Download The Peopling of the World, to 4000 BCE

Chapter 4
Blueprint for Empire:
China
1200 B.C.E.–220 C.E.
Agenda: October 6
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Attendance, scribe, gum, phones, LINENS
Wrap up ancient India, Rig Veda
Overview of early China: Complex Society
Terms and Questions
Video
Homework: Chart
Key Terms
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Shang Dynasty
Oracle Bones
Ancestor Worship
Sima Qian
Zhou Dynasty
Mandate of Heaven
Questions
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Hansen, pp. 66-68, What are “oracle bones,” and how
did Shang Dynasty rulers use them to predict the future?
What types information were found on the oracle bones?
What is ancestor worship and why was it so important?
What book did Sima Qian write?
How would you characterize (explain) the Shang
Dynasty’s interactions with other peoples around the
Shang kingdom? What are the various ways we know
about these interactions?
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p65a
p65b
The Origins of Chinese Civilization,
1200–221 B.C.E.
 The First Emperor of China
 Zheng, the ruler of Qin, unified China in 221
B.C.E.
 His father was a hostage in Handan but escaped
when Zheng was two years old.
 He and his mother went into hiding for six
years.
 Ascended to the throne at the age of thirteen.
 Regents and advisers helped him govern until
he was twenty-two years old.
The Origins of Chinese Civilization,
1200–221 B.C.E.
 Surviving sources document his single-minded
ambition to unite China.
 His brilliant military campaigns reflect his military
reforms.

Skilled soldiers from any social class could rise in
rank.

Poor fighters, regardless of class, would remain
common foot soldiers.
The Origins of Chinese Civilization,
1200–221 B.C.E.
 Instituted changes aiming to eliminate regional
differences.

Created a single body of law for all his subjects.

Standardized all weights and measures and axle
with for carts.
The Origins of Chinese Civilization,
1200–221 B.C.E.
 Took the title of Shi Huangdi, First Emperor, and
urged that his dynasty rule forever but it
collapsed within three years after his death.

The empire he created endured for over two
thousand years, whenever it fell apart, a new
emperor would rise to reunite it.
The Origins of Chinese Civilization,
1200–221 B.C.E.
 The First Agriculture, 7000–1200 B.C.E.
 Agriculture develops independently in different
regions of China c. 7000 B.C.E.
 Northern China had fertile soil, called loess, in
the Yellow River Valley.

The Yellow River is called China's "River of
Sorrows" because of its tendency to flood
catastrophically.
The Origins of Chinese Civilization,
1200–221 B.C.E.
 China is divided into three climatic zones.

Northern China receives less than twenty inches
of rain per year.

Central China, along the Yangzi River, has about
forty inches of rain per year.

Southern China receives over eighty inches of
rain per year.
The Origins of Chinese Civilization,
1200–221 B.C.E.
 Each region supports different crops, wheat and
millet in the north and rice in the south.
 There were many different cultural groups in
China at that time; archeologists are not certain
that all these peoples were linguistically Chinese.
The Origins of Chinese Civilization,
1200–221 B.C.E.
 Early Chinese Writing in the Shang Dynasty, ca.
1200 B.C.E.
 The first identifiably Chinese writing, found on
bones, dates from c. 1200 B.C.E.

The writing was first identified in 1899.
 The writing was developed by the Shang
dynasty, 1766–1045 B.C.E.
The Origins of Chinese Civilization,
1200–221 B.C.E.

The bones are called "oracle bones" because the
Shang rulers used them to predict the future.

The bones were mostly cattle scapula or turtle
shells.

Each question about the future was addressed to
an ancestor.

The bones were heated until they cracked; the
cracks were interpreted as oracles.

On the bone, the Shang wrote the name of the
ancestor, the topic of inquiry, and outcome of the
oracle.
The Origins of Chinese Civilization,
1200–221 B.C.E.
 Over two hundred thousand oracle bones have
been excavated in China.
 The Shang language, as written on the bones,
was grammatically complex, suggesting the
Shang had been writing for some time.

Only the Shang kings and scribes could read and
write.

The oracle bones were written from the king's
point of view.
The Origins of Chinese Civilization,
1200–221 B.C.E.
 Shang religion was primarily that of "ancestor
worship."

The Shang believed that dead ancestors could
intercede on their behalf, and offered them gifts of
food and drink.
 The Shang used flat bronze vessels for grain
and baskets for meat and vegetables.

Preparing the starch separately from the meat
and vegetables is still common in China today.
The Origins of Chinese Civilization,
1200–221 B.C.E.
 The Shang lived in walled cities.
 The Shang made copper from bronze, tin, and
lead.

The finest Shang bronzes date from c. 1200
B.C.E.
The Origins of Chinese Civilization,
1200–221 B.C.E.
 Shang-Dynasty Relations with Other Peoples
 Historians use the oracle bones, archaeology,
and the Records of the Grand Historian, written
by Sima Qian, as the major sources of Shang
history.

Sima Qian wrote in the first century B.C.E.

Sima Qian used extant chronicles to write his
history.

According to Sima Qian, the Shang dynasty
began in 1766 B.C.E.

Sima Qian believed that China could only have
one ruler and did not list any of the regional rulers
that co-existed with the Shang.
The Origins of Chinese Civilization,
1200–221 B.C.E.
 The Shang fought many wars, and when they
won a battle, they took the defeated as captives.
 Some of the captives were used as labor,
others were killed as sacrifices.
 Shang kings were buried in large tombs with
hundreds of sacrificial offerings.
 Corpses in the royal tombs were buried in a
hierarchical order according to social class;
the Shang corpses were intact, the prisoners
of war had their heads and limbs severed.
The Origins of Chinese Civilization,
1200–221 B.C.E.
 There were people other than the Shang living in
China at that time, but only the Shang have left
written records.

People of Sanxingdui lived in a walled city.
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Excavations at the Sanxingdui site offer evidence
of non-Shang peoples, including bronze vessels,
statues, and masks.

No evidence of human sacrifice has yet been
discovered at Sanxingdui.
The Origins of Chinese Civilization,
1200–221 B.C.E.
 The Zhou Dynasty, 1045–256 B.C.E.
 The Zhou dynasty overthrew the Shang in 1045
B.C.E.

Sima Qian is the earliest source for the Zhou
overthrow, but historians doubt his accuracy.

Sima Qian claims that the Shang had 700,000
troops and the Zhou had 48,000, but that the
Zhou won because the Shang ruler was
corrupt and weak.
The Origins of Chinese Civilization,
1200–221 B.C.E.
 Sima Qian explained history according to the
Mandate of Heaven theory.

The Mandate of Heaven theory centers on the
belief in a god, Heaven.

Heaven had not been worshipped by the
Shang.

Disturbing natural signs and even peasant
rebellions would mean Heaven was
withdrawing its mandate.
The Origins of Chinese Civilization,
1200–221 B.C.E.
 The Zhou period is divided into two smaller
periods.
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The Western Zhou ruled from 1045–771 B.C.E.

The Eastern Zhou, 771–256 B.C.E., moved the
capital after defeat in battle.
The Origins of Chinese Civilization,
1200–221 B.C.E.
 The later Zhou period (481–221 B.C.E.) is also
called the Warring States period.

During the Warring States Period, iron technology
was introduced into China.

Iron was used for weapons and farm tools,
increasing agricultural productivity.
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Iron was also used for coins, in the shape of
knives and spades.
The Origins of Chinese Civilization,
1200–221 B.C.E.
 Changes in warfare created social changes.

Shang and early Zhou battles favored chariots,
and the sons of nobility, who could afford them
and the training to use them.
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Warring States warfare used more foot soldiers
and promoted men of non-noble families.
The Origins of Chinese Civilization,
1200–221 B.C.E.
 Confucianism
 Confucius was born in 551 B.C.E. in Shandong
province.
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His Chinese name is Kongzi, from his family
name of Kong and his given name of Qiu.

Confucius was a professional teacher.

The only record we have of Confucius' thought is
the Analects, a record of discussions and
conversations.

There are questions about whether the later
chapters of the Analects are attributable to
Confucius.
The Origins of Chinese Civilization,
1200–221 B.C.E.
 Confucius emphasized ethics.

Confucius also emphasized the need to perform
rituals correctly.

Confucius focused on the "gentlemen" and
bringing out his inner humanity, or goodness.
The Origins of Chinese Civilization,
1200–221 B.C.E.
 The key idea of Confucianism is filial piety, or
respect for one's parents.

If individuals respect their parents, and the ruler
also follows Confucius's teachings, people will
naturally be led toward the good.
 Confucius did not discuss the afterlife or the
supernatural.

Historians debate whether Confucianism is a
religion or an ethical system.
The Origins of Chinese Civilization,
1200–221 B.C.E.
 Daoism
 The earliest Daoist texts date from 300 B.C.E.

Both Daoists and Confucians use the term "dao"
or "the Way."
The Origins of Chinese Civilization,
1200–221 B.C.E.
 Daoists believed that the Way meant learning to
meditate, and to control one's breathing and
one's life force.

Ultimately, meditating on the Way could lead to
superhuman powers and immortality.

Doaist teacher Master Zhuang described those
who had achieved immortality as "Perfect Men.”

Zhuang's book, called Zhuangzi, is full of
ironic parables and anecdotes.
The Origins of Chinese Civilization,
1200–221 B.C.E.
 The Daodejing, or The Way and Integrity Classic,
is a compilation of the teachings of several
Daoists teachers.

Central to the Daodejing is the concept of "wuwei"
or allowing things to follow their natural course.
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Qin Rulers Unify China, 359–207
B.C.E.
 Prime Minister Shang and the Policies of the
First Emperor, 359–210 B.C.E.
 Shang Yang was prime minister of the Qin in 359
B.C.E.

He registered every household in the Qin realm.

Once a boy reached 16 or 17, and 5 feet in
height, he had to serve in the military, pay land
taxes, and perform labor service to the state.

Shang Yang also divided the people into groups
of five or ten.

If someone in a group committed a crime, the
whole group was punished.
Qin Rulers Unify China, 359–207
B.C.E.
 Shang Yang’s Legalist Measures

Legalists believed that the ruler should recruit
those who are capable, not just members of the
nobility.

Legalists, including the Qin, did not recognize any
hereditary titles.
 The Qin introduced a strict meritocracy,
particularly in the army.

The lowest ranking soldier could become a
general if he did well in battle.
 Because each soldier had such an incentive to
fight, the Qin began to conquer their neighbors.
Qin Rulers Unify China, 359–207
B.C.E.
 In 246 B.C.E., Prince Zheng became king of the
Qin.

Zheng conquered other rivals, including the last
Zhou king in 221 B.C.E. and proclaimed himself
First Emperor.
Qin Rulers Unify China, 359–207
B.C.E.
 Sima Qian described Zheng as a terrible tyrant

Zheng seems to have viewed himself as virtuous.

He quoted Confucian learning in the records of
his reign.

Each of the five formulaic inscriptions is in
standardized Chinese.
Qin Rulers Unify China, 359–207
B.C.E.
 Zheng carried out enormous public works
projects using conscripted labor.

Among the public works programs, included
thousands of miles of roads, dirt walls, and an
elaborate tomb for the First Emperor.
Qin Rulers Unify China, 359–207
B.C.E.
 Legalism and the Laws of the Qin Dynasty
 The Qin emperor ruled by law.

All men treated equally, regardless of birth,
because one set of laws could control man’s
inherently evil nature.

Legalists did not acknowledge any law higher
than that of the ruler.

The Legalists did not recognize any divine law.
Qin Rulers Unify China, 359–207
B.C.E.
 The Qin were only in power for fourteen years.
 The Qin established a basic framework for
imperial China.

The emperor appointed a prime minister.

Different government departments administered
the emperor's staff, military, and revenue.
Qin Rulers Unify China, 359–207
B.C.E.

Empire was divided into forty military
commanderies, each with a governor and a
military commander.

The commanderies were divided into smaller
units called districts, ruled by a magistrate.
Qin Rulers Unify China, 359–207
B.C.E.

Qin laws written on bamboo were discovered in a
clerk's tomb in Shuihudi, from 217 B.C.E.

The laws were very detailed and included
model cases of procedure.

The Qin legal code made distinctions in
criminal offenses and the severity of
punishments.
p76a
p76b
The Han Empire, 206 B.C.E.–220
C.E.
 Han Government and the Imperial Bureaucracy
 The Han dynasty was founded in 206 B.C.E.,
when Liu Bang, a former Qin official, rebelled
against the second Qin emperor.
 The Han official repudiated the harshness of the
Qin, while covertly keeping many Qin laws and
customs.

The Han kept the emperor/prime minister
structure and divided the rest of government into
three divisions: taxes, military, and personnel.
The Han Empire, 206 B.C.E.–220
C.E.
 Han ruled for four hundred years with a brief
interruption from 9–23 C.E.
 From 206 B.C.E. to 9 C.E., the Former (or
Western) Han state had a capital at
Chang'an.
 In 9 C.E., Wang Mang, a relative of a Han
empress, founded the Xin dynasty.
 After Wang Mang was deposed in 23 C.E.,
the Han were restored, but moved their
capital to Luoyang; this is the Later or Eastern
Han.
The Han Empire, 206 B.C.E.–220
C.E.
 The Han began by ceding half of the Qin lands to
independent kings.

The rest of the land was subdivided into one
hundred commanderies and subdivided them into
prefectures.

Each prefecture had a magistrate who took care
of irrigation, registering the population, collecting
taxes, and settling disputes.
The Han Empire, 206 B.C.E.–220
C.E.
 The Han required government officials to be able
to read and write.

Han officials also had to study the Analects and
classical writings on history, poetry, and ritual.

The goal was to produce virtuous officials.

In 124 B.C.E., Emperor Han Wudi created the
Imperial Academy to train officials in
Confucian texts.
The Han Empire, 206 B.C.E.–220
C.E.
 Han education was helped by the invention of
paper in the second century B.C.E.

By 200 C.E., books were being written on paper
rather than bamboo.

From China, paper spread to the Islamic world in
the eighth century C.E. and then to Europe by the
eleventh century.
The Han Empire, 206 B.C.E.–220
C.E.
 Ban Zhao's Lessons for Women
 The Han capital of Luoyang became a literary
and scholarship center.
 The family of Ban Biao was one of the most
famous literary family in Luoyang.

Ban Biao had three children, twin sons and a
daughter.

One son became a scholar too, another
became a general.

Ban Biao's daughter, Ban Zhao, became a
writer.
Map 4-1 p80
Extending Han Rule
 Ban Zhao wrote a handbook for women called
Lessons for Women.

Ban Zhao believed that women should be
subservient to their husbands and to their in-laws.

She also believed that women should be literate.
Extending Han Rule
 Han-dynasty Conflict with the Xiongnu Nomads,
201–60 B.C.E.
 The Han dynasty added land to what had been
conquered by the Qin, continuing the tradition of
expanding the boundaries of the Chinese state.

Much of this newly conquered land came from
wars against the Xiongnu.

The Xiongnu formed a confederation of different
tribal peoples in Mongolia.
Extending Han Rule
 During the Han wars with the Xiongnu, the
Chinese discovered that their goods were being
traded far west.

The first person to discover the Silk Road was
probably the Han envoy Zhang Qian, c. 139 C.E.
Extending Han Rule
 The Han also traded with the Xiongnu to the
north, for horses, other animals, hides, gems,
and especially jade.

The Han, in turn, traded silk with the Xiongnu.
 The Xiongnu federation broke up in 60 B.C.E.
and no longer threatened the Han.
Extending Han Rule
 Han Expansion to the North, Northwest, and
South
 The Han were able to conquer many peoples,
but their control was weak.

The Han established garrison towns in the newly
conquered lands.

The Han conquered lands in the Taklamakan
Desert, Korea, and Vietnam.

Korea marked the northern boundary of the
Han, Vietnam was the southern boundary.
Extending Han Rule
 The Qin conquered the Vietnamese and
established Chinese garrisons.

A kingdom was established in southern Vietnam,
ruled by a Chinese king.

The kingdom was called the Southern Kingdom of
Yue, or Nam Viet; the Han armies defeated it in
110 B.C.E.
Extending Han Rule
 Korea remained divided among tribal groups until
300 B.C.E.

Northern Korea was unified under the Old
Choson kingdom.

Old Choson was conquered twice by the Chinese,
once by the Qin, and then again in 108 B.C.E. by
the Han.
Extending Han Rule

However, Old Choson remained largely
independent, at least culturally.

There is no evidence yet of either Korea or
Vietnam adopting Chinese writing until after the
Han.