Song Dynasty Flashcards

Front

💡 What was Champa rice and why was it important?

Back

Champa rice was a fast-growing rice from Vietnam. It allowed multiple harvests per year, increasing food supply and supporting population growth.

Front

💡 What innovation made trade more efficient in the Song Dynasty?

Back

Paper money—it replaced heavy coins, speeding up and simplifying trade across long distances.

Front

💡 What is the Grand Canal and why was it useful?

Back

A massive man-made waterway that connected northern and southern China, enabling fast and efficient transport of goods, officials, and tax shipments.

Front

💡 Name one invention that improved navigation during the Song Dynasty.

Back

The magnetic compass helped sailors travel further and more accurately, supporting maritime trade.

Front

💡 What types of goods did Song merchants trade internationally?

Back

Silk, porcelain, tea, and paper—these were traded along the Silk Road and sea routes with places like Southeast Asia, India, and the Middle East.

Front

💡 What was the role of cities like Kaifeng and Hangzhou?

Back

They were urban centers for trade, art, learning, and social life, supported by the strong Song economy.

Front

💡 How did art reflect Song cultural values?

Back

Landscape paintings showed harmony with nature, expressing peace and balance—core values of Song intellectual life.

Front

💡 Who was Su Shi and what did he contribute?

Back

A famous Song Dynasty poet known for combining poetry, emotion, and calligraphy—symbols of elite culture.

Front

💡 What is Neo-Confucianism?

Back

A philosophy that blended Confucian ethics with Buddhist and Daoist ideas. Promoted moral development and became the basis of the civil service exams.

Front

💡 How did government infrastructure contribute to economic growth?

Back

Through investment in engineering projects like canals, irrigation, and industry management, the state boosted production and trade.