Cultural and Technological Developments in China

The lecture covers the Mongolian Empire's rise under Genghis Khan, its expansion, and its status as the largest land empire in history. It discusses the Yuan Dynasty's rule in China, led by Kublai Khan, and Marco Polo's travels there. The lecture also explores cultural changes in China, including the rise and decline of Buddhism and the influence of Confucianism. Finally, it highlights the impact of printing on Chinese literature and art.

What was a key factor in the Mongols' ability to expand their empire?

• Their advanced naval technology

• Their nomadic lifestyle and warlike culture

• Their alliances with European powers

• Their focus on trade and commerce

Who completed the Mongolian conquest of China and established the Yuan Dynasty?

• Genghis Khan

• Ogedei Khan

• Kublai Khan

• Batu Khan

How did the Mongols maintain their cultural identity during the Yuan Dynasty?

• By forming alliances with other Asian cultures

• By converting to Buddhism

• By keeping themselves separate from the Chinese

• By adopting Chinese customs

What was the reaction in Europe to Marco Polo's accounts of China?

• They led to immediate diplomatic missions

• They were dismissed as fantasy

• They were widely accepted as factual

• They were ignored completely

What was one of the reasons for the decline of Buddhism in China during the Tang Dynasty?

• Natural disasters

• Political and cultural suppression

• The invention of printing

• The rise of Christianity

Which Chinese dynasty saw the rise of Buddhism as a popular religion?

• Song Dynasty

• Tang Dynasty

• Qing Dynasty

• Ming Dynasty

What technological advancement helped popularize literature in China?

• The construction of the Great Wall

• The invention of printing

• The development of gunpowder

• The invention of the compass

Which art form flourished in China due to the invention of printing?

• Sculpture

• Calligraphy

• Music

• Poetry

What was a significant cultural impact of the printing press in China?

• It introduced Western literature to China

• It caused the fall of the Yuan Dynasty

• It led to the decline of Confucianism

• It made literature more accessible to the public

Which poet's work became a staple in Chinese education due to its imagery and style?

• Bai Juyi

• Liu Zongyuan

• Du Fu

• Li Bai