Spread of Chinese Civilization

Vietnam

Korea

Japan

Korea

313-618: Three Kingdoms periodAll vie for control, but unable to unite KoreaInflux of Chinese influence

618-668: Silla (Korean) & Tang dynasties ally to conquer Korea

668-918: Silla independent rule918-1392: Koryo dynasty

1231-1392 – Mongol Overlords

1392-1910: Yi dynasty

Vietnam

111 BCE – 939 CE = Chinese rule39 CE: Trung Sisters lead revolt

939-1500 = Vietnam breaks free of Chinese rulevarious dynasties continue Chinese-style

policies

Spread of Chinese Civilization:

The Basics…

• Tribute System

• Buddhism

• Sinification

Korea: Between China & Japan

Middle Kingdom

Vietnam

Korea

Japan

Independent, but…

Korea filled with political rivalryKoguryo, Paekae, SillaTang & Silla (668-918)Koryo (918-1392)

Long lived in shadow of ChinaHan expansionBuddhismSettlers during Chinese weakness

Civilization for the Few

Society & sinification dominated by eliteEveryone oriented to service aristocratsSchoolingAdministrative techniques

Exam system bureaucrats – Elite only

Flexibility of women replacedConfucianism

Only Buddhism permeates masses

Effects

Elite & legitimizing rule

Hangul

1392-1910: YiHermit Kingdom

Vietnam: b/t China & SE Asia

Middle Kingdom

Vietnam

Korea

Japan

Conquest & Sinification

Vassal in tribute systemAware of China’s superiority

Han & Tang expansion results in full incorporation by China (111 BCE-939 CE)

Expected to assimilate “southern barbarians”

Elite & the Masses

Vietnamese elite value some advantages of Sinification:Confucianism, Daoism, BuddhismPolitical & military organization

But strong popular identity remains:LanguageNuclear familiesFreedom of womenCustoms

Effects

Political resistance remainsCross-class, cross-gender

Vietnam expands southward

Cultural influence remainsMandate of HeavenTrue exam systemBuddhism

Japan: Selective Borrowing

Middle Kingdom

Vietnam

Korea

Japan

Imperial Age

600-794 CE: Deliberate borrowingTaika Reforms: aimed at creating a

Chinese-styled central governmentSon of Heaven, but not Mandate of

HeavenChinese script & historiesProfessional bureaucracy & peasant

conscript armyUndermined by Buddhist monasteries &

aristocrats

Heian Period

794-857 CE: Early Heian PeriodAdapting borrowed ideasUltra-civilized – superficial focus on beauty

& social interactionsTale of Genji

857-1185: Transition in the Late HeianAttempts at centralization fail amidst

powerful aristocrats (court & regional)

Feudal Age

1185-1600: Feudal Age of warfareDaimyoSamurai

BushidoPeasantsMerchants

Age of gradual economic growthMerchants & internal tradeGuilds & artisans