Question

the growth in long - distance trade and the rapidly commercializing economy of tang and song dynasty china had profound social implications, which the two voices that follow explore from different angles. in voice 2.1, morris rossabi, a specialist in chinese history, examines the growing and evolving place of merchants in society during the southern song period (1127 - 1279). then, in voice 2.2, valerie hansen, a specialist on eurasian long - distance trade, explores the wide - ranging social implications of chinas commercializing economy. aphistorians voices - economy and society in golden age china voice 2.1 morris rossabi on the place of merchants in chinese society | 2014 merchants were no longer limited to the capitals of specific counties and thus traded in small towns and villages as well. although government officials continued to supervise markets, merchants faced fewer restrictions in trade. enclosed markets became rarer, allowing merchants to trade in neighborhoods that had earlier had restricted commercial areas. commercialization created a prosperous merchant class but... despite their wealth, merchants did not have commensurate political power. a strong state that valued agriculture above all other economic pursuits did not permit much leverage to merchants and suppressed any assertions of merchant independence. the state itself participated in trade and officials clambered 19 multiple choice 1 point based on rossabis description in voice 2.1, which of the following best explains why merchants in song china lacked significant political power despite their growing wealth? the imperial bureaucracy relied heavily on merchant funding for state projects. the spread of buddhism undermined merchants ability to gain influence. merchants were prohibited from engaging in trade with foreign groups. confucian values emphasized agriculture and scholar - officials over commerce 20 multiple choice 1 point which development described in hansens voice 2.2 most directly reflects the economic transformation of rural society in song china? the state restricted long - distance trade to enclosed markets. farmers shifted from subsistence agriculture to the cultivation of cash crops. buddhist monasteries expanded their landholdings to finance religious activities. merchants sought to pass civil service examinations to enter the gentry.

Explanation:

For question 19: Confucian values in Song - China emphasized agriculture and scholar - officials over commerce, which limited the political power of merchants despite their wealth. The imperial bureaucracy relying on merchant funding would likely give them power, Buddhism's spread is not the main reason for their lack of power, and merchants were not prohibited from foreign trade.
For question 20: Farmers shifting from subsistence agriculture to the cultivation of cash crops directly reflects the economic transformation of rural society in Song China as it shows a move towards a more commercialized rural economy. State - restricted long - distance trade to enclosed markets is more about trade regulation, Buddhist monasteries expanding landholdings is related to religious activities, and merchants seeking civil service examinations is about social mobility rather than rural economic transformation.

Answer:

1. Confucian values emphasized agriculture and scholar - officials over commerce
2. Farmers shifted from subsistence agriculture to the cultivation of cash crops