Civilizations in the East: India & China (3000 BC- 1200 AD)

I. The emergence of civilization in India began around the Indus river (3000 BC) A. In 1500 BC the Aryans invaded and conquered northern India and developed a written language, Sanskrit

Sanskrit Alphabet

B. Emergence of Hinduism (2000 BC)- polytheistic religion that believes in reincarnation (rebirth in another bodily form) Hindu gods: Vishnu, Brahma, & Shiva

Social status in the next life determined by karma- collection of good or evil deeds committed in the previous life

C. Caste System- Aryans organized Indian society into separate unequal groups 1. Brahmans- powerful Hindu priests, Kshatriyas- warriors & rulers,Vaisyas- farmers & merchants (businessmen), Sudras- servants & poor peasants

Think About It... Think about the concept of karma in Hinduism, how might Indian people argue that the caste system was correct and justly deserved?

D. Emergence of Buddhism (500’s BC)- new religion founded by Siddhartha Gautama

Gautama born wealthy, gave it all away to gain spiritual knowledge, became known as the Buddha (“the enlightened one”) 2.Buddhist believe a person’s ultimate goal is to reach nirvana- a state of spiritual perfection & oneness with the universe

Spread of Buddhism

Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) quotes…. A wise man, recognizing that the world is but an illusion, does not act as if it is real, so he escapes the suffering. An insincere and evil friend is more to be feared than a wild beast; a wild beast may wound your body, but an evil friend will wound your mind. Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.

E. India briefly united under the Mauryan (321 BC- 183 BC) & Gupta (320 AD- 535 AD) Empires, but usually ruled by local leaders

Indians made advancements in medicine, literature, & math (developed modern number system & decimals) 524.7896

II. China- civilization begins around the Huang He river valley (2500 BC)

A. Chinese government is a form of monarchy called a dynasty- rule by a series of kings from the same family

B. Shang Dynasty (1500 BC- 1027 BC)- created first cities, writing system, calendar, practiced a polytheistic religion that involved ancestor worship

C. Zhou Dynasty (1027 BC- 256 BC)- conquered the Shang and claimed the “Mandate of Heaven”- right to rule with heaven’s (gods) favor 1. China developed a money economy, literature flourished 2. Zhou rulers promoted the li- a code of respectful behavior & manners

D. Qin (Chin) Dynasty (221 BC- 202 BC)- conquered and unified China through harsh rule

1. Shi Huangdi created a powerful army and government, considered 1st emperor

2. Qin rulers expanded China’s borders & began the Great Wall- a defensive barrier against northern barbarians

E. Han Dynasty (202 BC- 220 AD)- led successful rebellion against harsh Qin rule

1. China became very prosperous, population increased, porcelain, compass, gunpowder, & paper invented

The Silk Road

2. Han rule influenced by philosophy of Confucius- taught people to value education, honor tradition, live a moral life

Confucius Quotes… “Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves. Study the past if you wish to understand the present and define the future. What the superior man seeks is in himself; what the small man seeks is in others. A wise person does not kiss a fool, and is not fooled by a kiss.”

Chinese Confucian Temple

F. Han power collapsed after massive rebellion, led to period of disunion (220 AD- 589 AD) Chinese Soldier Mulan Buddha Statue

G. New Dynasties emerge after 600 AD (Sui, Tang, Sung), but China is conquered in the 1200’s by the Mongols Mongol Soldiers