Spread of Chinese Spread of Chinese CivilizationCivilization

VietnamVietnam

KoreaKorea

JapanJapan

Spread of Chinese Civilization:Spread of Chinese Civilization:

The Basics…The Basics…

• Tribute SystemTribute System

• BuddhismBuddhism

• SinificationSinification

KoreaKorea: Between China & Japan: Between China & Japan

Middle Kingdom

Vietnam

KoreaKorea

Japan

Independent, but…Independent, but…

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

Long lived in shadow of ChinaLong lived in shadow of ChinaHan expansionHan expansionBuddhismBuddhismSettlers during Chinese weaknessSettlers during Chinese weakness

Civilization for the FewCivilization for the Few

Society & sinification dominated by Society & sinification dominated by eliteeliteEveryone oriented to service aristocratsEveryone oriented to service aristocratsSchoolingSchoolingAdministrative techniquesAdministrative techniques

Exam system bureaucrats – Elite onlyExam system bureaucrats – Elite only

Flexibility of women replacedFlexibility of women replacedConfucianismConfucianism

Only Buddhism permeates massesOnly Buddhism permeates masses

EffectsEffects

Elite & legitimizing ruleElite & legitimizing rule

HangulHangul

1392-1910: Yi1392-1910: YiHermit KingdomHermit Kingdom

Vietnam: b/t China & SE AsiaVietnam: b/t China & SE Asia

Middle Kingdom

VietnamVietnam

Korea

Japan

Conquest & SinificationConquest & Sinification

Vassal in tribute systemVassal in tribute systemAware of China’s superiorityAware of China’s superiority

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

Expected to assimilate “southern Expected to assimilate “southern barbarians”barbarians”

Elite & the MassesElite & the Masses

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

But strong popular identity remains:But strong popular identity remains:LanguageLanguageNuclear familiesNuclear familiesFreedom of womenFreedom of womenCustomsCustoms

EffectsEffects

Political resistance remainsPolitical resistance remainsCross-class, cross-genderCross-class, cross-gender

Vietnam expands southwardVietnam expands southward

Cultural influence remainsCultural influence remainsMandate of HeavenMandate of HeavenTrue exam systemTrue exam systemBuddhismBuddhism

JapanJapan: Selective Borrowing: Selective Borrowing

Middle Kingdom

Vietnam

Korea

JapanJapan

Imperial AgeImperial Age

600-800 CE: Deliberate borrowing600-800 CE: Deliberate borrowingTaika ReformsTaika ReformsNara PeriodNara PeriodUltra-civilized Heian (Kyoto) PeriodUltra-civilized Heian (Kyoto) Period

Feudal AgeFeudal Age

857-1185: Transition857-1185: TransitionAttempts at centralization fail amidst Attempts at centralization fail amidst

powerful aristocrats (court & regional)powerful aristocrats (court & regional)

1185-1600:1185-1600: Feudal Age of warfareFeudal Age of warfareDaimyo/BushiDaimyo/BushiSamuraiSamurai

BushidoBushidoPeasantsPeasantsMerchantsMerchants

In the end…In the end…

Vietnam= most influenced by ChinaVietnam= most influenced by China

Korea= most content to be China’s Korea= most content to be China’s shadowshadow

Japan= most unique; parallels to Japan= most unique; parallels to western Europewestern Europe