Classical China

Ch 2

A. China is considered one of the longest living civilizationsB. China was isolated

1. Rarely was invaded2. Developed everything on their own3. Very distinct identity4. Very close ties to personal history

I. General Information

C. Intellectual ideology

1. Harmony in Nature: Ying and Yang2. Daoism- Avoid excess

D. Geographic region1. Consistently occupy the Huanghe and

Yangtze River valleys

I. General Information

I. General Information

E. Consisted of three dynasties

1. Zhou Dynasty 1029-258 BC2. Qin Dynasty 221-202 BC3. 202 BC- 220 AD

F. History is seen as cycles

I. General Information

A. Lasted from 1029-258 BCB. Worked off of a feudal system

1. Agriculture in “Middle Kingdom”2. Wheat- North & Rice- South

C. Emperors ruled by Mandate of Heaven1. Called Sons of Heaven

II. Zhou Dynasty

D. Started to decline around 700 BC

1. Nomadic tribes started to invade2. Downfall led to philosophers such as Confucius3. Ended in civil war between princes

II. Zhou Dynasty

E. Contributions

1. Mandarin2. Banning human sacrifice3. Political Ethics (Confucius)

II. Zhou Dynasty

A. Origination for the Name ChinaB. Short lived dynasty (21 years)C. Qin Shi Huangdi (first emperor)

1. Very brutal leader2. Brought nobles to court3. Officials were nonaristocratic4. Extended territory5. Burned books and attacked culture6. High taxes

III. Qin Dynasty

D. Contributions

1. Standardized coins, weights and measurements

2. Census3. Uniform written language4. Irrigation5. Promoted Silk production6. Built the Great Wall (3000 Miles)

E. Died in 210 BC7. Revolts

III. Qin Dynasty

Great Wall

A. Centralized government but not repressive

like QinB. Extended bordersC. Traded with India and MediterraneanD. Emperor Wu Ti brought peace

1. Chinese version of Pax Romana with AugustusE. Focused on culture and ConfuciousF. Declined with the invasion of the Huns

1. Brought chaos to China

IV. Han Dynasty

A. Very BureaucraticB. Universal taxesC. Civil Service Test D. Harsh punishmentE. Lack of military focus

V. Politics

A. Daoism

1. Focus on harmony and balance2. Ying and Yang3. Everything eventually balances out

VI. Culture

B. Ancestor worship/ polytheism

1. Worship dead ancestors2. Try to please ancestors3. Spirits in nature

VI. Culture

C. Confucianism

1. Respect tradition and virtue2. Summed up in the Analects3. Leaders are to be examples4. Leaves no spiritual side

D. Legalism5. Goes with Confucianism6. Humans are evil and need restraint

VI. Culture

E. Science

1. Studied planets and their motion2. Linked hygiene with health

F. Patriarchal Society3. Father runs family4. Close family ties.

G. Trade1. Focus of trade: Silk (Silk Road)

VI. Culture

A. Ox Drawn Plows and Plow CollarsB. Iron Mining (Pulleys)C. Water Powered MillsD. PaperE. PorcelainF. Compass

VII. Contributions