Classical China: Qin and Han Dynasties

Zhou Dynasty (1029-258 BCE) Overthrew Shang Dynasty by claiming the Mandate of Heaven Kings ruled with a decentralized government Disorder of this era influenced Confucius and Laozi

Zhou Dynasty (1029-258 BCE) Son of Heaven: title of the Chinese emperor Served as an intermediary between heaven and earth by performing rituals and sacrifices Mandate of Heaven: emperor could rule as long as he was benevolent towards the people and maintained harmony

Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE) Era of Warring States (475-221 BCE): seven competing kingdoms Shihuangdi (r. 221-210 BCE) defeated others and became the “first emperor” Advanced army, elaborate bureaucracy Used Legalism to rule empire Standardized weights, measures, currency, axle lengths Began construction of a northern wall, canals Established written Chinese language

Qin Dynasty (221-206BCE)

Legalism Political philosophy used by Shihuangdi Burned Confucian texts and killed Confucian scholars The state, law, and the position of the ruler had ultimate authority Rules were publicly posted Strict rewards and punishments were enforced Viewed soldiers and farmers as only essential members of society

Mausoleum of Qin Shihuangdi

Mausoleum of Qin Shihuangdi Built between 246-208 BCE Possessions were meant to accompany the emperor into the afterlife 6,000 terracotta warriors Booby traps Workers were buried inside the tomb

Mausoleum of Qin Shihuangdi

Han Dynasty (206 BCE-221 CE) Civil war erupted after Shihuangdi’s death Han dynasty founded by Emperor Gaozu (r. 202-195 BCE) Capital at Chang’an Assimilated non-Chinese people Emperor Wu (r. 141-87 BCE) Confucianism became official government philosophy Nationalized salt and iron industries Repelled nomadic Xiongnu from the north

Han Dynasty (206 BCE-221 CE)

Imperial Bureaucracy Emperor Wu established the Imperial University to train officials Different levels of civil service examinations to enter the bureaucracy Exams based on Confucian writings, math, literature, history Officials selected due to merit and morality over wealth and status Favored wealthy families who could afford intensive schooling for their sons Bureaucratic officials gained power, prestige

Confucianism Confucius (551-479 BCE) Five unequal relationships Philosopher and government official Saw the family as the ideal basis for government Social harmony occurred by following the example of your superiors Five unequal relationships Ruler to ruled Father to son Husband to wife Elder brother to younger brother Friend to friend

Confucianism Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” Moral example of superiors should guide action Education led to moral betterment Try to cultivate ren: benevolence, goodness Harmonious family life was essential Reverence of ancestors Filial piety: Honor of one’s parents and ancestors

Patriarchy and Confucianism Balance in the cosmos Heaven (male) and earth (female) Virtues for ideal men Wen (rationality, scholarship) Wu (physical and martial ability) “Three Obediences” for women Father Husband Son

Daoism Founded by Laozi (ca. 6th century BCE) Encouraged withdrawal to nature to find harmony Rejection of formal education, political and social involvements and ambitions Dao: the way, the path The way or principle that governs nature Simplicity in living, limited government Ma Lin, Quietly Listening to the Wind in the Pines

Daoism Family life was central to a harmonious society Yin (dark, female) and yang (light, male) Male and female were complementary

Han Society Emperor Aristocracy Scholar-gentry Farmers Artisans Rich landowners Scholar-gentry Developing class who became bureaucrats Farmers Vast majority of Chinese population Artisans Merchants Viewed as materialistic, profiting from others

Peasant Farmers in Han China Majority of Chinese population were small farmers Crippled by high rents to large landowners, military service, state-mandated labor, natural disasters Wang Mang (r. 9-23 CE) Overthrew Han dynasty Outlawed slavery, equally distributed all land Yellow Turban Rebellion (184-205 CE) Flooding of Yellow River caused 360,000 peasants to rebel Inspired by Daoist utopian ideals

Han Economy and Science Silk Roads connected China to trade with India, Middle East, and the Roman Empire Standardized coin money created by the imperial mint Invented paper Farming improvements Iron plow, yoke Negative numbers, seismograph, 365 day calendar

Decline and Fall of the Han Dynasty Empire became too big to maintain Court eunuchs and aristocracy fought for power Large landowning families gained power Epidemic diseases Smallpox, bubonic plagues reduced population by as much as one fourth Yellow Turban Rebellion (184-205 CE) Frequent invasions by northern nomads Emperor overthrown, three rival kingdoms created

Shang-Han Dynasties