PBA about how women lived in Mongol Culture vs. how women lived in 13th century China. I chose the children's storybook option.

1. How a Woman Lived in
Mongol Culture vs. How
a Woman Lived in 13th
Century China

2.  Once upon a time, in a far away nomadic society in
Mongolia, women played an important role in the
economy.
 Women groomed, fed, and cared for all the animals,
as their society was always on the move.

3.  Once upon a time, in 13th century China, women
played a role in the economy too.
 A Chinese woman may have been in charge of town
inns, restaurants, or to weave mats.

4.  Across the steep, looming mountains of the vast
Mongolian Empire, the women played a crucial role in
military.
 Many Mongolian women even took a role fighting in
battles.

5.  In the far away lands of China, a rather different image of a
woman was predominant from 1200 to around 1280 in
China.
 Woman were educated and poetic, reserved while
respectful, and “slender, petite, and dainty.”

6.  The ladies of Mongolia were granted legal rights.
 A Mongol woman could own property and divorce her
husband if she wished.

7.  Within the Chinese dynasty of the Song that
dominated China until 20 years prior to the year 1300,
Chinese women could divorce as long as the
sentiment was mutual between herself and her
husband.
 But, many times a Chinese woman widow would not
remarry as they were following Confucian beliefs.

8.  One of the most famous women in Mongolian history
is Sorghaghtani Beki, the mother of Kublai Khan and
the daughter-in-law of Chinggis Khan.
 Sorghanghtani made sure all of her sons were
educated, she integrated clergy of various religions to
create more peace within the empire, and she also
discouraged against the exploitation of people.

9.  The Chinese had their share of remarkable women as
well.
 Women such as the mother of Shen Kuo taught her
son primary education and military strategy. Hu
Wenrou was an outstanding female mathematician. Li
Qingzhao wrote beautiful poems about her life, along
with many other important women figures.

10.  The Mongol society believed in polygamy meaning
that the husbands could have several wives.
 A woman had no stigma in the Mongol society if she
had already been married and was either a widow, or
had chosen to be divorced.

11.  The Chinese culture differed in the sense that
monogamy was the predominant and most accepted
marriage custom, a marriage between one man and
one woman.
 Polygamy was neither discouraged or encouraged. It
was only encourage as means to have a male child.
Polygamy was always one man to several women.

12.  The Mongolian women were often times known for
wearing “trousers” and “shooting just as well as men.”
 These women would carry a bow and arrow as well as
skillfully mounting horses.

13.  During this time in history, foot binding was a very
popular (and painful) practice and was popularized
during this time as well.
 Young Chinese girls were forced to wear extremely
tight/small shoes to prevent further growth in their foot.
This practice was popular because a smaller foot was
considered “attractive.” Foot binding was popular in
every class except the lower Chinese classes.

14.  Shamanism was important in Mongolian
culture/society.
 Shamanism permitted both female and male
shamans. Female shamans were referred to as
idugans and male shamans were referred to as
boeges.

15.  Buddhism flourished in China during the 13th century.
 Buddhism taught that a women should obey her
husband, but her husband should also respect his
wife.
 Buddhist nuns were as far as women could usually
reach in Buddhism.

16.  Overall in the vast Mongol Empire, Mongol women
were treated with dignity and respect in the sense that
they would help participate in battle, help with the
economy, have the right to divorce and remarry with
no stigma attached, etc.
 However, of course there were inherent gender biases
and stigmas given the time period in history.

17.  Overall, the Chinese women of the 13th century has
certain rights and certain disadvantages. They helped
contribute to the economy in some ways, they helped
give their husband advice, and upper class Chinese
women were educated.
 However, there were also inherent Chinese
disadvantages for women, such as putting a high
value on beauty with practice like foot binding and
encouraging women to stay home as a “home maker”.

18. References
 Coldsiberia.org,. 'Mongolian Women'. N.p., 2014. Web. 22 Nov.
2014.
 Eagleclaw.gr,. 'Ying Shou Quan'. N.p., 2014. Web. 22 Nov. 2014.
 En.cnki.com.cn,. 'The Study On The Daughters' Rights To
Possess And Arrange Their Parents' Property During The Period
From Tang To Song Dynasty--《Journal Of Tangshan Teachers
College》2010年03期'. N.p., 2014. Web. 22 Nov. 2014.
 Mongolia-attractions.com,. 'Ancient Mongol Women'. N.p., 2014.
Web. 22 Nov. 2014.
 Womeninworldhistory.com,. 'Gender Difference In History:
Women In China And Japan Essay (Women In World History
Curriculum)'. N.p., 2014. Web. 22 Nov. 2014.

19. Written by: Victoria
Franco
 AP World History
 November 21st, 2014