Society and Inequality in Eurasia/North Africa Chapter 5

Essential Question To what extent were the massive inequalities of second wave civilizations generally accepted, and in what ways were they resisted or challenged?

China – An Elite of Officials At the top of the social hierarchy in China were the state officials. All male Chosen based on an elaborate civil service system base on merit. The exam was largely based on the teachings of Confucius. Theoretically, all Chinese males could apply to work in the government, but in reality it was reserved for those who could afford the education to pass the tests. Those who made it into the bureaucracy distinguished themselves by their: Dress Manners Education Ultimately, these men defined Chinses culture.

China – An Elite of Officials

China – The Landlord Class In China, like most places for thousands of years, the amount of land you owned defined your wealth. In earlier Chinese society, land had been held by the peasants; however, as cities grew so did taxation and debt, which forced many peasants to sell their land to rich landlords. This gave rise to an aristocracy in China that often challenged the state’s power by not paying taxes and creating armies of their own. These landlords lived luxurious lives and were the wealthiest individuals in China.

China – The Landlord Class The accumulation of land was often opposed by the state unsuccessfully. The most famous example is the case of Wang Mang who overthrew the Han Dynasty in the year 8 CE. He attempted to strip the aristocrats of their land and divide it equally among Chinese peasants. He also put an end to private slavery. However, his reforms caused dissension and chaos which led to his assassination in 23 CE.

China – The Landlord Class

China – Peasants The vast majority of people in China were a part of the peasant class. While some owned land and lived a modest life, many struggled to live from day to day. This class was extremely vulnerable to nature, government, and their landlords. They were often forced to work one month out of the year on state projects and were conscripted into the military.

China – Peasants The conditions faced by peasants sparked periodic rebellions which could destabilize society. Yellow Turban Revolt 184 CE Led by a Daoist cult, this movement looked forward to the “Great Peace” “A golden age of equality, social harmony, and common ownership of property” It was eventually suppressed by the Han Dynasty, but weakened the government so much as to later cause it to collapse.

China – Peasants

China – Merchants Although at the bottom of the hierarchy, peasants were often revered as the “backbone of China.” Meanwhile, merchants in China were often despised. They were viewed negatively because they were “unproductive” and instead “sold the hard work of others.” They were stereotyped as greedy, luxury loving, and materialistic. Although restrictions were often put on merchants, most still managed to become wealthy and often had backdoor relationships with state officials and landlords. Furthermore, upon earning money, they often bought land and joined the landlord class.

India – Caste as Varna Casta – “race” “purity of blood” The Caste system developed out of the numerous cultures that existed in India. By 500 BCE the Varna (class) system had formed (pg 201): Pure Aryan – Twice Born Brahmins – priests, teachers Kshatriya – warriors, rulers Vaisya – farmers, merchants, artisans Sudra – labor (much lower than the other castes) Untouchables – so low, they are not considered part of the caste system. (cremation, dead animals, executioners)

India – Caste as Varna

India – Caste as Jati Jatis were occupational based groups which blended into the Caste system. The Varnas were sub-divided into subcastes based on jobs. Marriage and eating together were permitted only within an individual’s jati. “It is better to do one’s own duty badly than another’s well.” Higher classes come become “unpure” by interacting with lower classes. This meant life was often segregated. Members could be expelled from their jati. Social mobility became near impossible.