Step 4: Put It All Together

Now, take a step back and try to explain the big picture. Remember to use specific examples from the chapter in your answers.

Click here to download the exercise for Step 4 in MS Word.

IMPERIAL CHINA

  • What role did political philosophy play in Chinese imperial government? How did Legalism shape Qin government? How did Confucianism shape Han government?
  • What common aspirations and challenges linked the Qin, Han, Sui, and Tang Dynasties?
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THE SPREAD OF BUDDHISM

  • How did Buddhism change as it spread throughout East Asia? How did the malleability of Buddhism aid its spread?
  • What role did monasticism play in the promotion and spread of Buddhism?
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CHINA AND ITS NEIGHBORS

  • Compare and contrast the adoption of Chinese culture in Korea, Vietnam, and Japan. How would you explain the similarities and differences you note?
  • What role did Chinese military expansion play in the spread of Chinese culture? What role did commerce and trade play?
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LOOKING BACK, LOOKING AHEAD

  • Compare and contrast China under the Han and Tang with China under the Shang and Zhou. How did unification during the later period differ from unification during the earlier period?
  • What role did Buddhism play in facilitating the emergence of shared culture in East Asia? In your opinion, does Christianity continue to play a similar role in contemporary Western societies? Why or why not?
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