Review Questions

1. After reading Chapter 1, it should be clear that the countries and cultures of the Asia-Pacific region have as many differences as similarities. How does a culture maintain its distinctness in the face of persistent cultural and political influences from the outside?
2. Considering the enormity of Chinese impact on the region, why did China not conquer it all? Contrast the Chinese Empires with the Roman Empire.
3. In what ways did Indian culture affect East Asia? How was this different from India's impact on Southeast Asia?
4. Throughout its history, Japan has borrowed from China, yet Japanese culture is as disparate from Chinese tradition as Italian culture is from Greek tradition. Why?
5. Compare and contrast Angkor and Srivijaya. What were each state's strengths and weaknesses? What contributed to the fall of each state?

 

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