China

During the time period that Ancient Greece, Rome and the Mauryan and Gupta empires existed, China was thriving. China is a classical civilization because it has contributed a great deal to later civilizations.

Geographic Setting

Chinese civilization developed along the Huang He (Yellow) River, and the Yangtze River.

Mountains, deserts and ocean contributed to China being more isolated than other civilizations

Having little contact with other civilizations led the Chinese to believe China was the center of the earth, so they called it the Middle Kingdom

Huang He (Yellow River)

Yangtze River

Flooding along the Yangtze River (below)

Shang Dynasty 1650 B.C.

A Chinese family called the Shang took control

Power was passed from family member to family member

Dynasty: ruling family Polytheism Worship of dead ancestors Yin-Yang: the universe is

held in a delicate balance between these two forces

Chinese writing develops: tens of thousands of characters

Zhou Dynasty 1027 B.C. – 221 B.C.

Zhou overthrow the Shang and establish a new dynasty

The Zhou now acquired the Mandate of Heaven, the belief that the gods gave them the right to rule

Established a feudal society – regions controlled by local lords who give military support to the ruler.

Chinese began to make books Astronomers studied the stars and

planets Developed a calendar Began to make silk from the

cocoons of silkworms Develop roads and canals for trade

Chinese Silk

Silk Worms Silk Robe

Dynastic Cycle

Qin Dynasty 221 B.C. – 206 B.C.

Qin people overthrow the Zhou and rule

The Qin dynasty now has the Mandate of Heaven

Centralizes the government and creates military districts

Emperor Shi Huangdi created national coins, repaired canals and roads, and promoted Chinese writing

The Great Wall of China was started during the Qin Dynasty

Over 4000 Mile Long

Guarded by over 1Million Men

Close to 3 million will die during its construction

The Great Wall of China

Rise of the Han

After Shi Hugandi’s death the Chinese people revolted against the Qin

A new dynasty came to power: Han

Harsh policies and taxes were reduced

The Han expanded their empire through military conquests

Han Dynasty: Government 206 B.C. – A.D. 220

Emperor Wudi established civil service system to strengthen government

Educated citizens would help run the government

Exams were given based on the teachings of the Chinese philosopher: Confucius

Imperial universities established to teach Confucian philosophy.

Painting of Confucius to the left

Han Dynasty: Economy

Roads and canals improved for internal trade

Government monopoly on salt and iron

Storage areas created for surplus grain

Developed the Silk Roads

The Silk Roads

The Han Dynasty opened a trade route called the Silk Roads

They linked China with lands west (Mesopotamia)

It eventually stretched 4,000 miles

Few merchants actually traveled the entire length

The Silk Roads

The Silk Roads

Han Dynasty: Social Structure

Confucian values became very important in daily life and the government

Confucianism spelled out proper behavior for all members of society

Five Relationships EXAMPLE: Men were thought to be

superior to women Therefore women could

not take civil service exams and not hold government jobs

Han ContributionsA “Golden Age’ in China

Jade Carving Technology: The Chinese made paper out of wood pulp

They also invented the wheelbarrow; fishing reel; and the rudder

Science: In medicine the Han developed acupuncture, and experimented with anesthesia

Art: Jade and ivory carvings and works in bronze, ceramics and silk

Acupuncture

Decline of the Han Empire

The Han empire fell because of weak leaders (after emperor Wudi)

Subsequent leaders unable to control local warlords The canals and roads began to crumble and were not

maintained High taxes were imposed on Chinese citizens leading to

revolts Invaders came from the north, overrunning the Great Wall

of China For 400 years China will be divided into competing

kingdoms

The Tang (618 -907 CE) and

Song (960 -1279 CE)Dynasties

In 627 CE a powerful general named Tang Taizong reclaims lands lost after decline of the Han and restores the Middle Kingdom

The Tang Dynasties empire stretched from the China Sea to central Asia

Wu Zhao (690-705 CE) is the first female empress and will extend Chinese influence over Korea

Tang Dynasty

Tang Dynasty and Social Classes

Chinese peasants farming the land

China had a strict social order At the top were the gentry or wealthy landowners

who were educated in Confucian philosophy Next were the peasants who were the majority of

the population and farmed and lived in small villages

Last were the merchants. They were often rich but looked down upon since they made their riches from work done by others

Women gained rights and ran the household. However boys were valued over girls. Girls were subjected to foot binding.

Tang Dynasty

Government Tang rulers revived the civil

service exams Set up schools for males This resulted in a highly

educated ruling class Guided by Confucianism

(duty – rank – proper behavior)

Tang emperors forced Vietnam, Korea, and Tibet to become tributary states, meaning they had to pay taxes to China

Tang: Economy

Economy To encourage trade and

transportation, canals (Grand Canal) and roads were built

The Grand Canal linked the Huang He and Yangzi Rivers

(northern and southern China) Land was also taken from rich

landowners and redistributed to peasants

Agriculture: Rice production helps feed the world’s largest population

Ocean trade and cultural diffusion with India, Persia, Middle East

The Grand Canal in China

Song Dynasty: 960 – 1279 CE

Song Taizu is first emperor of Song Dynasty

Reunites China after 50 years of warlords

Never regain lands lost during Tang decline

Keep China stable, powerful, prosperous,

Economic growth in Southern China trade

Song Dynasty1127 – 1279CE

Internal rebellions led to the fall of the Tang dynasty

Liao and Jing dynasties emerge Nomads and agriculturalists Confucian rulers, Buddhist monarchs, nomad

leaders Song developed seafaring contacts with

Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asia Standing professional, paid military

High-grade iron and steel for weapons, armour, and developed/used gunpowder

Economy and Society

Neo-Confucian philosophy and Zen Buddhist practices

Population rise to 100 million Women’s status declined – entirely

subordinate to men, remarriage forbidden, no rights to own or manage property, foot-binding extremely popular a status symbol for wealthy.

Song Dynasty Literature and Arts

Chinese authors wrote short stories and poetry

Chinese landscape paintings were popular during the Song Dynasty and showed a love of nature

Scholar officials expected to own fine art and write poetry.

Art: Calligraphy

Chinese calligraphy or the art of fine handwriting flourished during the Tang and Song Dynasties

Architecture: Pagoda

Chinese architects created the pagoda

A temple with a roof that curved up at the corners

The Chinese also made porcelain, a hard shiny pottery

Art: Chinese Porcelain

Science and Technology

Moveable Type Gunpowder Mechanical Clock Paper Money Magnetic Compass

Chinese Influence on Japan

The Japanese first learned about Chinese culture through Korea

During the Tang Dynasty, Japan sent nobles to China to study

They brought back Chinese ideas and technology

By the 800s, Japan had begun to blend some of the Chinese ideas with Japanese culture: Food, Dance, Clothes, Gardens, Language

Chinese Influence on Korea

Hereditary elite took Confucianism and Buddhism from China Unified by 600s

Used woodblock printing Invented moveable type and chared with Song

China

Japanese Culture

Mountainous terrain Hundreds of small states Mid-17th century unification: centralized government,

legal code, national histories, architecture, city planning (Tang influence)

Kept concept of Emperorship and Shinto religion and Buddhism

Developed a constitution in 604 1000s Feudalism developed a rigid class structure

with warrior clans becoming powerful and wealthy Kamakura Shogunate took control of Japan

Chinese Influence on Vietnam

Geographical proximity and similar wet lands made it suitable for integration with southern China (Tang and Song times)

Rice agriculture Modeled high culture after Chinese Champa in southern Vietnam influenced by

Malay and India culture Confucius interest in hierarchy Status of women varied

Dynasties of China

Big Picture

Strengthened Central Government Strict Social Classes Strong Economy Achievements in Art and Architecture Influenced Japanese and other Cultures