Ancient China Shang Dynasty through the Han Dynasty Shang Dynasty through the Han Dynasty

Gobi Desert Huang He(Yellow River) Chiang Jiang (Yangzi River) Xi Jiang (West River) Qinlin Shandi Tibet Xinjiang Geographic Features Manchuria

 Less outside influence than any of the other ancient river valley civilizations.  Lack of contact with others helped to create a sense of superiority and identity  Chinese opinion was people could only become civilized if they adopted Chinese language and customs. Effects of Isolation

Dynastic Cycle as a pattern of history: “Mandate of Heaven”  This is used to describe the rise and fall of dynasties. Influenced their view of history and influenced by their vision of the cyclical nature of the world.  Heaven would bless the authority of a just ruler Leader Gains Power Hereditay Dynasty Emerges Peace and Prosperity Abuse and Neglect Dynasty Falls and is Replaced

Xia Kings and Shang Dynasty  Xia (SHAH) ruled during the Neolithic- they may be mythical (Emperor Yu the Great)  Shang were invaders who came to China between 1750 and 1500 BCE

Shang Artistic/Cultural Contributions

Writing begins with the Shang and then evolves: (Calligraphy evolves as an art form) [Wang Xizhi][Wang Hsi-chih] ( ) None of his original works on paper remain today. Some of his best writings were preserved on carved stone tablets, Stone rubbings taken from them have been reproduced and reprinted widely; they have been studied by generations of students and used as examples to learn and practice the art of calligraphy.

Shang Dynasty Religion  Animism and ancestor worship  Worshipped the elements  Oracle Bones

The Yangtze (Chiang Jiang) another early civilization

Yangtze Archeology

Zhou and Qin Dynasties  Zhou (Joh) BCE (longest lasting dynasty)  Between BCE - The Warring States period.  Qin BCE (lasted a short time but first unified government)  Autocratic control (Legalism) Cruel  Shi Huangdi- terra cotta army  Great Wall is started Zhou Dynasty Qin Dynasty

The tomb of Emperor Shi Huangdi

Terra Cotta Warriors of Shi Huangdi

Han Dynasty 202 BCE- 220 CE  First Han emperor- Liu Bang (King of Han)  Less oppressive than the Qin (moderated Legalism with Confucianism)  Longest ruling Han emperor-Wu Di (establishes the capital at Xian)  Most Chinese consider the Han their direct ancestors

Han Dynasty Contributions under Wu Di  Civil Service System (the whole test was all Confucian teachings)  Economic policy of “leveling” (we might say subsidies) to control farm prices (advanced economic control)  Pax Sinica established  Trade prospered on the Silk Road

The Silk Road View video: The Silk Road

The Grand Canal: completed in the Sui (Sway) Dynasty 604 AD(CE)

Chinese Philosophy  Dualism-the two “sided- ness” of nature.  Yin and Yang are the opposites but are not in conflict like good and evil- --they depend on each other.  Yin- female, dark, passive  Yang- male, bright, active

Confucianism  Kongzi (Kung fu Tse) Confucius 551 BCE-479 BCE (Warring States)  Wanted to end political disorder.  His Philosophy: 1. Perform Duties 4 classes of society-in order: scholar, peasant, artisan, merchant (what is missing from the usual ancient classes of society?) 2. Government should be virtuous (do not use military to control, emphasize honesty, only well educated and moral should control government) 3 key concepts: Respect for family, respect for elders, reverence for the past The Master said, "Learning without thinking is in vain; thinking without learning is dangerous."

Confucianism continued  5 Relationships (1) ruler to ruled; (2) father to son; (3) husband to wife; (4) elder brother to younger brother; and (5) friend to friend  “filial piety”- love and devotion for parents  Li- fulfill duties  Jen (yen)- ”human heartedness”  Teachings include the “5 Classics” and “The Analects”

Taoism (Daoism) “The Way”  Laozi (Lao Tzu) 500’s BCE (writes the Tao Te Ching?)  Look toward nature  The Dao is the “indescribable” force that governs nature  The invisible world is what is real  Wu Wei-”without action” (‘wei wu wei)- “action without action” (equilibrium)  The uncarved stone- a symbol of Taoism. Why?  How do you become close to the Tao?