Describe how the Tang Empire blended Chinese and Turkish elements to create what the chapter calls a "cosmopolitan world."

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

ANSWER:
Students should be able to describe the unique nature of the Tang Empire, with its appreciation of Chinese as well as Turkish elements. As the Tang Empire expanded westward, contacts with Central Asia and India increased, and so did the complexity of Buddhist influence throughout China. The Mahayana network connecting Inner Asia and China intersected a vigorous commercial world in which material goods and cultural influences mixed. Though Buddhism and Confucianism proved attractive to many different peoples, regional cultures and identities remained strong, just as regional commitments to Tibetan, Uighur, and other languages and writing systems coexisted with the widespread use of written Chinese. Textiles reflected Persian, Korean, and Vietnamese styles, while influences from every part of Asia appeared in sports, music, and painting. Many historians characterize the Tang Empire as “cosmopolitan” because of its breadth and diversity. The Tang Empire included many different peoples, languages, writing systems, styles, and goods. Tang leaders used the Buddhism and trade networks of Inner Asia to connect China to the markets and materials goods of Inner Asia. It also blended influences in sports, music, and painting. The Tang adopted the military skills of Inner Asia as well, especially horses and armor and the style of wearing pants.