Early on, Chinese rulers searched to find administrators loyal to the central state rather than to certain regions. Chosen based on merit. The Han Dynasty (est. 200 BCE) required each province to send men of promise to be chosen for official positions. This system evolved into the world’s first professional service = bureaucracy

124 BCE, Wu Di established the first imperial academy where candidates were trained as scholars. By the end of Han, it enrolled over 30,000 students who were subjected to a series of written examinations = civil service examinations Continued into the 20 th century… How did wealth play a part in their selection?

When the Qin dynasty unified China (210 BCE) most land was held by small scale peasants and farmers. Wang Mang, official of the Han, attempted to launch major reforms to re-create the Golden Age in which peasant farmers could once again be the backbone of Chinese society. Proved impossible!

The privileged class – lived a lavish lifestyle. Benefited from the wealth of their estates, expensive education and their membership in the official elite. Multistoried houses, finest silk, carriages, etc…

In the eyes of the SG, peasants were the backbone of the country. Most vulnerable class Subject to nature’s wrath State officials required payment of taxes, conscription of young men. Tenant farmers Conditions provoked periodic rebellions throughout the past 2000 years.

Massive peasant uprising-360,000! Wandering bands of peasants joined together as floods along the Yellow river caused havoc. Unifying ideology of Daoism Looked forward to the Great Peace – an age of equality, harmony, and common ownership.

Did not enjoy the same esteem of the SG. Viewed as unproductive and making shameful profits off the backs of others. Han movements to suppress merchants – no silk, ride horses, carry arms Could not sit for the civil service exams. Despite discrimination they continued to be quite wealthy

Differences with China Separate, distinct and hierarchically ranked social groups Similarities with China Birth determined status Little social mobility Religious traditions defined inequalities as natural/eternal

Casta – “race” or “purity of blood” Brought by the Aryans from the north. By 500 BCE society was divided into 4 ranked classes known as varna. You were born into your cast – for life.

Top 3 classes = pure Aryan/ Sudras = native peoples in subordinate positions. Not allowed to hear or repeat the Vedas or take part in Aryan rituals. New category emerged - untouchables

Over time, the different social distinctions regarding occupation arose and blended with the varna system to create India’s classical caste based society– this was known as jati. Basically this created “sub-castes”.

Permanent difference illustrated in the concepts of karma, dharma, and rebirth. Impossible to raise social status during lifetime

China Elevated political officials to elite positions Categories of society – SG, landlords, peasants, and merchants India Gave priority to religious status and ritual purity Caste system – far more rigid

Class inequalities of early civilizations made possible the idea of people owning people. Slavery defined: Ownership by master Possibility of being sold Work without pay Status of outsider Bottom of hierarchy

Slavery in China Minor 1% of population Convicted criminals (Han) Sell children Never widespread and not significant to history

Slavery in India Criminals Debtors Prisoners of war Religious laws protected slaves – couldn’t be abandoned in old age Could own property in spare time

Rome Larger scale than Greece 2-3 million slaves (33-40% pop) Greece Slave society Athens = 60,000 slaves (1/3 pop) Never became citizens or own land Taxed

Greatest division in human society is that of men and women. Used to determine roles and positions in society. Since first civilizations, patriarchal systems developed. Men regarded as superior to women and sons preferred over daughters. Men = property rights Frequently men could marry more than one wife. However, different in urban (classical) settings rather than in rural (agricultural) settings.

During the Han Dynasty, views became more explicitly patriarchal, more clearly defined. Yang = masculine, heavenly, strength Yin = feminine, earth, weakness, emotion Women “3 obediences” Subordination to father Subordination to husband Subordination to son

Much changed in China after the fall of the Han in 200 CE. Centralized gov’t vanished amid political fragmentation and conflict. Nomadic people from the north invaded China and ruled a number of the small states. Confucianism was discredited, while Daoism and Buddhism flourished. THESE NEW CONDITIONS RESULTED IN LOOSENING THE PATRIARCHY SYSTEM FOR A WHILE.

Patriarchy was weakened in a variety of ways: In the Tang dynasty CE writers and artists depicted women as more powerful. Empress Wu – only woman to ever wuled China with the title of Emperor. Some actions seemed designed to deliberately elevate the position of women. Popularity of Daoism Patriarchy did not end however… y_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1 y_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1

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