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?
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?