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3 China in Antiquity ©2004 Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Thomson Learning™ is a trademark used herein under license. Shang China I. The Dawn of Chinese Civilization A. Geography: Land and People Civilization in the Yellow and Yangtze Rivers 2/3s are mountains and deserts Isolated (difficult for invasion) Only 12% of China is suitable for farming B. The Shang Dynasty (replaced the Xia Dynasty) 1500-1000 BCE 1. Shang Political Organization Capitol Anyang Used oracle bones (way to communicate with gods) Used two-horse chariots Monarchy (sacrifices performed at death of kings) Veneration of ancestors King intermediary between heaven and earth Territories governed by aristocratic bureaucracy 2. Social Structures Clans Class differentiation (aristocratic elite, peasants, merchants, slaves) Bronze casting The Zhou Dynasty (1122?-221 B.C.E.) Political Structures Political system similar to Shang dynasty king served by a extensive and complex bureaucracy Ministers for rites, education, law, and public works appointed The Mandate of Heaven (ruler has favor of gods) Economy and Society Peasants worked on their own land and the lord’s land Trade and manufacturing • Merchants and artisans considered property of the local lord • Economic growth from 6th – 3rd centuries B.C.E. • Large scale water projects Agricultural/technological Advances • Iron plows, natural fertilizer, iron weapons, catapult • Cultivation of wet rice • Use of chopsticks • Use of Calvary • Silk production and trade as far as Greece • Developed money economy (coined money) The Hundred Schools of Ancient Philosophy Shang Di – Shang god presiding over forces of nature Yang (sun/light/male) and Yin (moon/dark/female) Confucius (551-479 B.C.E.) Focused on politics and ethics If humans act harmoniously in accordance with the universe, all affairs will prosper Dao (The Way); similar to dharma in India Analects (book; consists of conversations between Confucius and his followers) Rule by merit (introduction of Civil Service System) Mencius (370-29 B.C.E.); philosopher Believed human beings are by nature good Ruler’s duty is to rule by compassion Legalism (practiced by the Qin) Human beings are by nature evil and follow the correct path only if coerced by harsh laws and stiff penalties Only firm action by the state can bring social order Daoism Lao Tzu (Lao Zi); founder a. Dao De Jing (The Way of the Tao) b. Like Confucianism, this life and not the cosmos is the focus c. One must act in harmony with nature d. Chinese landscape painting often a reflection of Doa e. Belief in numerous gods and spirits of nature, both good and evil ©2004 Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Thomson Learning™ is a trademark used herein under license. China during the Period of the Warring States The Rise of the Chinese Empire: The Qin The Warring States (under the Zhou) Civil war between principalities The Qin Dynasty (221-206 B.C.E.) Qin Shi Huangdi (Ch’in Shih Huang Ti), 246 B.C.E. Legalism adopted Highly centralized state Reforms Restriction of commercial activities Aggressive foreign affairs Feared invasion by the The Nomadic Peoples built the Great Wall of China Fall of the Qin (too oppressive, inner disputes) Han Dynasty (202 B.C.E.-221 C.E.) Liu Bang (Liu Pang) took title Han Gaozu (Han Kao Tsu) Commoner of peasant origin Abandoned the Legalistic system Confucianism and the State State Confucianism: Integration of Confucianism and Legalism Political structure (state controlled trade and manufacturing; aristocratic families powerful Civil service exams Society and Economy in the Han Empire Peasants Free peasantry, taxes, military service, forced labor Farm plots reduced to about one acre per capita Forced to sell to large landowners, thus becoming tenants Trade and manufacturing Problems for merchants Government directed trade and manufacturing Silk Road Trade Routes of the Ancient World Decline and Fall of the Han Wang Mang, 9-23 C.E. Reformist, seized power Xin dynasty proclaimed in 9 C.E. Collapsed when Wang Mang killed in 23 Cao Cao (Ts’ao Ts’ao) ©2004 Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Thomson Learning™ is a trademark used herein under license. The Han Dynasty ©2004 Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Thomson Learning™ is a trademark used herein under license. The Great Wall with Tower north of Beijing ©2004 Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Thomson Learning™ is a trademark used herein under license. The Western Terminus of the Great Wall at Jiayugan Daily Life in Ancient China Cities Usually on major trade routes Centers of administration and economic functions Chang’an – nearly 40 square kilometers Family Filial piety Five relationships Women • Subservience • Confucian thought accepted dual roles of men and women • Some women were a force at court Housing Most lived in the countryside Staple food was millet in the north and rice in the south Chinese Culture Metalwork and sculpture Bronze • Clay molds produced work of clear line and rich surface decoration • Gave way to iron casting Terra-cotta army from Qin Shi Huangdi and later of the Han Language and Literature Writing • Ideographic and pictographic • Common written language Chinese Literature Music Music seen as a means of achieving political order and refining human character Music important both in court life and among common people ©2004 Wadsworth, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Thomson Learning™ is a trademark used herein under license. Ruins of Jiaohe Discussion Questions What was the Mandate of Heaven? How did it shape the goal and priorities of Chinese government? What factors contributed to economic growth during the Zhou period? What role did the government play in promoting growth? What values are expressed in Confucianism? How were those values manifested in Chinese society? What were the most important accomplishments of the Han dynasty? What led to the dynasty’s demise?
