Classical China Confucius

I. Dynastic Cycles  History of classical China is cyclical  A family of kings ruled for a time, weakened, then was overthrown  The dynastic cycles of the Classical Era  The Zhou (1029 to 258 B.C.E.)  The Qin (221 to 202 B.C.E.)  The Han (202 B.C.E. To 220 C.E.)

II. Zhou Dynasty  Never established a strong central government  Feudalism  Ruled through regional princes and noble families  counted on loyalty of nobles to control population  Nobles exchanged loyalty, taxes, and troops for land and power  Accomplishments:  Expansion S. to Yangtze R.  Area between 2 Rivers called “Middle Kingdom”  Developed idea of “Mandate of Heaven”

II. Zhou cont.  Encouraged cultural unity  Discouraged “primitive” religious ideas  Promoted a unified language – Mandarin  Decline 402 – 201 B.C.E. - Era of the Warring States  Nobles formed independent armies, fought over territory, forced Zhou leaders from power

III. The Qin Dynasty  Shi Huangdi – First Emperor  Unified all regions under the name China  A brutal tyrant, used military might to take control  Took control of Feudal estates by appointing leaders who took over for noble/aristocratic families  Leaders picked from non-aristocratic families  Expansion South to Hong Kong/Vietnam  The Great Wall (North expansion) The Great Wall  3000 miles long  Built to repel invaders  Built using forced labor

The Great Wall with Towers

III. Qin continued...  Innovations  Standardized coins, weights, and measures  Completely standardized written script  Completed new irrigation projects  Promoted manufacturing – silk cloth  Burned/banned many texts – prevent criticism/opposing ways of thinking  Peasant revolts due to high taxes and oppressive tactics brought end to dynasty

Shi Huangdi’s Terra Cotta Army

IV. The Han Dynasty  Retained the centralized gov't of Qin Dynasty  Reduced oppressive laws  Expanded empire – central Asia, Korea, S.E. Asia  Ruler Wu Ti ( BCE) long era of peace  Government was improved thanks to formal training  Creation of a bureaucracy – trained government officials  Confucianism promoted throughout China  Decline: Central control weakened through expansion and invasions

W ARM U P P RACTICE 1. As opposed to earlier dynasties, the Han: a. allowed regional rulers to maintain most of their control b. relied on a massive bureaucracy to control their empire c. were intolerant of Confucian ideals d. readily accepted Buddhism as the religion of the empire e. elevated merchants to a high social status

2. One of the most important political legacies of the Zhou Dynasty in Ancient China is a. A written law code b. The establishment of a theocracy c. The tradition of having two rulers instead of one d. Participation by citizens in the decision-making process e. The mandate of heaven

V. P OLITICAL T RADITIONS Classical China was the largest political system in the world that outlasted Empires Zhou dynasty = strong local governments/rulers – Tight patriarchal family units/ancestor worship led to control Qin dynasty = strong unified society/government – Established a single law code – Uniform tax system – All leaders appointed by central authority directly

V. P OLITICS CONTINUED... Han dynasty = perfecting the bureaucracy (large skilled class of government workers) – Required leaders to take a civil service test – Elite School created for training – Many from the lower class became bureaucrats keeping upper class in check Classical China established many lasting gov't traditions: – Judicial system – Organized military – Scientific research – Historical record keeping – Public Works (wall, canals, irrigation, granaries)

VI. R ELIGION & P HILOSOPHY Confucius ( B.C.E.) Confucius – Lived during the Zhou Dynasty – Promoted the studying and teaching of history and moral character – Believed in social order, harmony, and good government – Five basic relationships: 1. ruler and subject 2. father and son 3. husband and wife 4. older brother and younger brother 5. friend and friend

VI. CONTINUED... – Code of conduct regulated these relationships Example: rulers should be kind, subjects should be loyal Rules presented in The Analects – Stressed importance of respect for one's family – Ideas about government Taught the importance of training and educating government leaders (bureaucracy) – Confucianism not a religion but is the foundation for Chinese government and social order

VI. CONTINUED... Legalism – Founded during the Qin Dynasty – Believed in a powerful, authoritative government to control naturally selfish humans – Use force, not reason/respect for others, to gain control – Good citizens rewarded well, disobedient citizens punished harshly – Education and philosophy strictly controlled and discouraged by the government

VI. CONTINUED... Daoism – Loazi, founder in the sixth century B.C.E. – A spiritual alternative to Confucianism – Natural order – relationships among all living things – A universal force (Dao) guides all things – Live simply and in harmony with nature – Stressed humility and frugal living

VII. S OCIAL S TRUCTURE Social classes – Upper class: landowning nobles, educated bureaucrats (mandarins) – Middle class: artisans & peasants Much poorer than upper class – Lower class: “mean” people (unskilled laborers; included performers) Lowest possible status, punished more severely Identified by green scarves – Very few household slaves (not for production)

VII. CONTINUED... Family life – Emphasis on family unity – Patriarchal - husbands and fathers at the head of family – Confucian belief: “There are no wrongdoing parents” – Women were subordinate – Oldest male child would inherit property and social status

VIII. E CONOMY Agricultural society – Rice and wheat the main commodities Trade – Mostly within China, through Silk Trade Route gave some outside contact – Silk, jewelry, leather goods, furniture – Society did not hold merchants in high regard (lasting legacy of Classical China) More respect for learning and political service Technological advances – Harnesses that allowed animals to pull carts and wagons without choking – Ox-drawn plows – Iron tools – Paper