Chapter 2: China AP World History I

Agenda ( ) 1. Warm-up #9: Agriculture1. Warm-up #9: Agriculture 2. Lecture #2: China2. Lecture #2: China Exit Activity Exit Activity

Warm-up: What was the impact of agriculture on the civilizations?

Objectives: Be able to describe the response of the peoples of early China, Nubia, and Central America to the challenges of their environments. Be able to explain the basis of power, status, and wealth in each of the societies treated in this chapter. Examine the concept of Chinese dynasty and their continuity over time.

Key Questions What were the economic and social results of the agricultural revolution? What was the impact of agriculture on the environment?

The Dynastic Cycle A family of Kings would start its rule with great vigor. –Develop strong community –Active economy Dynasty grows weaker, tax revenues decline –Social divisions increased –Internal rebellions –Invasions Another Dynasty emerges, usually from the family of a successful general, invader, or peasant rebel. Pattern starts a new…

Zhou Dynasty Lasted from BCE –Flourished only until about 700 BCE Replaces the RVC of the Shang Never really develops a strong central government…regional alliances –Feudal Rulers depend on a network of loyalties and obligations to and from their landlord vassals. Power is LOST when the regional aristocrats solidify their own powerbase, ignoring the central government.

Zhou Dynasty

Usually divided into two time periods, Western, then Eastern. –Eastern is more Feudal Developed and maintained China’s “core” territory from the Huanghe to the Yangtze, referred to as the “Middle Kingdom.” Wheat grown in the north, Rice in the south Zhou rulers use the mandate of heaven to claim right to rule from the Shang Promote the unity of Mandarin Chinese

Confucius Late 6 th and early 5 th century BCE saw the rise of Confucius’ philosophy…a complex set of political ethics which would become the core of Chinese philosophy. The Era of Warring States: –402 BCE to 201 BCE

Qin Dynasty Qin Shi Huangdi, or First Emperor takes control of China. –He was a regional ruler during Warring States –Deposes the final Zhou Emperor Brutal Ruler (but effective) –Problem lay with the power of Chinese Aristocracy (land owners, etc.)

Qin Dynasty He ordered nobles to his palace and took control of their estates. –Control as far as Hong Kong and influenced the development of Vietnam Orders a National Census –Data for tax revenues Standardizes weights/measures and coinage –Even the length of axles on carts Promoted Agriculture/irrigation/manufacturing (silk) Burned books…thinking was subversive to his autocratic rule

Qin Dynasty Builds Great Wall of China (does most work on it) –3000 Miles –The top is wide enough for carts

Qin Dynasty Somewhat short-lived –High taxes –Legalism: singular punishment for most crimes When the Emperor died in 210 BCE, massive revolts broke out by aggrieved peasants

Tomb of Shi Huangdi

Han Dynasty Kept the Centralized rule of the Qin, but sought to reduce the oppression Expands Chinese territory into Korea, Indochina, and central Asia Conducted trade with Parthian Empire in the Middle East, through which the Chinese traded with the Romans

Han Dynasty Most Famous ruler…Wu Ti (Wudi) rules from BCE –Encouraged peace within the empire –Brought prosperity to China

Han Dynasty Seen as a “Golden Age” of Chinese Culture and development Government was linked to formal Confucian training –Urged support for Confucianism (unlike Qin) Quality of Han rule declines after about two centuries –Central control weakens –Nomads…the Huns threaten China’s borders CE: China was in a state of Chaos

HOMEWORK! 1.Chapter 2 Vocabulary Due: TOMORROW