1. Classical China
Confucius 1

2. I. Dynastic Cycles History of classical China is cyclical
A family of kings ruled for a time, weakened, then was overthrown
The dynastic cycles of the Classical Era
The Zhou (1029 to 258 B.C.E.)
The Qin (221 to 202 B.C.E.)
The Han (202 B.C.E. To 220 C.E.) 2

3. II. Zhou Dynasty Never established a strong central government
Feudalism
Ruled through regional princes and noble families
Zhou rulers counted on loyalty to control population
Nobles exchanged loyalty, taxes, and troops for land and power
Encouraged cultural unity
Discouraged “primitive” religious ideas
Promoted a unified language – Mandarin
402 – 201 B.C.E. - Era of the Warring States
Nobles formed independent armies, fought over territory, forced Zhou leaders from power 3

4. III. The Qin Dynasty Shi Huangdi – First Emperor
Unified all regions under the name China
A brutal tyrant, used military might to take control
Leaders appointed by the Emperor took over for noble/aristocratic families
Leaders picked from non-aristocratic families
The Great Wall
3000 miles long
Built to repel invaders
Built using forced labor 4

5. III. continued... Innovations
Standardized coins, weights, and measures
Completely standardized written script
Completed new irrigation projects
Promoted manufacturing – silk cloth
Burned/banned many texts – prevent criticism/opposing ways of thinking
Peasant revolts due to high taxes and oppressive tactics brought end to dynasty 5

6. IV. The Han Dynasty Retained the centralized gov't of Qin Dynasty
Reduced oppressive laws
Expanded empire – central Asia, Korea, southeastern Asia
Government was improved thanks to formal training
Creation of a bureaucracy – trained government officials
Confucianism promoted throughout China
Central control weakened through expansion and invasions 6

7. V. Religion & Philosophy
Confucius ( B.C.E.)
Lived during the Zhou Dynasty
Promoted the studying and teaching of history and moral character
Believed in social order, harmony, and good government
Five basic relationships:
1. ruler and subject
2. father and son
3. husband and wife
4. older brother and younger brother
5. friend and friend

8. V. continued... Code of conduct regulated these relationships
Example: rulers should be kind, subjects should be loyal
Stressed importance of respect for one's family
Ideas about government
Taught the importance of training and educating government leaders (bureaucracy)
Confucianism not a religion
The foundation for Chinese government and social order

9. V. continued... Legalism Founded during the Qin Dynasty
Believed in a powerful, authoritative government
Use force, not reason/respect for others, to gain control
Good citizens rewarded well, disobedient citizens punished harshly
Education and philosophy strictly controlled by the government

10. V. continued... Daoism Loazi, founder in the sixth century B.C.E.
A spiritual alternative to Confucianism
Natural order – relationships among all living things
A universal force (Dao) guides all things
Live simply and in harmony with nature
Stressed humility and frugal living

11. VI. Government
Classical China was the largest political system in the world
Zhou dynasty = strong local governments/rulers
Early on, depended on a network of patriarchal families (would become nobility)
Village leaders important to peasants
Qin dynasty = strong unified society/government
Established a single law code
Uniform tax system

12. VI. continued... Han dynasty = perfecting the bureaucracy
Required leaders to take a civil service test
Many from the lower class became bureaucrats
Classical China established many lasting gov't traditions:
Judicial system
Organized military
Scientific research
Historical record keeping

13. VII. Social Structure Social classes
Upper class: landowning nobles, educated bureaucrats (mandarins)
Middle class: artisans & peasants
Much poorer than upper class
Lower class: “mean” people (unskilled laborers)
Lowest possible status, punished more severely
Identified by green scarves
Very few household slaves

14. VII. continued... Family life Emphasis on family unity
Patriarchal - husbands and fathers at the head of family
Confucian belief: “There are no wrongdoing parents”
Parents not punished for hurting (or sometimes killing) a disobedient child
Women were subordinate
Oldest male child would inherit property and social status

15. VIII. Economy Agricultural society Rice and wheat the main commodities
Trade
Mostly within China
Silk, jewelry, leather goods, furniture
Society did not hold merchants in high regard
More respect for learning and political service

16. VIII. continued... Technological advances
Harnesses that allowed animals to pull carts and wagons without choking
Ox-drawn plows
Iron tools
Paper

17. Key Vocabulary – Ch. 2 Zhou Qin Han Shi Huangdi Dao Confucious
Great Wall