Learning Exercise

The Song Dynasty governed China from 960-1279 C.E. During this period China became the preeminent leader in innovation inventing and creating items desired by the West. The Song Dynasty web site details urban life in 12th century China using "The Beijing Qingming Scroll."

Click Introduction and read the information provided. Click Economic Growth and read the sections on rice cultivation, manufacturing, textiles, ceramics, construction. Click and read Commercialization: transport, paper money, city of Quanzhou. Click and read Urbanization. Click and read Intellectural Life: neo-Confucianism, Buddhism, printing, and education. Click and read Social Changes: elite, family, military, and civil service.

Write a 5-7-page paper answering the following questions:

1. Describe the process of rice-cultivation and explain how the growing of rice led to China's increasing population.

2. Decribe urban life in China's manufacturing, commercial, and residential sectors.

3. Describe China's social structure and the role of the military and the civil service in governance.

4. Describe the influence of education, printing, Buddhism, and Neo-Confucianims on the Chinese people.

5. List China's gifts to the West.

6. List China's philosophical legacy to the West.

7. What conclusions can be made about the Song Dynasty's influence on the Chinese people and the West.