Guided Notes: The Spread of Buddhism and the Reunification

of China
Driving Historical Questions for this lecture:
1) How was the Tang Dynasty able to unify China?
2) Why did Buddhism spread into China, Korea, and Japan?

Vocabulary: Define the words in the space provided and include a visual representation of
each.

1) Buddhism:
a) Definition:
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b) Image:

2) Reunify:
a) Definition:
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b) Image:

3) Dynasty:
a) Definition:
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b) Image:
 4) Nomad:
a) Definition:
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b) Image:

Review: Fall of the Han Dynasty

Questions to answer as you watch History of the Three Kingdoms:

1) What problems occurred during the end of the Han Dynasty which would eventually
lead to its collapse? (Hint: think about politics, the economy, and natural disasters.)
2) Who were the Yellow Turbans?
3) What motivated them to rebel? List two reasons.

*Although the Han government eventually suppressed the rebellions, the damage was already
done. What were some of the effects of this constant fighting. In your own words, describe the
effects of the fall of the Han Dynasty, including the constant fighting, on China and its people.
Use evidence from both the lecture and the video in your answer.
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Introduction to Buddhism

As discussed in the lecture and the introduction video, what is the central teaching of
Buddhism?
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Why did Buddhism Spread into China?

Buddhism spread to China in ____________

Both ___________ and ___________ helped this religion spread.
Many people practiced Buddhism after ______________________________.

Prediction: Why do you think that more people would practice Buddhism after the fall of the
Han Dynasty? Reflect on the effects of the fall and the beliefs of this religion. How could these
teachings be helpful to people during that time? Write your answer below:
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Sui Dynasty

After ________________ of conflict, the Sui Dynasty began.

What did the leaders during the Sui Dynasty begin to do?
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Who founded the Sui Dynasty? _______________________________________
List three things that Wendi did to try and reunify China:
1)
2)
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In your own words, explained why this was not enough to strongly reunify China.
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Tang Dynasty

*The Sui Dynasty did set the foundation for the reunification of China; however, it is the Tang
Dynasty that is credited with this reunification.*

The Tang Dynasty began in _____________.

During this time, China grew in size. More __________ and _________ were built also,
helping to __________________________________.
Facts about specific rulers during the Tang Dynasty:
Using both the information from our lecture discussion and the timeline below, write two facts
you consider important about the three rulers below.

Taizong Wu Zhao Xuanzong

Dynastic Cycle
What is the dynastic cycle?
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Please recreate the cycle in the space below: