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Developments in East Asia from c. 1200 to c. 1450
Created by Shaunak Ghosh
In under an hour, trace how the Song Dynasty governed, upheld rich traditions, spread culture across East Asia, and pioneered innovations that reshaped the regional economy. You’ll connect philosophy, bureaucracy, religion, and technology into one coherent global tapestry.
Requirements
- Basic world geography of East and Southeast Asia
- General idea of what dynasties and empires are
- Familiarity with terms trade, agriculture, and philosophy
What you'll learn
- Locate and describe Song China’s 13th-century geopolitical setting.
- Explain how Confucian philosophy justified and structured Song governance.
- Illustrate the role of imperial examinations in creating a merit-based bureaucracy.
- Identify key cultural traditions that persisted into the Song and how they spread regionally.
- Differentiate major Buddhist branches and explain their adaptations in East Asia.
- Analyze how technological and agricultural innovations fueled Song economic growth and expanded trade networks.
Learning path
7 modules • Each builds on the previous one
1
Song Dynasty Foundations 1200s
Introduce the Song Dynasty’s territorial extent, political situation, and place in 13th-century Afro-Eurasia.
1 video9 min
2
Confucianism in Song Governance
Explore how Confucian philosophy shaped laws, education, and the ruler-subject relationship in Song China.
2 videos11 min
3
Song Imperial Bureaucracy Structure
Detail the recruitment, hierarchy, and functions of the imperial bureaucracy that administered Song China.
1 video8 min
4
Chinese Cultural Traditions Continuity
Examine arts, literature, and social customs that persisted from earlier dynasties into the Song era.
1 video6 min
5
Traditions Influence East Asian Neighbors
Analyze how Song China's cultural practices affected Korea, Japan, and Vietnam.
1 video6 min
6
Buddhism Branches in Song Asia
Outline Mahayana, Zen, and other schools flourishing in Song China and their societal roles.
1 video5 min
7
Song Innovations and Trade Networks
Connect agricultural and manufacturing advances (e.g., Champa rice, iron production) to expanded trade routes and increased productive capacity.
1 video8 min
Start Learning
Begin your learning journey
Modules7
Duration49 min
Science-backed learning
In-video quizzes and scaffolded content to maximize retention.
Key concepts
Song Dynasty Political FoundationsConfucian Values In GovernanceImperial Examination MeritocracyContinuity Of Confucian, Taoist, And Buddhist TraditionsChinese Cultural Influence On Vietnam And NeighborsBranches And Adaptation Of Mahayana BuddhismCommercialization And Labor Patterns In Song ChinaAgricultural And Manufacturing Innovations Driving Trade