Classical ChinaClassical ChinaCh. 2 OverviewCh. 2 Overview

EQ: What are the major EQ: What are the major similarities/differences between early similarities/differences between early

civilizations/empires in China?civilizations/empires in China?

Shang (Shong) China (1600 BC – 1046 BC)Shang (Shong) China (1600 BC – 1046 BC)

Not considered CLASSICAL…however, important Not considered CLASSICAL…however, important as one of the first NOTEWORTHY organized as one of the first NOTEWORTHY organized civilizations in China (recently one that pre-dates civilizations in China (recently one that pre-dates the Shang, the Xia, has been discovered)the Shang, the Xia, has been discovered)

The Shang were essentially a loose confederation The Shang were essentially a loose confederation of noble feudal states held together by a a king of noble feudal states held together by a a king (that usually came from the strongest noble in the (that usually came from the strongest noble in the bunch)bunch)

Important stuff (that should’ve been in your charts): Important stuff (that should’ve been in your charts): they regulated the flood prone Huang He River they regulated the flood prone Huang He River (irrigation), worked in bronze, used oracle bones for (irrigation), worked in bronze, used oracle bones for writings while perfecting the pictogram Chinese writings while perfecting the pictogram Chinese writing system, religion was based on ancestor writing system, religion was based on ancestor worship and many gods (polytheistic)worship and many gods (polytheistic)

Zhou (JOE) China (1029 - 258 BC)Zhou (JOE) China (1029 - 258 BC)

Conquered the Shang and territory they referred to as “the Middle Conquered the Shang and territory they referred to as “the Middle Kingdom”, stretching from the Huang He to the Yangtze Rivers in Kingdom”, stretching from the Huang He to the Yangtze Rivers in ChinaChina

The Zhou established what would be called the “Mandate of The Zhou established what would be called the “Mandate of Heaven”, which legitimized the patterns of dynastic rule in China…Heaven”, which legitimized the patterns of dynastic rule in China…the emperor was a “Son of Heaven”the emperor was a “Son of Heaven”

Zhou (JOE) China (1029 - 258 BC)Zhou (JOE) China (1029 - 258 BC)

Zhou rulers promoted the Mandarin Chinese Zhou rulers promoted the Mandarin Chinese dialect as their official languagedialect as their official language

They ruled on a loosely based system of They ruled on a loosely based system of alliances with regional feudal nobles and princes alliances with regional feudal nobles and princes (no strong central government), leading to (no strong central government), leading to problems with managing the size of the problems with managing the size of the empire…the empire eventually splits by 770, empire…the empire eventually splits by 770, and totally begins crumbling by 480 (Warring and totally begins crumbling by 480 (Warring States Period)States Period)

One great philosopher of the time, Confucius, One great philosopher of the time, Confucius, wrote in his wrote in his AnalectsAnalects regarding these faults. His regarding these faults. His work would become the basis for future rule in work would become the basis for future rule in Chinese dynastiesChinese dynasties

Q’in (Chin) China (221 BC – 202 BC)Q’in (Chin) China (221 BC – 202 BC) Q’in = Chin = ChinaQ’in = Chin = China SHORT and ruled by one man, Shi Huangdi, a brutal SHORT and ruled by one man, Shi Huangdi, a brutal

warlord who emerged victorious from the Warring States warlord who emerged victorious from the Warring States era and effectively set up an autocracyera and effectively set up an autocracy

Shi abandoned all previous philosophies on rule (like no Shi abandoned all previous philosophies on rule (like no nobles), burned anything that Confucius wrote, and ruled nobles), burned anything that Confucius wrote, and ruled via via LegalismLegalism, a system of autocratic rule first described , a system of autocratic rule first described by the philosopher Hanfeiziby the philosopher Hanfeizi

Shi’s short empire had many noted accomplishments, Shi’s short empire had many noted accomplishments, first being the construction of the Great Wall of China first being the construction of the Great Wall of China (not the current one!), second, the extension of China (not the current one!), second, the extension of China into the south, third, China’s first census, fourth, into the south, third, China’s first census, fourth, standardized weights and measuresstandardized weights and measures

When Shi died, his empire died (at least he got a nice When Shi died, his empire died (at least he got a nice burial!)burial!)

Shi Huangdi’s TombShi Huangdi’s Tomb

Han (SOLO) China (202 BC – 202 AD Han (SOLO) China (202 BC – 202 AD a.k.a CE)a.k.a CE)

Classical China’s Golden Age, founded by Liu Bang (Emperor Classical China’s Golden Age, founded by Liu Bang (Emperor Gaozu)Gaozu)

The Han rulers were NICE The Han rulers were NICE , maintaining centralized rule…, maintaining centralized rule…they revitalized Confucian teachings in their ruling stylethey revitalized Confucian teachings in their ruling style

Most notable ruler, WU TI (WU DI WU DI!) created what would Most notable ruler, WU TI (WU DI WU DI!) created what would become known as the Confucian Examination System for being become known as the Confucian Examination System for being a bureaucrat in the Chinese government.a bureaucrat in the Chinese government.

Important Han accomplishments include: strengthening the Important Han accomplishments include: strengthening the Great Wall (still not the current one), inventions such as paper Great Wall (still not the current one), inventions such as paper (wood based), the first seismograph, early gunpowder, and (wood based), the first seismograph, early gunpowder, and expansion of territory into Vietnam and into western China, expansion of territory into Vietnam and into western China, which also created a trade network…which also created a trade network… SILK ROAD – trade with the west, such as Persia, Rome, Arabia, and SILK ROAD – trade with the west, such as Persia, Rome, Arabia, and

IndiaIndia The decline was caused by frequent Hun invasions, forcing The decline was caused by frequent Hun invasions, forcing

China into a 400 year period of disarray (rule by many different China into a 400 year period of disarray (rule by many different kingdoms) similar to the Warring States periodkingdoms) similar to the Warring States period

Classical China: Religion and CultureClassical China: Religion and Culture Classical China produced two major religious Classical China produced two major religious

philosophies (non-theistic!):philosophies (non-theistic!):

Confucianism: based on the teaching of Confucianism: based on the teaching of Kung Fuzi and his Kung Fuzi and his AnalectsAnalects, stressing , stressing filial filial pietypiety, respect for family…rulers were meant , respect for family…rulers were meant to treat the people like their family, with to treat the people like their family, with respect, humility, patience and self-controlrespect, humility, patience and self-control

Daoism (Taoism): based on the teachings of Daoism (Taoism): based on the teachings of several philosophers, most notable, Lao-several philosophers, most notable, Lao-Tzu…it stresses harmony with natureTzu…it stresses harmony with nature

Classical China: Socio-EconomicsClassical China: Socio-Economics Classical China, as with many societies, had large Classical China, as with many societies, had large

gaps…2% were wealthy, everyone else was poorgaps…2% were wealthy, everyone else was poor Chinese society could be broken down into 3 groups: Chinese society could be broken down into 3 groups:

landowning elites and bureaucrats at the top, artisans landowning elites and bureaucrats at the top, artisans and peasant laborers in the middle (large group) and the and peasant laborers in the middle (large group) and the “mean people”, unskilled laborers“mean people”, unskilled laborers

Chinese families were patriarchal in nature, meaning the Chinese families were patriarchal in nature, meaning the eldest male was the head of the family (check out the eldest male was the head of the family (check out the In In DepthDepth article on pg. 45 for more) article on pg. 45 for more)

Trade was crucial to Han society, particularly the Trade was crucial to Han society, particularly the exchange of coveted luxury goods like silk, jewelry, exchange of coveted luxury goods like silk, jewelry, leather and furniture…a merchant class emerged but leather and furniture…a merchant class emerged but DID NOT become a strong force in early Chinese DID NOT become a strong force in early Chinese civilization largely because trading was looked down civilization largely because trading was looked down upon (merchants were actually low class)upon (merchants were actually low class)

How Chinese Civilization Fits How Chinese Civilization Fits TogetherTogether

Politics and Culture were the same sides of a Politics and Culture were the same sides of a coin to the Chinese, particularly after Confucian coin to the Chinese, particularly after Confucian values were impressed in the bureaucracy.values were impressed in the bureaucracy.

Technology, religion, philosophy and politics in Technology, religion, philosophy and politics in China evolved with next to no outside China evolved with next to no outside influence…the Chinese hold a strong belief that influence…the Chinese hold a strong belief that the outside world is “barbaric”the outside world is “barbaric”

Politics and economy were also married, as Politics and economy were also married, as most leaders were large noble landowners most leaders were large noble landowners (farmers)(farmers)

Most innovations/inventions in classical China Most innovations/inventions in classical China were focused on enhancing economic were focused on enhancing economic developmentdevelopment

Reminders…this week…Reminders…this week…

READ Chapter 2…complete notes for READ Chapter 2…complete notes for Friday…also read Vol. 1 Pgs 43-58Friday…also read Vol. 1 Pgs 43-58

Wednesday: Leader Analysis – Shi Wednesday: Leader Analysis – Shi Huangdi AND Document Analysis P. 42Huangdi AND Document Analysis P. 42

Thursday – DBQ practice, ConfucianismThursday – DBQ practice, Confucianism Friday: Chapter 2 mini testFriday: Chapter 2 mini test