Routes+to+China-Daniel+Lim

__**HW #1**__
1. On what philosophical assumptions are the Hongwu emperor’s words and actions based?


 * Hongwu emperor's assumptions were that people who didn't obey the laws should be chastised.**

2. Do you think that his actions will solve the problems he refers to? Why or why not?


 * I believe that these actions will solve the problems he refers to because when you are honest and sincere, you are more likely to gain others favor and trust.**

3. Does the emperor’s approach to solving the problem of evil behavior in this excerpt differ from that in the first? If so, how?


 * The emperor's way of approach to solving the problem of evil behavior in the excerpt differs from the first. They differ because on the first paragraph it was talking about punishments but on the second paragraph it was talking about how to solve these issues and problems.**

4. On what philosophical assumptions are Hongwu’s words here based? Think Chinese philosophy.


 * I am not completely sure with my answer but I believe that Confucianism is the most closest to the teachings of Hongwu. The reason is because he is focused on moral and righteousness rather than having success by being cunning (Machiavellism).**

5. As an official, what would be your reaction to the emperor’s admonitions?


 * As an official, I would be careful with my own actions because they would reflect on me. I would try to avoid myself from having conflict with the emperor.**

6. The emperor clearly holds himself up as a model of self-restraint for his officials to emulate. As an official, how would you take this?


 * I would respect his teachings and how he showed his leaderships to his people.**

7.. Would your reaction be changed if you suddenly learned that the Hongwu emperor had dozens of concubines and consorts, with whom he fathered twenty-six sons and sixteen daughters?


 * My reaction would change if I learned that Hongwu emperor had dozens of concubines and consorts because that would be showing the dark side of him. I would also have less respect towards him because fathering twenty-six sons and sixteen daughters is a shame.**

__**HW #2**__

====** Look carefully at the Yuan and Ming Dynasties and make some generalizations about China under those dynasties. Size? Change from previous dynasties? From your reading, make any observations you can about the two time periods. **====

====**Yuan is much larger than Ming Dynasties because they were more successful in their expansions. Yuan Dynasty is a dynasty by the Mongols while the Ming Dynasty was established by the Han Chinese. I could say that Yuan Dynasty had more cultural variations than the Ming Dynasties.**====

** Through what MODERN countries did the silk roads go? **

 * China, India, Indian Ocean, Egypt, Pakistan, Turkey, Lebanon, Persia, Uzbekistan, Iraq**

__**HW #3**__


 * When you get to p. 75, read to the bottom of p. 77. Stop at the paragraph beginning "Thereafter the Qazi..." Is there evidence here that Zhu Di truly did not understand what was happening to his rule? **


 * Zhu Di doesn't really understand what was happening to his rules due to severe and harsh illnesses. In addition to that, he suffered from major strokes and the poison. At last, he was thrown off of his own charger.**


 * Start up again on the bottom of p. 78 (from "Apparently abandoned by heaven..."). List all the things that happened to the old emperor near the end of his life. **


 * He was apparently abandoned by the heaven because firsthe wasn't able to reproduce anymore of his descendants. Also the mandarin cabinet created a scheme to get rid of the Zhu Di's policy. Then his son, Zhu Gaozhi turned against his father by combining forces with the war politician and the military forces.**


 * Finally read the edict of the new emperor, Zhu Di's son, Zhu Gaozhi, on the very day he ascended the throne, pp 81-85, beginning " All voyages of the treasure ships are to be stopped." Explain how this edict changed the history of not only China but of the WORLD. How did this leave open the "door" for Europe to take center stage now? **
 * At that time, the empire had lack of natural resources due to Emperor Zhu Di's notion of building the Great Wall. He also ceased trading with foreign countries which devastated the Empire greatly. Because of these two poor decisions Zhu Di made, the citizens became discontent as they starved and suffered from malnutrition. This became the start of the empire's declination.**
 * This changed not only China but also the World because China had great influence over the world. They made a crucial mistake by deciding not to bring new technology, ideas, and information This gave Europe the opportunity to take the center stage. T****he European nation took their center stage. The Europe were open to trade and technology. Because of their willingness to open up to outside of Europe they were able to take the center stage.**

__**HW #4**__

Lands were used in order to build the Great Canal.
 * As you continue reading write down any instances of ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION done as a result of the emperor's ambitions.**


 * DIPLOMACY is the art of talking and negotiating without having to resort to conflict. On pg. 60, there is a discussion on how Chinese diplomacy was different than later European diplomacy. Explain this difference. **


 * Chinese diplomacy was different from the European diplomacy because they treated their people in a very different way. According to the Chinese diplomacy, everyone was expected to bow and respect the emperor. Also the people who obeyed the emperor was rewarded and was treated well. However, Europeans were more open minded to others.**

**Explain how Zhu Di strived to make Beijing the world's INTELLECTUAL capital.**


 * He strived to make Beijing the world's intellectual capital by attempting to fill the encyclopedias and libraries with books like astronomy. He also was open to trading which is another reason why the Beijing was the world's intellectual capital.**