Importance of Rivers

rivers agriculture populations cities specialization hierarchy

YELLOW RIVER YANGZI RIVER

Population Growth Settlements began to crop up along the Yellow and Yangzi Rivers Created a need for recognized authorities who could maintain order, resolve disputes, and organize public works projects Village-level organizations could only act locally Small dynasties followed that extended their control over progressively larger regions

Characteristics of a Civilization Intensive agricultural techniques Specialization of labor Cities A social hierarchy (mandate of heaven) Organized religion and education (Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddism) Development of complex forms of economic exchange Development of new technologies Advanced development of the arts. (This can include writing.) Intensive agricultural techniques, such as the use of animal power, crop rotation, and irrigation. This enables farmers to produce a surplus of food that will not be needed for their own subsistence. A significant portion of the population that does not devote most of its time to producing food. They can go into other occupations and trade for the food they need. This is called "specialization of labor." It is possible because of the food surplus described above. The gathering of these non-food producers into permanent settlements, called cities. A social hierarchy. This can be a chiefdom, in which the chieftain of one noble family or clan rules the people; or a state society, in which the ruling class is supported by a government or bureaucracy. Political power is concentrated in the cities. The establishment of complex, formal social institutions such as organized religion and education, as opposed to the less formal traditions of other societies. Development of complex forms of economic exchange. This includes the expansion of trade and may lead to the creation of money and markets. The accumulation of more material possessions than in simpler societies. Development of new technologies by people who are not busy producing food. In many early civilizations, metallurgy was an important advancement. Advanced development of the arts by those who don't have to farm for a living. This can include writing.

Crops Initially, millet was the main crop (especially in the north) Sometime thereafter, the Chinese began cultivating rice (especially in the south where the Yangzi River is less prone than the Yellow River to devastating floods) Extensive rice production would require developing a complex irrigation system (made possible by the centralizing authority of the Shang and Zhou Dynasties)

The Dynasties of China

Overview Time span of the dynasties Over 30 different dynasties 21st century B.C. thru1911 A.D. Almost 4000 years Over 30 different dynasties We will discuss 8 of the most important ones.

Shang Dynasty (17st until 11th B.C.) Cradle of Chinese civilization Based on agriculture Developed a writing system High level of civilization: bronze workmanship Ruled by kings Cities were centers of glittering court life Court rituals honoring ancestors Slaves buried alive in royal tombs

Social Hierarchy: Shang and early Zhou Royal family and allied noble families Resided in large, palatial compounds and lived on the agricultural surplus and taxes delivered by their subjects Privileged class of hereditary aristocrats Rose from the military allies of the rulers Possessed extensive land holdings and performed military and administrative tasks Some access to education for those who lived in cities Detailed rules of etiquette during Zhou era

Social Hierarchy: Ancient Shang and early Zhou Small class of free artisans and craftsmen Lived in cities Those who worked almost extensively for the privileged classes lived reasonably comfortably Peasants Semi-servile class that lived in the countryside and did not own land Provided agricultural, military, and labor services for lords in exchange for plots to cultivate, security, and a portion of the harvest Slaves Most were captured enemy warriors Performed hard labor that required a large work force such as clearing fields or building city walls During the Shang Dynasty many were victims of human sacrifice during funerals and other religious and ritual observances

Zhou Dynasty 10th until 2nd century B.C. Capital at Hao (near Xi’an) in Wei Valley Ruled much of China north of Yangtze river Extended Shang culture Early rule: Feudal Decentralized; control based on family ties Later: City States Central control over local governments Impersonal political and economic institutions Culture: philosophy, poetry and prose

Sun Tzu “The Art of War” Sun Tzu was a Chinese military general, strategist, and philosopher during the Zhou dynasty's. He is traditionally credited as the author of The Art of War, an extremely influential ancient Chinese book on military strategy. Sun Tzu has had a significant impact on Chinese and Asian history and culture, both as the author of The Art of War and as a legendary historical figure.

Qin (221 until 207 B.C.) Achievements: Leader: Shi Huangdi Standardized language & Writing Standardized currency Standardized measurements Public Works Great Wall (started, Many different versions) Roads & Irrigation canals Leader: Shi Huangdi

What was the purpose of this wall? Did it work?

Western Han (206 B.C.- 9 A.D.) Eastern Han (25-225 A.D.) Achievements: Silk Road Better Tools—Iron Agriculture Crop Rotation Education Paper and Porcelain

Three Kingdoms (190 to 589 A.D.) The earlier, "unofficial" part of the period, was marked by chaotic infighting between warlords in various parts of China. The middle part of the period, was marked by a more militarily stable arrangement between three rival states, Cao Wei, Shu Han, and Eastern Wu. The later part of this period was marked by the collapse of the tripartite situation: 589 AD the Sui Dynasty would reunite China.

Sui Dynasty (581-617) Reunified China in 589 High Taxes and Compulsory Labor Completion of the Grand Canal (connect Yellow and Yangtze/ Beijing to Hangzhou) Campaign against Korea in the early 7th century A lot of revolts and assassinations

The Grand Canal Longest in the world 5 million workers Built to supply the standing army and the capitol with grain

Tang Dynasty (618-907) High point of Chinese civilization (comparable to Han Dynasty) Golden age of literature and art India and Middle-East relations stimulated creativity Buddhism (from India) was widely promoted (Confucius era) Block printing was invented

Tang Dynasty (618-907) Cont’d Better government system Civil service examination and other competitive entrance procedures (why?) Independent from aristocracy and warlords (why? How?) “Scholar-officials” (who? duty and privileges?) Fragmentation of China (5 north dynasties, 10 south kingdoms) Economic, politic, societal reasons + Arab wars North invaders

Song Dynasty (960-1279) 2 Phases: Northern (960-1127) and Southern Song (1127-1279) Centralized bureaucracy (more power on emperor) (regional governors  centrally appointed officials) City developments (admin., trade, industry, maritime commerce) Mercantile class Movable type invented !!!!!!!!!!!! Printing and education spread Private trade grew Market network grew The Neo Confucius Philosophy (by Zhu Xi)  inhibited pre modern societal development