Creating China: The Qin empire September 19, 2013

Review Why do the various peoples of Southeast Asia appear to represent different“races”? Where did the Malays come from? Where and when did the first state in Southeast Asia emerge?

Eastern Zhou (Ebrey, p. 21) Western Zhou 1045 BCE to 771 BCE: sacking of the capital in 771 BCE forced the Zhou to move their capital eastward. They soon lost the authority they had wielded over a wide area and instead retreated into a reduced Zhou state, which existed alongside many other independent kingdoms. Eastern Zhou 770 BCE to 221 BCE. Spring and Autumn period-- 770--475 As many as 170 different states during this period Warring States Period 475-221 Dwindled to only 7 major states by the 3rd century. This is the period when the Confucian Classics begin to take shape. China enters the iron age during the Eastern Zhou period

Beliefs and Values Ebrey, pp.26-32 Harmony with Society: Confucianism Confucius: filial piety, ritual, and interpersonal morality Mozi: “universal love,” frugality in rituals, Mencius: human nature is good, Mandate of Heaven Xunzi education and ritual necessary for vitue Harmony with nature: Daoism Laozi and Zhangzi (religious Daoism is different) What is “Legalism”?

Confucianism and Daoism Confucians: stress on society Daoists: stress on self wisdom blissful ignorance ritual and self-control spontaneity and naturalness hierarchy equality refinement primitiveness cosmic virtues arbitrary labels society is natural society is unnatural society is moral society is immoral

Qin 221-206 BCE (Ebrey, 36-41) The first real Chinese empire Forged by Qin Shihuangdi How did the Qin create China? Standardized writing, weights and measures, axle lengths, etc. Replaced feudalism with central government control. -moved aristocracy off their land. eliminated primogeniture to gain control of the land.

Why did the Qin fall so quickly? Didn’t take into account the need for popular support. Tried to introduce too many changes too quickly. Relied to0 heavily on the strength and character of one man. Too centralized. The Qin built a state well-suited for war but less well-suited for governing after the war was won. Was the First Emperor of China good or bad for China in the long run?

The Xiongnu A non-Chinese “barbarian” people on China’s northern borders Won some battles with the Qin and the Han, and lost some. (Ebrey, 41-42) Seen as barbarian because their customs were not the same as the people of the “central plains” (China) (Sen, 84-86) Through the Xiongnu and people like them, people living in China learned how to ride horses, and fight from horseback. (Sen, p. 30)