ANCIENT AND ANCIENT AND CLASSICAL CLASSICAL

CHINACHINA

How it all began-How it all began-

– King Yao, King Shun, and King Yu King Yao, King Shun, and King Yu reflected the values of society. reflected the values of society. Legends of early China. Legends of early China.

Settling DownSettling Down

– Domesticated Domesticated rice, millet, wheat, rice, millet, wheat, and barleyand barley beginning around beginning around 7000 B.C.E. in the valleys of the 7000 B.C.E. in the valleys of the Yangzi and Huang-he Yangzi and Huang-he (Yellow)rivers.(Yellow)rivers.

EMERGENCE OF CHINESE EMERGENCE OF CHINESE SOCIETYSOCIETY

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

– The Yellow River (Huang he)The Yellow River (Huang he) Loess soil left behind after floods. The Loess soil left behind after floods. The

river was "China's Sorrow" as it flooded river was "China's Sorrow" as it flooded uncontrollably uncontrollably

– 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, Excavations at Banpo village: fine pottery,

bone toolsbone tools

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• Erlitou: possibly the capital city of Erlitou: possibly the capital city of

the Xiathe Xia• Some still not convinced it existed. Some still not convinced 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 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 Use of writing with two thousand charactersUse of writing with two thousand characters Shang-kings were warriors Shang-kings were warriors Constant struggle with nobles for powerConstant struggle with nobles for power 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

Oracle Bones

Rulers, people looked to them for Rulers, people looked to them for answers.answers.

Primary instruments of fortune-tellers Primary instruments of fortune-tellers – Discovery of the "dragon bones" in 1890s Discovery of the "dragon bones" in 1890s – Bones recorded day-to-day concerns Bones recorded day-to-day concerns

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 taxes, revolts, invasions, Corruption, heavy taxes, revolts, invasions, civil wars, crime, natural disasters, etccivil wars, crime, natural disasters, etc

Mandate of Heaven

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 toppled by the The last Shang king was toppled by the

Zhou.Zhou. – Political organization Political organization

Adopted Adopted decentralizeddecentralized administration administration Used princes and relatives to rule regionsUsed princes and relatives to rule regions Laid groundwork for political legitimacy. Laid groundwork for political legitimacy.

THE FALL OF THE ZHOU THE FALL OF THE ZHOU

--Iron weapons helped regional authorities to Iron weapons helped regional authorities to resist the central power. Territorial princes resist the central power. Territorial princes became more independent.became more independent.

– Nomadic invasionsNomadic invasions– Warring StatesWarring States Period (403-221 B.C.E.) Period (403-221 B.C.E.)

– Rise of Qin stateRise of Qin state

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 Only males could perform religious dutiesOnly males could perform religious duties

Filial PietyFilial Piety 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 Royal family and allied noble families at the top top

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

Landless peasants provided labor Landless peasants provided labor Women’s WorldWomen’s World

Managing household, raising childrenManaging household, raising children

OTHERSOTHERS Slaves Slaves

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

Suspicious towards ForeignersSuspicious towards ForeignersTraded with nomads to the north and Traded with nomads to the north and

west for horseswest for horsesSouthern rivals were Chu..Southern rivals were Chu..

Literature of the early ChineseLiterature of the early Chinese

Zhou Classics included:Zhou Classics included:

Book of ChangesBook of Changes

Book of SongsBook of Songs

Book of History Book of History

Book of RitesBook of Rites

Most destroyed by Qin DynastyMost destroyed by Qin Dynasty

CHINESE POPULAR RELIGIONCHINESE POPULAR RELIGION Co-exists well with all major Co-exists well with all major

ideas, philosophiesideas, philosophies Believes gods, spirits (Believes gods, spirits (shenshen) )

influence family, worldinfluence family, world Maintenance of family shrines, Maintenance of family shrines,

community templescommunity temples

HOUSEHOLD & PUBLIC RITUALSHOUSEHOLD & PUBLIC RITUALS Household RitualsHousehold Rituals

– Always performed by malesAlways performed by males– Expression of Confucian filial pietyExpression of Confucian filial piety

Domestic altarDomestic altarNames of deceased, iconsNames of deceased, icons

Public RitualsPublic Rituals– Preserve social harmony, local identityPreserve social harmony, local identity

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

Sayings compiled in the Sayings compiled in the Analects Analects by by disciplesdisciples

Confucian ideas Confucian ideas Fundamentally moral and ethical in Fundamentally moral and ethical in

character. Kindness and humanity=rencharacter. Kindness and humanity=ren Restore political and social order; stress Restore political and social order; stress

ritual, practicality.ritual, practicality.

The key Confucian idea:The key Confucian idea: 5 Relationships and filial piety as basis 5 Relationships and filial piety as basis

of societyof society

LATER CONFUCIANSLATER CONFUCIANS

MenciusMencius (372-289 B.C.E.) (372-289 B.C.E.) – Most influential of Post-Confucius Most influential of Post-Confucius

thinkers. Government by benevolence, thinkers. Government by benevolence, humanityhumanity

XunziXunzi (298-238 B.C.E.) (298-238 B.C.E.) – Cast doubt on the goodness of human Cast doubt on the goodness of human

nature nature – Harsh social discipline to order to Harsh social discipline to order to

society society

LEGALISMLEGALISM– Legalism Legalism

– Promoted a practical and ruthless approach Promoted a practical and ruthless approach – No concern with ethics and morality No concern with ethics and morality

Doctrine used by Qin dynasty Doctrine used by Qin dynasty

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

– The Book of Lord ShangThe Book of Lord Shang– Called for harsh penalties even for minor Called for harsh penalties even for minor

infractions infractions

– 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 Forced to suicide by his political enemiesForced to suicide by his political enemies

MOHISMMOHISM Founder Mo ZiFounder Mo Zi

– Lived 470 – 391 BCLived 470 – 391 BC– Served in military, ideas based on itServed in military, ideas based on it

BeliefsBeliefs– Advocates doctrine of universal love and Advocates doctrine of universal love and

cooperationcooperation– Stress discipline, order, authority Stress discipline, order, authority – Loyalty to all elders, not familyLoyalty to all elders, not family

DAOISMDAOISM Prominent critics of ConfucianismProminent critics of Confucianism

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

Wuwei is to be disengage from affairs of worldWuwei is to be disengage from affairs of world

Laozi -Laozi -founder of Daoismfounder of Daoism Philosophical DaoismPhilosophical Daoism

DaoDao - - The way The way of nature, the way of the cosmosof nature, the way of the cosmos Opposites in balance, complementary Opposites in balance, complementary Flourishes when peace prevailsFlourishes when peace prevails Daodejing-textDaodejing-text

Popular Daoism Popular Daoism A folk or religious form of Daoism; not philosophicalA folk or religious form of Daoism; not philosophical

– Emerged at end of Han DynastyEmerged at end of Han Dynasty– Seek to master forces of natural, spiritual worldSeek to master forces of natural, spiritual world

Many deities including immortalsMany deities including immortals– Gods associated with natural cycles, agricultureGods associated with natural cycles, agriculture

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

– 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.– Legalism prevailedLegalism prevailed– Agriculture and traditional learning were a state’s Agriculture and traditional learning were a state’s

strength.strength.

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

QIN STATECRAFTQIN STATECRAFT Cruel Repression of resistance. Burned non-Cruel Repression of resistance. Burned non-

traditional books.traditional books. Standardization: Standardization:

– laws, currencies, weights, measures, writing laws, currencies, weights, measures, writing

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

(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 tomb)Terracotta soldiers and army to protect tomb)

THE EARLY HAN DYNASTYTHE EARLY HAN DYNASTY– Liu Bang Liu Bang

Restored order, established dynasty, 206 B.C.E. Restored order, established dynasty, 206 B.C.E.

– 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 Established Imperial universityEstablished Imperial university Brought much of Opponents, Xiongnu (under Brought much of Opponents, Xiongnu (under

Maodun) under Chinese control.Maodun) under Chinese control.

HAN STATECRAFTHAN STATECRAFT Han centralizationHan centralization

– 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 Levied taxes on agriculture, trade, and craft

industries industries – Established Confucian educational system for Established Confucian educational system for

training bureaucrats training bureaucrats

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

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

utensils, and weaponsutensils, and weapons– State monopolies on liquor, salt and State monopolies on liquor, salt and

iron iron – Silk textiles Silk textiles

High quality Chinese silk became a prized High quality Chinese silk became a prized commoditycommodity

Traded as far a field as India, Persia, Traded as far a field as India, Persia, Mesopotamia, and Rome Mesopotamia, and Rome

– Paper production Paper production Invented probably before 100 C.E. Invented probably before 100 C.E.

– Silk Road establishedSilk Road established

HAN TROUBLESHAN TROUBLES Raised taxes Raised taxes Much of defense consumed on defending against nomads Much of defense consumed on defending against nomads

Social tensions, stratification between the poor and rich Social tensions, stratification between the poor and rich Problems of land distribution Problems of land distribution

– Early Han supported land redistributionEarly Han supported land redistribution– Economic difficulties forced some small landowners to sell property Economic difficulties forced some small landowners to sell property – Some sold themselves or their families into slavery Some sold themselves or their families into slavery – Lands accumulated in the hands of a few Lands accumulated in the hands of a few – No land reform, because Han needed cooperation of large No land reform, because Han needed cooperation of large

landowners landowners The reign of Wang Mang The reign of Wang Mang

– A powerful Han minister A powerful Han minister – Dethroned the baby emperor, claimed imperial title himself, 9 C.E. Dethroned the baby emperor, claimed imperial title himself, 9 C.E. – Land reforms - the "socialist emperor" Land reforms - the "socialist emperor" – Overthrown by revolts, 23 C.E.Overthrown by revolts, 23 C.E.

LOSS OF THE MANDATELOSS OF THE MANDATE– The Later Han Dynasty (25-220 C.E.) The Later Han Dynasty (25-220 C.E.)

Overthrown of Wang Mang restores HanOverthrown of Wang Mang restores Han New Han much weakenedNew Han much weakened Rule often through large families, gentryRule often through large families, gentry Rise of Eunuchs in government as new source of powerRise of Eunuchs in government as new source of power The Yellow Turban Uprising (Daoist Revolt)The Yellow Turban Uprising (Daoist Revolt)

– Rulers restored order but did not address problem of Rulers restored order but did not address problem of landholding landholding

– Yellow Turban uprising inflicted serious damage on the Han Yellow Turban uprising inflicted serious damage on the Han

– Collapse of the HanCollapse of the Han Factions at court paralyzed the central government Factions at court paralyzed the central government Han empire dissolvedHan empire dissolved China was divided into regional kingdomsChina was divided into regional kingdoms