HUMA 1770 Lecture Notes - Kami, Animism, Zheng He

• School: York University
• Department: Humanities
• Course: HUMA 1770
• Professor: Leo Stan

Document Summary

Political fragmentation and internal conflicts between warring states; Renewal of philosophical culture and religious life: contra state confucianism; arrival of. Higher taxation and exploitation of peasantry + cost military campaigns rebellions. Return of the confucian ideal of the benevolent, wise and conscientious ruler political stability; Land redistribution; encouragement of education; administrative promotion according to merit; Commercial and diplomatic relations with neighboring states; great flowering of cultural life and technological achievement; xuanzong (r. 712-765); Decline and fall: court intrigues, corruption, severe drought, border instability. Territorial expansion and renewed emphasis on the confucian worldview and institutions; Intense commercial activity sharp rise in population; Decline: geopolitical isolation; inefficient emperors; corrupt bureaucrats; peasant rebellions; no political ingenuity. [exam 3-5 days, do everything (eat, sleep, poo), in a cubicle]* Demographic homogeneity little interaction with or assimilation of other cultures. Physical distance between china and these islands is at least 100 miles. Shogunate: shogun; bakufu; ceremonial role of the emperor;