China, Mongols, and Japan The Middle Ages China, Mongols, and Japan

China Dynasties

When we last visited China… Silk Road connected Chinese trade with Persians & Mediterranean world; (over 4,000 miles)

A New Dynasty Around the time the Western Roman Empire was being attacked by Germanic tribes, China was also overthrown by barbarians coming over the Great Wall in 220 A.D. For 350 years, China had no central government; but in 581, China was reunited under a new dynasty, the Sui (sway).

Grand Canal One problem in China was that kingdom was divided into cultural north & agricultural south Yellow River & Yangtze River both ran West to East, so travel was difficult to get from northern China to southern China The emperor forced Chinese to build 1,000 mile canal to north & south—known as Grand Canal ½ workers died building canal; took 5 years; harsh rule & forced labor led to overthrow of Sui Dynasty

Grand Canal Took 5 years to build, tens of thousands of peasants were forced to built this 1,000-mile canal—led to overthrow of Sui Dynasty

After the fall of the Sui, the Tang Dynasty (618-907) ruled China. Actors dressed like ancient guards, lay down a hanging bridge during an re-enactment of Tang Dynasty city gate opening ceremony. In Tang Dynasty, the city gate was opened in the morning and shut in the evening.

Sung Dynasty & Cool Innovations China had a Golden Age under the Sung dynasty that lasted more than 300 years: (900-1279) Created 1st paper money Traded silk & porcelain across Silk Road—made lots of $$ 1st moveable-type printing press 1st magnetic compass Invented gunpowder

But…the Golden Age ended when the Mongols conquered China

Mongol Empire

Mongol Invasion For the next 21 year, he conquered much of Asia. Mongols were nomads who lived in north China steppe (area of dry grassland) along with Huns, Turks, & other tribes; Mongols used horses & raised cattle & sheep; were excellent warriors In 1206, Genghis Khan united Mongols & used cruelty to expend into huge empire from Asia to Europe For the next 21 year, he conquered much of Asia.

Chinese Steppe

Genghis Khan 3 factors that contributed to his success: Well-organized army with experienced fighters. Genghis Khan was able to outthink & outwit his enemies. Used cruelty as a weapon. It convinces others to surrender without a fight.

Genghis Khan He died in 1227, but his successors continued to expand the empire. Under Genghis’s son and grandsons the Mongols conquered: - China - parts of Korea - Russia - threatened Eastern Europe

WOW!! The Mongol Empire is huge!!

The Mongol Rulers In 1260, the empire was divided into 4 areas called khanates: - Mongolia and China - Central Asia - Persia - Russia

The Mongol Rulers The rulers of these areas gradually adopted the culture of the people they ruled. (examples: West became Muslim, China took on Chinese culture) This contributed to the splitting of the empire.

Mongol Rulers Tolerant rulers in times of peace. Rarely imposing their beliefs on others. Imposed stability, law and order across Eurasia. Provided safety and trade between Europe and Asia which led to the Pax Mongolica.

Pax Mongolica Means “Mongol Peace” The Mongols guaranteed safe passage for trade caravans, travelers, and missionaries throughout their empire. Trade between Europe and Asia was extremely active. Many Chinese innovations reach Europe for the 1st time.

Kublai Khan Grandson of Genghis Khan, Kublai Khan, took power in 1260. In 1279, Kublai Khan finally defeated the Chinese army and became the first foreigner to gain complete control of China. Kublai was so impressed with the luxury of China, he lived there & never left

Kublai Khan He founded the Yuan dynasty that ruled China for about 100 years. His dynasty united China for the first time in several hundred years and open China to trade with the west. (Making him one of China’s greatest emperors.)

Kublai Khan The Mongols did not disrupt Chinese government or culture, they adopted it. Kublai Khan adopted Chinese culture and built a new capital city in Beijing. He enjoyed living the luxurious life of a Chinese emperor.

“I have heard that one can conquer the empire on horseback, but one cannot govern it on horseback.” - Kublai Khan’s Chinese Advisor

Kublai Khan’s Empire Mongol ways would not work in a sophisticated civilization like China. To rule his empire, Kublai Khan continued Chinese practices. v.

Kublai Khan’s Empire Mongols had little in common with their Chinese subjects. The Mongols kept separate identities, lived apart from the Chinese and obeyed different laws.

Kublai Khan’s Empire They kept the Chinese out of high government positions, but retained Chinese officials to serve locally. Most high positions went to Mongols or foreigners. The Mongols believed that foreigners were more trustworthy since they had no local loyalties.

Marco Polo visits Kublai Khan During the reign of Kublai, Marco Polo traveled from Europe to the “East” He was made an official in Kublai’s government & served for 17 years When he returned to Italy in 1292 his stories were made into a book that led to great interest in the “Orient” Most of Polo’s accounts were believed to be “tall tales”

Marco Polo In the book The Travels of Marco Polo, Polo described China’s fabulous cities, its fantastic wealth, and strange things he saw there. - He mentioned burning of “black stones” (coal) in Chinese homes. His book was an instant success in Europe, but many didn’t believe a word of it.

End of Mongol Rule - Rebellions broke out in China. Kublai Khan died in 1294 and before his death the empire began weaken. Armies and navies suffered defeats in their expansion efforts. Heavy spending on wars, & public works created resentment among the overtaxed Chinese. - Rebellions broke out in China. - Economic problems and corruption.

End of Mongol Rule The Chinese rebels finally overthrew the Mongols in 1368. The Chinese founded the new Ming dynasty Forbidden City

Kublai Khan’s Legacy Kublai Khans’ Legacy: Rebuilt the Grand Canal. Because of the Pax Mongolica, foreign trade increased, which took Chinese products like printing, gun powder, paper money, the compass, and playing cards to Europe. He invited foreign merchants to visit China.

Japan Empire

Mountains And Peaks Kitani Mts. Kitakami Mts. Mikuni Mts. Chugoku Mts. The next couple of slides are a comparison of the countries that we will be visiting. Notice how small all are compared to China. Mt. Fuji Kyushu Mts.

Japanese Culture The early Japanese were polytheistic & worshiped nature gods & spirits—formed basis of Shinto religion Geography of Japan is very mountainous & little farm land; people live close together so social etiquette (manners) very important

Borrowing Chinese Ideas Japan is close to China so many Japanese ideas came from China Chinese gov’t style (emperor & educated bureaucracy) Chinese writing used Chinese architecture used Buddhism came from India into China then spread to Japan

Japanese Zen Rock Garden

Japanese Blend Cultural Ideas The Japanese selectively borrowed ideas from China to make a distinct culture in Japan: Blend Shinto (nature) & Buddhism (enlightenment) to make Zen Buddhism Blend Japanese language & Chinese writing to make Kanji writing

Chinese Writing Japanese Writing

Japanese Feudalism Even though the Japanese borrowed the idea of an emperor from China, the emperor was not the most powerful person From 1000-1200 AD, Japan developed a feudal system in which lords, warriors, & peasants worked together in regions of Japan for land, protection, & food

The emperor reigned, but did not always rule! Feudal Society Shogun--Supreme general of Emperor’s army

Japanese Feudalism A political, economic, & social system based on loyalty, ownership of land, & military service. Shogun Land - Shoen Loyalty Land - Shoen Daimyo Daimyo Loyalty Samurai Samurai Samurai Food Protection Peasant Peasant Peasant Peasant

Code of Bushido Honor Respect Simplicity

Tokugawa Tokugawa became Shogun in 1603 & was very troubled by China’s influence on Japan Ordered Japan to kick out all foreigners & isolate itself from outside influence Japan became peaceful & stable but missed out on many technological & cultural innovations