1.1B: China’s Cultural Influence on its Neighbors

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AP Theme

Cultural Developments and Interactions

Learning Objective 1B

Explain the effects of Chinese cultural traditions on East Asia over time.

Historical Development 1

Chinese governing systems were adopted by several of China’s East Asian neighbors.

Historical Development 2

Chinese culture influenced the cultural development of China’s neighbors.

Historical Development 3

Chinese culture affected the status and rights of women in neighboring societies.

Chinese culture influenced neighboring cultures’ governments, social systems, and gender relationships. Confucianism, Buddhism, and the Chinese language and writing system had the most significant impacts.

Contents

China Has Traditionally Been an Influential Force in East Asia

Main idea

Chinese culture influenced neighboring cultures’ governments, social systems, and gender relationships. Confucianism, Buddhism, and the Chinese language and writing system had the most significant impacts.

China’s size and large population throughout history gave it influence across East Asia. Its neighbors, especially Japan, Korea, and Vietnam, have adopted various Chinese traditions throughout their histories. Because Korea and Japan remained independent from China, their cultural borrowing from China was usually voluntary. Due to centuries of Chinese control and colonization, Vietnam’s adoption of Chinese culture was often involuntary.

Chinese governing systems spread throughout East Asia

As Chinese dynasties became increasingly powerful, neighbors imitated Chinese governing systems to strengthen their own dynasties.

!Ap exam alert!

Pay close attention to how Japan’s government changed over time. Specifically, how it was feudal, centralized, and then feudal again.

Connection to prior learning

At one time or another, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam were all participants in the Chinese tribute system.

Chinese culture spread throughout East Asia

Culture also diffused from China to its neighbors.

Chinese patriarchy affected women throughout East Asia

Many societies throughout history have been patriarchal. China did not invent it. However, as Confucian ideas spread to new areas in East Asia, patriarchy in those areas also increased.