Download Classical Period Outline: Persia, India, and China

World History
Social Studies
Unit: 03 Lesson: 03
Classical Period Outline: Persia, India, and China
I.
II.
III.
Persia
A. Cyrus the Great founded the Persian empire
B. Darius divides the empire into provinces that are parallel to the homelands of the
different people within the empire – These people live by their own laws within the
Persian empire
C. People lived by their own laws within the Persian empire
D. Royal Road connects the empire for over 1500 miles; allowed for a complex system of
trade which led to cultural diffusion
E. Use of standardized metal coins promote trade and unify the empire
F. Zoroaster establishes a religion in which people’s own choices determine their fate
G. Zoroastrianism – Monotheistic worship of Ahura Mazda and sacred writings known as
the Avesta; establishes early beliefs in heaven, hell, and a final judgment
India
A. Mauryan Empire under Chandragupta and Asoka (302 BC – 232 BC) – Bureaucracy,
improved roads, spread of Buddhism
B. Gupta Empire (300 AD) – Chandra Gupta I, India’s Golden Age through literature,
astronomy, medicine, and mathematics
C. Development of Buddhism in India by Siddhartha Gautama (530 BC)
D. Astronomy – Earth is round
E. Mathematics – Modern numbers, zero, decimals, value of pi to four decimal places
(Aryabhata)
F. Sophisticated medical guides and complex surgery including plastic surgery
China
A. Zhou Dynasty (1027 BC – 256 BC) – Mandate of Heaven justifies royal authority and
establishes dynastic cycles; nobles rule through feudalism
1. Confucianism – Reform in society including social order of family and government.
2. Daoism – Philosophy established by Laozi that addresses order and harmony
3. Legalism – Stressed punishment over rewards
B. Qin Dynasty (256 BC – 202 BC) – Ruled by Shi Huangdi, who uses Legalist ideas to
unify China through autocracy
1. Centralized system of highway and irrigation networks
2. Great Wall of China built
3. Mass murder of Confucian scholars
C. Han Dynasty (202 BC – 9 AD) – Centralized government, complex bureaucracy, civil
service jobs, promotion of Confucianism, invention of paper
1. Chinese silk trade increased through the Silk Road
2. Peace, stability and prosperity with achievements in education, science
(seismograph), use of herbs and acupuncture
©2012, TESCCC
05/07/12
page 1 of 1