Three great classical civilizations of China, India, and the Mediterranean involved expansion and integration. These themes faltered between 200 and 500 C.E., signaling the end of that era. The response of major religions to political decline formed a leading direction in the next phase of world history.

CHAPTER 5The Classical Period: Directions, Diversities, and

Declines by 500 C.E

Expansion and Integration.

Responses to expansion included philosophers like Confucius, Buddha, and Socrates. Integration involved two basic issues: 1. How to govern the new territories2. How to create social cohesion throughout the empire. Chinese and Indians were more successful at establishing social cohesion than the Mediterranean

Beyond the Classical Civilizations. Outside the classical civilizations: 1. Agriculture spread to northern Europe and northern Asia. 2. Central Asia: nomadic societies disrupted classical civilizations. 3. Africa, the kingdom of Kush was flourishing by 1000 B.C.E. Defeated by Axum and later Ethiopia. 4. Western Africa was Ghana.

CHAPTER 5The Classical Period: Directions, Diversities, and

Declines by 500 C.E

5. Japan, 400 C.E. Political organization on a national scale led to imperial rule. By 600 C.E., Japan made contacts with China. 6. Northern Europe: Regional Leaders (Feudalism) Agriculture was still rather primitive 600 the Scandinavians began trading with and pillaging Europeans near them. 7. Central America The Olmecs: Pyramids and defining an accurate calendar. They influenced their successors, including the Teotihuacan and the Maya.

8. Andes Region: Small cultures led to the Inca Empire. NOTE: Olmecs and Andean lacked the

wheel and iron technology.

9. Polynesians, who reached Fiji and Samoa by 1000 B.C.E. By 400 C.E., they spread their civilization to

Hawaii by traveling in large outrigger canoes. 10. Nomads of Central Asia: contact with China. Silk Road and created technologies like the stirrup. Their invasions end of the classical era.

Decline in China and India. External weakness and invasion led to the decline From 200 to 600 C.E., all three classical collapsed and were invaded from central Asia. HUNS

Decline in China and India. 100 C.E., the Han dynasty began decline. Weakened central governmentSocial unrest led by overtaxed peasantsEpidemics

Govt =Unstable led to invaders! By 600, China revived =Sui and Tang dynasties and Confucianism and bureaucracy revived. Unlike those in Rome, the cultural and political structures in China were too strong to be fully and permanently overturned

Decline in China and India. The decline in India was not as drastic as in China. By 600, Huns destroyed the Gupta Empire. RESULT:No native Indian led a large state there. Hinduism gained ground as Buddhism, unappealing to the warrior caste, declined in its native land.

After 600, Islam entered India and Arab traders took control of Indian Ocean trade routes.

Hinduism and the caste system.

Decline and Fall in Rome.

Decline in Rome was multifactorial. Population declined, Leadership faltered the economy flaggedSeries of plaguestax collection became more difficultdespondency pervaded much of the citizenry. The decline in Rome was more disruptive than in China or India and was more pronounced in the western portion of the empire than in the eastern.

Decline and Fall in Rome.

Italy, Spain, fall shattered unities and reduced civilization . Constantine moved the capital to Constantinople and allowed Christianity. When Germanic tribes invaded in the 400s, there was little power or will to resist. In the eastern half, a remnant of the empire survived as the Byzantine Empire.

The New Religious Map. As the classical civilizations declined, Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam—flourished. People = Comfort in spiritual world as world around them collapsing. Christianity = widespread. Buddhism = China and the East. Islam = Middle East

The New Religious Map. Hinduism, Islam shared commonalities: intense devotionpiety (Religious devotion)hope for a better life

Hinduism, Buddhism, and Daoism. Hinduism changed little in India On the other hand, Buddhism altered as it traveled beyond India, Buddha = more of a savior figure Women in China = drawn to this faith meaningful life.

The New Religious Map. With the revival of dynasties in ChinaBuddhism was persecuted, but survived.Influence in Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. Daoism organized its beliefs = support from peasantsIn east Asia

Christianity and Islam.

Postclassical Religion in Europe. Emphasized missionary activity like Buddhism. Origin: Eastern Mediterranean. Jesus preached spiritual equality for all and a heavenly afterlife. Rome collapsed, Christianity immense spiritual power and solid organization

Appealed to women. Why? Leadership roles in convents and worship with men allowed.

Islam will be featured in detail in upcoming chapters

Christianity and Islam.

Buddhism , Christianity and Islamic completes the roster of world religions.

Most of the Earth’s population following one of these three belief systems today. Polytheistic faiths continued to exist, especially in Hinduism and Daoism.

The Spread of Major Religions. Hinduism in India Buddhism in east and southeast Asia, Daoism in China Christianity in Europe and parts of the Mediterranean world Islam in the Middle East Animism faded in Asia and Europe

The World Around 500 C.E. Three Themes1. Societies reworked their institutions and

values. 2. Creation of new and modifications of

current religions.

3. Increased skill in agriculture helped civilizations be created in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

Global Connections:

Collapse of Classical CivilizationsNew Religions begin and old ones spread

New Civilizations established

1. China had contact with Korea and Vietnam2. Central Asian nomads linked East and West through

the Silk Road.3. Decline of classical authority = overland routes

became more dangerous RESULT4. Sea lanes were used especially in the Indian Ocean5. Missionaries and nomadic raiders created new

connections between Afro-Eurasia.