CHAPTER 16

History and Culture of East Asia

A. Historic Traditions in China1. China’s civilizations are the earliest in

the world to survive to modern timesa. They are the oldest continuous

civilizations in the worldb. Korea & Japan – old civilizations also, but

China’s are the oldest

2. Middle Kingdom – China’ leaders name for their country – they believed it was “center of universe”

a. Great wall began during this time1. Series of smaller walls between warring

kingdoms2. Symbol of China’s desire to be

separate from rest of world

3. Great Inventions – paper, gun powder (fireworks), silk weaving, magnetic compass, printing press, clockworks

a. Experts at canal digging, dam and bridge building, irrigation systems, etc.

4. Dynasties – China was ruled by emperors (male rules of empires)

a. Dynasties – series of emperors from same family

1. Chinese history in terms of dynasties2. Shang Dynasty – well-developed writing, first Chinese calendar, bronze casting1. Zhou Dynasty – writing laws, iron tools and

plows2. Qin Dynasty – much of Great Wall built3. Han Dynasty – government based on

Confuciusa. Confucius – if people act correctly –

will have peace & harmony

6. Tang Dynasty – Sculpture & poetry7. Song Dynasty – block printing

(printing press) & paper money developed, gun

powder8. Ming Dynasty – Porcelain, the novel, drama9. Qing Dynasty – Increased trade with Europe, last dynasty

4. 2000 years ago – trade important for ancient Chinese civilizations, dynasties

a. Silk Road linked China with Europe – routes went throughout Asia

b. Traded silks, spices, glass, wool, gold and silver to East

c. Traded ideas and cultures – cultural diffusion

d. Source of wealth for China and other parts of Asia, but brought interest and invasion as well

5. Histories of Korea & China – closely tied together

a. Chinese histories grew up around central river systems, Huang and Chang rivers allowed civilizations to grow, spread

b. 1200 B.C. – Chinese moved to Korean peninsula, brought their knowledge & customs

c. Dynasties ruled Korea, only 31. Shilla – 1st dynasty, unified Korea

6. Japan – clans fought for powera. Laws made by shoguns

7. Westerners come to Asiaa. Asia didn’t want to trade with many

nations, Silk road had ended around 12001. US – used force to make Japan trade with US2. European countries – conquered parts of

China, used it for resourcesa. US – 1899 policy that China should be free for all –

was for a whileb. 1911 – revolution ended emperor and created

republic

3. Civil War in China – communists won, creating communist rule in China which still exists

b. Japan – wanted power & attacked other countries (Asian and beyond) in beginning of WWII for resources

1. Defeated by US in 1945 - dropped nuclear bombs

c. Korea – divided into two parts after WWII, North Korea invaded S. Korea to make it communist

1. US sent 480,000 troops to help keep it safe2. Lasted 3 years, killed over 2 million Koreans

B. East Asia’s People

1. China – Han ethnic group – most people in China can trace their ancestry to Han

a. Common language, different dialectb. Other Chinese come from 55 different

minority groups1. Live in the western & southern parts of China2. One of most ethnically

diverse nations in world

2. Japan and Korea – few minorities

a. Korea – homogenous population with few minorities

b. Japan – island nation that was isolated for years1. Leaders want to keep country unified2. One of most homogenous

populations in world3. Strict rules on

immigration make it hard for people to be citizens

3. Korea – changing as women have more rights (to work and vote)

a. Family still very important, extended families live together in rural areas

b. Modern ways in cities

4. Japan – most modern of East Asian countries

a. More modern technologyb. 80% live in urban areasc. Follow traditional roles in the home