Exploring China’s Past From Gunpowder to Silk and Paper

East Asian History and Governments. The history of E. Asia spans over 4,000 years. Beginning in around 2,000 BC civilization first began to emerge in China. China since that time has been referred to as the “cultural hearth or center of East Asian Culture.

Chinese Dynasties Chang Zhou Chin or Qin Han

China: A nation of Dynasties Around 1700 B.C., the Shang dynasty (ruling house) came to power in China. The Shang Dynasty lasted until 1100 BC when it was conquered by the Zhou Dynasty. The Zhou dynasty extended trade from China throughout Asia. It was succeeded by the Qin (Chin) dynasty from which China gets its name.

The Chin The Chin dynasty lasted around 700 years until they were replaced by the Tang dynasty around 550 AD. The Chin or Quin are responsible for one of China’s most recognizable buildings: the “Great Wall of China”. 4,000 miles of the Great Wall was built by the Chin Dynasty in some 500 years.

The Shang 1750-1122 BC – established as a society that revolved around warfare. The king of the Shang controlled a large Army and ruled through terror. This was accomplished through a bureaucracy (everyone who worked in the government.) In order to maintain control Shang kings wished to keep divine rights monarchy – meaning that the gods wished them to rule. The Shang accomplished this through human sacrifice to the ancestors.

Technology in China: Porcelain and Silk and Bronze

Lost Wax Casting The Shang were the first to use “lost wax” casting on a large scale. Lost Wax casting is where you make a mold out of clay or plaster in which you place a wax mold. HOT Bronze is poured inside, and the bronze replaces the wax leaving any shape you desire… here are some examples:

The Zhou Chang kings ruled through terror and lived in excess while their people starved. For example, the last Chang king swam in a swimming pool full of wine. Daily meals in the royal court involved for just the king : 12 pigs, 150 fowl, 21 varieties of fish and numerous fruits vegetables and wines. Due to this in 1122 BC the Zhou overran the Chin to become the most powerful people in China.

The Zhou 1122-256 BC: longest lasting dynasty in Chinese history. The Zhou continued the government of the Chang, but added a new Idea: Mandate of Heaven: a political philosophy that based the right to rule by divine will. Basically you ruled because the gods wanted you to. Mandate of Heaven was enforced by the Dao (dow) – a ruler had to keep the gods happy or it was the right of other people to overthrow him. The Zhou dynasty fell due to a civil war that broke out between rival aristocrats.

The Qin or (Chin) 221-206 BC The Chin were the first dynasty to unify ALL of China. They were the builders of the Great Wall. The Chin increased the efficiency of the farmers to allow for larger populations. The Qin also created techniques for making Iron weapons. The Qin advanced Chinese technology to include the cross bow and iron spears

Qin Continued Qin Shihaundi – first emperor of China, and founder of the Chin dynasty. The Chin or Qin were the first to create a government city. This was known as the forbidden city. It lies on the outskirts of present day Beijing. The Qin created a system that included local and federal leadership, with local civil servants handling the day to day affairs. To enforce this they created an army of greater than 600,000 men.

The Han Dynasty 202 BC – 220 AD The last of the early Chinese dynasties. The Han dynasty softened the government of that had been in place under the Qin. The Han dynasty replaced legalism with Confucianism. Meaning that rule of law was not written in stone with punishments of death for many crimes, but instead was based on philosophy with punishments based on individual action.

Technology under the Han The compass The ships rudder Crude gun powder which would be further developed during the early middle ages, and brought to Europe by 1300.