Download Key Themes in Imperial China

IMPERIAL CHINA: KEY CHARACTERISTICS
Han dynasty [206 BCE-220 CE]
China’s “classical age”

Confucianism became
the basis of educational
system

Contemporary with
Roman Empire
Key Themes in Imperial China

Mandate of Heaven – the role of the emperor
HEAVEN (TI) ANCESTOR GOD OF THE EMPEROR
Duties:
-Son of Heaven
-Priest
-King
-Maintain harmony
NATURE
“The buck stops
EMPEROR
Key Themes in Imperial China

M of H
DYNASTIC CYCLE
?
?
?
“GOOD GOVERNMENT DEPENDS ON GOOD MEN”
Why did dynasties decline?
Key Themes in Imperial China


Scholar-Gentry Elite

Scholars – educated in the Confucian classics

Gentry – landholders
Four Classes




Scholars
Peasants
Artisans
Merchants
Key Themes in Imperial China
Examination System

China as a
“meritocracy”

Scholarship was the
way to the top!

Initiated in 2nd century
BCE and continued
until early 1900s.
“Cheat shirt”
c. 19th C.
Key Themes in Imperial China

Chinese Culture-Centrism

Sinicization
Tang China: the tributary system
RGH #30
Connected to central Asia and Rome
over “Silk Roads”
Sericulture
China and Vietnam



Vietnamese adaptation to Chinese culture,
technology
But ongoing resentment at political domination
Assert independence when Tang dynasty falls
in 10th century
Heian Japan (794-1185 CE)
Japanese emperor moves
court to Heian (Kyoto)
Yet emperor figurehead,
real power in hands of
Fujiwara clan
Pattern in Japanese history:
weak emperor, power
behind the throne
Helps explain longevity of
the institution
China and Early Japan



Chinese armies never invade Japan
Yet Chinese culture pervasive
Imitation of Tang administration



Establishment of new capital at Nara, hence “Nara
Japan” (710-794 CE)
Adoption of Confucian, Buddhist teachings
Yet retention of Shinto religion
Institution of the Shogun



Civil war between Taira
and Minamoto clans in
12th century
Minamoto leader named
shogun, 1185 CE
Ruled from Kamakura,
allowed imperial throne
to continue in Kyoto
Medieval Japan




Kamakura (1185-1333
CE) and Muromachi
(1336-1573 CE) periods
Decentralized power in
hands of warlords
Military authority in
hands of samurai
Professional warriors
The Spread of Buddhism and
Hinduism
Tang China: a regional power

During the Tang period,
Chinese philosophies,
classic texts, ideas about
government and city
planning spread to
Japan, Korea, Vietnam
Layout of Nara, Japan, [710-784]
The Sui and Tang dynasties, 589-907
C.E.
The Song dynasty, 960-1279 C.E.
Agricultural Economies of the
Tang and Song Dynasties



Developed Vietnamese
fast-ripening rice, 2
crops per year
Technology: iron plows,
use of draft animals
Soil fertilization,
improved irrigation


Water wheels, canals
Terrace farming
Population Growth

120
100

80
60
Millions
40
20
0
600
CE
1000
Result of increased
agricultural production
Effective food
distribution system

Transportation networks
built under Tang and
Song dynasties
Urbanization

Chang’an world’s most
populous city: 2 million
residents

Southern Song capital
Hangzhou: over 1
million
40º North
Technology and Industry




Porcelain (“Chinaware”)
Iron production
Gunpowder invented
Earlier printing
techniques refined




Moveable type by mid11th century
Yet complex Chinese
ideographs make wood
block technique easier
Naval technology
Compass
Tea
Emergence of a Market Economy

Letters of credit developed
to deal with copper coin
shortages



Promissory notes, checks
also used
Development of
independently produced
paper money
Government claims
monopoly on money
production in 11th century
Patriarchal Social Structures

Increased emphasis on ancestor worship



Elaborate grave rituals
Extended family gatherings in honor of deceased
ancestors
Footbinding gains popularity

Increased control by male family members
Footbinding
Footbinding “Three Inch Golden
Lillies”
Western example?