Ancient China

Origins: Shang

Development: Chou

Height of Greatness: Ch’in and Han

Decline: Huns

Shang Dynasty (review) Bronze Age society c.1600-1100 B.C.

• first urban society in China • Trade and commerce develop• Chinese writing invented, • bronze for tools, weapons,

cups and trade goods.• grew grains like millet and rice• used silk and flax to make

clothes• capital was Anyang• Oracles used animal bone

cracks to advise on decisions and possible future events

The Chou Dynasty (review) (c. 1100-221 B.C.)

• Chou originated west of the Hwang Hu’s great river bend.

• Ruled as coordinators of regional (feudal) kingdoms rather than as a central govt.

• military force determined strength of rulers

• Conflict led to decline into the "Period of the Warring States" (403-221 B.C.).

• Vast majority of peasants lived on farms in family compounds

• Silk was their most important product

• Confucianism, Taoism, Legalism begin

Hawk-shaped gold hat ornament(8th - 3rd century B.C.)

Classical Imperial China

Qin Dynasty – China united by war and controlled by legalist ruler for 20 years

Han Dynasty – Empire China ruled by Confuscian govt that brought freedom,

prosperity, invention and trade to China

Qin (Ch’in) Dynasty 221-206 B.C.E.

• China is named after this dynasty (Ch’in = Qin = China)

• China was conquered and united by Shi Huangdi (221-206 B.C.E)

• China’s first emperor

Politics• The Qin dynasty adopted

Legalism. • Effective but cruel laws• Political opponents were

imprisoned or executed. • Increased the size and power

of the govt bureaucracy• censorate acted as spies on

the govt officials• Large and powerful military• He extended the empire w/

ruthless military

Economy• Abolished feudal estates

• Empire owns land and all people

• standardized monetary system

• Improved and standardized road system.

• weights and measures were standardized

• Massive public building projects• Great Wall of China• Emperor’s tomb (terra cotta

army)

Religion/Philosophy

• Legalism

• Emperor treated like a divine being

• Confucians and Taoists persecuted

• Ancestor worship common

Social Life

• Commoners made up over 90% of the population• rarely left their village

• fathers' employment passed to eldest son • Strict laws kept good order• Military leaders were most important social class• Often peasants treated like slaves for large

building projects• Women were treated as property

Intellectual Developments

• Books that opposed the official views were burned.

• Excellent bronze weapons

• Terra cotta army

• Great Wall

Qin walls were simple compared to future walls (note the tower in the distance)

Art

• Bronze work continued

• Clay for art and pottery

Archaeology is hard work