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ANCIENT AND CLASSICAL CHINA How it all began– King Yao, King Shun, and King Yu reflected the values of society. Legends of early China. Settling Down – Domesticated rice, millet, wheat, and barley beginning around 7000 B.C.E. in the valleys of the Yangzi and Huang-he (Yellow)rivers. EMERGENCE OF CHINESE SOCIETY Agricultural villages appeared in the valleys of the two rivers. – The Yellow River (Huang he) Loess soil left behind after floods. The river was "China's Sorrow" as it flooded uncontrollably – Neolithic societies after 5000 B.C.E. Yangshao society, 5000-3000 B.C.E. Excavations at Banpo village: fine pottery, bone tools ANCIENT CHINA XIA DYNASTY • Archeological discovery of the Xia is still in its preliminary stage • Established about 2200 B.C.E. • Legendary King Yu • Erlitou: possibly the capital city of the Xia • Some still not convinced it existed. THE SHANG DYNASTY: 1766-1122 B.C.E. Arose in the southern, eastern areas Bronze metallurgy, monopolized by elite Agricultural surpluses supported large troops Vast network of walled towns Use of writing with two thousand characters Shang-kings were warriors Constant struggle with nobles for power Lavish tombs of Shang kings – – Contained chariots, weapons, bronze goods Sacrificial human victims, dogs, horses Oracle Bones Rulers, people looked to them for answers. Primary instruments of fortune-tellers – Discovery of the "dragon bones" in 1890s – Bones recorded day-to-day concerns MANDATE OF HEAVEN The right to rule granted by heaven – – – – Zhou justified their overthrow of Shang Ruler called "the son of heaven" Only given to virtuous, strong rulers To lose mandate = someone else should rule – Replacement of dynasties = Dynastic Cycle Signs one had lost mandate – Corruption, heavy taxes, revolts, invasions, civil wars, crime, natural disasters, etc Mandate of Heaven THE ZHOU DYNASTY: 1122-256 B.C.E. – The rise of the Zhou The last Shang king was toppled by the Zhou. – Political organization Adopted decentralized administration Used princes and relatives to rule regions Laid groundwork for political legitimacy. THE FALL OF THE ZHOU -Iron weapons helped regional authorities to resist the central power. Territorial princes became more independent. – Nomadic invasions – Warring States Period (403-221 B.C.E.) – Rise of Qin state FAMILY Xia to Zhou ruled through family, kinship Veneration of ancestors Belief in ancestors' presence, continuing influence Burial of material goods with the dead Only males could perform religious duties Filial Piety Patriarchal society During Neolithic times, Chinese society = matrilineal Rise of states, war due to men's contribution s After Shang, not even queens merited temples THE SOCIAL ORDER The ruling elites Peasants, the majority of population Royal family and allied noble families at the top Most of the land owned by the king, nobles Landless peasants provided labor Women’s World Managing household, raising children OTHERS Slaves Mostly war prisoners Performed hard work Became sacrificial victims Suspicious towards Foreigners Traded with nomads to the north and west for horses Southern rivals were Chu.. Literature of the early Chinese Zhou Classics included: Book of Changes Book of Songs Book of History Book of Rites Most destroyed by Qin Dynasty CHINESE POPULAR RELIGION Co-exists well with all major ideas, philosophies Believes gods, spirits (shen) influence family, world Maintenance of family shrines, community temples HOUSEHOLD & PUBLIC RITUALS Household Rituals – Always performed by males – Expression of Confucian filial piety Domestic altar Names of deceased, icons Public Rituals – Preserve social harmony, local identity CONFUCIUS’ SEARCH FOR ORDER Confucius (551-479 B.C.E.) Confucian ideas Sayings compiled in the Analects by disciples Fundamentally moral and ethical in character. Kindness and humanity=ren Restore political and social order; stress ritual, practicality. The key Confucian idea: 5 Relationships and filial piety as basis of society LATER CONFUCIANS Mencius (372-289 B.C.E.) – Most influential of Post-Confucius thinkers. Government by benevolence, humanity Xunzi (298-238 B.C.E.) – Cast doubt on the goodness of human nature – Harsh social discipline to order to society LEGALISM – Legalism – – – – – Promoted a practical and ruthless approach No concern with ethics and morality Doctrine used by Qin dynasty Discouraged commerce, education, and the arts The Book of Lord Shang Called for harsh penalties even for minor infractions – Han Feizi (ca. 280-233 B.C.E.) Student of Xunzi, became the most articulate Legalist Forced to suicide by his political enemies MOHISM Founder Mo Zi – Lived 470 – 391 BC – Served in military, ideas based on it Beliefs – Advocates doctrine of universal love and cooperation – Stress discipline, order, authority – Loyalty to all elders, not family DAOISM Prominent critics of Confucianism Laozi -founder of Daoism Philosophical Daoism Understand natural principles, live in harmony with them Wuwei is to be disengage from affairs of world Dao - The way of nature, the way of the cosmos Opposites in balance, complementary Flourishes when peace prevails Daodejing-text Popular Daoism A folk or religious form of Daoism; not philosophical – – Emerged at end of Han Dynasty Seek to master forces of natural, spiritual world Many deities including immortals – Gods associated with natural cycles, agriculture UNIFICATION OF CHINA The Qin State and Dynasty – – – – – Encouraged agriculture, resulted in strong economy Organized a powerful army equipped with iron weapons Conquered other states and unified China in 221 B.C.E. Legalism prevailed Agriculture and traditional learning were a state’s strength. Qin Shi Huang di – – – – King of the Qin proclaimed himself First Emperor, 221 B.C.E. Established centralized imperial rule Held sons of nobles as hostages; demolished nobles castles Project of connecting and extending the Great Wall QIN STATECRAFT Cruel Repression of resistance. Burned nontraditional books. Standardization: – laws, currencies, weights, measures, writing The collapse of the Qin dynasty – – – Massive public works generated ill will among people Waves of rebels overwhelmed the Qin court in 207 B.C.E. A short-lived dynasty, left deep marks in Chinese history (Tomb of the First Emperor – The tomb was an underground palace – Excavation of the tomb since 1974 – Terracotta soldiers and army to protect tomb) THE EARLY HAN DYNASTY – Liu Bang Restored order, established dynasty, 206 B.C.E. – Early Han policies Sought middle way between Zhou and Qin Royal relatives were not reliable, returned to centralized rule – Martial Emperor (141-87 B.C.E.) Han Wudi ruled for 54 years Pursued centralization and expansion Established Imperial university Brought much of Opponents, Xiongnu (under Maodun) under Chinese control. HAN STATECRAFT Han centralization – – – – Built an enormous bureaucracy to rule the empire Continued to build roads and canals Levied taxes on agriculture, trade, and craft industries Established Confucian educational system for training bureaucrats Han imperial expansion – – Invaded and colonized northern Vietnam and Korea Extended China into central Asia TRADE AND COMMERCE – Iron metallurgy: Farming tools, utensils, and weapons – State monopolies on liquor, salt and iron – Silk textiles High quality Chinese silk became a prized commodity Traded as far a field as India, Persia, Mesopotamia, and Rome – Paper production Invented probably before 100 C.E. – Silk Road established HAN TROUBLES – – – – – – – – – Raised taxes Much of defense consumed on defending against nomads Social tensions, stratification between the poor and rich Problems of land distribution Early Han supported land redistribution Economic difficulties forced some small landowners to sell property Some sold themselves or their families into slavery Lands accumulated in the hands of a few No land reform, because Han needed cooperation of large landowners The reign of Wang Mang A powerful Han minister Dethroned the baby emperor, claimed imperial title himself, 9 C.E. Land reforms - the "socialist emperor" Overthrown by revolts, 23 C.E. LOSS OF THE MANDATE – The Later Han Dynasty (25-220 C.E.) Overthrown of Wang Mang restores Han New Han much weakened Rule often through large families, gentry Rise of Eunuchs in government as new source of power The Yellow Turban Uprising (Daoist Revolt) – – – Rulers restored order but did not address problem of landholding Yellow Turban uprising inflicted serious damage on the Han Collapse of the Han Factions at court paralyzed the central government Han empire dissolved China was divided into regional kingdoms
