Classical China Confucius 1

I. Dynastic Cycles History of classical China is cyclical A family of kings ruled for a time, weakened, then was overthrown The dynastic cycles of the Classical Era The Zhou (1029 to 258 B.C.E.) The Qin (221 to 202 B.C.E.) The Han (202 B.C.E. To 220 C.E.) 2

II. Zhou Dynasty Never established a strong central government Feudalism Ruled through regional princes and noble families Zhou rulers counted on loyalty to control population Nobles exchanged loyalty, taxes, and troops for land and power Encouraged cultural unity Discouraged “primitive” religious ideas Promoted a unified language – Mandarin 402 – 201 B.C.E. - Era of the Warring States Nobles formed independent armies, fought over territory, forced Zhou leaders from power 3

III. The Qin Dynasty Shi Huangdi – First Emperor Unified all regions under the name China A brutal tyrant, used military might to take control Leaders appointed by the Emperor took over for noble/aristocratic families Leaders picked from non-aristocratic families The Great Wall 3000 miles long Built to repel invaders Built using forced labor 4

III. continued... Innovations Standardized coins, weights, and measures Completely standardized written script Completed new irrigation projects Promoted manufacturing – silk cloth Burned/banned many texts – prevent criticism/opposing ways of thinking Peasant revolts due to high taxes and oppressive tactics brought end to dynasty 5

IV. The Han Dynasty Retained the centralized gov't of Qin Dynasty Reduced oppressive laws Expanded empire – central Asia, Korea, southeastern Asia Government was improved thanks to formal training Creation of a bureaucracy – trained government officials Confucianism promoted throughout China Central control weakened through expansion and invasions 6

V. Religion & Philosophy Confucius (551-478 B.C.E.) Lived during the Zhou Dynasty Promoted the studying and teaching of history and moral character Believed in social order, harmony, and good government Five basic relationships: 1. ruler and subject 2. father and son 3. husband and wife 4. older brother and younger brother 5. friend and friend

V. continued... Code of conduct regulated these relationships Example: rulers should be kind, subjects should be loyal Stressed importance of respect for one's family Ideas about government Taught the importance of training and educating government leaders (bureaucracy) Confucianism not a religion The foundation for Chinese government and social order

V. continued... Legalism Founded during the Qin Dynasty Believed in a powerful, authoritative government Use force, not reason/respect for others, to gain control Good citizens rewarded well, disobedient citizens punished harshly Education and philosophy strictly controlled by the government

V. continued... Daoism Loazi, founder in the sixth century B.C.E. A spiritual alternative to Confucianism Natural order – relationships among all living things A universal force (Dao) guides all things Live simply and in harmony with nature Stressed humility and frugal living

VI. Government Classical China was the largest political system in the world Zhou dynasty = strong local governments/rulers Early on, depended on a network of patriarchal families (would become nobility) Village leaders important to peasants Qin dynasty = strong unified society/government Established a single law code Uniform tax system

VI. continued... Han dynasty = perfecting the bureaucracy Required leaders to take a civil service test Many from the lower class became bureaucrats Classical China established many lasting gov't traditions: Judicial system Organized military Scientific research Historical record keeping

VII. Social Structure Social classes Upper class: landowning nobles, educated bureaucrats (mandarins) Middle class: artisans & peasants Much poorer than upper class Lower class: “mean” people (unskilled laborers) Lowest possible status, punished more severely Identified by green scarves Very few household slaves

VII. continued... Family life Emphasis on family unity Patriarchal - husbands and fathers at the head of family Confucian belief: “There are no wrongdoing parents” Parents not punished for hurting (or sometimes killing) a disobedient child Women were subordinate Oldest male child would inherit property and social status

VIII. Economy Agricultural society Rice and wheat the main commodities Trade Mostly within China Silk, jewelry, leather goods, furniture Society did not hold merchants in high regard More respect for learning and political service

VIII. continued... Technological advances Harnesses that allowed animals to pull carts and wagons without choking Ox-drawn plows Iron tools Paper

Key Vocabulary – Ch. 2 Zhou Qin Han Shi Huangdi Dao Confucious Great Wall