ANCIENT AND ANCIENT AND CLASSICAL CLASSICAL

CHINACHINA

ANCIENT LEGENDS: THE THREE ANCIENT LEGENDS: THE THREE WISE SAGE KINGSWISE SAGE KINGS

– King YaoKing Yao: a virtuous ruler bringing harmony to : a virtuous ruler bringing harmony to society society

– King ShunKing Shun: regulating the four seasons, : regulating the four seasons, weights, measures, and units of time weights, measures, and units of time

– King YuKing Yu: rescued China from raging floods of : rescued China from raging floods of the Yellow Riverthe Yellow River

Legends reflected the values of society; many Legends reflected the values of society; many may prove true!may prove true!

APPEARANCE OF HUMANS IN APPEARANCE OF HUMANS IN EAST ASIAEAST ASIA

– Beginnings were over two Beginnings were over two hundred thousand years ago hundred thousand years ago

– Domesticated Domesticated ricerice around 7000 around 7000 B.C.E. in the valley of the Yangzi B.C.E. in the valley of the Yangzi River River

– MilletMillet cultivation in the valley of cultivation in the valley of the Yellow River the Yellow River

– Wheat Wheat and and barleybarley became staple became staple foods of north China by 2000 foods of north China by 2000 B.C.E. B.C.E.

EMERGENCE OF CHINESE EMERGENCE OF CHINESE SOCIETY 2SOCIETY 2NDND MILLENNIUM BCE MILLENNIUM BCE

Agricultural villages appeared in Agricultural villages appeared in the valleys of the two riversthe valleys of the two rivers

Society was patriarchalSociety was patriarchal Fathers dominated familiesFathers dominated families Elder males ruled villageElder males ruled village Males performed religious sacrifices Males performed religious sacrifices

Cities, states appeared in north Cities, states appeared in north China during 2China during 2ndnd millennium B.C.E. millennium B.C.E.

Three dynastic states in the valley Three dynastic states in the valley of Yellow River: of Yellow River: Xia, Shang, ZhouXia, Shang, Zhou

EARLY AGRARIAN SOCIETYEARLY AGRARIAN SOCIETY– The Yellow River The Yellow River

Water source at high plateau of Tibet Water source at high plateau of Tibet Loess soil carried by the river's water, hence Loess soil carried by the river's water, hence

"yellow" "yellow" The river was "China's Sorrow" as it flooded The river was "China's Sorrow" as it flooded

uncontrollably uncontrollably LoessLoess: rich soil, soft, easy to work: rich soil, soft, easy to work

– Neolithic societies after 5000 B.C.E. Neolithic societies after 5000 B.C.E. YangshaoYangshao society, 5000-3000 B.C.E. society, 5000-3000 B.C.E. Excavations at Banpo village: fine pottery, bone Excavations at Banpo village: fine pottery, bone

toolstools

ANCIENT CHINAANCIENT CHINA

XIA DYNASTYXIA DYNASTY• Archeological discovery of the Archeological discovery of the XiaXia

is still in its preliminary stage is still in its preliminary stage • Established about 2200 B.C.E. Established about 2200 B.C.E. • Legendary King YuLegendary King Yu, the dynasty , the dynasty

founder, a hero of flood control founder, a hero of flood control • Erlitou: possibly the capital city of Erlitou: possibly the capital city of

the Xiathe Xia• Chinese scholars believe it existed Chinese scholars believe it existed

THE THE SHANGSHANG DYNASTY: DYNASTY: 1766-1122 B.C.E.1766-1122 B.C.E.

Arose in the southern, eastern areasArose in the southern, eastern areas Many records, material remains discovered Many records, material remains discovered BronzeBronze metallurgy, monopolized by elite metallurgy, monopolized by elite Agricultural surpluses supported large troops Agricultural surpluses supported large troops Vast network of walled towns Vast network of walled towns Shang-kings were warriors Shang-kings were warriors Constant struggle with nobles for powerConstant struggle with nobles for power The Shang capital moved six timesThe Shang capital moved six times Lavish tombs of Shang kings Lavish tombs of Shang kings

– Contained chariots, weapons, bronze goods Contained chariots, weapons, bronze goods – Sacrificial human victims, dogs, horsesSacrificial human victims, dogs, horses

MANDATE OF HEAVENMANDATE OF HEAVEN The right to rule granted by heavenThe right to rule granted by heaven

– Zhou justified their overthrow of Shang Zhou justified their overthrow of Shang – Ruler called "the son of heaven" Ruler called "the son of heaven" – Only given to virtuous, strong rulersOnly given to virtuous, strong rulers– To lose mandate = someone else should ruleTo lose mandate = someone else should rule– Replacement of dynasties = Dynastic CycleReplacement of dynasties = Dynastic Cycle

Signs one had lost mandateSigns one had lost mandate– Corruption, heavy taxesCorruption, heavy taxes– Lazy officials and rulersLazy officials and rulers– Revolts, invasions, civil wars, crime Revolts, invasions, civil wars, crime – Natural disastersNatural disasters– Society develops bad morals, habitsSociety develops bad morals, habits

THE THE ZHOUZHOU DYNASTY: DYNASTY: 1122-256 B.C.E.1122-256 B.C.E.

– The rise of the Zhou The rise of the Zhou The last Shang king was a bad ruler The last Shang king was a bad ruler

The Zhou forces toppled the ShangThe Zhou forces toppled the Shang – Political organization Political organization

Adopted Adopted decentralizeddecentralized administration administration Used princes and relatives to rule regions Used princes and relatives to rule regions ConsequencesConsequences

– Weak central government with ceremonial Weak central government with ceremonial functionsfunctions

– Rise of regional powers; often called Rise of regional powers; often called feudalismfeudalism– Constant rivalry between warring families, Constant rivalry between warring families,

noblesnobles

FAMILYFAMILY Xia to Zhou ruled through family, kinshipXia to Zhou ruled through family, kinship Veneration of ancestorsVeneration of ancestors

Belief in ancestors' presence, continuing influence Belief in ancestors' presence, continuing influence Burial of material goods with the dead Burial of material goods with the dead Offering sacrifices at the graves Offering sacrifices at the graves Eldest males presided over rites honoring ancestorsEldest males presided over rites honoring ancestors Only males could perform religious dutiesOnly males could perform religious duties

Patriarchal society Patriarchal society During Neolithic times, Chinese society = During Neolithic times, Chinese society =

matrilineal matrilineal Rise of states, war due to men's contribution sRise of states, war due to men's contribution s After Shang, not even queens merited templesAfter Shang, not even queens merited temples

THE SOCIAL ORDERTHE SOCIAL ORDER The ruling elites The ruling elites

Royal family and allied noble families at the top Royal family and allied noble families at the top Their lavish consumption of bronze products, silk Their lavish consumption of bronze products, silk Hereditary aristocrats with extensive landholdingHereditary aristocrats with extensive landholding Most of the land owned by the king, noblesMost of the land owned by the king, nobles

Peasants, the majority of population Peasants, the majority of population Called the “Called the “meanmean” people” people Landless peasants provided labor Landless peasants provided labor Lived in small subterranean houses Lived in small subterranean houses Wood, bone, stone tools before iron spread in the Wood, bone, stone tools before iron spread in the

6th century B.C.E.6th century B.C.E. Women’s WorldWomen’s World

Wine making, weaving, silkworm raising Wine making, weaving, silkworm raising Managing household, raising childrenManaging household, raising children Elite women vs. poor womenElite women vs. poor women

OTHERSOTHERS Specialized labor Specialized labor

Free artisans, craftsmen in great demand Free artisans, craftsmen in great demand Also served the needs of the ruling elitesAlso served the needs of the ruling elites

Merchants, trade were important Merchants, trade were important Jade from Central Asia, tin from SE Asia Jade from Central Asia, tin from SE Asia A few pieces of pottery from IndiaA few pieces of pottery from India Merchants ranked socially lowerMerchants ranked socially lower

Slaves Slaves Mostly war prisoners Mostly war prisoners Performed hard work Performed hard work Became sacrificial victimsBecame sacrificial victims

Suspicious towards ForeignersSuspicious towards Foreigners

CHINESE POPULAR RELIGIONCHINESE POPULAR RELIGION Customary beliefs and practiceCustomary beliefs and practice

– As old as civilization in ChinaAs old as civilization in China– Never encouraged/discouraged by stateNever encouraged/discouraged by state

Believes gods, spirits (Believes gods, spirits (shenshen) influence ) influence family, worldfamily, world– Power over world affairsPower over world affairs– Deceased members of community, familyDeceased members of community, family– Deified figures of history, literatureDeified figures of history, literature– Spiritual embodiment of nature, geographySpiritual embodiment of nature, geography

Maintenance of family shrines, community Maintenance of family shrines, community templestemples– Prayers, supplicationsPrayers, supplications– Food offeringsFood offerings– Shamanism and divination are practicedShamanism and divination are practiced

THE FALL OF THE ZHOU THE FALL OF THE ZHOU

Iron metallurgy . Iron metallurgy . – Iron weapons helped regional authorities to Iron weapons helped regional authorities to

resist the central powerresist the central power– Qin mastered iron technology, weapons Qin mastered iron technology, weapons

Nomadic invasion sacked capitalNomadic invasion sacked capital Other TroublesOther Troubles

– Territorial princes became more independent Territorial princes became more independent – Warring StatesWarring States (403-221 B.C.E.) (403-221 B.C.E.) – Rise of Qin state Rise of Qin state – Last king abdicated his position in 256 B.C.E.Last king abdicated his position in 256 B.C.E.

THOUGHT, LITERATURETHOUGHT, LITERATURE Zhou literature Zhou literature

The Book of ChangeThe Book of Change, a manual of diviners , a manual of diviners The Book of HistoryThe Book of History, the history of the Zhou , the history of the Zhou The Book of RitesThe Book of Rites

– The rules of etiquette and rituals for aristocrats The rules of etiquette and rituals for aristocrats The Book of SongsThe Book of Songs

– The most notable of the classic works The most notable of the classic works – Verses on themes both light and serious Verses on themes both light and serious – Reflected social conditions of the early ZhouReflected social conditions of the early Zhou

Destruction of early literature Destruction of early literature Most Zhou writings have perished Most Zhou writings have perished 1st emperor destroyed most writings1st emperor destroyed most writings

CONFUCIUS’ SEARCH FOR ORDERCONFUCIUS’ SEARCH FOR ORDER ConfuciusConfucius (551-479 B.C.E.) (551-479 B.C.E.)

A strong-willed man, from an aristocratic family A strong-willed man, from an aristocratic family Traveled ten years searching for an official post Traveled ten years searching for an official post Educator with numerous disciples Educator with numerous disciples Sayings compiled in the Sayings compiled in the Analects Analects by disciplesby disciples

Confucian ideas Confucian ideas Fundamentally moral and ethical in character Fundamentally moral and ethical in character Restore political and social order; stress ritual Restore political and social order; stress ritual Formation of Formation of junzijunzi - "superior individuals" - "superior individuals" Edited Zhou classics for his disciples to studyEdited Zhou classics for his disciples to study

The key Confucian concepts The key Confucian concepts RenRen - a sense of humanity - a sense of humanity LiLi - a sense of propriety - a sense of propriety XiaoXiao - filial piety - filial piety 5 Relationships and filial piety as basis of society5 Relationships and filial piety as basis of society

LEGALISMLEGALISM– Legalism Legalism

The doctrine of statecraft The doctrine of statecraft – Promoted a practical and ruthlessly efficient approach Promoted a practical and ruthlessly efficient approach – No concern with ethics and morality No concern with ethics and morality – No concern with the principles governing natureNo concern with the principles governing nature

Doctrine used by Qin dynasty Doctrine used by Qin dynasty

– Shang YangShang Yang (ca. 390-338 B.C.E.) (ca. 390-338 B.C.E.) A chief minister of the Qin state A chief minister of the Qin state His policies summarized in His policies summarized in The Book of Lord ShangThe Book of Lord Shang Was executed by his political enemies Was executed by his political enemies

– Han FeiziHan Feizi (ca. 280-233 B.C.E.) (ca. 280-233 B.C.E.) Student of Xunzi, became the most articulate Student of Xunzi, became the most articulate

Legalist Legalist A synthesizer of Legalist ideasA synthesizer of Legalist ideas Forced to suicide by his political enemiesForced to suicide by his political enemies

LEGALISM IN PRACTICELEGALISM IN PRACTICE– The state's strength The state's strength

Agriculture Agriculture Military force Military force

– Discouraged commerce, education, and the Discouraged commerce, education, and the arts arts

– Harnessing self-interest of people for needs Harnessing self-interest of people for needs of stateof state

– Called “carrot and stick” approach in west Called “carrot and stick” approach in west – Called for harsh penalties even for minor Called for harsh penalties even for minor

infractions infractions – Advocated collective responsibility before law Advocated collective responsibility before law – Not popular among the Chinese, Not popular among the Chinese, – Chinese used legalism if state threatenedChinese used legalism if state threatened– Legalism still doctrine common to ChinaLegalism still doctrine common to China

MOHISMMOHISM Founder Mo ZiFounder Mo Zi

– Lived 470 – 391 BCLived 470 – 391 BC– A commoner, worked with mean peopleA commoner, worked with mean people– Served in military, ideas based on itServed in military, ideas based on it

BeliefsBeliefs– Partiality, competition causes problemsPartiality, competition causes problems– Advocates doctrine of universal loveAdvocates doctrine of universal love– Advocates cooperationAdvocates cooperation– Stress discipline, order, authority Stress discipline, order, authority – Loyalty to all elders, not familyLoyalty to all elders, not family– Emphasized practical; hate waste, warEmphasized practical; hate waste, war– Favor math, science over arts, ritualFavor math, science over arts, ritual

DAOISMDAOISM Prominent critics of ConfucianismProminent critics of Confucianism

Understand natural principles, live in harmony with Understand natural principles, live in harmony with themthem

Laozi and ZhuangziLaozi and Zhuangzi LaoziLaozi, founder of Daoism; wrote the , founder of Daoism; wrote the

DaodejingDaodejing

Philosophical DaoismPhilosophical Daoism DaoDao - The way of nature, the way of the cosmos - The way of nature, the way of the cosmos Opposites in balance, complementary Opposites in balance, complementary

PPassive, yielding, does nothing , accomplishes assive, yielding, does nothing , accomplishes everything everything

Tailor behavior to passive, yielding nature Tailor behavior to passive, yielding nature Ambition, activism brought the world to chaosAmbition, activism brought the world to chaos

DAOIST WUWEIDAOIST WUWEI– The doctrine of The doctrine of wuweiwuwei

Disengagement from worldly affairs Disengagement from worldly affairs Called for simple, unpretentious life, living in Called for simple, unpretentious life, living in

harmony with nature harmony with nature Advocated small state, self-sufficient Advocated small state, self-sufficient

community community

– Political implications Political implications Served as a counterbalance to Confucian Served as a counterbalance to Confucian

activism activism Individuals could live as Confucians by day, Individuals could live as Confucians by day,

Daoists by nightDaoists by night Generally Daoism flourishes when society at Generally Daoism flourishes when society at

peace, prosperouspeace, prosperous

UNIFICATION OF CHINAUNIFICATION OF CHINA The Qin State and DynastyThe Qin State and Dynasty

– Located in west China and adopted Legalist policies Located in west China and adopted Legalist policies – Encouraged agriculture, resulted in strong economy Encouraged agriculture, resulted in strong economy – Organized a powerful army equipped with iron Organized a powerful army equipped with iron

weapons weapons – Conquered other states and unified China in 221 Conquered other states and unified China in 221

B.C.E.B.C.E.

Qin Shi Huang diQin Shi Huang di– King of the Qin proclaimed himself First Emperor, King of the Qin proclaimed himself First Emperor,

221 B.C.E. 221 B.C.E. – Established centralized imperial ruleEstablished centralized imperial rule– Held sons of nobles as hostages; demolished nobles Held sons of nobles as hostages; demolished nobles

castles castles – Project of connecting and extending the Great WallProject of connecting and extending the Great Wall– 700,000 people worked on project; 100,000 killed700,000 people worked on project; 100,000 killed

QIN STATECRAFTQIN STATECRAFT Suppressing the resistance Suppressing the resistance

– Bitterly opposed, was opposed by Confucian scholarsBitterly opposed, was opposed by Confucian scholars– Buried 460 scholars alive because of their criticism Buried 460 scholars alive because of their criticism

against the Qin against the Qin – Burned all books except some with utilitarian value Burned all books except some with utilitarian value

Policies of centralization Policies of centralization – Standardization of laws, currencies, weights, measures Standardization of laws, currencies, weights, measures – Standardized scripts: tried to create uniform languageStandardized scripts: tried to create uniform language– Creates a uniform writing system but not language Creates a uniform writing system but not language

Tomb of the First Emperor Tomb of the First Emperor – The tomb was an underground palace The tomb was an underground palace – Excavation of the tomb since 1974 Excavation of the tomb since 1974 – Terracotta soldiers and army to protect tombTerracotta soldiers and army to protect tomb

The collapse of the Qin dynasty The collapse of the Qin dynasty – Massive public works generated ill will among people Massive public works generated ill will among people – Waves of rebels overwhelmed the Qin court in 207 B.C.E. Waves of rebels overwhelmed the Qin court in 207 B.C.E. – A short-lived dynasty, left deep marks in Chinese historyA short-lived dynasty, left deep marks in Chinese history

THE EARLY HAN DYNASTYTHE EARLY HAN DYNASTY– Han was long-lived dynastyHan was long-lived dynasty– Early Han policies Early Han policies

Sought middle way between Zhou and QinSought middle way between Zhou and Qin Royal relatives were not reliable, returned to Royal relatives were not reliable, returned to

centralized rule centralized rule

– Martial Emperor (141-87 B.C.E.) Martial Emperor (141-87 B.C.E.) Han Wudi ruled for 54 years Han Wudi ruled for 54 years Pursued centralization and expansionPursued centralization and expansion

HAN STATECRAFTHAN STATECRAFT Han centralizationHan centralization

– Adopted Legalist policies Adopted Legalist policies Built an enormous bureaucracy to rule the empire Built an enormous bureaucracy to rule the empire Continued to build roads and canals Continued to build roads and canals Levied taxes on agriculture, trade, and craft industries Levied taxes on agriculture, trade, and craft industries Imperial monopolies on production of iron and salt Imperial monopolies on production of iron and salt

– Established Confucian educational system for training Established Confucian educational system for training bureaucrats bureaucrats

Confucianism as the basis of the curriculum in imperial university Confucianism as the basis of the curriculum in imperial university Thirty thousand students enrolled in the university in Later Han Thirty thousand students enrolled in the university in Later Han

Han imperial expansion Han imperial expansion – Invaded and colonized northern Vietnam and Korea Invaded and colonized northern Vietnam and Korea – Extended China into central Asia Extended China into central Asia

HAN SOCIAL STRUCTUREHAN SOCIAL STRUCTURE• Large, multigenerational compound families also Large, multigenerational compound families also

developed developed • Women's subordination (Ban Zhao Women's subordination (Ban Zhao Admonitions for Admonitions for

Women)Women) • Differences apparent between noble, lower class womenDifferences apparent between noble, lower class women• Scholar bureaucrats: Confucian trained bureaucratsScholar bureaucrats: Confucian trained bureaucrats

• Officials selected through competitive testingOfficials selected through competitive testing• Used to run the government in Early HanUsed to run the government in Early Han

• Scholar GentryScholar Gentry• Confucian bureaucrats intermarried with landed eliteConfucian bureaucrats intermarried with landed elite• New class comes to dominate local, national officesNew class comes to dominate local, national offices• Strongest in late HanStrongest in late Han

• Merchants held in low social esteemMerchants held in low social esteem

TRADE AND COMMERCETRADE AND COMMERCE– Iron metallurgy: Farming tools, utensils, and Iron metallurgy: Farming tools, utensils, and

weaponsweapons– State monopolies on liquor, salt and iron State monopolies on liquor, salt and iron – Silk textiles Silk textiles

High quality Chinese silk became a prized commodityHigh quality Chinese silk became a prized commodity Traded as far a field as India, Persia, Mesopotamia, and Traded as far a field as India, Persia, Mesopotamia, and

Rome Rome – Paper production Paper production

Invented probably before 100 C.E. Invented probably before 100 C.E. Began to replace silk and bamboo as writing materials Began to replace silk and bamboo as writing materials

– Population growth Population growth Increased from twenty to sixty million from 220 B.C.E. to 9 Increased from twenty to sixty million from 220 B.C.E. to 9

C.E. C.E. Despite light taxation, state revenue was largeDespite light taxation, state revenue was large

– Silk Road established: horses for silkSilk Road established: horses for silk

HAN TROUBLESHAN TROUBLES Expeditions consumed the empire's Expeditions consumed the empire's

surplus surplus Raised taxes and confiscated land of some Raised taxes and confiscated land of some

wealthy individuals wealthy individuals Much of defense consumed on defending against Much of defense consumed on defending against

nomads nomads Social tensions, stratification Social tensions, stratification

between the poor and rich between the poor and rich Problems of land distribution Problems of land distribution

– Early Han supported land redistributionEarly Han supported land redistribution– Lands accumulated in the hands of a few Lands accumulated in the hands of a few

LOSS OF THE MANDATELOSS OF THE MANDATE

– Collapse of the HanCollapse of the Han Factions at court paralyzed the central Factions at court paralyzed the central

government government Han empire dissolvedHan empire dissolved China was divided into regional kingdomsChina was divided into regional kingdoms