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China
China in the River Valley Era
The Hwang He agricultural civilization
New Technology
Art & Music
Writing
Progressed from reading scratch marks on
bones to ideographic symbols
ancestor worship
Oracle shell
Oracle bone
The Shang Dynasty- 1523-1029
B.C.E
Constructed tombs and palaces
Chinese world view one of harmony
between man and nature
Life is cyclical
Shang Dynasty
The era around 1200 B.C.E. saw the decline or
collapse of most civilizations in Western Asia, Egypt,
the eastern Mediterranean, and the Indus Valley who
were dependant on the same trade routes.
The only area that did not see significant decline was
China, where the Shang Dynasty continued to rule.
China was not as dependent on Western Asia trade.
Silk Routes
Classical Era
The Zhou (Chou) 1027 to 256 B.C.E.
The Era of Warring States
402-201 B.C.E.
The Qin 221 B.C.E. - 202 B.C.E.
The Han 202 B.C.E – 220 C.E.
Classical China
A difference between river-valley civilizations
and classical civilizations and was that in
classical civilizations political organizations
were more elaborate
A difference between river-valley civilizations
and classical is that religious sacrifice was
suppressed in the classical civilizations
Zhou (Chou) Dynasty
1029-256 B.C.E.
This dynasty flourished until about 700
B.C.E when it was beset by decline in its
infrastructure and frequent invasions by
nomadic peoples from border regions.
Zhou (Chou) Dynasty
1029-256 B.C.E.
•The Zhou extended the territory of China
from the Hwang Ho River Valley by taking
over the Yang-tze River Valley and this
became known as “Middle Kingdom”.
Wheat was grown in the North; rice in the
South
This agriculture diversity promoted
population growth.
Zhou Dynasty
Promoted linguistic unity: Mandarin
Chinese
Increasing cultural unity helps explain
why, when the Zhou empire did began to
fail, scholars were able to use philosophical
ideas to lesson the impact of growing
political confusion.
Zhou Dynasty
Political concept known as the
“mandate from heaven.” The dynasty
members were known as “Sons of
Heaven.”
The Era of Warring States 402-201 B.C.E.
Confucianism, Daoism,
Legalism originated as
responses to societal problems
during the time of disruption
Daoism
Lao-tzu
the way of nature
Legalism
Legalist disdained Confucian virtues
in favor of authoritarian state that was
ruled by force. For legalists, human
nature was evil and required restraint
and discipline- the army would control
and the people labor- in the perfect
state.
K’ung Fu-tse
Confucius
K’ung Fu-tse or Confucius, c. 551 to 478 B.C.E.,
lived during the Era of Warring States Period
between the Zhou and Han Dynasties, a time of
political chaos.
Confucianism is a system of ethics and was
recorded in a book called Analects
Hierarchical vision for society; some had
authority, some obeyed their superiors
Harmony within relationships, particular those in
the family
The Chinese government accepted
Daoism because
Daoist did not have great political
ambition
Daoist came to acknowledge the Son
of Heaven
Daoism provided spiritual insights for
many in the upper class
belief in balance & harmony
Confucianism
Established a hierarchy and insisted upon
reciprocal duties between people
In official Chinese hierarchy, merchants
ranked below students, peasants, artisans, &
soldiers.
The lowest people were the “mean people”
Educated bureaucratic elite, peasants,
artisans,soldiers, merchants, mean-pople
Culture
Ceremony became an important part of
upper-class Chinese life because the
Chinese believed that people should
restrain crude impulses.
Key Features of Chinese Family Life
Ancestor Worship for the upper class
that emphasized tight family values and
structures
Gender hierarchy
Parent-child hierarchy
Discipline
Qin Dynasty China
Qin Dynasty.
Qin Shih Huangdi, First Emperor
Qin conferred the name China to the region
He realized that China’s problem lay in the
regional power of the aristocrats, like many
later centralizers in world history, i.e.
Cardinal Richelieu and Louis XIV
Qin Shih Huangdi
Provided a single law code for the whole empire
and established a uniform tax system
Delegated special areas and decisions to the
emperors ministers thus further promoting
effective centralized government. Some dealt with
finance, others with justice
Followed up on centralization by extending
Chinese territory to the south, reaching presentday Hong Kong on the South China Sea and
influencing northern Vietnam.
In the north, to guard against barbarian invasion,
Shih Huangdi built a Great Wall, extending over
3000 miles, wide enough for chariots to move along
its crest.
Qin innovations in Chinese
politics and culture
National census
Standardization of coins, weights and measures;
even the length of the axles on cart led to
standardized road building
Agricultural innovation: irrigation projects
Promoted manufacture, especially silk cloth
Uniform written script, completing the process of
creating a single basic language for all educated
Chinese
Demise of Qin Shih Huangdi
His construction projects and high taxes made him
unpopular as did the
Banning and burning the classical text
constripting peasants and excessive labor projects
aristocrats lost land
Daoist prists opposed him
On Shih Huangdi’s death in 210 C.E., popular revolts by
the peasants led to one peasant leader establishing himself
and his family as the new dynasty of China
The Qin dynasty differed from the Zhou
It was more centralized
Han Dynasty 202 B.C.E.-220C.E
Reduced the brutal repression of the Qin.
Han Dynasty
Instituted a system of examination to prepare
professional civil servants
promoted scientific research
Large construction projects
Instituted a system of punishment of
criminals
Promoted Confucian beliefs
Census taking
Exerted military & legal power
Han Dynasty
The Han emperors revived Confucianism
Confucian built the links among many levels of authority
that came to characterize Chine politics at their best.
Han Dynasty
Trade was particularly important during the Han
period and was produced by skilled artisans in the
cities.
Silk, jewelry, leather goods, and furniture. Food
was also traded. Copper coins began to circulate.
Classical China reached far higher levels of
technical expertise than Europe or western Asia in
the same period, a lead they would long maintain.
Calligraphy
Civil Service Examinations
Han Dynasty
Expanded Chinese territory into Korea, Indochina,
and central Asia
Contact with India and with the Parthian empire
in the Middle East through trade with the Roman
Empire around the Mediterranean
Repaired the Great Wall to keep out the Huns
Wu Ti, 140-87 B.C.E
Enforced peace throughout most of the
continent of Asia
Supported Confucianism and established
shrines to promote worship of the ancient
philosopher as a god.
Key Elements of Han Bureaucracy
Training
Specialization
Confucian-based ethic
Demise of the Han Dynasty
The Huns, a nomadic people from central
Asia overturned the Hun dynasty and
occupied China from 220 C.E. until 531
C.E.
Between 220 and 589 China was in a state
of chaos. By the time stability restored the
classical and formative period of Chinese
civilization had ended.
Era of Divisions
The demise of the Han Dynasty and
occupation of China by the Huns resulted in
a chaotic time known as the Era of
Divisions that lasted from 220 C.E. until
531 C.E.
Demise of the Han Dynasty
With the collapse of the Han dynasty, Daoism
(which would join with Buddhist influence from
India during the chaos that followed in the years of
the Hun occupation) guaranteed that the Chinese
people would not be united by a single religious or
philosophical system. In time Daoism became a
formal religion
Key Elements of the Classical Era
In literature, a set of five classics, written during the
early part of the Zhou dynasty and then edited
during the Confucian period, provided important
literary tradition. They were used, among other
things, as a basis for civil service exams. The five
classics contain many things: historical treatises,
speeches, and other political material, a discussion
on etiquette, and ceremonies, 300 poems dealing
with love, politics, joy, family life.
From the classical period forward, the ability to
learn and recite poetry became the mark of the
educated Chinese.
Key Elements of the Classical Era
Chinese art during the classical period was largely
decorative, stressing detail and craftsmanship.
Calligraphy became important art form. Chinese
artists worked in bronze, pottery, carved jade, and
ivory, and wove silk screen.
Classical China did not produce monumental
building because of the absence of a single
religion
Key Elements of the Classical Era
In science practical work was encouraged rather
than Imaginative theorizing
Chinese astronomers developed an accurate
calendar by 444 B.C.E based on a year of 365.5
days
Astronomers calculated the movement of the
planets Saturn and Jupiter
Astronomers observed sunspots more than 1500
years before comparable knowledge developed in
Europe
Key Elements of the Classical Era
Medical research- precise anatomical
knowledge, studied hygene to promote a
longer life
Major Technological Innovations of
Classical China
Paper
wheelbarrow
advances in metalwork
Economic Strength of Classical China
A key element of economic strength
was the high level of technological
innovation
The government was active in the
economy.
Political Institution- became one of the
hallmarks of classical Chinese culture
Strong local units never disappeared
China relieved heavily on patriarchal families.
Whether within the family or the central state,
most Chinese believed in the importance of
respect for those in power
The central government had little effect on the
everyday life of the people.
Chinese proverb: “heaven is high and the
emperor is far away.”
The central government had little effect on the
everyday life of the people.
Chinese proverb: “heaven is high and the emperor
is far away.”
Hallmarks of Classical China
Classical China reached far higher levels of
technical expertise than Europe or western
Asia in the same period, a lead they would
long maintain.
Chinese classical society evolved with little
outside influence
Post Classical China
220-589 Era of Division
581-618 Sui Dynasty
618-907 Tang Dynasty
960-1279 Song Dynasty
Era of Division
The period of political disorder and chaotic
warfare that followed the Qin-Han era is
referred to as the Era of Division
Buddhism eclipsed Confucian teachings
The Era of Division
dominated by political division among many small
warring states who were often ruled by nomadic
invaders
period of Buddhist dominance
growth of monastic movement
loss of imperial centralization
loss of dominance of scholar-gentry in favor of
militarized aristocracy
The Sui Dynasty
Wendi
Yangdi
The emergence of the Sui dynasty at the end of the
6th century C. E. (580s), after nearly four
centuries of discord, signaled a return to strong
dynastic control.
The short-lived Sui dynasty reestablished a
centralized empire
Sui Calligraphy
Wendi secured his power base
Won support of the neighboring nomadic
military commanders
He reconfirmed their titles at the expense of
the Confucian scholar-gentry class
With the support of the nomadic military
commanders he spread his empire across
northern China
Wendi won support
Lowered taxes
Established granaries to ensure a reserve of
food
Large landowners and peasants alike were
taxed a portion of their crop to keep the
granaries filled
Surplus grain was brought to market in times
of food shortage to hold down the price of the
people’s staple food
Yangdi
Established a milder legal code
Upgraded Confucian education;
restored the examination system for
regulating entry into the bureaucracy
Broad policy of promoting the scholargentry in the imperial administration
Yangdi’s policies led to widespread revolt
He forcibly conscripted hundreds of
thousands of peasants to build a new
capital city at Loyang
He had a series of canals built
The Great Wall
Unsuccessful campaigns in Korea and
central Asia against the Turks.
Provincial governors declared
independence
Bandit gangs raided at will
Nomadic peoples seized sections of the
north China plain
Tang Dynasty Map
The Golden Age of the Tang
Li Yuan
Tang Taizong
Tang strategy
Contain the Turkic tribes
Repair the Great Wall
Create frontier armies
Heavenly khan
Tang strategy
The empire was also extended to parts
of Tibet in the west, the Red River
valley homeland of the Vietnamese in
the south and Manchuria in the north
Emperor Kaozong
In 668, Chinese armies overran Korea
Silla, the Korean vassal kingdom, was
established at it remained loyal to the Tang
In a matter of decades the Tang built an
empire far larger than the Han and one
whose boundaries extended far beyond the
borders of present-day China
Tang Dynasty
The Tang supported the
reinstitution of the
Confucian scholargentry
Jinshi
Zen Buddhism
Early Tang rulers continued to patronize
Buddhism while trying to promote
education in Confucian classics.
Tang Dynasty
Empress Wu, the only female emperor,
690-705
supported Buddhism
Anti-Buddhist Backlash
Daoist rivals began stressing their own
magical and predictive powers
Confucian-scholar-administrators
launched the most damaging
campaigns against Buddhism
Emperor Wuzong, 841-847
Openly persecuted the Buddhist
Thousands of Buddhist monasteries
and shrines were destroyed
Hundreds of thousands of monks and
nuns were forced to abandon their
monastic orders and return to civilian
life and again subject to taxation
Legacy of Chinese Buddhism
Buddhism left its mark on the arts, the
Chinese language, and Chinese thinking
about such things as heaven, charity, and law
Buddhism ceased to be a dominate force in China
In contrast to its impact on the civilizations of
southeast Asia, Tibet, and parts of central
Asia.
The economic challenge to the
imperial order
Monastic lands not taxed; Tang regime lost huge
revenues as a result of imperial grants to Buddhist
monasteries
The wills of ordinary Chinese people that turned
family property over to Buddhist monasteries
The state was denied labor because it could not tax
or conscript peasants who worked on monastic
estates.
Tang Decline
Internal rebellion
Nomadic incursions
Yang Guifei
An Lushan
The Song Dynasty
The last Tang was forced to resign in
907
Zhao Kuangyin
Emperor Taizu
The Northern Liao Dynasty, nomadic
Khitan people of Manchia.
Song Dynasty Map
The Song dynasty
Zhao Kuangyin was the founder of the
Song dynasty
The Song era
The ascendancy of the scholar-gentry over
its aristocratic and Buddhist rivals was fully
secured in the Song era.
Zhu Xi was the most prominent of the NeoConfucians during the Song era
Impact of Neo-Confucianism
Neo-Confucians also became familiar with
Buddhist beliefs
Li- a concept that defined a spiritual presence
similar to the universal spirit of both Hinduism
and Buddhism
New form of Confucianism
Reconciled Confucianism and Buddhism
It influenced philosophical thought in China,
Korea, Vietnam, and Japan in all subsequent eras.
Constructionism
Wang Anshi
Weakness of the Song
The Song paid “tribute” to the Khatan
Distain for military and too much
emphasis on Confucian elite.
The flight of the Song dynasty from their
capital in northern China
Jurchens
Economic development during the period of
commercial expansion during the Tang and
Song dynasties
The Silk Road connected Chang’an (Xi’an)
with Antioch, Asia Minor
Urbanization in China during the
Tang-Song era
Hangzhou
The capital of the southern Song dynasty
The agricultural policies of the
Sui and Tang emperors
Numbers of free peasantry increased
Fortunes of the old aristocratic families
declined
Lands were distributed more equitably to
the free peasant households of the empire
The gentry side of the scholar-gentry came
to dominate the bureaucracy
Society in Tang- Song China
Age at time of marriage was the primary
difference between marriages of the upper
and lower classes
The status of women
Footbinding
Chinese landscape painting
Members of the ruling political elite in
China produced many of the paintings in the
Song
Shanshui, the art of drawing with brush and
ink
Poetry
Li Bo
The independence of Chinese women
Technological innovation of the TangSong Era
Coal used for fuel
Gunpowder
Complex bridges
Abacus
Moveable type
Confucian
intellectual schools were responsible for the
production of most literary and artistic
works during the Tang-Song era
The decline of Buddhism in the later
Tang and Song dynasties
Confucians attacked Buddhism as a foreign
innovation in China
Confucians convinced emperors that
monastic control of land represented an
economic threat
Persecution of Buddhists introduced in
840s.
Demise of the southern Song
Dynasty in 1279
Mongols
Comparison & Contrast of the the empire under the Tang and
the Song dynasties
Similarities
continued intellectual and political dominance of
Confucian scholar- gentry
growth of bureaucracy essential to imperial administration
Differences:
smaller in size
unable to control nomadic dynasties of the north
payment of tribute to nomadic states
military decline with subjection of aristocracy to scholargentry
failure of Wang Anshi's reforms led to military defeat
The elements of Tang-Song economic
prosperity
Ways the Tang-Song era departed from
previous developments in Chinese civilization
Full incorporation of southern China into economy
dominance of south as food- producing region &
center of population and political capital of
southern Song
decline of influence of Buddhism
increasing trend toward intellectual and
technological isolation
extraordinary level of urbanization--up to 10
percent of population
extraordinary level of technology
China’s Hegemony
Hegemony occurs when a civilization
extends its political, economy, social,
and cultural influence over others.
600-1450 China was the richest and
most powerful of all, and extended its
reach over most of Asia.