1. Chapter 2: Classical Civilization: China
AP World History 2013
Lindsey Brugger

2. Zhou Dynasty
1.) Zhou Dynasty (1029 – 258 B.C.E.) a.) Replaced the Shang b.) massively expanded Chinese territory c.) government wasn’t as powerful – ruled through alliances with regional princes and noble families - rulers didn’t have the means by which to control their massive kingdoms, so they gave regional territories to friends and supporters in hope that they would remain loyal -supporters were to give the central government troops and taxes - rulers justified their imperial rule through the Mandate of Heaven, which stated that heaven had given Zhou emperors the right to rule d.) rich agriculture -wheat grown in the north - rice grown in the south e.) Emperors encouraged cultural unity - had a standard spoken language (Mandarin) - Confucianism was widely adopted f.) Corruption among the regional rulers caused collapse - Cultural unity helped to prolong the collapse

3. Zhou Dynasty (cont.) e.) Emperors encouraged cultural unity
- had a standard spoken language (Mandarin)
- Confucianism was widely adopted
f.) Corruption among the regional rulers caused collapse
- internal unrest due to corruption – peasants weren’t treated right
- Cultural unity helped to prolong the collapse

4. The Qin Dynasty
2.) The Qin Dynasty (258 – 202 B.C.E.) a.) founded by Shi Huangdi – “First Emperor” - brutal ruler - recognized the problem with aristocratic regional rulers - created a strong army which helped to expand the empire - created Legalistic society b.) land was divided into large provinces that were ruled by bureaucrats who were appointed by the emperor - Shi Huangdi made sure that they were from nonaristocratic groups c.) Great Wall was built to keep out invastions - built by forced labor conscripted from the buereaucracy d.) Innovations and Culture: - national census was ordered for calculations of tax revenues and labor service - standardized coins, weights, and measures - written script was uniform - new irrigation projects, promotion of manufacturing

5. Qin Dynasty (cont.)
e.) Shi Huangdi’s unpopularity caused ultimate decline - attacked the intellectuals within Qin society - had high taxes to support a large military and the construction of the Great Wall - revolts after his death in 210 B.C.E. were started by peasants - a peasant leader eventually rose above the rest and created the Han dynasty

6. Han Dynasty
3.) Han Dynasty ( 202 B.C.E. – 220 C.E.) a.) kept the centralized administration of the Qin dynasty, but reduced the repression of Shi Huangdi’s Legalistic dynasty -expanded the powers of the bureaucracy b.) expanded Chinese territory into Korea, Indochina, and central Asia -increased # of trade contacts; contacts included the Middle East, India, the Roman Empire, and other areas of the Mediterranean c.) The Silk Road was used under the Han -caused cultural diffusion (ex: Buddhist asepects/principles into Chinese culture) d.) Wu Ti encouraged Confucianism within the empire - government had formal training that emphasized Confucian values -shrines were created that portrayed Confucius as a godlike figure e.) the Han began to decline around 220 C.E. - central control weakened due to incompetent rulers i. emperors more concerned with personal wealth and other excesses - invasion of the Huns - famine and plagues

7. Political Institutions of Classical China
Main Characteristics of Classical Chinese Politics:
- power of the emperor
- bureaucracy
- expansion of state functions
China relied on patriarchal family systems
- wealthy land-owning families practiced ancestor worship
- extended family was important
Single law code and uniform taxes (Qin)
The appointment of officials from centralized rule
- officials had delegated duties/responsibilities
Wu Ti (Han) incorporated civil service exams in order to establish a skilled bureaucracy
- covered classical Chinese literature, law,
- lower class people could technically move up into the bureaucracy, but most bureaucrats still came from the upper class
Emperors claimed the “Mandate of Heaven”.

8. Political Institutions of Classical China (continued)
Government had many state functions
- Judicial system
- research in astronomy
- maintenance of historical records
-Organized iron and salt production
- public works (irrigation and canal systems)
- stored grain and rice in good times to offset times of inflation, potential unrest, and emergency

9. Religion and Culture
Classical China did have some polytheism; however, Confucianism was the major philosophy implemented in society.
- developed by Confucius; who was a philosopher who sought a high position in the bureaucracy. When he was denied the position, he became a nomad, looking for acceptance.
- Confucianism stressed peace, order, centralized control, respect, high education, male dominance, and well-being for all
- balance between earth and heaven
- code of ethics – loyalty to the community, honor one’s family, etc.
- spread to the upper classes first – the peasants held onto polytheistic beliefs for a while before adopting Confucianism from the elites
Legalism was implemented in the Qin and early Han dynasties
- Legalism promoted an authoritarian state ruled by force
- army would control while the people labored
- idea was that human nature is evil and requires restraint and discipline

10. Religion and Culture (cont.)
Daoism was introduced around the same time as Confucianism
- Daoism emphasized nature’s harmony and mystery
- established the idea that every feature has an opposite (ying/yang)
- individuals should seek a way (Dao – “way of nature”) to find harmony – must avoid excess and appreciate the balance of opposites
- furthered by Laozi (philosopher)
- had secret rituals and a set of ethics
- had aspects of mystic and magic
Confucianism and Daoism had some overlap, and neither were considered a threat to the other; therefore, both philosophies had a stake within classical Chinese society.
Confucianism blended well with the literature and art of the upper classes.
- the Five Classics (ex: historical and political speeches/treatises, discussion on etiquette and ceremony, and poems) were the basis for mastering Chinese literature
- ability to learn, recite, and write poetry signaled an education person

11. Religion and Culture (cont.)
Art was fairly decorative
- carefully detailed; skilled craftmanship
- styles were geometric
- calligraphy
- paintings, work in bronze and pottery, jad and ivory carvings, weaving of silk
- monumental buildings were not produced due to the lack of a single religion (remember, Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism are considered to be PHILOSOPHIES!)
The Chinese were practical in their scientific developments
- astronomers created an accurate calendar
- calculated the movement of Saturn and Jupiter
- a type of seismograph that registered earthquakes
- medical research
Mathematics were also practical
- studied mathematics of music to advance acoustics

12. Economy and Society Huge unequal distribution of wealth
- peasants provided services and dues to land-owning lords; lords owned part of the peasants’ land
Property was owned and regulated by one’s village or one’s extended family
Social status was typically hereditary – unless you can get ahold of an education
Three main social groups:
1.) Landowning Aristocracy and Educated Bureaucrats
2.) Laboring Masses (peasants and urban artisans)
3.) “Mean” People ( unskilled workers)
Few slaves
Trade was particularly important
-focused on luxury items for upper class – silk, jewelry, leather goods, furniture
- food exchange
- commercial trade with India
- merchants weren’t a focus in classical China; Confucian philosophy frowned upon extensive moneymaking

13. Economy and Society (cont.)
Technological advances improved productivity
-ox-drawn plows
- iron making; pulleys, tools, lamps
- textile and pottery making
- water mills helped manufacturing paper
Classical Chinese family organization emphasized unity and the dominance of husbands and fathers
- parents could do no wrong – parents can kill a child with no punishment, but children are severely punished for scolding a parent
- strict control of one’s emotions
- women only had control of the household
- could exert influence over her son and as a mother-in-law