Chap 2 Classical China
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Transcript Chap 2 Classical China
Ancient & Classical
China
AP World History
List of Chinese Dynasties to 600 C.E.
Prehistoric Times-1.7 million years - the 21st century BCE
Xia Dynasty- 21st - 16th century BCE
Shang Dynasty- 16th - 11th century BCE
Zhou Dynasty -Western Zhou (11th century - 771 BCE)
Eastern Zhou- Spring and Autumn Period (770 - 476 BCE)
Warring States Period (476 - 221 BCE)
Qin Dynasty- (221 - 206 BCE)
Han Dynasty- Western Han (206 BCE - 24 CE)
Eastern Han (25 – 220CE)
{Textbook: Age of Division}
Three Kingdoms Period- (220 – 280)
Jin Dynasty - Western Jin (265 - 316)Eastern Jin (317 - 420)
Northern and Southern Dynasties Northern Dynasties (386 - 581)
Southern Dynasties (420 - 589)
Sui Dynasty- (581 –618 CE)
Big Picture “Snap Shot”
Patterns in Early Chinese Civilization:
Early Civilizations…
Mythical Xia and First Dynasty of the Shang
Patterns in Classical China:
3 dynastic cycles cover the many centuries
of classical China: Zhou, Qin (impact), & Han
Political instability & frequent invasions caused the decline of the
Zhou Dynasty and promoted debated over China’s Political ills.
Last centuries of Zhou some of China’s greatest thinkers tried
different ways to restore order & social harmony
3 Schools of Thought – Confucianism, Daoism, & Legalism
Shi Huanghi, the brutal founder of the Qin Dynasty, centralized
power in China, and began construction of the Great Wall.
Wu Ti (Wu di, or Emperor Wu), most famous of the Han rulers,
supported Confucianism , won wars, & promoted peace
(P) State Building , Expansion, & Conflict
“Political” Institutions
(structures & governance)
Most of recorded history, the
Chinese people have been the most
tightly governed people in any large
society in the World.
Political institutions became one of
classical China’s hallmarks.
One of the most permanent aspects
of Chinese culture was the belief in
the unity & the desirability of a central
government in the hands of an
emperor assisted by an educated,
professional bureaucracy.
(P) State Building , Expansion, & Conflict
Continued…
Type of system- Monarchy/Absolute Rule
Empires- Dynasty Cycles
Nationalism- Most believe in unified China
Revolts and revolutions- “Mandate of Heaven”
Regional, trans-regional, global structures & organizations Xenophobia (ic)-an intense fear or dislike of foreign
people, their customs and culture, or foreign things
Foreign Connections- Tributary Systems Fighting with Xiongnu, (Barbarians) {gift sending}
Silk Road- Mostly indirect communication through
many cultures, including Central Asia, India, Persia,
Fertile Crescent, & Rome
(E) Creation, expansion, and interaction of
“Economic” systems
Agricultural – China’s classical economy focused on agriculture. All
Chinese philosophies extolled the virtues of peasants and their
world.
Trade & Commerce- Extensive internal trade system, even while
maintaining some ambivalence about merchants and commercial
values
Silk Road- Only connection to the Roman Empire via trade.
Labor system- Sharp Class division between the 1) Gentry
Scholars - Landowning Aristocrats & educated bureaucrats, 2)
Peasant farmers- the laboring masses, 3) Artisans & Craftsman,
4) Merchants & Traders
Industrialization- Many technological advances, including oxdrawn plows, water-powered mills, and paper in ancient times.
(R) Development & Interaction of Cultures
“Religion and Culture”
Belief systems, Philosophies, & ideologies Chinese
culture began coalescing during the last, calamitous
centuries of Zhou rule. During this time, the 3 Schools of
Thought (Philosophies) arose, each of which emphasized
the role of education to achieve social ends.
Confucianism, an ethical system based on relationships
and personal virtue, became the predominate philosophy
Legalism, countered Confucianism by favoring an
authoritarian state and harsh rule.
Daoism, taught harmony with nature and humble living.
Laozi was the most popular figure.
Buddhism, began to enter China later 100 C.E…
Tang Dynasty 618 C.E. (Golden Age of Buddhism)
(R) Development & Interaction of
Cultures Continued…
Material
Architecture/Buildings Great Wall of China (Started with Qin Dynasty)
Many Roads & Canals (Han Dynasty, esp. Wu Di 141-87)
Grand Canal – (Completed by Sui Dynasty
Art in classical China was mostly decorative, and appeared in many
forms, including calligraphy, carved jade and ivory, and silk screens.
Science & key technologies- Mathematics emphasized the practical
over the theoretical, and the ancient Chinese were particularly adept at
astronomy.
Many innovations! (See Invention Worksheet)
Imperial University- (Han Dynasty) –
Civil Service Exams (3 levels)
Entry test for government jobs
Studied Chinese Classics, Confucius etc…
(R) Development & transformation
of social structures “Culture”
Gender Roles and relations Patriarchal society- overall subordinate fathers & husbands (brothers)
Women’s roles- make a proper marriage that would strengthen the family’s
alliances (Widowed were allowed to marry?)
Elite (Ban Zhao’s Example) Upper class women- tutored in writing, arts, &
music
Family & kinship (Clans)- Tight family structure was valued
Gender relations- Filial Piety (5 Cardinal Relationships)
Racial & Ethic constructions – Xenophobia & Ethnocentricism
Social & Economics classes- Basically hierarchical, deferential & patriarchal
Labor system- Sharp Class division between the 1) Gentry Scholars Landowning Aristocrats & educated bureaucrats, 2) Peasant farmers- the
laboring masses, 3) Artisans & Craftsman, 4) Merchants & Traders
Communication:
Language-Early Ancient times: proto-Sino-Tibetan,
Zhou Dynasty: Archaic Chinese, Qin: attempt to return to “Old Chinese” Now about
Later called “Middle Chinese” Now: 11 different dialects Mandarin and Cantonese
Writing system: logographic/Calligraphy(Similar since Shang and standard Qin)
(I) “Interactions” between
Humans and environment
Population Change (Demography)- Major
increase in Population during Han Dynasty 60
million listed on census
Diseases- Malaria, S.T.D.’s
Migrations- Xiongnu
Settlement patterns- Early Near Water
Technology (impact on environment) [See Change]
Overall Picture
China’s politics & culture meshed readily, especially
around the emergence of Confucian bureaucracy.
Economic innovation did not disrupt the emphasis on
order & stability, and family structures were closely
linked to political & cultural goals.
Classical Chinese civilization evolved with very little
outside contact. Thought internal disagreement existed,
most Chinese saw the world as a large island of
civilization (China) surrounded by barbarians with
nothing to offer save periodic invasions
Continuity
Early Regional cultural hearth of Northern
China
Irrigation based advanced settled urban culture
Conflict between settled & nomadic cultures
Chinese dynastic cycle
Change-over-Time
Increase in population
Decline in status of women
Increase in Patriarchy
Increase in trade routes (Silk Road, Canals [Grand])
Migrations of the Huns (Xiongnu)
Diffusion of early religions and philosophies
Rise & Fall of Empires – Chinese Dynastic Cycle
Environmental: Deforestation, Irrigation,
Wall/Building materials
Major Comparisons and Analysis
Han Empire vs. Roman Empire
3 Schools of Thought v Buddhism
Nomads vs. Settled
3 Schools of Thought vs. each other
Chinese Dynasties vs. each other