Transcript Chapter 2: China

Chapter 2: China
AP World History I
The Dynastic Cycle
• A family of Kings would start its rule with great
vigor.
– Develop strong community
– Active economy
• Dynasty grows weaker, tax revenues decline
– Social divisions increased
– Internal rebellions
– Invasions
• Another Dynasty emerges, usually from the
family of a successful general, invader, or
peasant rebel.
• Pattern starts anew…
Zhou Dynasty
• Lasted from 1029-258 BCE
– Flourished only until about 700 BCE
• Replaces the RVC of the Shang
• Never really develops a strong central
government…regional alliances
– Feudal
• Rulers depend on a network of loyalties and
obligations to and from their landlord vassals.
• Power is LOST when the regional aristocrats
solidify their own powerbase, ignoring the
central government.
Zhou Dynasty
Zhou Dynasty
• Usually divided into two time periods, Western,
then Eastern.
– Eastern is more Feudal
• Developed and maintained China’s “core”
territory from the Huanghe to the Yangtze,
referred to as the “Middle Kingdom.”
• Wheat grown in the north, Rice in the south
• Zhou rulers use the mandate of heaven to claim
right to rule from the Shang
• Promote the unity of Mandarin Chinese
Confucius
• Late 6th and early 5th
century BCE saw the rise
of Confucius’
philosophy…a complex
set of political ethics
which would become the
core of Chinese
philosophy.
• Emphasized filial piety
and respect to elders
Qin Dynasty
• Qin Shi Huangdi, or
First Emperor takes
control of China.
– He was a regional ruler
during Warring States
– Deposes the final Zhou
Emperor
• Brutal Ruler (but
effective)
Qin Dynasty
• He ordered nobles to his palace and took
control of their estates.
– Control as far as Hong Kong and influenced the
development of Vietnam
• Orders a National Census
– Data for tax revenues
• Standardizes weights/measures and coinage
– Even the length of axles on carts
• Promoted
Agriculture/irrigation/manufacturing (silk)
• Burned books…thinking was subversive to
his autocratic rule
Qin Dynasty
• Builds Great Wall of
China (does most
work on it)
– 3000 Miles
– The top is wide
enough for carts
Qin Dynasty
• Somewhat short-lived
– High taxes
– Legalism: singular
punishment for most
crimes
• When the Emperor
died in 210 BCE,
massive revolts broke
out by aggrieved
peasants
Tomb of Shi Huangdi
Han Dynasty
• Kept the Centralized rule of the Qin, but sought
to reduce the oppression
• Expands Chinese territory into Korea,
Indochina, and central Asia
• Conducted trade with Parthian Empire in the
Middle East, through which the Chinese traded
with the Romans
Han Dynasty
• Most Famous
ruler…Wu Ti (Wudi)
rules from 140-87
BCE
– Encouraged peace
within the empire
– Brought prosperity to
China
Han Dynasty
• Seen as a “Golden Age” of Chinese Culture and
development
• Government was linked to formal Confucian
training
– Urged support for Confucianism (unlike Qin)
• Quality of Han rule declines after about two
centuries
– Central control weakens
– Nomads…the Huns threaten China’s borders
• 220-589 CE: China was in a state of Chaos
Short Story on Civilization
• Imagine that you are creating a
civilization. What important parts would
you have in your civilization? What would
call your civilization? What laws and what
type of government?