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Quizlet Link: http://quizlet.com/_sj53s UNIT 2 – CLASSICAL EMPIRES Eastern India & China Concept Questions 1. 2. 3. 4. What caused the classical empires to develop and what effects did this development have on civilization? What were the major accomplishments of the civilizations of India and China during the “Classical Era”? What are the historical origins and central beliefs of Hinduism, Buddhism and Confucianism? What factors contributed to the rise and fall of empires and dynasties in the East? Mauryan/Gupta Empires India Aryans from central Asia conquer the Dravidians and grow into an empire as a response to Greek challenges Mauryan Empire – golden age Asoka Chandragupta Maurya Bureaucratic govt. – divided into provinces Heavily taxed to pay for the large army Chandragupta’s grandson Bothered by mass death, converts to Buddhism India falls into turmoil after his death Gupta Empire Reunites India after the fall of the Mauryan Empire Expanded Indian empire Indian Culture Astronomy, Math and Medicine Calendar based on the sun Pi Art Poems & plays in Sanskrit Murals and architecture Classified diseases 7 day week 365 days Surgeries Inoculations Effects of Indian Culture Numeral system still used today Caste system became the new social order Hinduism Dominant religion in India, over 4,000 yrs. Old No direct trace to one founder, collection of ideas including the idea of reincarnation brought with the early Aryans Several religious texts, (Vedas, Upanishads) Moksha – state of perfect understanding or the relationship between atman (individual soul) and Brahman (world soul), cannot be achieved in one lifetime Karma – good or bad, follows you into the next life Supports the caste system No possibility of movement within this lifetime How does this work? Why would they follow it? Buddhism Developed as a response of the lower castes who resented Hinduism inequality Siddhartha Gautama (prince) Self-sacrifice, Eight fold path (Middle Way) Isolated to fulfill prophecy No world experiences, saw religious life as the refuge from human suffering Wandered 6 years looking for enlightenment Four Noble Truths Middle of desire and self-denial Nirvana reincarnation Not popular in India – spread to Central Asia through missionaries and along the Silk Road Zhou (Chou)Dynasty Zhou Dynasty Nobles rule through feudalism Established Confucianism and Daoism Mandate of Heaven The gods gave the right to rule Bad things happened as a sign that ancestral spirits were unhappy with the current ruler The leader must lead by ability and virtue The dynasty’s leadership must be justified by succeeding generations The mandate could be revoked by negligence and abuse; the will of the people was important Chinese Philosophies Confucianism (Confucius) Developed as a response to social problems, later became the basis of the Chinese govt. including civil service exams five relationships Ruler/subject Father/son Husband/wife Older brother/younger brother Friend/friend Filial piety – respect for parents and elders Analects Bureaucracy - trained civil service based on education not a religion, an ethical system Daoism Laozi search for knowledge and understanding of nature Universal force called the Dao Students encouraged to pursue scientific studies Qin Dynasty Qin Dynasty Shi Huangdi Autocracy Centralization Legalist – uniform laws, currency, weights and measures Great Wall – work…or Die Legalism – harsh laws to maintain order Yin/Yang – feminine and masculine qualities, natural rhythms of life Han Dynasty Han Establishes a centralized govt. Confucian principles Complex bureaucracy with scholar leaders Lowers taxes, softens harsh punishments Brings peace and stability Civil service exams Created paper, ceramics, advanced silk weaving Established Silk Road One month of labor or military service each year Built roads, canals, irrigation ditches, etc… Family Many children Women treated well and influential, but subordinate to men Arranged marriages Wealthy sons could join the govt., daughters married wealthy Silk Road Stretched from China to Rome Collapse of Han Conquered people were encouraged to assimilate into Chinese culture Govt. corruption and instability Too large to govern effectively Invasions (Mongolians) Social inequality (rich/poor gap) Agriculture is the most important job Chinese farmers sent into newly colonized areas Taxes paid by peasants and merchants Poor inheritance laws Forced division High debts = loss of land = higher taxes Peasant Revolts Decline of morals/values Unemployment and inflation Decline of cities