Early Chinese Civilizations Mrs. Brahe World History I

Objectives Explain how geography influenced the development of civilizations in China Explain how geography influenced the development of civilizations in China Identify the characteristics of early Chinese civilizations Identify the characteristics of early Chinese civilizations Explain the political and social structure Explain the political and social structure Describe the role of religion Describe the role of religion Discuss the contributions Discuss the contributions

Geography of China Fertile River Valleys Fertile River Valleys Huang He (HWONG-HUH) aka Yellow River Huang He (HWONG-HUH) aka Yellow River Stretches across China carrying rich yellow silt from Mongolia to the Pacific Ocean Stretches across China carrying rich yellow silt from Mongolia to the Pacific Ocean Chang Jiang (CHONG-JYONG) aka Yangtze River Chang Jiang (CHONG-JYONG) aka Yangtze River Longer than Huang He Longer than Huang He Across central China to the Yellow Sea Across central China to the Yellow Sea Great food producing area of ancient world Great food producing area of ancient world

Geography of China Only 10% of China is suitable for farming Only 10% of China is suitable for farming (compare to 19% of the United States) (compare to 19% of the United States) Mostly mountains and deserts on the northern and western frontiers Mostly mountains and deserts on the northern and western frontiers Geographical barriers isolated the Chinese people Geographical barriers isolated the Chinese people Contact with others marked with conflict Contact with others marked with conflict North – Chinese protecting precious farmland North – Chinese protecting precious farmland

Shang Dynasty First dynasty, Xia (SYAH) approx. 4,000 B.C. First dynasty, Xia (SYAH) approx. 4,000 B.C. Could compete with Sumer for “first” title Could compete with Sumer for “first” title Little is known, however… Little is known, however… Second dynasty, Shang Second dynasty, Shang 1750 to 1045 B.C to 1045 B.C. Farming society ruled by warrior aristocracy Farming society ruled by warrior aristocracy (aristocracy: upper class whose wealth is based on land and power is passed from one generation to the next) (aristocracy: upper class whose wealth is based on land and power is passed from one generation to the next) Excavation reveals impressive cities with huge city walls, royal palaces and large royal tombs Excavation reveals impressive cities with huge city walls, royal palaces and large royal tombs

Political Structure Realm divided into territories Realm divided into territories Administered by aristocratic warlords Administered by aristocratic warlords King appointed and removed King appointed and removed King’s spiritual beliefs King’s spiritual beliefs Buried with corpses of servants Buried with corpses of servants Supernatural forces gave advice Supernatural forces gave advice Oracle Bones – priests carved questions in bones, heated metal rods were stuck into the bone causing cracks, priests interpreted the cracks as answers from the gods Oracle Bones – priests carved questions in bones, heated metal rods were stuck into the bone causing cracks, priests interpreted the cracks as answers from the gods Wrote the answers, stored the bones – are a valuable asset in understanding the Shang period Wrote the answers, stored the bones – are a valuable asset in understanding the Shang period

Social Structure King and his family King and his family Aided by aristocratic families Aided by aristocratic families Aristocrats waged war and served as officials Aristocrats waged war and served as officials Were the chief landowners Were the chief landowners Majority of people Majority of people Peasants who farmed the land owned by the aristocracy Peasants who farmed the land owned by the aristocracy Small number of merchants, artisans, and slaves Small number of merchants, artisans, and slaves

Religion and Culture Veneration of ancestors (ancestor worship) Veneration of ancestors (ancestor worship) Belief in afterlife Belief in afterlife To this day – may people burn exactly replicas of physical objects to accompany dead on journey to next world To this day – may people burn exactly replicas of physical objects to accompany dead on journey to next world Believed that the spirits of family ancestors could bring good or evil to living members of the family Believed that the spirits of family ancestors could bring good or evil to living members of the family Shang – mastery of art of bronze casting Shang – mastery of art of bronze casting

Zhou Dynasty Last Shang ruler was a “wicked tyrant” Last Shang ruler was a “wicked tyrant” Aggressive ruler of the state of Zhou (JOH) revolted and created a new dynasty Aggressive ruler of the state of Zhou (JOH) revolted and created a new dynasty Zhou Dynasty lasted almost 800 years, longest of all Chinese dynasties Zhou Dynasty lasted almost 800 years, longest of all Chinese dynasties 1045 B.C. to 256 B.C B.C. to 256 B.C. Zhou political structure Zhou political structure Same as the Shang – king served by large, complex bureaucracy, territories/officials Same as the Shang – king served by large, complex bureaucracy, territories/officials

Mandate of Heaven New Theory of Government New Theory of Government Zhou claimed to rule China because it possessed the Mandate of Heaven Zhou claimed to rule China because it possessed the Mandate of Heaven Believed that “Heaven” – an impersonal law of nature – kept order in the universe through the Zhou king Believed that “Heaven” – an impersonal law of nature – kept order in the universe through the Zhou king Zhou king ruled over all humanity by mandate, or authority to command, from Heaven Zhou king ruled over all humanity by mandate, or authority to command, from Heaven Chosen because of talent and virtue Chosen because of talent and virtue Responsible to rule with goodness and efficiency Responsible to rule with goodness and efficiency

Mandate of Heaven Double-edged Double-edged King supposed to rule according to the proper “Way” called the Dao (DOW) King supposed to rule according to the proper “Way” called the Dao (DOW) His duty to keep the gods pleased His duty to keep the gods pleased Protects people from natural disaster, bad harvest Protects people from natural disaster, bad harvest “Right of Revolution” - if King was ineffective, he could be overthrown by a new ruler “Right of Revolution” - if King was ineffective, he could be overthrown by a new ruler Representative of Heaven, but not divine Representative of Heaven, but not divine Dynastic Cycle Dynastic Cycle established, ruled successfully, then began to decline (rebellions, invasions) collapsed, new dynasty established, ruled successfully, then began to decline (rebellions, invasions) collapsed, new dynasty

Fall of Zhou Dynasty Divided into smaller territories Divided into smaller territories Evolved into powerful states Evolved into powerful states Zhou rulers declined, intellectually & morally Zhou rulers declined, intellectually & morally 403 B.C. civil war broke out, beginning the “Period of the Warring States” 403 B.C. civil war broke out, beginning the “Period of the Warring States” Nature of warfare had changed Nature of warfare had changed Iron weapons replaced bronze weapons Iron weapons replaced bronze weapons Foot soldiers (infantry) and soldiers on horseback (cavalry) Foot soldiers (infantry) and soldiers on horseback (cavalry) Calvary had powerful crossbows, Chinese invention of 7 th B.C. Calvary had powerful crossbows, Chinese invention of 7 th B.C. Eventually one warring state – Qin (CHIN) took control, established dynasty in 221 B.C. Eventually one warring state – Qin (CHIN) took control, established dynasty in 221 B.C.

Life During Zhou Dynasty Economic Features Economic Features Peasants worked land owned by a lord but often had a small area for own use Peasants worked land owned by a lord but often had a small area for own use Artisans and merchants lived in walled towns under direct control of local lord Artisans and merchants lived in walled towns under direct control of local lord Merchants did not operate freely but were considered property of local lord Merchants did not operate freely but were considered property of local lord Slaves present as well Slaves present as well Local trade (later distant trade) for items like salt, iron, cloth and luxuries Local trade (later distant trade) for items like salt, iron, cloth and luxuries

Economic and Technical Growth Significant growth – 6 th to 3 rd century B.C. Significant growth – 6 th to 3 rd century B.C. Irrigation early 6 th century Irrigation early 6 th century Mid 6 th century iron plowshares = more land to farm Mid 6 th century iron plowshares = more land to farm Population up to 50 million people at the end of Zhou Population up to 50 million people at the end of Zhou Trade and manufacturing Trade and manufacturing SILK! All the way to Athens, Greece… SILK! All the way to Athens, Greece…

Family in Ancient China Almost sacred quality of entire social order Almost sacred quality of entire social order Filial piety: duty of family members to subordinate their needs and desires to those of the male head of the family Filial piety: duty of family members to subordinate their needs and desires to those of the male head of the family system in which every family member has a place system in which every family member has a place Central to Confucianism Central to Confucianism Male supremacy Male supremacy Traditional role – provide food, work in fields, warriors, scholars, government ministers Traditional role – provide food, work in fields, warriors, scholars, government ministers Women raised kids and worked in home (court…) Women raised kids and worked in home (court…)

Chinese Written Language Pictographic and Ideographic Pictographic and Ideographic Form a picture of the object to be represented Form a picture of the object to be represented Characters given a sound when pronounced Characters given a sound when pronounced Later phonetic meanings given to some symbols Later phonetic meanings given to some symbols Evolved over 400 years, never abandoned original format Evolved over 400 years, never abandoned original format

Chinese Philosophies Between 500 and 200 B.C. Between 500 and 200 B.C. 3 major schools of thought about the nature of human beings and the universe emerged 3 major schools of thought about the nature of human beings and the universe emerged Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism Focused on immediate world and how to create a stable order Focused on immediate world and how to create a stable order (unlike Hinduism and Buddhism – conserved about freeing the human soul from the cycle of rebirth/reincarnation) (unlike Hinduism and Buddhism – conserved about freeing the human soul from the cycle of rebirth/reincarnation)

Confucianism Confucius/Kongfuzi (KOONG FOO DZUH) Confucius/Kongfuzi (KOONG FOO DZUH) Born 551 B.C. in China Born 551 B.C. in China Upset by violence and moral decay Upset by violence and moral decay Traveled China to persuade political leaders to follow his ideas (pretty unsuccessful) Traveled China to persuade political leaders to follow his ideas (pretty unsuccessful) Followers documented his sayings in the Analects Followers documented his sayings in the Analects Until 20 th century almost every Chinese student studied these sayings Until 20 th century almost every Chinese student studied these sayings Provided a basic set of ideas to keep order Provided a basic set of ideas to keep order

Political and ethical philosophy, not spiritual Political and ethical philosophy, not spiritual Useless to speculate on spiritual questions Useless to speculate on spiritual questions Focus on ordering the affairs of the world - if act in harmony with the world, will prosper Focus on ordering the affairs of the world - if act in harmony with the world, will prosper Human behavior is key Human behavior is key Behave in accordance with the Dao (Way) Behave in accordance with the Dao (Way) Two elements to Dao Two elements to Dao Duty and Humanity Duty and Humanity Confucianism

Duty (according to the Dao, the Way) Duty (according to the Dao, the Way) All should subordinate their own interests to the needs of family and the community All should subordinate their own interests to the needs of family and the community Governed by the Five Constant Relationships: parent and child, husband and wife, older sibling and younger sibling, older friend and younger friend, and ruler and subject Governed by the Five Constant Relationships: parent and child, husband and wife, older sibling and younger sibling, older friend and younger friend, and ruler and subject Each person in a relationship has a duty to the other Each person in a relationship has a duty to the other Parents loving towards children, children revere parents Parents loving towards children, children revere parents Husband fulfill duties, wives should be obedient Husband fulfill duties, wives should be obedient Older siblings kind, younger siblings respectful… Older siblings kind, younger siblings respectful… Obvious family importance! Obvious family importance! Everyone does their duty – whole world prospers! Everyone does their duty – whole world prospers! Confucianism

Confucianism “If there is righteousness in the heart, there will be beauty in the character. If there is beauty in the character, there will be harmony in the home. If there be harmony in the home, there will be order in the nation. If there be order in the nation, there will be peace in the world.” “If there is righteousness in the heart, there will be beauty in the character. If there is beauty in the character, there will be harmony in the home. If there be harmony in the home, there will be order in the nation. If there be order in the nation, there will be peace in the world.” ~ Confucius

Confucianism Humanity (according to the Dao, the Way) Humanity (according to the Dao, the Way) Sense of compassion and empathy for others Sense of compassion and empathy for others Like the Christian idea “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.” – instead it is “Do not do unto others what you would not want done to yourself.” ~ Confucius Like the Christian idea “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.” – instead it is “Do not do unto others what you would not want done to yourself.” ~ Confucius Tolerate others… Tolerate others… Values of the “Golden Age” of the Zhou Values of the “Golden Age” of the Zhou Revolutionary idea – government officials should be ruled by merit, not noble birth Revolutionary idea – government officials should be ruled by merit, not noble birth Later – civil service examinations Later – civil service examinations

Daoism System of ideas based on teachings of Laozi (LOW DZUH) System of ideas based on teachings of Laozi (LOW DZUH) Contemporary of Confucius (if existed!) Contemporary of Confucius (if existed!) Ideas outlined in Tao Te Ching (The Way of the Dao) Ideas outlined in Tao Te Ching (The Way of the Dao) Also does not concern itself with underlying meaning of the universe but focuses on proper behavior Also does not concern itself with underlying meaning of the universe but focuses on proper behavior Differs from Confucianism Differs from Confucianism True way to follow the will of Heaven is not action but inaction (unlike emphasis on duty of humans to work hard and improve life here on Earth) True way to follow the will of Heaven is not action but inaction (unlike emphasis on duty of humans to work hard and improve life here on Earth) Act in harmony with universal order by acting spontaneously and letting nature take its course by not interfering Act in harmony with universal order by acting spontaneously and letting nature take its course by not interfering

Daoism “Without going outside, you may “Without going outside, you may know the whole world. know the whole world. Without looking through the window, Without looking through the window, you may see the ways of heaven. you may see the ways of heaven. The farther you go, the less you know. The farther you go, the less you know. Thus the sage [wise man] knows Thus the sage [wise man] knows without traveling; without traveling; He sees without looking; He sees without looking; He works without doing.” He works without doing.”

Daoism “The universe is sacred. “The universe is sacred. You cannot improve it. You cannot improve it. If you try to change it, you will ruin it. If you try to change it, you will ruin it. If you try to hold it, you will lose it.” If you try to hold it, you will lose it.”

Legalism Proposed that humans are evil by nature Proposed that humans are evil by nature Will only follow the correct path if forced to by harsh laws and punishments Will only follow the correct path if forced to by harsh laws and punishments Argued for a system of impersonal laws Argued for a system of impersonal laws Strong ruler was required to create an orderly society Strong ruler was required to create an orderly society Disagreed with Confucius “Lead the people by virtue and restrain them by the rules of good taste, and the people will have a sense of shame, and moreover will be become good.” Disagreed with Confucius “Lead the people by virtue and restrain them by the rules of good taste, and the people will have a sense of shame, and moreover will be become good.” People are not capable of being good People are not capable of being good Only the fear of harsh punishment would keep order Only the fear of harsh punishment would keep order Ruler did not have to show compassion for the needs of the people Ruler did not have to show compassion for the needs of the people

Phew! That’s it for the Early Chinese Civilizations… That’s it for the Early Chinese Civilizations… Chapter 3: India and China notes DONE! Chapter 3: India and China notes DONE!