Transcript File

Ancient to Classical China
Dynasty to Dynasty
Ancient China
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Isolation and internal growth
Distant from Middle East
Oldest civilization still in existence
Prehistoric Society: Yangshao
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5000-3000 BCE
River villages with unique soil
– Garden-style agriculture
– Do not adopt plow until late
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Painted pottery
Bronze tools
The Earliest Dynasties
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Xia
– C. 2200 BCE
– Organized through
village network
– Hereditary monarchy
– Flood control
Shang
– 1766-1122 BCE
Zhou
– 1122-256 BCE
The Shang Dynasty
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Yellow & Huang he
River Valley
Expanded with
agricultural growth
and technological
developments
Remains of capital
city, Anyang, tell
history of ancient
people
What information can you dig up? Go dig!
Shang Dynasty Dig
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Bronze development controlled by the state
– Tools, pots, temple bells, weapons
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Horses used to advance civilization
– Chariots for travel, trade, warfare
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Large armies defended lands
– Foot soldiers, archers, cavalry (horse & elephant),
chariot-riders
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Political organization of cities loyal to center
– 1000 cities with leading capital
Shang Dynasty Dig
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Trade goods of prized items
– Silk, crafts
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Ancestor worship religion
– Oracle bones, afterlife, human sacrifice
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Structure of society based on value
– Nobles, Craftsmen, Traders, Farmers, Slaves
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Family key to roles
– Clans, defined gender roles, adult/child
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Writing basis for modern form
– Logographs, Ideographic script, Characters
End of the Shang
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Nomadic invaders and lavish spending
by kings and nobles led to weakness
Replaced one ruling class with another
Zhou (Chou) Dynasty, 1122-256 BC
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Extension of Shang
Dynasty across
central plains
Early years of
stability followed by
years of disorder
Age of philosophies
trying to remedy
societal problems
What information can you dig up? Go dig!
Zhou Dynasty Dig
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Rule through Mandate of Heaven
System of feudalism
Confucian theory & practice
Civil Servant System
Daoism with Yin & Yang
Cultural Contributions – Five Classics, Musics
Reservoirs and irrigation
Bronze smelting
Embroidered silk
Intellectual development
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Response to crisis and uncertainty
Confucianism becomes more
widespread and accepted
– System of political ethics
– Central beliefs
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Confucius say…
“If one learns from others but not thinks,
one will be bewildered. If one thinks but
does not learn, one will be in peril.”
Confucius Say…
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“The gentleman first practices what he preaches,
then preaches what he practices.”
“When you know a thing, say that you know it; when
you do not know a thing, admit that you do not
know it. That is knowledge.”
“The cautious seldom err.”
“The people may be made to follow a path of action,
but they cannot be made to understand it.”
“The superior man is modest in his speech, but
exceeds in his actions.”
“What you do not want done to yourself, do not do
to others.”
Decline of the Zhou Dynasty
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Decentralized leadership allowed for
building of regional powers
– Increasing local independence
– Refusal to pay Zhou taxes
Northern invaders weaken dynasty,
beginning 8th c BCE
771 B.C. Zhou driven east
The Period of Warring States
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771 B.C.
Dozen-plus states
Balance of power
until 500’s
Period of chronic
warfare between
states
The Qin Dynasty
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Rise of Shi Huangdi as
brutal ruler in 221
B.C.E
Gained control over
internal disorder as
first emperor
Created an empire
What information can you dig up? Go dig!
The Qin Dynasty Dig
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Legalist system of rule
Standardized laws
Standardized measures &
coins
Standardized writing
Building Great Wall
Census created to tax
Denial of Confucianism
Promotion of silk
manufacturing
Creation of terra-cotta army
Resistance to Qin Policies
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Emperor orders
execution of all critics
– Ordered burning of all
ideological works
– 460 scholars buried alive
– Others exiled
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Massive cultural losses
Paranoia for safety and
possessions
Led to massive revolts
and overthrow by
peasant-led army
Han Dynasty, 206BC to 220AD
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Expanded territory into
Korea, Indochina,
Central Asia
New bureaucracy with
centralized opposition
to Legalism
Leads to Golden Age of
China
What information can you dig up? Go dig!
Han Dynasty Dig
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Return to Confucianism with bureaucracy
Silk Road Trade Route re-enforced
Reinforcement of family structure
Large, well organized army with new weapons
Advancement in agriculture with new tools and
advanced irrigation
Government control of silk and salt industries
Introduction of calligraphy with invention of paper
Medical care based on balance of yin and yang
Scientific inventions including compass,
seismograph, and recording of astronomy
Take a walk along the Silk Road
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Begin at any point along the Silk Road
Record your stops and the items traded
at that location
Document the cultural exchanges made
as you travel
Note the obstacles faced in your journey
What were the cultural and economic impacts of the Silk Road?
Population Growth in Han Dynasty
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General prosperity
Increased agricultural productivity
60
50
40
30
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10
0
220 BCE
9 CE
Population (millions)
End of Han
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Declined as central rule weakened
Invasions of nomadic group, the Huns,
threatened Northern borders
Buddhism spread to region;
encouraged religious and cultural
diffusion
Continued periods of isolation
maintained Chinese structure to
modern times
Overall Chinese Impressions
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Relative harmony with government, religious
beliefs, economy, and social structure
meshed together
– “Society as a whole”
– Government and society are one
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Some tensions over time
– Religious differences – Confucianism or Daoism
– Division of elites from other classes
Impact on World
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Idea of bureaucracy and civil service tests
Trade of luxury goods along Silk Road
connecting civilizations
Inventions and developments
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Paper
Compass
Porcelain
Water mills/pump systems
Model of long-lasting cultural society
Exit Slip – Write a Thesis Statement
for the following Comparative Essay:
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Compare and contrast the economic
and government systems established
and their effectiveness for the Han
Dynasty and the Roman Empire.
Consider specific leaders, important
events, and philosophies in each region.
From China
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Goods traded
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Silk
China
Ornaments
Jewelry
Cast-iron
Decorative Boxes
China
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Cultural
Contributions
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Silk-making
Roses
Oranges
Peaches
Pears
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Regional Obstacles
– Gobi Desert
sandstorms
– Mirages leading
travelers astray
– Plateau of Tibet
– Mongols and other
bandits
From Rome
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Glass products
Asbestos for
fireproof cloth
Coral
Gold
Roman
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Cultural
Contributions
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Glass-blowing
Grapes
Alfalfa
Figs
Chives
Walnuts
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Regional Obstacles
– Syrian Desert
– Mediterranean Sea
Egypt & Persia
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Egypt
– Perfumes
– Cosmetics
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Persia
– Carpets
From Central Asia
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Horses
Jade
Furs
Gold
Central Asia
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Cultural
Contributions
– Use of the horse
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Regional Obstacles
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Himalayas
Zagros Mountains
Caspian Sea
Taklamakan Desert
Pamir Mountains
From India
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Cotton
Spices
Pearls
Ivory
India
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Cultural
Contributions
– New foods and
spices
– Buddhism
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Regional Obstacles
– Himalayas
– Indus & Ganges
Rivers
– Thar Desert