East Asia
During the years between 1000 and 1400 the East Asian region saw extensive change and development concerning the nature of the elites that ruled respective countries. In China there was the growth of the examination culture, Japan experienced the emergence of the Samurai, Korea saw the growth of the Yangban, and Vietnam became content with a tribute system to China. Each of the respective countries grew and developed independently and for the most part were able to distance themselves from China and begin to form their own national identity along with their own system of ruling elites. In China there is a definite beginning to the new political elite which stems from the transition from the Tang to Song dynasties culminating in 960. The Zhao Brothers, who are the leaders of the revolution and the only one's able to consolidate power, know that they are only military strong men and realize that they need a system that will help prevent them from loosing power. As a result they look away from the landed aristocracy, that had previously ruled China and in the fighting has been greatly weakened, and focus their attention on creating a new political structure to develop government officials. The Zhao brothers institute the Con
In 998 a significant change to the existing structure takes place with the Stipend Land Law, which gives civil officials grants of land for their service. The transformation in Vietnam also develops independent of China, and here that independent transformation is intentional. With the end of the Li dynasty a new one is founded. As a result they became rather disenchanted with the ruling political structure at the capital. This opens the door for non-wealthy government officials to become landowners and ties the ruling elite very closely to agriculture. With the institution of the CES in Korea along with the Stipend Land Law there was some possibility of social mobility but for the most part the political elite of Korea still remained strongly tied to the large families and the establishment of the Yangban reiterated this fact. This now firmly establishes the Shogun as the military arm of the Japanese ruling elite, and simultaneously elevates the Samurai to the zenith of the political order in Japan. With the eventual decline of the Li dynasty the Song dynasty of China attempts to dominate Vietnam, this only helps lead to more fervent nationalism in Vietnam. The Chosun period begins the Yangban system. Korea exhibits extensive change among its ruling political structure. The tribute system in Vietnam now becomes a way of life in China with the continuation even through the Mongol overthrow of China. In Japan the transformation of a the political elite develops into a new military order. The Yangaban is the union of two groups, military and civil, with the purpose of keeping the power of aristocracy in the hands of the large families and is done through laws forcing inter-marriage between Yangban elite to keep there grip on power. The Tran dynasty is established in 1225 and begins the tribute system with China that is to be a primary basis for power and wealth in Vietnam for the next two hundred years. Many of the middle ranking farmers and managers of the large estates begin to come together and fight for the local interests, they are referred to as the Samurai.
Common topics in this essay:
Japan Uji,
Land Law,
Vietnam Li,
Zhao Brothers,
Yangban Vietnam,
CES China,
System CES,
Literati Korea,
Literati Mongol,
East Asian,
tribute system,
examination system,
system china,
political elite,
political structure,
li dynasty,
political power,
stipend land law,
ruling political,
consolidate power,
power china,
confucian examination system,
ruling political structure,
tribute system china,
|
Acceptance Essays
