Classical Civilization: China 500 B.C.E. to 600 C.E.

Dynastic* Circles of Classical China Zhou – Fedualistic Society 1122 B.C.E. – 256 B.C.E. Period of Warring States 403 B.C.E. – 221 B.C.E. Qin – Empire/dynasty 221 B.C.E. – 207 B.C.E. Han – Empire/dynasty 206 B.C.E. – 220 C.E. *A dynasty is a family of kings. Of all societies in the world today, China has maintained the clearest links to its classical past. Already in the period of classical Chinese history a pattern was set in motion that lasted until the early part of the 20th century. A family of kings called a dynasty would start its rule of China with great vigor, developing strong political institutions and encouraging an active economy. As a result, the dynasty grew weaker and tax revenues decliens while social division increased in the larger society. Internal rebellions and sometimes invasions from the outside hastened the dynasty’s decline. As the ruling dynasty declined, another dynasty emerged, usually from the family of a successful general, invader of peasant rebel, and the pattern would start anew. As a result many Chinese conceive of history in terms of cycles, in contrast to the Western tendency to think of steady progress from past to present.

Zhou Dynasty 1029 B.C.E. to 258 B.C.E. China’s feudal period. Rulers gave large regional estates to family and supporters. Regional leaders provided central government with troops and tax revenues. Vulnerable system due to regional landowning aristocrats who built own power base. Even during its strong centuries, the Zhou did not establish powerful government, ruling instead through alliances with regional princes and noble families. The dynasty initially came into China from the north, displacing its predecessor, the Shang rulers. The alliance systems the Zhou used the basis for their rule were standard in agricultural kingdoms. Rulers lacked the means to control their territories directly and so gave large regional estates to members of their families and other supporters, hoping that their loyalties would remain intact. The supporters, in exchange for land, were supposed to provide the central government with troops and tax revenues. This was China’s feudal period, with rulers depending on a network of loyalties and obligations to and from their landlord vassals. Such a system was, of course, vulnerable to regional disloyalties, and the ultimate declines of the Zhou dynasty occurred when regional land-owning aristocrats solidified their own power based and disregarded the central government.

Zhou Dynasty Political Developments Rich agricultural lands merged wheat-growing north and rice- growing south. Encouraged population growth. Centralized rule became difficult. In spite of eventual demise of Zhou dynsaty, the Zhou contributed in several ways to the development of Chinese politics and culture in their early active centures. First, they extended the territory of China by taking over the Yngtze River valley. This stretch of territory from the Huanghe to Yangtze, became China’s core—often called the “middle Kingdom.” It provided rich agricultural lands plus the benefits of two different agricultures-wheat-growing in the north, rice growing in the south—a diversity that encouraged population growth. The territorial expansion obviously complicated the problems of central rule, for communication and transport from the capital to the outlying regions were difficult. This is why the Zhou relied so heavily on the loyalty of regional supporters.

Zhou Dynasty Political and Cultural Developments Heightened focus on central government. Asserted Mandate of Heaven. Emperors considered Sons of Heaven.

“T’ien Ming” The Mandate of Heaven The leader must lead by ability and virtue. The dynasty's leadership must be justified by succeeding generations. The mandate could be revoked by negligence and abuse; the will of the people was important.

The Dynastic Cycle Start here A new dynasty comes to power. The emperor reforms the govt. & makes it more efficient. Emperor is defeated !! Lives of common people improved; taxes reduced; farming encouraged. The Dynastic Cycle Rebel bands find strong leader who unites them. Attack the emperor. Problems begin (extensive wars, invasions, etc.) Poor lose respect for govt. They join rebels & attack landlords. Taxes increase; men forced to work for army. Farming neglected. Droughts, floods, famines occur. Govt. increases spending; corruption.

Zhou Dynasty Cultural Developments Banned human sacrifice. Mandarin Chinese, Regional languages remained but educated officials relied on Mandarin form. As a result of the standardization of language of Mandarin Chinese, this group of people became the largest group speaking the same language in the world at this time. Regional dialects and language remained but educated officials began to rely on the single Mandarin form. Oral epics and stories in Chinese, many gradually recorded in written form, aided in the development of a common cultural currency.

The Fall of the Zhou Dynasty Regional rulers formed independent armies. Emperors were reduced to figureheads. From 402 to 201 B.C.E., the “Period of Warring States,” Zhou dynasty disintegrated. Increasing cultural unit helps explain why, when the Zhou empire began to fail, scholars were able to use philosophical ideas to lessen the impact of growing political confusion. Indeed, the political crisis spurred efforts to define and articulate Chinese culture. During the late 6th and early 5th centuries B.C.E. the philosopher known in the west as Confucius wrote an elaborate statement on political ethics providing the core of China’s distinctive philosophical heritage. Other writers and religious leaders participated in this great period of cultural creativity which later re-emerged as a set of central beliefs throughout the Middle Kingdom. Cultural innovation did not, however, reverse the prolonged and painful Zhou downfall,

Qin [Ch’in] Dynasty, 221-206 B.C.E. Established China’s first empire  Shi Huangdi (221-206 B.C.E) Legalist rule  Bureaucratic administration Centralized control Military expansion Book burnings  targeted Confucianists Buried protestors alive! Built large section of the Great Wall Short-lived but very significant. Book burnings (including Confucius!) Millions of peasants were forced to build the Great Wall along the northern border. China, from Qin, developed as the name outsiders used to refer to China. But the Chinese still refer to themselves as Han people.

Shi Huangdi’s Terra Cotta Army Note the western terminus at Jiayu Pass and the eastern terminus at Shanhai Pass.

Shi Huangdi’s Terra Cotta Army Note the western terminus at Jiayu Pass and the eastern terminus at Shanhai Pass.

Shi Huangdi’s Terra Cotta Soldiers & Cavalrymen Note the western terminus at Jiayu Pass and the eastern terminus at Shanhai Pass.

Cavalry Note the western terminus at Jiayu Pass and the eastern terminus at Shanhai Pass.

Individual Soldiers Note the western terminus at Jiayu Pass and the eastern terminus at Shanhai Pass.

The Details of an Individual Soldier Note the western terminus at Jiayu Pass and the eastern terminus at Shanhai Pass.

Individual “Tombs” Note the western terminus at Jiayu Pass and the eastern terminus at Shanhai Pass.

The Great Wall with Towers How effective do you think this kind of fortification would have been in pre-modern times?

The Eastern terminus of the Great Wall, Shanhai Pass

Han Dynasty, 206 B.C.E.-220 C.E. “People of the Han”  original Chinese Paper invented [105 B.C.E.]  Silk Road trade develops; improves life for many Buddhism introduced into China Expanded into Central Asia The Han Synthesis term refers to the emphasis on Legalism, but with a touch of Confucianism. The Han dynasty recorded Confucius’s teachings (The Analects) and put a big emphasis on the family. Founded the Imperial University Required examinations to become bureaucrat (civil service system) Soldiers dropped to lowest status. Confucianists at work; Daoists at home. The Han tried to replace literature, including Confucius’s writings, lost during the Qin Dynasty. Created new works of literature and music. Scroll painting began during this time. Iron was now used for plows and weapons. Acupuncture was invented. Invented a crude seismic sensing tool, so they could send troops and food to the scene of an earthquake! Inventions include: paper (105 CE), sternpost rudder on ships, water mill, wheelbarrow, furrowed cultivation Show map for Silk Road trade. It brought Chinese together into one civilization, creating a common culture. Economically, it brought much wealth to the Han, as they exported much more than they imported. Wudi’s public schools taught Confucianism. Grand School in capital. In 100 years, 30,000 studied there.

Han – Roman Empire Connection

Chang’an The Han Capital What about this map suggests that Chang’an was a city of an advanced civilization? Answers might include: Grid pattern. Palaces and administrative buildings suggest centralized governments. Markets suggest trade.

His jade suit has 2498 pieces! Liu Sheng Tomb (d. 113 BCE) His jade suit has 2498 pieces!

Emperor Wudi, 141-87 B.C.E. Revival of Chinese landscape painting. Started public schools. Strengthened economy and government Expansionism -colonized Manchuria, Korea, & Vietnam. Civil service system  bureaucrats Confucian scholar-gentry Revival of Chinese landscape painting. The Han Synthesis term refers to the emphasis on Legalism, but with a touch of Confucianism. The Han dynasty recorded Confucius’s teachings (The Analects) and put a big emphasis on the family. Founded the Imperial University Required examinations to become bureaucrat (civil service system) Soldiers dropped to lowest status. Confucianists at work; Daoists at home. The Han tried to replace literature, including Confucius’s writings, lost during the Qin Dynasty. Created new works of literature and music. Scroll painting began during this time. Iron was now used for plows and weapons. Acupuncture was invented. Invented a crude seismic sensing tool, so they could send troops and food to the scene of an earthquake! Inventions include: paper (105 CE), sternpost rudder on ships, water mill, wheelbarrow, furrowed cultivation Show map for Silk Road trade. It brought Chinese together into one civilization, creating a common culture. Economically, it brought much wealth to the Han, as they exported much more than they imported. Wudi’s public schools taught Confucianism. Grand School in capital. In 100 years, 30,000 studied there.

Began Civil Service Exams (advancement based on merit) Males only Dynasties will rise and fall but Confucianism and these exams endured for 2,000 years. Wudi Began Silk Road – linked China to the West Stretched 4,000 miles Han Dynasty made Confucianism official belief system

Han Artifacts Imperial Seal Han Ceramic House

Ceramics, Later Han Period

Trade Routes of the Ancient World

Multi-Cultural Faces -- People Along the Silk Road

Ruins of Jiaohe, Turphan depression Ruins of Jiaohe, Turphan depression. Han dynasty outpost in Central Asia