among the people. The Confucians argued that the growing Buddhist monastic establishment was monopolizing land that could have belonged to the aristocracy, leading to concerns among the ruling class and further undermining Buddhism's popularity.

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  • 8. 

    How did the Song empire compare to the Tang?

    • The Song empire was greater in territorial extent than the Tang empire.

    • The Song empire and the Tang empire were virtually identical in territorial extent.

    • The Song empire was smaller in territorial extent than the Tang empire.

    • Although approximately the same size, the Song empire extended farther north than the Tang.

    • The Song was larger than the Tang and Han.

    Correct Answer
    A. The Song empire was smaller in territorial extent than the Tang empire.
    Explanation
    The correct answer is that the Song empire was smaller in territorial extent than the Tang empire. This means that the Song empire had a smaller land area compared to the Tang empire.

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  • 9. 

    In what decade did open persecution of Buddhism within the Chinese empire begin?

    • 620s

    • 720s

    • 840s

    • 1030s

    Correct Answer
    A. 840s
    Explanation
    In the 840s, open persecution of Buddhism within the Chinese empire began. This means that during this decade, Buddhism faced active hostility and oppression from the Chinese government or society. The exact reasons for this persecution may vary, but it could be attributed to political, religious, or cultural factors that led to a negative view of Buddhism. The 840s marked a significant turning point for Buddhism in China, as it faced increased suppression and decline in influence.

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  • 10. 

    What was the impact on Confucianism of the Tang repression of the Buddhists?

    • Confucianism emerged as the central ideology of Chinese civilization until the 20th century.

    • Confucianism emerged in a strengthened condition, but still remained behind Buddhism in the sense of providing a basis for the intellectual rationale of Chinese civilization.

    • Because Confucian scholar-gentry were associated with the persecution, Confucianism failed to generate much popular support outside the imperial government.

    • Confucianism, like Buddhism, declined in popularity, and its place was taken by Daoism.

    • Confucianism and Daoism blended with Buddhism to form a new philosophy.

    Correct Answer
    A. Confucianism emerged as the central ideology of Chinese civilization until the 20th century.
    Explanation
    The Tang repression of the Buddhists had a positive impact on Confucianism, as it emerged as the central ideology of Chinese civilization until the 20th century. This suggests that the repression weakened Buddhism and allowed Confucianism to become the dominant belief system in China.

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  • 11. 

    Which of the following statements concerning urbanization in China during the Tang-Song era is most accurate?

    • Chinese urbanization was more pronounced in northern China, but lagged in southern China.

    • The imperial capitals were enormous, but there were few other Chinese cities of size.

    • The degree of urbanization reached during the Han dynasty was never achieved during the Tang-Song era, although some recovery of cities accompanied the commercial revival.

    • Chinese urbanization muchroomed during the Tang-Song era with a higher proportion of the population living in cities.

    • Cities were depopulated as people moved back into the countryside due to the collapse of the Chinese economy.

    Correct Answer
    A. Chinese urbanization muchroomed during the Tang-Song era with a higher proportion of the population living in cities.
    Explanation
    During the Tang-Song era, Chinese urbanization experienced significant growth, with a larger proportion of the population residing in cities. This suggests that urbanization expanded rapidly during this time period, indicating a shift towards an urban lifestyle and a concentration of people in urban areas. This statement implies that urbanization in China during the Tang-Song era was flourishing, contrary to the other options which either suggest limited urbanization or a decline in urban populations.

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  • 12. 

    The first Song emperor restored the unity of China EXCEPT for what northern dynasty?

    • Jurchen

    • Silla

    • Liao

    • Hangzhou

    • Jin

    Correct Answer
    A. Liao
    Explanation
    During the Song dynasty, the first emperor successfully reunified China after a period of division. However, one northern dynasty remained outside of his control, which was the Liao dynasty. Therefore, the correct answer is Liao.

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  • 13. 

    Which of the following statements most accurately describes the position of the scholar-gentry under the Song dynasty?

    • The Confucian scholar-gentry continued to exist, but the examination system weakened noticeably causing the imperial bureaucracy to depend more and more on the aristocracy.

    • The domination of the scholar-gentry over its aristocratic and Buddhist rivals was fully secured in the Song era.

    • The Song emperors came to rely increasingly on the military as defense of the borders placed less emphasis on the role of intellectual ideology and more on warfare.

    • The Song continued to rely on the Confucian scholar-gentry, but more rigorous examination systems resulted in fewer men entering the civil service as a result of education.

    • The scholar-genry attempted to revive warlordism which led to the fall of the Song.

    Correct Answer
    A. The domination of the scholar-gentry over its aristocratic and Buddhist rivals was fully secured in the Song era.
    Explanation
    During the Song dynasty, the scholar-gentry class gained full dominance over its aristocratic and Buddhist rivals. This means that the scholar-gentry held the highest positions of power and influence in society, surpassing the aristocracy and Buddhist sects. This statement suggests that the scholar-gentry became the ruling class during the Song era, solidifying their authority and control over the government and society.

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  • 14. 

    Why was the construction of the Grand Canal necessary?

    • Major river systems in China ran from north to south, and the canal was necessary to connect the coastal regions with the western frontier.

    • Chinese population was increasingly concentrated along the northern plains of the Yangtze River.

    • The Yangtze River valley was becoming the major food-producing region of China by the late Tang era.

    • The canal connected the Tang capitals Changan and Loyang with the newly acquired regions in the North.

    • Peasants were moving from the countryside of southern China to the urban areas of the North.

    Correct Answer
    A. The Yangtze River valley was becoming the major food-producing region of China by the late Tang era.
    Explanation
    The construction of the Grand Canal was necessary because the Yangtze River valley was becoming the major food-producing region of China by the late Tang era. This means that a large amount of food was being produced in this region, and it needed to be transported to other parts of the country. The Grand Canal provided a reliable and efficient transportation route, connecting the food-producing region with other areas, ensuring that the food could be distributed to where it was needed.

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  • Current Version
  • Mar 14, 2023
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Oct 31, 2011
    Quiz Created by
    Mlindbom
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