CHAPTER 4Unification and the Consolidation of Civilization in China

World Civilization: The Global ExperienceFifth Edition

Stearns/Adas/Schwartz/Gilbert

Copyright 2007, Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman

Chapter 4: Unification and the Consolidation of Civilization in China

Stearns et al., World Civilizations: The Global Experience, 5th Edition Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman, Copyright 2007

I. Philosophical Remedies for the Prolonged Crisis of the Later ZhouII. The Triumph of the Qin and Imperial UnityIII. The Han Dynasty and the Foundations of China’s Classical AgeIV. The Later Han

Chapter 4: Unification and the Consolidation of Civilization in China

Stearns et al., World Civilizations: The Global Experience, 5th Edition Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman, Copyright 2007

Kung Fuzi (Confucius)

Late 500s B.C.E.

Wandering scholars

Analects, collected sayings

I. Philosophical Remedies for the Prolonged Crisis

of the Later Zhou

Role of shi gives way to military, aristocracy

Merchants become important

A. Confucius and the Restoration of the ShiConcern with stability, peace

Role of moral elite

Education central

B. The Confucian GentlemanMoral rectitudePublic and private spheres equally

importantKings should be reminded of duties

Chapter 4: Unification and the Consolidation of Civilization in China

Stearns et al., World Civilizations: The Global Experience, 5th Edition Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman, Copyright 2007

I. Philosophical Remedies for the Prolonged Crisis of the Later Zhou

C. The Heirs of ConfuciusDivision: Mencius, SunziMencius

Natural goodnessGovernment should encourage goodness

through consent

SunziNatural weakness, evilGovernment must be strongEducation improving Legalists

D. Daoist AlternativesLaozi

PhilosopherRetreat from society

State cannot solve all problemsNature

Dao, cosmic forceMeditation

Chapter 4: Unification and the Consolidation of Civilization in China

Stearns et al., World Civilizations: The Global Experience, 5th Edition Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman, Copyright 2007

II. The Triumph of the Qin and Imperial Unity

Qin DynastyOriginally nomadic, marginalShi Huangdi

Zhou rivalc. 200 B.C.E.

China from the Later Zhou to the Han Era

Chapter 4: Unification and the Consolidation of Civilization in China

Stearns et al., World Civilizations: The Global Experience, 5th Edition Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman, Copyright 2007

II. The Triumph of the Qin and Imperial Unity

A. The Transformation of a “Barbarian” Land

ReformsImproved technologyPeasants freedAutonomous warrior lords

weakenedShi used in bureaucracyMilitary transformed

Influence of nomadsCavalryCrossbow

B. The LegalistsShang YangAbsolute rulers under rule of law

All to serve the state

Chapter 4: Unification and the Consolidation of Civilization in China

Stearns et al., World Civilizations: The Global Experience, 5th Edition Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman, Copyright 2007

II. The Triumph of the Qin and Imperial Unity

C. Shi Huangdi, Emperor of ChinaUnification by 221 B.C.E. Warriors disarmedUpper classes to live in capital

XianyangUnification: common writing,

coinage, weights and measures

Great Wall

D. Opposition207 B.C.E., rebellion Lasting impact

China from the Later Zhou to the Han Era

Chapter 4: Unification and the Consolidation of Civilization in China

Stearns et al., World Civilizations: The Global Experience, 5th Edition Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman, Copyright 2007

III. The Han Dynasty and the Foundations of China’s Classical Age

Liu Bang (Gaozu)Peasant202 B.C.E., becomes first ruler

A. The Restoration of Imperial ControlCentralized state

ExpansionHsiung-nu nomads

Sporadically disruptiveRealm extended to Korea and VietnamAssimilation

Education common

Chapter 4: Unification and the Consolidation of Civilization in China

Stearns et al., World Civilizations: The Global Experience, 5th Edition Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman, Copyright 2007

III. The Han Dynasty and the Foundations of China’s Classical Age

B. The ShiLegalists replaced by shi

Dominance of ConfucianismBasis of government exams

Education, ExaminationsExamination systemMeritocracy

The Scholar-GentryBasic strata: the shi, other free subjects,

the “mean people”local property-owners linked to shi

scholar-gentry

Chapter 4: Unification and the Consolidation of Civilization in China

Stearns et al., World Civilizations: The Global Experience, 5th Edition Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman, Copyright 2007

III. The Han Dynasty and the Foundations of China’s Classical Age

C. Class and Gender Roles in Han SocietyPeasants

Range from dependent poor to more wealthyProduction increased

More land in cultivationHorse collar, wheelbarrow

Formed secret societies

WomenMore freedom in this periodUpper classes

Arranged marriagesEducation common

Medicine: diagnosis, remedies, acupuncture

Chapter 4: Unification and the Consolidation of Civilization in China

Stearns et al., World Civilizations: The Global Experience, 5th Edition Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman, Copyright 2007

III. The Han Dynasty and the Foundations of China’s Classical Age

D. Towns and CommerceXian, capital

Walls, towersGrid patternapprox. 100,000 citizens

approx. 100,000 in hinterland"Forbidden city“

Trade

Chapter 4: Unification and the Consolidation of Civilization in China

Stearns et al., World Civilizations: The Global Experience, 5th Edition Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman, Copyright 2007

III. The Han Dynasty and the Foundations of China’s Classical Age

E. Arts and SciencesInvention

Innovative periodPaperCompassesWatermillsRuddersTechnology improves

ArtDecorative arts thriveCalligraphy

ScienceCalendar: 365.5Medicine: diagnosis, remedies, acupuncture

Chapter 4: Unification and the Consolidation of Civilization in China

Stearns et al., World Civilizations: The Global Experience, 5th Edition Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Longman, Copyright 2007

IV. The Later Han

A. CrisisEmperor's wivesWang family, 9 - 23 C.E.

Wang MangOverthrown by scholar-gentry and

peasants

B. Later HanRestoration, 23 C.E. Central power declines