Ancient & Classical China AP World History

List of Chinese Dynasties to 600 C.E. Prehistoric Times-1.7 million years - the 21st century BCE Xia Dynasty- 21st - 16th century BCE Shang Dynasty- 16th - 11th century BCE Zhou Dynasty -Western Zhou (11th century - 771 BCE) Eastern Zhou- Spring and Autumn Period (770 - 476 BCE) Warring States Period (476 - 221 BCE) Qin Dynasty- (221 - 206 BCE) Han Dynasty- Western Han (206 BCE - 24 CE) Eastern Han (25 – 220CE) {Textbook: Age of Division} Three Kingdoms Period- (220 – 280) Jin Dynasty - Western Jin (265 - 316)Eastern Jin (317 - 420) Northern and Southern Dynasties- Northern Dynasties (386 - 581) Southern Dynasties (420 - 589) Sui Dynasty- (581 –618 CE)

Big Picture “Snap Shot” Patterns in Early Chinese Civilization: Early Civilizations… Mythical Xia and First Dynasty of the Shang Patterns in Classical China: 3 dynastic cycles cover the many centuries of classical China: Zhou, Qin (impact), & Han Political instability & frequent invasions caused the decline of the Zhou Dynasty and promoted debated over China’s Political ills. Last centuries of Zhou some of China’s greatest thinkers tried different ways to restore order & social harmony 3 Schools of Thought – Confucianism, Daoism, & Legalism Shi Huanghi, the brutal founder of the Qin Dynasty, centralized power in China, and began construction of the Great Wall. Wu Ti (Wu di, or Emperor Wu), most famous of the Han rulers, supported Confucianism , won wars, & promoted peace

(P) State Building , Expansion, & Conflict “Political” Institutions (structures & governance) Most of recorded history, the Chinese people have been the most tightly governed people in any large society in the World. Political institutions became one of classical China’s hallmarks. One of the most permanent aspects of Chinese culture was the belief in the unity & the desirability of a central government in the hands of an emperor assisted by an educated, professional bureaucracy.

(P) State Building , Expansion, & Conflict Continued… Type of system- Monarchy/Absolute Rule Empires- Dynasty Cycles Nationalism- Most believe in unified China Revolts and revolutions- “Mandate of Heaven” Regional, trans-regional, global structures & organizations- Xenophobia (ic)-an intense fear or dislike of foreign people, their customs and culture, or foreign things Foreign Connections- Tributary Systems- Fighting with Xiongnu, (Barbarians) {gift sending} Silk Road- Mostly indirect communication through many cultures, including Central Asia, India, Persia, Fertile Crescent, & Rome

(E) Creation, expansion, and interaction of “Economic” systems Agricultural – China’s classical economy focused on agriculture. All Chinese philosophies extolled the virtues of peasants and their world. Trade & Commerce- Extensive internal trade system, even while maintaining some ambivalence about merchants and commercial values Silk Road- Only connection to the Roman Empire via trade. Labor system- Sharp Class division between the 1) Gentry Scholars - Landowning Aristocrats & educated bureaucrats, 2) Peasant farmers- the laboring masses, 3) Artisans & Craftsman, 4) Merchants & Traders Industrialization- Many technological advances, including ox-drawn plows, water-powered mills, and paper in ancient times.

(R) Development & Interaction of Cultures “Religion and Culture” Belief systems, Philosophies, & ideologies Chinese culture began coalescing during the last, calamitous centuries of Zhou rule. During this time, the 3 Schools of Thought (Philosophies) arose, each of which emphasized the role of education to achieve social ends. Confucianism, an ethical system based on relationships and personal virtue, became the predominate philosophy Legalism, countered Confucianism by favoring an authoritarian state and harsh rule. Daoism, taught harmony with nature and humble living. Laozi was the most popular figure. Buddhism, began to enter China later 100 C.E… Tang Dynasty 618 C.E. (Golden Age of Buddhism)

(R) Development & Interaction of Cultures Continued… Material Architecture/Buildings- Great Wall of China (Started with Qin Dynasty) Many Roads & Canals (Han Dynasty, esp. Wu Di 141-87) Grand Canal – (Completed by Sui Dynasty Art in classical China was mostly decorative, and appeared in many forms, including calligraphy, carved jade and ivory, and silk screens. Science & key technologies- Mathematics emphasized the practical over the theoretical, and the ancient Chinese were particularly adept at astronomy. Many innovations! (See Invention Worksheet) Imperial University- (Han Dynasty) – Civil Service Exams (3 levels) Entry test for government jobs Studied Chinese Classics, Confucius etc…

(R) Development & transformation of social structures “Culture” Gender Roles and relations- Patriarchal society- overall subordinate fathers & husbands (brothers) Women’s roles- make a proper marriage that would strengthen the family’s alliances (Widowed were allowed to marry?) Elite (Ban Zhao’s Example) Upper class women- tutored in writing, arts, & music Family & kinship (Clans)- Tight family structure was valued Gender relations- Filial Piety (5 Cardinal Relationships) Racial & Ethic constructions – Xenophobia & Ethnocentricism Social & Economics classes- Basically hierarchical, deferential & patriarchal Labor system- Sharp Class division between the 1) Gentry Scholars - Landowning Aristocrats & educated bureaucrats, 2) Peasant farmers- the laboring masses, 3) Artisans & Craftsman, 4) Merchants & Traders Communication: Language-Early Ancient times: proto-Sino-Tibetan, Zhou Dynasty: Archaic Chinese, Qin: attempt to return to “Old Chinese” Now about Later called “Middle Chinese” Now: 11 different dialects Mandarin and Cantonese Writing system: logographic/Calligraphy(Similar since Shang and standard Qin)

(I) “Interactions” between Humans and environment Population Change (Demography)- Major increase in Population during Han Dynasty 60 million listed on census Diseases- Malaria, S.T.D.’s Migrations- Xiongnu Settlement patterns- Early Near Water Technology (impact on environment) [See Change]

Overall Picture China’s politics & culture meshed readily, especially around the emergence of Confucian bureaucracy. Economic innovation did not disrupt the emphasis on order & stability, and family structures were closely linked to political & cultural goals. Classical Chinese civilization evolved with very little outside contact. Thought internal disagreement existed, most Chinese saw the world as a large island of civilization (China) surrounded by barbarians with nothing to offer save periodic invasions

Continuity Early Regional cultural hearth of Northern China Irrigation based advanced settled urban culture Conflict between settled & nomadic cultures Chinese dynastic cycle

Change-over-Time Increase in population Decline in status of women Increase in Patriarchy Increase in trade routes (Silk Road, Canals [Grand]) Migrations of the Huns (Xiongnu) Diffusion of early religions and philosophies Rise & Fall of Empires – Chinese Dynastic Cycle Environmental: Deforestation, Irrigation, Wall/Building materials

Major Comparisons and Analysis Han Empire vs. Roman Empire 3 Schools of Thought v Buddhism Nomads vs. Settled 3 Schools of Thought vs. each other Chinese Dynasties vs. each other