Classical China Ch. 2 Overview EQ: What are the major similarities/differences between early civilizations/empires in China?

Shang (Shong) China (1600 BC – 1046 BC)  Not considered CLASSICAL…however, important as one of the first NOTEWORTHY organized civilizations in China (recently one that pre-dates the Shang, the Xia, has been discovered)  The Shang were essentially a loose confederation of noble feudal states held together by a a king (that usually came from the strongest noble in the bunch)  Important stuff (that should’ve been in your charts): they regulated the flood prone Huang He River (irrigation), worked in bronze, used oracle bones for writings while perfecting the pictogram Chinese writing system, religion was based on ancestor worship and many gods (polytheistic)

Zhou (JOE) China ( BC)  Conquered the Shang and territory they referred to as “the Middle Kingdom”, stretching from the Huang He to the Yangtze Rivers in China  The Zhou established what would be called the “Mandate of Heaven”, which legitimized the patterns of dynastic rule in China…the emperor was a “Son of Heaven”

Zhou (JOE) China ( BC)  Zhou rulers promoted the Mandarin Chinese dialect as their official language  They ruled on a loosely based system of alliances with regional feudal nobles and princes (no strong central government), leading to problems with managing the size of the empire…the empire eventually splits by 770, and totally begins crumbling by 480 (Warring States Period)  One great philosopher of the time, Confucius, wrote in his Analects regarding these faults. His work would become the basis for future rule in Chinese dynasties

Q’in (Chin) China (221 BC – 202 BC)  Q’in = Chin = China  SHORT and ruled by one man, Shi Huangdi, a brutal warlord who emerged victorious from the Warring States era and effectively set up an autocracy  Shi abandoned all previous philosophies on rule (like no nobles), burned anything that Confucius wrote, and ruled via Legalism, a system of autocratic rule first described by the philosopher Hanfeizi  Shi’s short empire had many noted accomplishments, first being the construction of the Great Wall of China (not the current one!), second, the extension of China into the south, third, China’s first census, fourth, standardized weights and measures  When Shi died, his empire died (at least he got a nice burial!)

Shi Huangdi’s Tomb

Han (SOLO) China (202 BC – 202 AD a.k.a CE)  Classical China’s Golden Age, founded by Liu Bang (Emperor Gaozu)  The Han rulers were NICE, maintaining centralized rule…they revitalized Confucian teachings in their ruling style  Most notable ruler, WU TI (WU DI WU DI!) created what would become known as the Confucian Examination System for being a bureaucrat in the Chinese government.  Important Han accomplishments include: strengthening the Great Wall (still not the current one), inventions such as paper (wood based), the first seismograph, early gunpowder, and expansion of territory into Vietnam and into western China, which also created a trade network…  SILK ROAD – trade with the west, such as Persia, Rome, Arabia, and India  The decline was caused by frequent Hun invasions, forcing China into a 400 year period of disarray (rule by many different kingdoms) similar to the Warring States period

Classical China: Religion and Culture  Classical China produced two major religious philosophies (non-theistic!):  Confucianism: based on the teaching of Kung Fuzi and his Analects, stressing filial piety, respect for family…rulers were meant to treat the people like their family, with respect, humility, patience and self-control  Daoism (Taoism): based on the teachings of several philosophers, most notable, Lao- Tzu…it stresses harmony with nature

Classical China: Socio-Economics  Classical China, as with many societies, had large gaps…2% were wealthy, everyone else was poor  Chinese society could be broken down into 3 groups: landowning elites and bureaucrats at the top, artisans and peasant laborers in the middle (large group) and the “mean people”, unskilled laborers  Chinese families were patriarchal in nature, meaning the eldest male was the head of the family (check out the In Depth article on pg. 45 for more)  Trade was crucial to Han society, particularly the exchange of coveted luxury goods like silk, jewelry, leather and furniture…a merchant class emerged but DID NOT become a strong force in early Chinese civilization largely because trading was looked down upon (merchants were actually low class)

How Chinese Civilization Fits Together  Politics and Culture were the same sides of a coin to the Chinese, particularly after Confucian values were impressed in the bureaucracy.  Technology, religion, philosophy and politics in China evolved with next to no outside influence…the Chinese hold a strong belief that the outside world is “barbaric”  Politics and economy were also married, as most leaders were large noble landowners (farmers)  Most innovations/inventions in classical China were focused on enhancing economic development

Reminders…this week…  READ Chapter 2…complete notes for Friday…also read Vol. 1 Pgs  Wednesday: Leader Analysis – Shi Huangdi AND Document Analysis P. 42  Thursday – DBQ practice, Confucianism  Friday: Chapter 2 mini test