1. The Spread of Chinese Civilization
Stearns Chapter 13

2. China leads, others follow
When forming their own civilization, Japan looked towards China for examples to emulate
Outside nomadic peoples were also influenced by the Chinese
Vietnam & Korea had long been influenced by China
All blended Chinese ideas with their own indigenous cultures to create their own blended civilization
For all three, Buddhism would be a key force in the spreading of Chinese Civilization

4. Japan
Due to its geography, Japan remained isolated for much of its history.
By 200 CE, extensive agriculture had developed
Early regional tribal political organizations
Shintoism (Japanese religion) led to the religious worship of political leaders and other spirits of nature.
A national cultural unity-along with much greater contact with China-would begin to emerge by the 6th century.

5. Japanese Sinification
In 522, Buddhist missionaries from China arrived in Japan
Shinto beliefs were never replaced, but rather blended with the new religion
Later, Chinese-influenced bureaucratic and legal reforms were introduced
Taika Reforms (645) modeled on the success of the Tang Dynasty
While much was adopted, Confucianism & the notion of the scholar-gentry was rejected
In Japan, it was more who you were rather than what you knew.
The Aristocracy was much stronger in Imperial Japan than in Tang or Song China

6. Rise of the Military Elite
With the abandonment of a Chinese-style central government, Japan would ultimately devolve into hundreds of competing states controlled by local warlords
Japanese Feudalism
Shogun
Daimyo
Samurai
Peasants
Due to its decentralization and the prominence of the military in Japanese life, Japan would be bathed in warfare for hundreds of years.

7. Korea
Korea’s proximity to China led to much greater influence over a longer period of time than Japan
There still, however, was a retention of a separate cultural and political identity
Like in Japan, Buddhism was a conduit for Sinification in Korea
Once dominated by the Han, Korea would become a vassal state under the Silla to the Tang
Great influence would come from China, but like Japan, the power of aristocratic families would prevent Korea from becoming a Chinese-style state.

8. Vietnam Referred to by the Chinese as ‘southern barbarians”
Relatively far from the cultural centers of China with their own distinct culture
Language, village autonomy, status of women
Raided by the Qin in the 220’s BCE beginning a trading relationship
The Han secured tribute from and then conquered Vietnam bringing great influence from China
Aristocratic revolts and a resistance of Chinese culture by the peasantry would keep Vietnam from being absorbed into China proper.
By 939, Vietnam was independent

9. Sinification of Japan, Korea and Vietnam
All were suitable for sedentary agriculture and the development of civilization
Elements of Chinese culture would spread
Writing, bureaucratic organization, religion, art
These imports were all (except for Buddhism) monopolized by the elites.
Korea the most influenced, then Vietnam, then Japan
Little awareness of large world currents than other major civilizations