Times

World History,Mrs. Bloom

China in Ancient and Classical Times

I. Geography: most isolated ancient civilization A. Himalayan mountains

B. Gobi Desert

C. Pacific Ocean

*note*• Chinese society has always

required a high degree of cooperation to feed its people, since historically, its population has been concentrated in the CENTRAL and EASTERN regions.

• Look at the following two maps to speculate why.

Population distribution today

II. Ancient China A. Huang he/Yellow River

B. Frequent threat of invasion by nearby nomads

C. China’s first dynasty: Shang dynasty

1. Laid the foundation for Chinese civilization

2. Tradition of prayers to the spirits of their ancestors to bring good fortune.

3. Some earliest examples of Chinese writing are on oracle bones

4. These pictographs and ideographs evolved into calligraphy

III. Classical China: The Zhou Dynasty

A. Justified rebellion against the Shang via the Mandate of Heaven (claiming that the gods gave them the right to rule)

(note: Zhou is pronounced “Joe”)

B. The Mandate of Heaven became adopted into Chinese culture to explain why floods, famine, and other catastrophes occurred

(evidence that the gods no longer favored that dynasty, duty of the people to overthrow them).

C. Middle Kingdom

China’s core: between the Yellow and the Yangzi River

IV. The short-lived Qin DynastyA. Origin of the name

“China”

B. Strict rule brought necessary order

C. Centralized power to unite this vast region

(Qin is pronounced “Chin”)

V. The Han Dynasty

A. Reaction to brutality of Qin dynasty

B. “Golden Age” of early Chinese civilization

C. “Silk Road” began in this period, linking China to the west

D. Strong bureaucracy based on Confucianism: ethical and political system

1. Civil service exams: well-educated government officials (scholar-gentry), “meritocracy”

2. Loyalty and cohesion at all levels of society

a. Central government directly appointed officials

b. Local cohesion: civic duty

1. local leaders

2. *filial piety

i. importance of extended family

ii. patriarchal

VI. Philosophy and Religion in China

A. Confucianism: a philosophy, not a religion

1. Analects

2. Promoted social harmony via rituals and social relationships

a. Treat those above you in the social hierarchy with respect and set a good example for those below you. *This includes rulers!!

b. Proper behavior will bring order, peace and stability to the Chinese.

c. Confucianism is still very influential in Chinese society today

Confucius says, “Do unto others as your status and theirs dictate.”

“When a prince’s personal conduct is correct, his government is effective without the issuing of orders. If his personal conduct is not correct, he may issue orders, but they will not be followed.”

Confucius says…

“Forget injuries, never forget kindness.”

“When we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inward and examine ourselves.”

“When anger rises, think of the consequences.”

B. Daoism: “the way”

1. Lao-tzu2. Sought to

live in harmony with nature (“go with the flow”).

3. Chinese worldview: the universe reflected a delicate balance between yin (earth, darkness and female forces) and yang (heaven, light, and male forces).

Daoism…

4. not interested in politics or the government, or other “worldly affairs”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NitBpJaom5k

Star Wars, Yoda and Daoism

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmGhSdHJ41U&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fE8PieLJttY&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4hb7NcrJzQ

“The universe is sacred. You cannot improve it. If you try to change it, you will ruin it. If you try to hold it, you will lose it.”

-Lao Tzu

5. Daoist influence on Chinese culture

a. Architecture: feng shui http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vX-GvCHdYQM&feature=player_embedded

b. Medical theories/practices: 1. Tai Chi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAe95N3T8q8

2. Acupuncture

C. Many people adopted a blend of Confucianism

and Daoism

D. Legalism

1. Advocates believed that people are inherently (born) evil, must learn how to be good.

Legalism…

2. Promoted strict laws and harsh punishments. Rulers should be strong.

3. This philosophy is most associated with the Qin dynasty

-Great Wall of China laborers

VII. Technological achievements:

A. Accurate calendar

B. Silk making (which became

China’s most valuable export, thus the name of the Silk Road)

C. Paper, Books

D. Regulation and standardization

1. Coins

2. Weights

3. Measures

E. AstronomyF.

ShipbuildingG. Stirrups

H. Terrace agriculture

VIII. Intellectual achievements

A. Art

B. Standardized language and written script

C. Single law code

Ancient and Classical China: Conclusion

• Period of growing pains; their culture and institutions become well-established throughout the classical period

• Confucianism = glue– Isolation, harmony

“No other government had the organization and staff to reach ordinary people so directly until virtually modern times, except in much smaller political units…”

-Stearns textbook

CHINESE DYNASTY SONGSing to “Frere Jacques” (repeat

each line twice)

Shang, Zhou, Qin, Han Sui, Tang, Song

Yuan, Ming, Qing, Republic

Mao and Deng