Classical Civilization China
Early China 1200BCE-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
Zhou 1029-258BCE 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 Dynasty 221-202BCE Shi Huangdi (1 st 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 China 3000 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
Confucius 551-479BCE 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) 5 th 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 Dynasty 206BCE-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 Confucianism Civil Service Exam
Government? Effective even with a large territory Strong local rule with Zhou Qin 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 Inventions Wheelbarrow, horse collars(ease for plowing), watermills, rudders for ships, compass, paper Why was paper a big deal?