Thurs. 1/7 - Urbanization in Medieval China

Thurs. 1/7 - Urbanization in Medieval China

How Urbanization led to Economic Growth

Our Essential Questions...

• 1. Why did the growth of cities increase under the Song?

• 2. How did the growth of cities influence the lifestyles and livelihoods of people in China?

Poll

Would you rather live in the city or the country?

• city

• country

Open Ended

On the last slide, did you choose city or country? Why did you select that answer?

For example: I chose to live in the country, because I like...

Open Ended

In your opinion, what are TWO reasons people might move to a city?

Today's Topic: Urbanization in China

But first, what is urbanization?

Let's look at the root word - urban

Urban relates to a large town or city. Towns and cities have a larger population than rural areas, which are located in the country.

Urbanization in China

Urbanization increased during the Song dynasties as cities sprouted up all over china. Chinese cities became the largest in the world. The city of Hangzhou had perhaps 2 million people within its walls. It's no wonder that Marco Polo was impressed with the cities he visited. European cities at this time had no more than 50,00 residents.

Essential Question #1:

Why did the growth of cities increase under the Song dynasty?

Reasons for Urbanization

One answer is that the growth of commerce encouraged people to move to cities and towns. There, people could make a living as merchants, traders, peddlers, and shopkeepers. In addition, landowners left their farms because they preferred the shops and social life of the cities. More people brought still more opportunities for business, and cities grew even larger.

Open Ended

According to the text, what is one reason for the growth of cities in the Song dynasty? You must use evidence from the text to support your answer.

What did the cities look like?

China's cities at this time were crowded, exciting places.

When Marco Polo arrived in Hangzhou, he wrote...

"Anyone seeing such a multitude would believe it impossible that food could be found to feed them all and yet on every market day all the market squares are filled with people, and with merchants who bring food on carts and boats."

Open Ended

Take a look at the image. Describe three features that you notice about this image.

Close your eyes, and listen carefully...

Open Ended

Based on what you just listened to, what are 2-3 words you would use to describe cities in China?

Essential Question #2:

How did the growth of cities influence the lifestyles and livelihoods of people in China?

Results of Urbanization

The growth of cities changed the way many ordinary Chinese lived. Cities were vibrant centers of activity, from buying and selling to hobbies and board games. Public works projects provided employment for many city dwellers. Urbanization also stimulated culture, giving artists an audience of wealthy, leisured people. Paintings produced during the Song period are considered some of the finest in the world.

Open Ended

Using complete sentences, describe one way in which urbanization influenced the way the Chinese lived. Use evidence from the text to support your answer.