Classical China
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Transcript Classical China
Chapter Two
Classical Civilization: China
Chinese Dynasty Song (Tune ---- Frère Jacques)
Shang
Zhou (“Joe”)
Qin (“chin”)
Han
(Repeat)
( ------------------- 400 years of Disunity ------------------)
Sui (“sway”)
Tang
Song
(Repeat)
Yuan ------ Mongol
Ming
Qing (“ching”) --------Manchu
Republic -------- Republic of China
(Repeat)
Mao Zedong ---------People’s Republic of China / Communist China
(Repeat)
Shang Dynasty
First to construct
tombs and palaces,
unlike Huanghe
civilization.
Invasions caused fall
Zhou Dynasty
Allied with regional princes, no strong
government
– Could not control large agricultural areas
(similar to India, Japan, Europe, and Africa).
– Depended on regional kingdoms to be loyal
Feudalism
Expanded to Yangtze River Valley
– Middle Kingdom
Mandate of Heaven
– Sons of Heaven
Banned human sacrifice
Began standard Mandarin language
Zhou Decline
Regional rulers not loyal
– Era of the Warring States
Qin Shi Huangdi deposed last Zhou Ruler
and named himself First Emperor
Qin Dynasty
Founded by Qin Shi
Huangdi
– Brutal Ruler
– Dismantled regional
kingdoms
– Expanded empire (Hong
Kong, Vietnam)
– Built the Great Wall
– Built roads, canals,
– Very unpopular for attacks
on intellectuals, heavy
taxes, and punishments.
– His death sparked revolts,
leading to the Han.
http://content.mahalo.com/images/0/0e/Great_wall_china_100107_TNO.jpg
Han Dynasty
Retained centralized rule,
but less brutal
– More bureaucracy
Expansion (Korea,
Indochina, central Asia)
Trade with India, Parthians,
Romans
Confucianism rises
Contemporary with the
Roman Empire
Begin to decline due to Hun
invasion
Lasting Influences
Large bureaucracy
Strong patriarchal society
Ancestor worship
Civil service examinations
Strong government and law systems that even
invaders couldn’t overturn
Harmony with nature
The Five Classics (basis for exams)
Accurate calendar
Not much outside influence
Society
Gaps between upper and lower classes
Three social groups
– Landowners
– Peasants
– Mean people (without meaningful skills)
Merchants not valued
Tight family structure
– hierarchical/deferential/patriarchal
Other Social aspects of
Classical China
Kung
Compare & Contrast
Confucianism & Daoism
Fuzi—Confucius (ca. 551–478
B.C.E.)
– respect for superiors
– leaders must show moderation
– rank based on intelligence, merit
Legalism
– alternative to Confucianism
– support authoritarian state
– belief in evil nature of humankind
Daoism – “the way”; harmony; balance;
avoid excess; yin & yang more religious
– Laozi (5th century B.C.E.)
– respect for forces of nature
– ethical code
China in the Shang and Zhou
Eras
China from the Later Zhou to the Han Era
Thumbs Up/Down
Thumbs Up if:
– The Han Dynasty was centralized.
– The Han Dynasty was matriarchal.
– The Han Dynasty created the Civil Service
Examinations.
– Merchants are valued in Chinese society.
Potential Essay Questions
1.
Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of classical
Chinese society.
2.
Trace the rise of Confucianism.
3.
Identify the ways that Confucian philosophy
supported the political structure in China.
4.
Summarize why bureaucracy developed in classical
China.
5.
In what ways did the three philosophical
movements of classical China shape its civilization.