SSWH2 Identify the major achievements of Chinese and Indian societies from 1100 BCE to 500 CE

Indus River Valley Subcontinent of India

Indus Valley: Who lived there? Harappans Writing system cannot be read, so little is known. Probably a Theocracy based on the organization of cities.

Maurya Empire Established by Chandragupta Maurya Highly Centralized and brutal Asoka Mauryan King who converted to Buddhism and brought peace to the empire.

Gupta Empire Smaller and less strict than the Mauryan rule. Considered the Golden Age of India Advances in Learning Arts, medicine, mathematics, sciences, literature.

Hinduism No founder Polytheistic Vedas 4 Holy books Brahman Main Hindu god Believed to be present in all living things Vedas 4 Holy books Contains prayers and descriptions of the origins of the universe.

Hinduism Goal Achieve moksha To have your “soul” reunite with Brahman after death. To do this, the soul must be cleansed through rebirth, or reincarnation

Hinduism Caste System Made up of 5 social classes Reflects how close a person is to achieving moksha. The higher the class, the closer the person is. A person can only move up or down the caste system after death.

Hinduism Karma A person’s actions are reflected back on them: Bad actions = bad things happen to you Good actions = good things happen to you

Buddhism Began in India Founded by Siddhartha Gautama who began searching for an end to suffering When he found it, he changed his name to Buddha which means “Enlightened One” Goal: Reach Nirvana State of perfect peace This can be achieved in one or multiple lifetimes (reincarnation).

Buddhism Four Noble Truths All life is suffering Suffering is caused by desire. Suffering CAN end…if a person follows: The Eightfold Path (Moral code of Buddhism)

Buddha

Let’s Compare Hinduism and Buddhism Similarities Differences Now Write a Paragraph: At least 5 sentences 2 similarities 2 differences

Huang He/Yellow River Valley

Chinese Government Oldest continuous civilization in the world. Zhou Dynasty (1057-256 BCE) Invented the Mandate of Heaven Belief that rulers were given the authority to rule from God. Civil Service Exams Tests that people had to pass in order to serve in the government

Confucianism Confucius thought way to restore order was through social and political harmony 5 Basic Relationships: -ruler & subject -father & son -husband & wife -older brother & younger brother -friend & friend

Confucianism Political and social philosophy, not a religion. More concerned with behavior in THIS life. Doesn’t address the afterlife.

Daoism Founded by Laozi Believed in the “Dao” (natural course of nature) Followers try to harmonize with rhythms of nature, achieving wisdom. Meditation Yoga

Qin Dynasty Shi Huangdi Legalism Unified China after the Zhou dynasty Established an Autocracy Government with unlimited power Legalism Ruling belief system of the Qin Strict laws and harsh punishments for crimes Began building the Great Wall during this time to protect themselves from northern invaders.

Qin Dynasty