ANCIENT AND CLASSICAL CHINA
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Transcript of ANCIENT AND CLASSICAL CHINA
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.
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 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 BonesRulers, 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
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
Royal family and allied noble families at the top
Most of the land owned by the king, nobles Peasants, the majority of population
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
CHINESE POPULAR RELIGIONCo-exists well with all major
ideas, philosophiesBelieves gods, spirits (shen)
influence family, worldMaintenance of family shrines,
community temples
HOUSEHOLD & PUBLIC RITUALSHousehold Rituals
– Always performed by males– Expression of Confucian filial piety
Domestic altarNames of deceased, icons
Public Rituals– Preserve social harmony, local identity
CONFUCIUS’ SEARCH FOR ORDER Confucius (551-479 B.C.E.)
Sayings compiled in the Analects by disciples
Confucian ideas Fundamentally moral and ethical in
character Restore political and social order; stress
ritual
The key Confucian idea: 5 Relationships and filial piety as basis
of 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 – Called “carrot and stick” approach in west – Called for harsh penalties even for minor
infractions
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
Understand natural principles, live in harmony with them
Laozi -founder of Daoism Philosophical Daoism
Dao - The way of nature, the way of the cosmos Opposites in balance, complementary Flourishes when peace prevails
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
TRADE AND COMMERCE– Iron 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
LOSS OF THE MANDATE– Collapse of the Han
Factions at court paralyzed the central government
Han empire dissolved China was divided into regional
kingdoms