Question

"The overseas foreign countries like Vietnam, Cambodia, Korea, Thailand, India, Japan and the various small island countries in the Pacific are separated from us by mountains and seas. Their lands would not
produce enough for us to justify conquering them. Their peoples would not usefully serve us if we were to include them into our empire. If they were foolish enough to disturb our borders, it would be unfortunate
for them. If they gave us no trouble and we invaded them unnecessarily, it would be unfortunate for us
On the other hand, the barbarians who threaten China from the north and the west are always a danger along our frontiers. We should train our best generals and soldiers to defend ourselves from these northern
and western barbarians
am concerned that future emperors might abuse China's wealth and power and be tempted to pursue short-lived military glories. Let me sharply remind them that starting wars without good reason is forbidden."
Emperor Hongwu, first emperor of the Chinese Ming dynasty policy statement addressed to government officials, 1373
a) Identify ONE claim made in the passage about China's relations with its neighbors.
b) Identify ONE specific example in the period 1200-1450 of the threat referenced by Emperor Hongwu in the second paragraph
c) Describe the emperor's purpose in issuing the policy statement in the passage.

Answer 1

The answers would be as follows

a. The emperor threatens his neighbors to make them subdue to China

b. Mongolia

c. The Emperor wants to assert his suzerainty.

Explanation:

a. The emperor threatens his neighbors to make them subdue to China

The time of the medieval era was a difficult one for Chinese borders being constantly claimed by assailants so he wanted to assert his might on thee world.

b. Mongolia

The mongols were constantly invading China from North and the West and he is acknowledging that.

c. The Emperor wants to assert his suzerainty.

The emperor wanted the people to know that he was strong and would be able to deal proactively with border threats and look to expand the empire if provoked.