Transcript Chapter 4 - Barrington 220

Unit 1: From Pre-History to
Early Civilizations
Chapter 4: Ancient China
Section I: Early Civilizations in China
(Pages 72-79)
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This section is about:
How China’s geography
(mountain barriers and
rivers) influenced the
development of
civilization while also
isolating it from outside
influences.
Life in China during the
Shang Dynasty.
How different social
classes developed in
China.
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Geography is very important in the civilizations of China.
China has many different physical features, and climates.
•Let’s look at the stanza from a poem on page 72
•Would this be a “primary source” or “secondary source”?
One thing that made China different than
most places is: it can be hard to get into.
7000 BC
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4000 BC-1000 BC
The first farming communities
arose in China.
They had soil rich in loess – a
fine grained soil that’s easy to
work in and is rich in minerals
(very fertile).
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An agricultural revolution took
place.
Rich soils from yearly
monsoons and flooding rivers
gave them plenty of water.
They also developed new and
better farming tools.
In the Huang He (Yellow River
valley) farmers grew rice and
other grains and raised sheep
and cattle.
These farmers and the people
in these villages worked well
together to dig canals and
build flood walls.
The Shang built China’s first dynasty
(about 1750 BC – 1000 BC)
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At this time, a number of
clans (extended families)
formed a loosely knit group.
Archeologists have found
remains of some of their
walled cities – complete with
palaces and tombs.
The King usually had a
prince or noble to help him
keep control in far away
areas.
Shang armies used chariots
and bronze weapons against
their enemies.
Religious beliefs were very important to the ancient Chinese
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One of their beliefs:
ancestor worship
They buried dead relatives
with food and drink (they
wanted them to bring them
good fortune).
And – showing respect to
people who’ve come before
you is important in a lot of
Asian cultures.
The Shang also believed
these dead ancestors had a
close link with a powerful
god.
They also “read” oracle
bones.
a person, place or thing that a god
uses to revel hidden knowledge
The Shang were also the first Chinese writers
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The writing on the
oracle bones (from
tombs) are
thought to be
some of the
earliest Chinese
writing.
At the time,
though: language
and writing wasn’t
the same
throughout China.
Shang social classes:
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The King was the warrior /
leader and lived in a palace.
Right below them were warrior
nobles (some of which
controlled their own territories)
Most Shang were peasant
farmers…
…who lived in huts with dirt
floors, worked long hours,
used simple stone and wood
tools, and were ordered to
fight if a war broke out.
Shang artisans and merchants
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Had no official rank.
They were pretty much
around to create things
and sell them to the
nobles (peasants didn’t
need their products).
A lot of things we find
from this time are
made of bronze (it was
“the Bronze Age”).
Shang women…
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Took directions from their
husbands and cared for
their children.
Once in a while they’d be
given a few rights though
– and were probably
better off than women in
some other areas of the
world at that time.
Sericulture (silk farming)
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Women were
completely responsible
for silk production.
For centuries, Chinese
silk was the most prized
and expensive fabric in
the world (only wealthy
people could afford it).
An ancient Chinese
saying: “Men plough
and women weave.”
One tomb from this era: Lady Hao’s Tomb
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Lady Hao was
married to a
Shang king.
This is only
Chinese tomb
we know of to
have never been
robbed.
Altogether Fu Hao's tomb contained:
468 bronze objects including 130 weapons, 23 bells, 27 knives, 4 mirrors, and 4 tigers or tiger heads
755 jade objects
63 stone objects
5 ivory objects
564 bone objects including nearly 500 bone hairpins and over 20 bone arrowheads
11 pottery objects
6,900 pieces of cowry shell
Section II: The Zhou, Qin, and Han Dynasties
(Pages 80-84)
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This section is about:
The Rise and fall of
the Zhou, Qin, and
Han Dynasties and the
major contributions of
each.
The social and cultural
consequences of the
rule of dynasties in
China.
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Read the “sequence
of events” on page
80 (we’ll do that in a
while)
And – what’s the
picture of on page
81?
The Early Zhou
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When the Shang
Dynasty was starting
to decline, The Zhou
started becoming
more powerful.
Eventually their
leader (Wu Wang)
attacked and
overthrew a cruel
Shang king.
They said they had a
reason for doing this
………..
They said they had earned the
approval of a “higher power”…
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…who had given the
king authority to rule.
This approval was
called “the Mandate
of Heaven.”
They claimed the
Mandate of Heaven
had passed from the
Shang rulers to them
because they were
“kind and truthful.”
Chinese scholars studied the idea
of the Mandate of Heaven.
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To explain the reason why dynasties rise and fall
they came up with “the dynastic cycle.”
The new dynasty provides
a good, successful
government
A new group challenges their
authority and overthrows the old
government
A kind and truthful
dynasty gains control
This wins the
approval of the gods
The dynasty neglects it’s
duties and loses control
Violent events (earthquakes, and
floods) signal heaven’s displeasure
The Zhou Dynasty
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Organized by social class – and land ownership.
This started when Wu Wang gave land to his noble lords, relatives, and generals.
The lords appointed officers to run the daily affairs of his territory.
Peasants lived on and farmed the lands.
The lords governed in the name of the king, but were also expected to collect taxes (and
give the king his fair share of those).
If a war broke out, the nobles organized armies to defend the king.
The Zhou Period was a good time for China
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Farming was profitable.
Better irrigation methods.
The Zhou developed blast
furnaces – allowing them to
make cast iron.
Iron is harder and stronger
than bronze – giving them
better farm tools and weapons.
So that meant – more art and
trade.
The Zhou started using bronze
coins – different shapes than
we’re used to though.
And if things are going good –
you also have time to read
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At first, only the rich could
read/write.
But if merchants are going to
trade, they also have to be
able to read/write.
Education became more
important and tutors taught
young men for “government
service.”
This is a period where a lot of
ancient Chinese classics were
written.
Eventually the Zhou Dynasty lost it’s power
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People from outlying
areas became more
powerful.
The wars among these
different groups (all
from China) started
some civil wars. By
300 BC, only 7 Zhou
territories were left.
The were ready to be
taken over completely
by… People fighting others from
the same country
The Qin Dynasty
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Zheng kept more power
to himself and called
himself: “First Qin
Emperor”
He was determined to reunite China.
He also had a different
philosophy: the role of
government was to meet
the needs of the nation –
not the people.
This is called
authoritarian – when a
ruler has complete and
total power.
(founded by Zheng)
Zheng did some good and some bad things
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He didn’t favor the nobles
with special privileges
All citizens (not just peasants)
paid taxes to support his
projects and armies.
He had strict laws (and
enforced them – with strict
punishments)
If you disagreed with him, you
could be tortured or killed.
He burned all books (didn’t
want people learning anything)
(some books were hidden and saved)
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United China again.
Introduced new coins and set
up a system of weights and
measures.
Repaired roads and extended
canals.
Gave thousands jobs – forced
them to build his tomb of
underground chambers and
terra cotta soldiers.
The Zhou had built some walls in China
(to keep out invaders)
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The Qin joined these
together into a “great
wall”
But, in doing so, workers
were forced to work
under horrible conditions.
Many died.
It took centuries until it
was complete and
completely connected.
The Terra Cotta Soldiers
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The significance of the army of Terra Cotta soldiers began 2,200
years ago with the conquest of all Chinese states which made a king
(Qin) into the first emperor of the newly unified nation. It took an
army of 700,000 craftsman laboring for 37 years to produce the
massive army. The purpose of the army was to provide service to
the emperor in the afterlife. They were buried with the Emperor
Qin at the time of his death. When they were found, time had taken
it’s toll and the figures were broken pieces of terra cotta. Each
figure had to be meticulously repaired. This repair process
continues today.
Apparently, Qin ordered no two faces be alike, suggesting that each
terra cotta warrior is an actual replica modeled after a solder from
the real army. The warriors vary in height according to their role,
the tallest being the generals. The figures include warriors,
chariots, horses, officials, acrobats, strongmen and musicians. All
wooden parts of the chariots have decayed, but jewels, gold and
silver decorations remained. Even the horses’ bridles were made of
silver and gold and were encrusted with jade and jewels.
The Qin dynasty didn’t last long
(first emperor ruled for 11 years)
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The next – Gaozu (The Han Dynasty) – was a nicer leader.
China found peace, prosperity, and stability
Built new roads and canals
Opened up a new trade route (later called “the Silk Road”)
Began to trade and export products such as silk – even traded
as far away as Rome.
Since trade and government was
becoming more complex…
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Han rulers created a civil
service – where citizen
employees managed the
government and kept it’s
records.
To be a civil servant, you had
to be educated, so schools
were created for these
candidates (had to pass a test
to become a civil servant).
Women were not allowed to
take the tests.
The Han Dynasty: a time of great
advancement in technology and the arts
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Silk factories became more efficient.
Paper making improved (we still use
their method today).
The wheelbarrow and a better plow
were invented.
The arts flourished – including silk
tapestries.
Magnificent temples and palaces were
built.
The Han Dynasty ended up becoming
about as big as the U.S. is today.
It lasted until about 220 AD (invaded
and conquered – another cycle)
Section III:
Religions and Beliefs in Ancient China
(Pages 85-89)
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This section is about:
The main ideas of
Confucianism, Daoism,
Legalism, and Buddhism.
How these ideas
influenced the cultural,
social order, government,
and religion of ancient
China.
Confucianism
Daoism
Legalism
These three Chinese
religions have some
similarities and some
differences
A remarkable philosopher appeared
during the Zhou Dynasty
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His Chinese name: Kong Qiu
His western name: Confucius
Even as a child, he worked
hard at his education.
As he grew older, he became
worried about the conditions in
China.
He went looking for a king who
knew about good government.
But: all he found were
government people who were
greedy and dishonest (all they
cared about was themselves).
He tried to change the way
people behaved.
(born in 551 BC)
Confucius was a philosopher who……
(Person who thinks about the meanings of things)
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… was an honest man of great
learning
He felt the early Zhou rulers
were good and had run the
country with harmony and
responsibility.
He believed:
A ruler should lead by good
example.
People had an obligation to
obey those who were superior.
But those who were superior
should treat others fairly.
Every man should try to be a
gentleman (educated, good
manners, and understood
ritual and ceremony, and what
is moral).
Confucius had 5 relationships
which ruled society:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
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Between
Between
brother.
Between
Between
Between
father and son.
older and younger
husband and wife
ruler and subject.
friend and friend.
As long as these
relationships were in
harmony, society would be
in harmony.
One of his important rules:
“What you do not wish for
yourself, do not unto
others.”
Confucius was a great and inspiring teacher
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Even though we don’t know if
what he said/did was written
down, many scholars (bright
students) learned a lot from
him.
Later, they did record his
beliefs and teachings – called
the Analects.
Later on – the Analects were
considered “sacred” with
students studying and
memorizing his sayings.
Men trained in his beliefs
ended up becoming leaders.
They even set up schools to
learn the teachings of
Confucius.
By the third century BC:
A new set of beliefs came along: (Daoism or Taoism)
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Confucianism: order,
ritual, working hard to
make the government
efficient
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Daoism: Rulers
should do as little as
possible and leave
everyone alone.
The Laozi
(The Classic of the Way and It’s Power)
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Contains the beliefs of Daoism.
The Dao is the energy that
controls all of the events in the
universe.
The natural order depends on
the interaction of yin and
yang.
Yin: negative force / dark and
weak.
Yang: positive, bright, and
strong.
These need to work together
to keep balance in the universe
– even if that means spending
all your time meditating on
nature and forgetting about
worldly matters.
Daoism influenced all the countries around China
(Japan, Korea, and alter even Europe and North America)
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Daoism stresses
immortality (living
forever).
It’s emphasis on
nature inspired writers,
artists, and architects.
The science of the
religion also allowed
Daoists to study
astronomy, medicine,
and personal hygiene.
Legalism and
Buddhism
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Xunzi was a student of
Confucius, but had different
beliefs about nature and
government.
He believed laws could inspire
people to use good behavior.
His ideas were called Legalism
because they were based on
laws (with strict laws and
harsh punishments for doing
wrong).
He believed people were like
little children who couldn’t be
trusted – so they need rules
and laws.
Legalism and the Qin
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During this period, the
Legalists created a strong
government.
Land was divided up into
states – all run by the
government.
People could not travel
without permits.
They were heavily taxed.
They were required to work
on government projects for no
pay.
Families were grouped
together and everyone was
responsible for any crimes
committed by its members.
Buddhism ended up spreading to China
because of the trade along the Silk Road.
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People didn’t follow it at
first (it was a foreign
religion), but started liking
that…
…it promised freedom from
suffering.
Buddhist temples started
being built.
People started giving them
lots of money.
They believed this
generosity would give them
good Karma and good
fortune in their next life.
Confucianists and Daoists
didn’t like Buddhists
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They didn’t agree with
Buddhist ideas of
cremation.
They believed it was
wrong for monks to not
get married and have
children.
Buddhist monks paid no
taxes.
But all three religions
ended up lasting and are
even still around today.
Section IV: Ancient Chinese Life and Culture
(Pages 90-93)
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This section is about:
The importance of the
family in Chinese society
– and the preference to
have sons over
daughters.
The agrarian-based
economy of ancient
China.
The difficult lives of
peasants in China and the
advances in technology
and culture.
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Lets look at the main
ideas on page 90.
Also. How about the
left hand side –
“Then and Now”:
Women in China.
What do Xi Shi, Wang Zhaojun, Diao Chan and Yang Guifei have in common?
They are ancient Chinese women highly regarded for their beauty. Legend has
it, in fact, they are ancient China's four most beautiful women, and among the
nation's most significant historical figures
Chinese families:
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Children must obey
their parents.
Wives must obey their
husbands.
Young people must
obey and respect older
people.
That’s what their
religion and beliefs
insisted upon.
Children
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Were the reason for the family.
Raising children was very
important.
Children ended up becoming
farmers and soldiers.
Boys are more important than
girls.
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They were stronger and could
work longer in the fields.
They could perform family
ceremonies that honored
ancestors.
In hard times, baby girls might
even be left to…
(you might not want to know)
Girls are also a financial burden.
If they were to get married, their
family often had to pay a dowry to
the grooms family.
Women
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Were inferior to men – so
we don’t know much
about them (no-one even
wrote about them).
Even when women did
something, they were
thought of as lower than
men.
Women were supposed to
keep in their place.
Let’s read on page 91 (in
the quotation marks).
Ten Signs of Beauty in Ancient China
Concepts of beauty have changed throughout the various periods of China's history, but
the following 10 characteristics have continuously been considered signs of beauty:
1. Lustrous black hair;
2. Hair loosely coiled on the head to create the appearance of greater height;
3. Finely shaped black eyebrows. During the Tang Dynasty, many women shaved their
eyebrows, and then drew eyebrows with pigment;
4. Large, bright and expressive eyes;
5. Red lips and white teeth. In addition to beauty, this was considered a sign of good
health;
6. Graceful fingers and arms. A pretty woman was expected to have well-shaped hands,
with slim, soft fingers, and fair, fleshy arms;
7. Slender waist and fair skin. Throughout history, women have wanted a willowy figure;
8. Tiny feet and a light, elegant gait;
9. Dressing according to complexion, figure and disposition; and
10. A fragrant body. It's said a concubine of Qing Emperor Qian Long (1711-1799) gave
off a natural fragrance.
Farming and Trade
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In the Zhou period,
farmland was
divided up into a
well-field system.
Large areas of land
were divided up into
9 parts – 8 for
individuals and the
9th for the noble
landowner (farmed
by all).
Chinese peasants were very poor
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Two meals a day.
Floods and droughts.
Still had to pay taxes
(sold crops to make
money – or
borrowed).
Some were forced to
sell everything they
had – including their
____________.
They had an agrarian economy
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This meant the depended
on agriculture.
It’s nice to have food,
but that’s not the best
way to live.
China has had periods of
bad weather for a long
time.
When they do, people die
(droughts and starvation,
floods and death).
And, they divided up the
land poorly – dividing it
up among sons until…
Merchants and Trade
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You’d think if you were a
businessman, being hardworking
and clever would be good.
In China it wasn’t.
Merchants were thought of as
even lower class than farmers
and peasants.
Confucius said profit wasn’t
important – and businessmen
want to make a profit.
Other countries like Chinese
Merchants better than the
Chinese liked their own
merchants (silk, lacquer-ware,
coins, etc…).
Advances in Technology:
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Large scale flood control
systems.
Processes for making bronze,
silk, and fine porcelain were
perfected.
Making cast iron was
developed.
Better farm tools and
equipment.
Paper was invented.
Excellent geographers and
astronomers.
Wrote Algebra and Geometry
books.
Some of the world’s first medicine
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Relied on observation
and careful study.
Had to pass a test to
practice medicine.
Books were written
on surgery and the
use of drugs.
Began to use
acupuncture.
And… Literacy and Literature
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Only the upper class
went to school.
Considered the ability
to read as important.
Had a written
language as far back
as 4500 BC.