1. Differences of Classical Civilizations from Early River Valleys
Size and political strength
Larger land areas meant a need for larger governments and stronger militaries
More complex cultures
Great religions emerged: Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity & Confucianism philosophy
Many civilizations produced art and literature considered classics today

2. Differences of Classical Civilizations from Early River Valleys
More numerous and better written records
More knowledge gained about classical civilizations because of better record keeping
All civilizations had writing and some developed alphabets
More complex long-distance trade
Great trade routes developed: Silk road trade and Indian Ocean trade
Trade systems increased prosperity, introduced new material goods, & spread ideas

3. Differences of Classical Civilizations from Early River Valleys
More contact between nomads and sedentary people
Urban areas came in contact with areas on the periphery
Central Asian nomads took over transport of goods across the vast plains (settled into some areas, as well)
Attacks of nomads on civilization centers grew

4. Differences of Classical Civilizations from Early River Valleys
More direct influence on modern civilizations
Many modern beliefs and practices are traceable to Classical Period (more than to early river valleys)
Modern law codes are similar to Roman law, not Hammurabi’s Code
Religious beliefs of Classical Period are in practice today

5. Broad Trends and Themes
New belief systems emerged
They spread beyond political boundaries, so that societies organized on the basis of religious and cultural traditions
Universalizing religions—such as Christianity and Buddhism appeared for the first time

6. Broad Trends and Themes
Number and size of empires grew dramatically
Large empires began encompassing smaller empires
Cities grew and became centers of political, economic, and religious power
Social structures became increasingly hierarchal

7. Broad Trends and Themes
Volume of long-distance trade, communication, and exchange increased substantially
Occurred through networks such as the Silk Road, Trans-Saharan caravan routes, & Indian Ocean Trade sea lanes
Separate networks connected societies of the Americas, but did not connect to networks in the Eastern Hemisphere

8. Chapter 2 Classical China
University High School

9. Chinese Dynasty Song Using the tune Frere Jacques
Shang, Zhou (“Joe”), Qin (“chin”), Han
Sui (“swee”), Tang, Song
Yuan, Ming, Qing (“ching”), Republic
Mao and Deng, Mao and Deng

10. Shang Dynasty ( BCE)
First documented rule in China (after Xia dynasty?)
Extension of the Huang He River Valley civilization
Views itself (China) as center of the world
Isolated; little trade with outside

11. Dynasty Cycle
New dynasties usually emerged from a family of a successful general, or even from a peasant rebellion.
Over time, dynasties grew weak
When one dynasty declines, another emerges

12. Zhou Dynasty 1029-258 BCE Cultural changes:
Wu Wang displaced the Shang Dynasty
Extended territory south into the Yangtze River valley
Cultural changes:
Promoted one standard spoken language (Mandarin Chinese)
Human sacrifices banned

13. Zhou Dynasty BCE
Zhou credited with Creating “Mandate of Heaven”
Used to justify dynastic rule based on the idea that Heaven transferred power of the dynasties and legitimized the current dynasty
Heaven would also be displeased with a poor leader and would cause that dynasty’s overthrow

15. Confucius’ Homeland

16. Zhou Dynasty and Feudalism
Governed using feudal kingdoms (Feudalism)
Rulers gave land to family members, other noble families, and regional princes
In exchange for land, tax revenues and military troops were provided to the dynasty
Empire is so large (transportation/communication hard), feudalism seemed logical
Problems? Feudalism is unstable; depends on loyalty

17. Zhou Dynasty and Feudalism
Era of the Warring States ( BCE)
Eventually, regional rulers who were frustrated with Zhou emperors formed independent armies and broke away from Zhou China
Great philosophers tried to restore order and create political/social harmony through education
Confucius and Confucianism
Zhou declined because of 1) weakness of feudalism and 2) nomadic invasions

18. Quick Review
What kind of political system did the Zhou use? Was it effective or ineffective, ultimately?

19. Qin Dynasty ( BCE)
Qin Shi Huangdi – first and main emperor of Qin China
Shi Huangdi

20. Qin Shi Huangdi First and main emperor of Qin China
Intelligent ruler: knew Zhou’s weakness was feudalism
Centralized power and ended feudalism by capturing feudal estates controlled by Chinese aristocrats
Created non-aristocratic officials to oversee provinces; no conflict of interest
Brutal ruler; powerful army crushed uprisings; used Legalism

21. Qin Dynasty, cont. Shi Huangdi began Great Wall of China
Now over 3,000 miles long
Built to protect from outside invasion
Largest construction project in human history; built by forced labor (corvée: no compensation, required labor)
Created national census
Calculate tax revenues and organize labor services more efficiently
Shi Huangdi

22. Qin Dynasty, cont. Standardized coinage, weights and measurements
Created uniform written Mandarin Chinese
Supported peasants with new irrigation projects
Ultimately, Shi Huangdi was unpopular
Burned books; taxed heavily; military conscription
Shi Huangdi

23. Terracotta Army Created around 210 BCE
Purpose: defend Shi Huangdi’s tomb, help him rule in the afterlife
Over 8,000 individual soldiers, 130 chariots, 520 horses buried in four pits around the tomb
Terracotta: clay-based unglazed ceramic

24. Han Dynasty (201 BCE-220 CE)
After Qin collapse, Liu Bang took control of China, using able to bureaucrats to organize the new dynasty
Period of stability, prosperity, peace
Maintain centralized government from Qin
Emperor Wu Ti

25. Han Dynasty (201 BCE-220 CE)
Examination system developed: process for selecting civil servants to work in government
Emperor Wu Ti: 1) created civil service exam; 2) required civil servants to have formal training in Confucianism which would be a large part of the exam
Departed from Qin Legalism
Created scholar bureaucrats that did not have hereditary positions
Contributes to Han stability
Emperor Wu Ti

26. Han Dynasty

27. Han Dynasty (201 BCE-220 CE)
Extensive expansion of territory into central Asia
Han Wudi ( BCE) decreed that nobles must divide their land among their sons  result: large estates are broken up
Trade routes led to contact with India, Parthian Empire, Roman Empire
Emperor Wu Ti began construction of Silk Roads…but no weapons trade allowed
Buddhism spread

28. Han Dynasty (201 BCE-220 CE) Decline
Heavy taxes on peasants; poor harvests
Weak emperors and influence of army generals
Invasions by the Huns (Xiongnu)
184 CE: Yellow Turban Rebellion
Daoist revolutionaries and peasants rebel; frustrated by corruption of government and emperor; promise Daoist utopia
Three Kingdoms Period ( CE): China was in a state of chaos

29. Zhou, Qin, Han Expansion

30. Quick Review
What kind of government system did the Qin use? What did the Han add to this system?

31. Political Institutions in Classical China
In Classical China, the belief in the desirability of central government is created.
Why? The government was seen as providing services for the people
Expansion of state functions allowed government to reach the common people (ex: regulation of agricultural production to control costs)

32. Political Institutions in Classical China
Power of the emperor developed in Qin and Han
Central authority and strong government that supports emperor
Development of a educated, professional bureaucracy (civil servants)
Han create civil service tests to standardized selection process
Little emphasis on military since China did not depend on expansion to maintain its stability

33. Religion and Culture in China
Rulers in the Zhou dynasty maintained a belief in gods and stressed the importance of a harmonious earthly life
Ancestor worship
Philosophies/Ideologies
Confucianism
Legalism
Daoism/Taoism
Confucius handing the Buddha to Laozi

34. Confucianism Chinese ethical and philosophical system
Developed from the teachings of Confucius ( BCE) on the eve of the Era of the Warring States (recorded in Analects of Confucius)
His students became disciples who elaborated his texts
Confucianism spread throughout Classical China; predominant philosophy
Confucius

35. Confucianism
Confucianism is incorporated into government teachings with Wu Ti
Supports loyalty to the state
Uses father/son :: emperor/subject analogy
Confucian beliefs:
Education; Self-regulation; proper exercise of power; propriety and etiquette; familial love and respect for parents; righteousness; honesty and trustworthiness; loyalty to the state; humaneness; respect elders/superiors
Confucius

36. Confucian Relationships
Five Relationships
Ruler :: Subject
Care, protection vs. loyalty
Parent :: Child
Care, educate vs. obedience, devotion
Elderly :: Youth
Kindness, counseling vs. respect, care
Husband :: Wife
Care, protection vs. loyalty, devotion
Friend :: Friend
Trust and reliability; an equal relationship

37. Confucian Relationships
If all major relationships were handled with respect, kindness, and honor, then there would be peace and harmony
Notice that rulers have behavior guidelines, as well. Mandate of Heaven is revoked if they do not uphold Confucian values.

38. Shi Huangdi admired Legalist thinkers
Legalism
Qin and early Han periods
Strict system of obedience to government and law
Favors authoritarian state ruled by force (army to control people)
Human nature is evil and requires constant discipline
People’s responsibility to work for the government
Not successful in China overall, but influenced some policies and ideologies
Shi Huangdi admired Legalist thinkers

39. Daoism/Taoism Founded by Lao Tzu (Laozi) (5th c. BCE)
Promoted humility, frugal living, simplicity
Human harmony with nature would naturally lead to balance in the Chinese political system
Yin and Yang
Lao Tzu

40. Daoism/Taoism
Practices: Secret rituals, ceremonies, mystery, magic, astrology
People should follow personal paths to self-knowledge; departs from Confucian formal education
Little influence politically (Confucianism was more successful) but large influence on Chinese medicine, art, and poetry
Lao Tzu

41. Quick Review
What are the three philosophical systems of Classical China?

42. Economy in China
Standardization of weights and measures by Qin facilitated trade
Extensive and regular internal trade using copper coins
Trade focused on luxury items: silk, jewelry, leather, furniture
Trade was NOT highly valued in Classical Chinese society (Confucian value of learning emphasized; merchants viewed poorly)

43. Economy in China Focused on agriculture; virtues of peasants
Expansion into Yangtze River Valley
Wheat grown in north, rice in south
Result: population growth
Traded food between wheat and rice growing regions

44. Society in China Social classes were hereditary
Not permanent; could move up
1st Class: Landowning aristocracy and educated bureaucrats (2%)
2nd Class: Laboring masses: peasants and urban artisans
3rd Class: Unskilled jobs; performing artists, merchants, household slaves
Punished more harshly than other groups

45. Society in China Importance of unity and extended families
Patriarchy based on Confucianism
Women: power through sons, as mother-in-law
Property rights: oldest male inherited
Power of parents
Children punished severely for disobedience
Ancestor worship

46. Science and Technology in China
Accurate calendar (444 BCE): days
Observed movements of Saturn and Jupiter
Developed early seismograph to measure earthquake strength
Medical research (principles of hygiene and anatomical knowledge)

47. Science and Technology in China
Ox-drawn plows (300 BCE)
Iron mining
Pulleys brought material to surface
Improved tools and weapons
Water-powered mills
Aided manufacturing
Paper
Allowed government to keep records

48. Chinese Art Highly decorative, often representing nature
Chinese calligraphy is considered an art (especially according to Confucius)
Artwork found on bronze, pottery, carved jade, ivory, woven silk screens
No monumental buildings or large monuments
No major religion for which buildings are needed
Many palaces and tombs