Formation of Classical Societies: The Art of War

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Formation of Classical SocietiesThe Art of War
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Chapter Overview

• In Search of Political and Social Order
• The Unification of China
• From Economic Prosperity to Social Disorder

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Chapter Overview

• In Search of Political and Social Order
• Confucius and his school
• Daoism
• Legalism
• The Unification of China
• From Economic Prosperity to Social Disorder

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Chapter Overview

• In Search of Political and Social Order
• The Unification of China
• The Qin Dynasty
• The Early Han Dynasty
• From Economic Prosperity to Social Disorder

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Chapter Overview

• In Search of Political and Social Order
• The Unification of China
• From Economic Prosperity to Social Disorder
• Productivity and Prosperity during the Former Han
• Economic and Social Difficulties
• The Later Han Dynasty

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Today

• Ritual vs. Strategic Warfare
• Sun Tzu (Sunzi) and The Art of War
• Qin Centralization and Warfare
• Technology
• Fortifications
• The Terra Cotta Soldiers

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Key Points

• Shift in warfare during classical era from
  ritualistic/disorganized to organized armies
• Sun Tzus Art of War analyzes all aspects of
  military engagement and strategy new POV
• A central feature of classical Chinese history is
  unification and centralization (even when facing
  major stresses and internal divisions)

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Timeline

• Confucius (6-5th Century BCE)
• Qin Dynasty (221 207 BCE)
• Former Han (206 BCE 9 CE)
• Reign of Wang Mang (9 23 CE)
• Later Han (25 220 CE)

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Online Study Resources

• www.mhhe.com/bentley3

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Warfare in the Ancient World
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War is a matter of vital importance to the
state a matter of life and death, the road
either to survival or to ruin. Hence, it is
imperative that it be thoroughly studied. Sun
Tzu (c.4th century)
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Sun Tzu, The Art of War

• Contents include
• Waging War
• Planning Offensives
• Military Disposition/Personality
• Strategic Military Power
• Maneuvering the Army
• Configurations of Terrain
• Incendiary Attacks
• Employing Spies

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Excerpts from The Art of War

• What kinds of internal and external factors
  did a general have to consider?
• What qualities did a successful general need to
  possess?
• What is the relationship here between military
  prowess and religion/philosophy?

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Technological Innovations

• Cavalry adopted from nomadic peoples (who?)

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Technological Innovations

• Cavalry adopted from the Xiongnu

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Technological Innovations

• New weapons
• Crossbow

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Technological Innovations

• New weapons
• Crossbow
• Long sword

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Technological Innovations

• New weapons
• Crossbow
• Long sword
• Wheeled siege ladder

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(No Transcript)
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Qin Shihuangdi (259 210 BCE)
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The Great Wall (an ongoing project)
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Shihuangdis Mausoleum