Classical CivilizationChina

Early China1200BCE-250BCE

• Isolated

• Cultural heritage stressed basic harmony of nature and balance of opposites. Yin/yang

• Emerged from the classical period as a well integrated civilization in which government, philosophy, economics, and family relationships were intended to blend into a harmonious whole

Dynasties

•History is cyclical….one dynasty falls, another takes it’s place…what do we call this cycle?Shang

Zhou

Era of Warring States

Qin

Han

Zhou1029-258BCE

• Middle Kingdom

• Ruled with an alliance system A type of Feudalism

• Mandate of Heaven began

• A unifying language began: Mandarin…who speaks it?

• Frequent attacks by nomads

• Zhou fell and China entered into the Era of Warring States (403-221BCE) 3 Schools of Thoughts emerge

Legalism, Confucianism, Daoism

Qin Dynasty221-202BCE

•Shi Huangdi (1st Emperor)Where we get the name for China

What type of leader was he? Loved by the people? Feared? Effective?

How did he “fix” China?

Took power back from the nobles…made them all live with him..why?

Qin Continued

•Used his army to seize more land

•Built the Great Wall of China3000 miles long

Who built it?

Census for tax purposes; coinage; promoted silk manufacturing

Censored books/arts…why?

Great Wall of China

Shi Huangdi’s Tomb

Confucius551-479BCE

• Created a central belief system for china based on obedience and respect Appropriate Feelings Correct Actions

• Make education accessible to all

• Filial piety was key…what is this?

• 5 Key relationships Ruler to subject Father to son Husband to wife Older brother to younger brother Friend to friend

• Analects

Daoism (the way of nature)5th century BCE

• During Zhou

• Lao-zi-founder

• Added the mysteries of nature to Confucius beliefs

• Live frugally/don’t worry about politics or academics

• Leaders liked b/c it didn’t threaten their power

Legalism

• “Firm” approach utilized by Qin

• In a proper state the army would control and the people would labor

•Strict laws and order were necessary

•Qin Shihaungdi was a BIG believer in legalism

What did ancient Chinese philosophers think was the ideal form of government?

Document Analysis

What is a primary source?What is a secondary source?What are the advantages/disadvantages of each?

Han Dynasty206BCE-220CE

• Maintained a centralized government

• Less brutal than Qin, begin their rule using Legalism, then backed off

• Expanded territory/Military Might

• Contact with Middle Eastern empires

• Traded with Roman Empire, India, Central Asia

Silk Road

• Agriculture was the mainstay of their economy…flourished during this time

Han Expansion• Increased foreign policy of expansion

• Incorporated as part of the empire:

N. Vietnam

Korea

Central Asia

Han Continued

•Wu Di/Wu Ti (141-87 BCE)Ruler who built roads, canals, established a University based on ConfucianismCivil Service Exam

Government?

•Effective even with a large territoryStrong local rule with ZhouQin assigned governors to help him rule + a division of labor within the government

Han Dynasty had appointed officials as well…also required a Civil Service Exam…intent? To allow ALL an opportunity to serve gov’t…in reality?

Social Structure/Gender Roles

• Patriarchal

• Women Strengthen family by marrying well

Widows could remarry

Upper class women received some education Writing, arts, music…Ban Zhou

• Highest rank = Scholar-Gentry $$, Owned land, small % of the population

• Large % = peasants

• Merchants? $$ but seen as lower class…why?

B/c they didn’t “produce” anything/contribute to society but “mooched” off of others….

Order of Classical Chinese Society

• 1. Mandarins (landowning Aristocracy)

• 2. Peasants (laborers)/Artisans

• 3. “Mean” people (unskilled laborers)/slaves

• 4. what about Merchants?

Religion/Culture

• Zhou – believed in gods, but not a huge

deal

• Harmony in earthly life

• Unify society/no excess/dedication to

ancestors/chopsticks…why

chopsticks?/tea

• Family…still #1 • Filial Piety • Daoism and

nature…increased importance in Han Dynasty

Culture/Arts/Science/Tech• The 5 Classics (books)

Basis for Civil Service exam

• Art/calligraphy/carved jade/silk screens

• Calendar (365.5days)

• Saw planetary movement before Europe by 1500 yrs

• InventionsWheelbarrow, horse collars(ease for plowing), watermills, rudders for ships, compass, paper…

Why was paper a big deal?