Commerce
Hangzhou trades with India, Southwest Asia and Central Asia which helps the economy grow. The primary goods that they trade are silver, silk and rice. Silver is very vital to China because it is used for money. Banks have formed here in China due to the use of silver and money. Silk robes are very popular in China amongst the upper classes. Because of this demand for silk, jobs are formed, improving the economy by providing jobs and secure wages for workers. Rice is very easy to grow and harvest in southern Hangzhou’s climate and with this fast production, China is able to export grains all over Asia. Trade allows Hangzhou’s economy to be stable and beneficial.
Culture and Society
Being the capital of the Song dynasty, Hangzhou has adopted social traits from other cities within the region. Hangzhou is patriarchal and has women bind their feet. This binding symbolizes a woman’s weakness and their loyalty to men, who force them into binding their feet. Men use this tactic to show their control and dominance over women. Women also have to wear unexposed clothing due to the fear of being betrayed by men. In order to be in a high class, people have to take a civil service exam. The more tests you take, the higher your position is and the chance of obtaining a government job increases. These tests provide unification and a centralized rule among Hangzhou.
Location on Trade Networks
Hangzhou is located right next to the Grand Canal, which connects North and South China making it easier to trade and transfer goods. If the Grand Canal hadn’t been built, the export and import of goods in Hangzhou would drastically decrease. Hangzhou’s location next to the Grand Canal and its participation in the Silk Roads helps keep their economy firm by bringing wealth to the city.
Religious Influences
Neo-Confucianism stabilizes a large political structure in Hangzhou China. Neo-Confucianism was formed due to conflicts between Buddhism and Confucianism. This formation helps in the unification of China by providing stability to the city. It allows everyone to take part in the economy and resulted in a new educational system that is used to help the government and their innovations. Colleges and civil service exams were created under this educational system, increasing governmental knowledge. This led to political prosperity for the people of Hangzhou.
Reasons for Growth
Due to a stable economy, government and social structure, Hangzhou is able to grow rapidly. The introduction of Neo-Confucianism allows the city to focus on growth instead of the conflicts between Buddhism and Confucianism. Hangzhou’s location next to the Grand Canal increases trade and provides the city with wealth.
Innovations
The building of the Grand Canal allows Hangzhou to trade easily with other regions. By linking North and South China, the Grand Canal provides a fast way to trade with Northern China and western regions such as the Abbasid Empire. Also, the use of a common currency provides unification among Hangzhou. Now people are able to save money in banks and not have to worry about how many pounds of rice is equal in value to one silk robe.
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