UNIT 2

China, India, Persia and Judaism

ARYANS Nomadic Group invaded India Established City-states & Sanskrit (remember Harappa??)

Brought Hinduism and Caste System to India

CASTE SYSTEM

Priests (Brahmins) Warriors and Political

Rulers Landowners Peasants The “Untouchables”

Born into Caste-Can’t change social

class http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-H22zEdmLns&feature=player_detailpage

Video clip on caste system

PLEASE DRAW A VENN DIAGRAM

HINDUISMMajor Beliefs of Hinduism--no single holy bookGods—many gods, each is

manifestations of supreme beingReincarnation—at death soul is reborn

as another living thing (endless cycle of rebirth)

Karma—person’s behavior in life determines form in the next life (Good life=higher class, bad life=lower class)

Sacred Objects—Ganges river (power to wash away sin) and Cows (not to be eaten)

--provided people with a guide from birth to death

BUDDHISM Began in India, around 500 B.C., by Siddhartha Gautama

(Buddha), as a search for truth Based on philosophy of self-denial, reincarnation, meditationBeliefs of Buddhism Gods and Holy Book—No supreme god or holy book, basic

beliefs found in sutras Four Noble Truths—Life’s Meaning, pain and suffering is

caused by human desires, to find peace one must give up wrongful desires

Eightfold Path—The eight beliefs to follow to give up selfish desires

Nirvana—state of eternal peace, achieved by following eightfold path and escaping constant reincarnation

Buddhism spreads quickly throughout Asia, popular because it rejects the caste system

“FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS” OF BUDDHISM 1. All life is suffering 2. Suffering is caused by our craving (wanting of

things) 3. Suffering can only be stopped by ending our

craving. 4. Only a carefully disciplined and moral life,

such as a life of concentration and meditation, can end our craving.

According to the “Four Noble Truths,” how can we end our suffering?

MAURYAN EMPIRE(321 B.C.—232 B.C.) Mauryan empire

Asoka: Emperor Highly centralized,

expanded empire through war

Converted to Buddhism, used Buddhist ideals to guide rule

Allowed all religions in India

Expanded roads, schools, hospitals, and education across India

GUPTA EMPIRE(320 BC—535 AD) Gupta Empire

Encouraged trade with foreign lands in Indian Ocean and China

“Golden Age of Hindu Culture”—period of peace and stability

Built Universities to encourage art and literature

Indian scholars excelled at math and science

-developed concept of zero, decimal system, and Arabic numerals used today

-Calculated earth was round not flat, and solar year

THE DYNASTIES OF CHINA (1027 B.C.—221 B.C.)

Chinese history is divided into periods based upon the dynasties (ruling family) in charge.

ZHOU DYANSTY (1027 BC—221BC)*Used the Mandate of Heaven

to justify ruleRuler chosen by heaven, if

ruler is bad heaven will choose to end their rule, and appoint new family

--used as the basis for rule in China for centuries

*To keep power Zhou rulers gave nobles land in exchange for military service

*Expanded Chinese borders, but nobles became to powerful and began civil war

LEGACY OF ZHOU: CREATION OF CHINESE PHILOSOPHIES

Confucianism—ConfuciusNatural order--each person has a role

in society, which reflects their position in the universe

Role of People—if people fulfill their role and meet their obligations, society will be in harmony

Relationships—superior show love/responsibility and inferior show loyalty/obedience in each

Daoism—Lao Tzu--nature has a “way” or Dao that

people should accept and not resist or change

--respect for nature and harmony

MAJOR EASTERN RELIGIONSHinduism Buddhism ConfucianismWhere it began:

Main Beliefs:

Where it began:

Main Beliefs:

Where it began:

Main Beliefs:

QIN DYNASTY 221-206 B.C. Qin dynasty unified all of China through

conquest Organized into districts with military and

civil administrators Created canal and road system to unite

empire

THE 1ST EMPEROR OF CHINA, WAS QIN SHIHUANGDI OR QIN SHIH HUANG-TI

Shi Huangdi’s most remarkable achievement was the Great Wall.

HAN DYNASTY (202 B.C.-A.D. 220) Established examinations

based on knowledge and Confucian ideas to select people for civil service (govt officials)

--weakened nobles, and allowed commoners to move up social ladder

Advances in silk weaving, paper development, and ceramics

Children and Women in Han China were subordinate to men, but wealthy women were well treated and influential

SILK ROADSilk Road trade route connected Rome

and China. Chinese traded silk, iron, and bronze in return for gold, linen cloth, glass, ivory, horses and cattle.

THE FALL OF THE HAN DYNASTY Han ruled for 400 years Weakened by a series of rebellions, led to

imperial government giving more power to governors (tax/raise armies)

Economic hardships from expanding population Han emperor turns over power to warlord,

ending dynasty and beginning civil war in China

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIC4zom3w0g&list=UUAiABuhVSMZJMqyv4Ur5XqA&index=51&feature=plcp

INDIA CHINAEmpires in chronological order: Dynasties in chronological order

Characteristics: Dynasties:

Achievements: Achievements:

ANCIENT ISRAEL (HEBREWS)

Influenced by Mesopotamia and Egypt

Abraham begins settlement in Israel

Move to Egypt to avoid drought (enslaved)

Moses leads migration from Egypt back to Israel and settlement at Jerusalem

CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE HEBREWS: Monotheism – belief

in one universal God

New religion called Judaism based on monotheism and moral conduct

Monotheism becomes basis for Christianity and IslamMoses brings 10 commandments to Hebrews

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS“I am the Lord your

God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me.”

--Hebrews relationship with God is explained in the first part of the Bible the Old Testament. --The Ten Commandments – gave the Jews a law code from God, that forbid stealing, murder and other forms of immoral behavior--This is the root of Judaism.

Laws found in Old Testament

PERSIAN EMPIRE – 2000-100 B.C.

“I AM CYRUS, KING OF THE WORLD”*Cyrus the great united the Persian Empire

*Darius expanded empire to largest extent

*Divided empire into provinces (paid tribute) but benefited from trade

CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE PERSIANS

1. Pursued a policy of tolerance in dealing with the extensive territories and cultures they conquered.

2. Introduced the idea of coinage/ money economy or metal disks representing money.

3. Created the first extensive, well built road system to unite the empire. Known as the Royal Road (increase trade and communication)

ZOROASTRIANISM (ZOROASTER) Initially

polytheistic began two

god system (good/light and evil/dark)

Those who lived good lives would go to heaven, bad lives would go to hell

ISRAEL PERSIACharacteristics: Characteristics:

Achievements: Achievements: