Classical China
38
Three Early Chinese Dynasties Zhou, Qin, Han
Transcript of Classical China
Three Early Chinese DynastiesZhou, Qin, Han
I. The Zhou Dynasty – 1028 B.C. – 256 B.C.A. The Zhou conquered the last Shang king around 1028 B.C.
1. Zhou rulers claimed the Mandate of Heaven (heaven’s approval)2. They established a feudal system (feudalism)
a. Kings gave land to nobles in exchange for loyaltyb. peasants worked land in exchange for protection
King
Nobles
Peasants
Merchants
Grants use of land to nobles in exchange for
loyalty
Give loyalty and armies to the king
Work the land for the nobles in exchange for shelter, protection, and
food
Lower status than peasants because riches come from other’s work
Chinese feudal system developed under the Zhou dynasty
B. Zhou technological advances1. Major advancement = use of iron2. cast iron = stronger weapons & farming tools; increased production3. invented crossbow4. invented silk cloth – becomes major trade item
C. Zhou dynasty crumbles1. Zhou lose power & enters Era of the Warring States2. regional kings fighting each other for land and power3. The Qin eventually win and unite China
II. Two Chinese Philosophies Emerge
Confucianism“The Analects”
Teachings of Confucius
“Respect yourself and others will respect you.”
Daoism Balance/Harmony with Nature
Why do you think there was an effort to find a new governing style?
II. Two Chinese Philosophies EmergeA. Confucianism 1. Impact of Confucianism in forming the social order in China
a. Belief that humans are good, not badb. Respect for elders – Filial Piety - http://www.stanford.edu/group/confucian/cgi-bin/blog/?p=149
c. Code of Politeness (still use in Chinese society today)d. Emphasis on educatione. Ancestor worship
Respect link
II. Two Chinese Philosophies EmergeA. Confucianism 2. Five Primary Relationships
a. ruler and subjectb. father and sonc. elder brother and younger brotherd. husband and wifee. friend and friend
Respect link
II. Two Chinese Philosophies EmergeA. Confucianism 3. the Analects
a. teachings of Confucius b. Provide guidelines for Confucianism
Respect link
Confucianism - Filial Piety – Respect/obey elders/family - Every member of society has duty. - Role model or follower or both
He who exercises government by means of his virtue may be compared to the north polar star, which keeps its place and all the stars turn towards it. -Confucious
What Chinese concept is Confucius reinforcing?
Writing and teachings of Confucius = Analects
II. Two Chinese Philosophies EmergeB. Taoism 1. Impact of Taoism in forming Chinese culture and values
a. Humility – low view of one’s own importance
b. Simple life & inner peacec. Harmony/balance with nature Lao Zi - founder
Yin and Yang represent opposites for
Confucianism and Taoism.
Critical Intro:Are you Yin or Yang?
III. The Qin Dynasty – 221 B.C. – 210 B.C.A. Around 221 B.C., the Qin defeat rival kingdoms & unite much of China
1. strong centralized gov’t formed2. military districts allowed emperor to maintain control3. Qin Shihuangdi = 1st emperor of China4. China gets its name from Qin
B. Qin Shihuangdi – his achievements1. standardized weights and measures and coinage2. created uniform writing system3. constructed Great Wall of China
C. The Great Wall of China1. Invaders raided Chinese settlements from the North.2. Qin built the Great Wall to guard against these invasions3. Wall extended over 4,000 miles4. built with forced labor – many died during construction
D. Qin’s Shihuangdi’s Strict Rule1. Imposed censorship (burned books) to control information2. took power from local lords3. many forced-labor projects4. legalistic philosophy – strict laws + harsh punishments
D. The End of the Qin Dynasty1. Qin Shihuangdi dies in 210 B.C.2. He is buried with an army of terra cotta (clay) soldiers and horses3. The dynasty weakens; loses control of country4. 206 B.C. Han Dynasty comes to power
III. The Han Dynasty – 206 B.C. – A.D. 220A. Liu Bang reunites China + becomes 1st emperor of Han Dynasty
1. Liu Bang reestablished centralized power2. lowered taxes and softened punishments
IV. The Han Dynasty – 206 B.C. – A.D. 220A. Wudi – The greatest Han ruler
1. He greatly expanded the empire2. He expanded trade routes to the west
known as the Silk Roadsa. Silk Roads = Series of trade
routes linking China and the Mediterranean cultures & Roman Empire
3. He established the Civil Service System – system/tests for selecting most able person for gov’t jobs.4. The Han Dynasty rivaled the Roman Empire in:
a. Sizeb. Populationc. government
Taking the Civil Service Exam
Silk Roads – Connect China to Mediterranean Sea and Roman Empire
Silk Roads
Silk Roads
Indian Ocean trade routes
B. Fall of the Han Dynasty1. After Wudi died the dynasty weakened.2. The Huns eventually overthrew the Han Dynasty
C. Other contributions of Classical China1. invented paper2. porcelain3. gun powder4. wheelbarrow
Early Chinese Crossbows
Repeating Crossbow
The Warring States Period of Ancient China480 BCE to 221 BCE
Daoism/TaoismBalance and harmony with natureYin and Yang
The Terra Cotta soldiers of Shi Huangdi’s tomb
Zhou iron axe
The Great Wall and Silk RoadThe Great Wall – pg. 100
1. Draw in, generally, the location of the great Wall of China.
2. What was the main purpose of the Great Wall of China? _____________________________________________________________________
3. From the map, what does the location of the wall tell you about China’s threats?__________________________________________________
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The Silk Road– pg. 184-85
1. Draw in, generally, the location of the Silk Roads.
2. The Silk Road was used for what purpose? _____________________________________________________________________________
3. The Silk Roads connected what two cultures/empires? ____________________________________________________________________
4. The Silk Road split to avoid which geographic barrier? ___________________________________________________________________
5. How did the Silk Roads contribute to cultural diffusion? __________________________________________________________________
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Two Great Empires: Han China and RomeUse chart on pg. 187
Han China Rome
Comparative Thesis: ___________________________________________________________________
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