13 States And Cultures in East Asia 800–1400

> Why did Chinese, Korean, and Japanese society and culture diverge after 800? Chapter 13 examines developments in East Asia between 800 and 1400. During this period East Asia was the most advanced region of the world. The Chinese economy was strong, and China’s methods of production were highly sophisticated. Philosophy and the arts all flourished. China’s system of government was also advanced for its time. These strengths were not, however, matched with corresponding military might, and in 1279 China was conquered by the Mongols. During the previous millennium, basic elements of Chinese culture had spread beyond China’s borders. Beginning around 800, however, the pendulum shifted toward cultural differentiation as Japan, Korea, and China developed in distinctive ways.