<p>Analyze political and economic changes and continuities in East Asia between 600 and 1450 CE. </p>
<p>The time period between 600-1450 CE brought about many changes in East Asia, especially with the rise of the Mongols. China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and Tibet were influenced by both each other and foreign practices. This was stimulated by increased trade, which led to cultural and religious diffusion across various regions of the Eastern Hemisphere. Many changes appeared during this era, but continuities that survived were strong enough to allow regions to maintain their fundamental principles and values.
A major political change in East Asia was the rise of tributary relationships between China and inferior regions during thr Tang and Song dynasties. China established tributary relationships with Vietnam, Korea, and Tibet. This led to many economic changes, such as the diffusion of Chinampa rice from Vietnam to China, which increased the amount of surplus, harvests and food, and decreased the amount of starvation. Tibetan Buddhism was diffused into Chinese society. China also caused major changes in those regions as well. Korea adapted the Tang court system, and the movable type. However, Korea kept its political system in check. Japan adapted the Tang court system as well. However, Japan rejected Cnfucianism and the civil service exams. Te same family ruled Japan until the modern era, which is a significant factor of continuity that made Japan unique. It did not develop a tributary relationship with China, which is another thing that did not change Japan.<br>
China was heavily influenced by the rise of the Mongols, nomadic people from the upper Eurasian steppes that rose and created one of the greatest empires know to man. A Mongol leader by the name of Kublai Khan invaded China in the thirteenth century and conqueres the Southern Song dynasty, creating the Yuan dynasty. Major political changes were put into effect upon their arrival. For example, the Mongols eliminated the scholar-gentry class and civil service exams. The Chinese lost their positions in the upper bureacracy, which were awarded to the foreign Mongols. Education was no longer a factor in determining the positions of the bureaucracy; Kublai Khan gave the positions to other Mongols based on friendship. Cnfucianism was eliminated from politics and society. Economic changes also came about with the Mongols. The Mongols reopened trade along the Silk Road between China and the Middle East, which allowed the economy to flourish. Silk, porcelain, and paper were widely valued in the Middle East and Europe, which led to a higher demand. With the Mongol ideology focusing on trade, merchants were promoted in society. However, despite all of these changes the Chinese faced, there was major continuity within the region. China kept its identity and its bureaucracy. Ninety percent of chinese people were farmers, and their main source of economic well-being was agriculture. Feudalism arose in Japan, separately from European feudalism. It led to the establishment of relationships based on honor and a new economic system based on serfdom. The emperor was now merely a symbol of power, and the shogun held the real power and did all of the Emperor's duties. A warrior class rose in society.
Continuity and change over time is a big factor in categorizing regions in East Asia. The rise of tribute coming into China shows the amount of strength and power China imposed onto inferior regions. The Mongols showed how weak China was in direct confrontations. Japan was partially isolated and did not change drastically. China's economic system improved with rice. And sa trade grew ith the development of the compass and thr astrolabe.</p>