Review (Early) CHINA

Ethnocentric The belief that one’s ethnic group (ex. Chinese) is superior to all others…

The ethnocentric term used by the Chinese to describe their culture… Middle Kingdom The ethnocentric term used by the Chinese to describe their culture… For the Chinese, all peoples outside of China were considered “barbarians”…

Mandate of Heaven The Chinese emperor’s right or justification to rule… NOTE: a “mandate” is a command (think about the word “mandatory”)

The ebb and flow of China’s ruling families… Dynastic Cycle The ebb and flow of China’s ruling families… When a new emperor took the imperial throne, he would inherit the mandate of heaven, and begin a new dynastic cycle.

Ancient, and most famous, Chinese philosopher (thinker)… Confucius Ancient, and most famous, Chinese philosopher (thinker)… He believed in: establishing and maintaining order an harmony through the five relationships and filial piety.

Older brother to younger brother… Five Relationships Emperor to subject… Husband to wife… Father to son… Older brother to younger brother… Friend to friend…

Respect for one’s elders and ancestors… A Confucian ideal… Filial Piety Respect for one’s elders and ancestors… A Confucian ideal…

Thusly, he supported education and ability based on merit (talent)… Civil Service Exams Confucius believed in the virtuous ruler, one who was educated and looked after the well being of his subjects… Thusly, he supported education and ability based on merit (talent)… A complex set of civil service exams were introduced to find the best qualified men to work in government positions…

Daoism (Taoism) A Chinese philosophy or belief in which stresses oneness with nature and meditation… Less government b/c man was by nature good and did not need lots of rules…

A short-lived philosophy of the Chin dynasty… Legalism A Chinese philosophy or belief in which laws are very strict to ensure a harmonious society… A short-lived philosophy of the Chin dynasty…

Trade route between China in the East and Rome in the West… Silk Road Trade route between China in the East and Rome in the West… Named after its most prized commodity, silk, yet many other products were traded, as well as many new ideas, such as Buddhism from India…

Great Wall of China First constructed by the first emperor of China Shi Huangdi… It was erected to keep out the nomads from the north… Its greatest expansion was witnessed under the Ming dynasty…

Han Dynasty One of the most prosperous times in Chinese history, the Han Dynasty was a contemporary of imperial Rome… This was a “golden age” for China which witnessed territorial expansion and increased trade…

Tang & Song Dynasties Two Golden Ages in China’s history… Times of peace, prosperity and artistic achievement…

However, for most of the Ming dynasty the Chinese were isolated… A time in China’s history when initially the Chinese looked to make contact with the outside world (Zheng He)… However, for most of the Ming dynasty the Chinese were isolated…

Zheng He A Chinese adventurer, who set sail with a fleet of ships in order to show off the might of the Chinese civilizations… Zheng He went on eight sea voyages West to the Spice Islands, India, the Arabian Peninsula and the East coast of Africa…

Ming Dynasty Isolation After Zheng He’s voyages, China decided to withdraw herself from world affairs… China pursued a policy of isolation for the next few centuries until Europeans forced open Chinese ports of entry…