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A Brief Background of China Dynasties and the Mongols • To begin… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vs34AJqmB5I What conclusions can you draw about China from this video? • A dynasty is a line of hereditary rulers of a country • China historically ruled by dynasties throughout history • Rare for one dynasty to change peacefully into next), • often established before overthrow of existing reign or continued for a time after they had been defeated • In addition, China was divided for long periods • Different regions ruled by different groups • Sometimes not any single dynasty ruling a unified China Dynasties • • • • Mongols = pastoral people from modern-day Mongolia Masters of military tactics Organized loosely into clans (decentralized) Temujin took steps to unify clans • In 1206 was elected “Genghis Khan” meaning “strong ruler” • Devoted to conquest and expansion • Brought much of Eurasia under single rule, creating largest land empire in all of history • Capital in Karakorum • Central so that Mongol armies could travel east and west to spread • Some went as far as eastern Europe The Mongol Empire Mongol Warriors • After death of Genghis Khan in 1227, empire began to change • Heirs divided territory • Once united empire was split up into “khanates” (like states), each ruled by one of Genghis Khan’s sons • Perhaps only reason why Mongols did not invade western Europe After Genghis Khan… • After over 10 years of fighting, one of Genghis Khan’s grandsons, Kublai Khan completed the conquest of the Song Dynasty who were ruling China at the time Mongols in China • Established capital Khanbaliq (“city of the khan”) in northern China…Chinese name “Beijing” • Under his rule, Yuan dynasty (Mongul) continued to expand • Successfully conquered Vietnam • Launched attacks on Java and Sumatra (Indonesia) and Japan, but failed because their war tactics were not as effective in tropical hilly regions • Ruled China until death in 1294 Rule of Kublai Khan • Success ruling China • Adapted to Chinese political system and made use of Chinese bureaucrats • Highest positions in government staffed by Mongols • Overtime, Mongol dynasty won support of Chinese people • Respected stability and economic prosperity that was brought to China • Capital city became well respected and admired by other cultures • Marco Polo! Mongol Rule • By the time the Mongols established dynasty in China, religious and philosophical preferences had undergone many changes • Confucian principles basis for government during Han dynasty (202 BC – AD 220) • By end of Sui and Tang dynasties, Buddhism and Taoism came to challenge influence of Confucianism • During Song dynasty (when Mongols came into power) Confucian ideas had emerged in a new form and became dominant in court (called Neo-Confucianism) • Remained dominant until end of dynastic system in early 20th century Religion & Government • Served as response to public discontent Buddhism and Daoism (angry at corruption and disconnection) • Teaches that the world is real, not an illusion • Fulfillment comes not from withdrawal/isolation but from participation in world • World divided between material world and spiritual world; humans are the link between the two • Goal of individuals is to move beyond material world and reach union with Supreme Ultimate by carefully examining moral principles that rule universe Neo-Confucianism • Best expressed literary talents through poetry • Celebrated the beauty of nature, changes of the seasons, joys of friendship • Expressed sadness about the shortness of life and the necessity of parting • Landscape painting reached its height • Influenced by Taoism, went to nature in search of “the way” • Demonstrate balance between earth and water • Rather than showing a realistic depiction, tried to show “the idea” or essence of things • Often left many open spaces (Tao belief that you cannot know everything) • Ceramics: perfected art of making porcelain Art & Culture Poetry Painting Ceramics • The Mongol dynasty fell victim to same problems that plagued other dynasties • Too much spending on foreign conquests • Corruption in government • Internal instability • 1368, Zhu Yuanzhang, son of peasant, put together army that ended Mongol dynasty and set up new dynasty (Ming) In the end…