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Classical China Confucius I. Dynastic Cycles History of classical China is cyclical A family/line of kings (dynasty) ruled for a time, weakened, then was overthrown The dynastic cycles of the Classical Era The Zhou (1029 to 258 B.C.E.) The Qin (221 to 202 B.C.E.) The Han (202 B.C.E. To 220 C.E.) II. Zhou Dynasty Never established a strong central government Relied on system of feudalism Ruled through regional princes and noble families Zhou rulers counted on loyalty to control population Nobles exchanged loyalty, taxes, and troops for land and power Encouraged cultural unity Discouraged “primitive” religious ideas Promoted a unified language – Mandarin 402 – 201 B.C.E. - Era of the Warring States Nobles formed independent armies, fought over territory, forced Zhou leaders from power III. The Qin Dynasty Shi Huangdi – First Emperor Unified all regions under the name China A brutal tyrant, used military might to take control Leaders appointed by the Emperor took over for noble families Leaders picked from non-aristocratic families “Strengthening the trunk and weakening the branches.” The Great Wall Over 3000 miles long Built to repel invaders Built using forced labor Terra Cotta Warriors Hundreds of warrior statues created to protect emperor in afterlife III. continued... Innovations Standardized coins, weights, and measures Completely standardized written script Completed new irrigation projects Promoted manufacturing – silk cloth Promotion of Legalism philosophy Burned and/or banned many books/texts that disagreed Peasant revolts due to high taxes and oppressive tactics brought end to dynasty IV. The Han Dynasty Retained the centralized gov't of Qin Dynasty Reduced oppressive laws Expanded empire – Korean peninsula, NW China, southern China Government was improved thanks to formal training Creation of a bureaucracy – set of trained government officals Confucianism promoted throughout China Central control weakened through expansion and invasions V. RELIGION & PHILOSOPHY • Confucius (551-478 B.C.E.) – Lived during time of the Zhou Dynasty – Promoted the studying and teaching of history and moral character – Believed in social order, harmony, and good government – Stressed importance of social relationships – • Code of conduct regulated these relationships • Example: rulers should be kind, subjects should be loyal Stressed importance of respect for one's family V. CONTINUED... – – – Ideas about government • Taught the importance of training and educating government leaders (bureaucracy) Confucianism not a religion The foundation for Chinese government and social order for centuries to come V. CONTINUED... • Legalism – Founded during the Qin Dynasty – Believed in a powerful, authoritative government – Use force, not reason or respect for others, to gain control – Good citizens rewarded well, disobedient citizens punished harshly – Education and philosophy strictly controlled by the government V. CONTINUED... • Daoism – Loazi, founder in the sixth century B.C.E. – A spiritual alternative to Confucianism – Natural order – relationships among all living things – A universal force (Dao) guides all things – Live simply and in harmony with nature – Stressed humility and frugal living VI. GOVERNMENT • • • Classical China was the largest political system in the world Zhou Dynasty = strong local governments/rulers – Early on, depended on a network of aristocratic families – Village leaders, not kings, important to peasants Qin dynasty = strong unified government – Established a single law code – Uniform tax system VI. CONTINUED... • • Han dynasty = perfecting the bureaucracy – Required leaders to take a civil service test – Many from the lower class became bureaucrats Classical China established many gov't traditions: – Judicial system – Organized, centralized military – Scientific research – Astronomy, metal working – Historical record keeping VII. SOCIAL STRUCTURE • Social classes – Upper class: landowning nobles, educated bureaucrats (Mandarins) – Middle class: artisans & peasants • Much poorer than upper class – Lower class: “mean” people (unskilled laborers) • Lowest possible status, punished more severely • Identified by green scarves – Very few household slaves VII. CONTINUED... • Family life – Emphasis on family unity – Patriarchal - husbands and fathers at the head of family – Confucian belief: “There are no wrongdoing parents” • Parents not punished for hurting (or sometimes killing) a disobedient child – Women were subordinate – Oldest male child would inherit property and social status VIII. ECONOMY • • Agricultural society – Rice and wheat the main commodities Trade – Mostly within China – Silk, jewelry, leather goods, furniture – Society did not hold merchants in high regard • More respect for learning and political service VIII. CONTINUED... • Technological advances – Harnesses that allowed animals to pull carts and wagons without choking – Ox-drawn, two-bladed plows – Iron tools – Paper