Title: China
1 China
2China in the River Valley Era
- The Hwang He agricultural civilization
- New Technology
- Art Music
3Writing
- Progressed from reading scratch marks on bones
to ideographic symbols - ancestor worship
4 5The Shang Dynasty- 1523-1029 B.C.E
- Constructed tombs and palaces
- Chinese world view one of harmony between man
and nature - Life is cyclical
6(No Transcript)
7Shang Dynasty
- The era around 1200 B.C.E. saw the decline or
collapse of most civilizations in Western Asia,
Egypt, the eastern Mediterranean, and the Indus
Valley who were dependant on the same trade
routes. - The only area that did not see significant
decline was China, where the Shang Dynasty
continued to rule. - China was not as dependent on Western Asia trade.
8Silk Routes
9 Classical Era
- The Zhou (Chou) 1027 to 256 B.C.E.
- The Era of Warring States
402-201 B.C.E. - The Qin 221 B.C.E. - 202 B.C.E.
- The Han 202 B.C.E 220 C.E.
10Classical China
- A difference between river-valley civilizations
and classical civilizations and was that in
classical civilizations political organizations
were more elaborate - A difference between river-valley civilizations
and classical is that religious sacrifice was
suppressed in the classical civilizations
11 Zhou (Chou) Dynasty
1029-256 B.C.E.
- This dynasty flourished until about 700 B.C.E
when it was beset by decline in its
infrastructure and frequent invasions by nomadic
peoples from border regions.
12Zhou (Chou) Dynasty 1029-256
B.C.E.
13The Zhou extended the territory of China from the
Hwang Ho River Valley by taking over the Yang-tze
River Valley and this became known as Middle
Kingdom.Wheat was grown in the North rice in
the SouthThis agriculture diversity promoted
population growth.
14 Zhou Dynasty
- Promoted linguistic unity Mandarin Chinese
- Increasing cultural unity helps explain why,
when the Zhou empire did began to fail, scholars
were able to use philosophical ideas to lesson
the impact of growing political confusion.
15Zhou Dynasty
- Political concept known as the mandate from
heaven. The dynasty members were known as Sons
of Heaven.
16The Era of Warring States 402-201 B.C.E.
- Confucianism, Daoism, Legalism originated as
responses to societal problems during the time of
disruption
17Daoism
- Lao-tzu
- the way of nature
18 Legalism
- Legalist disdained Confucian virtues in favor of
authoritarian state that was ruled by force. For
legalists, human nature was evil and required
restraint and discipline- the army would control
and the people labor- in the perfect state.
19Kung Fu-tse
20Confucius
- Kung Fu-tse or Confucius, c. 551 to 478 B.C.E.,
lived during the Era of Warring States Period
between the Zhou and Han Dynasties, a time of
political chaos. - Confucianism is a system of ethics and was
recorded in a book called Analects - Hierarchical vision for society some had
authority, some obeyed their superiors - Harmony within relationships, particular those in
the family
21The Chinese government accepted Daoism because
- Daoist did not have great political ambition
- Daoist came to acknowledge the Son of Heaven
- Daoism provided spiritual insights for many in
the upper class - belief in balance harmony
22Confucianism
- Established a hierarchy and insisted upon
reciprocal duties between people - In official Chinese hierarchy, merchants ranked
below students, peasants, artisans, soldiers. - The lowest people were the mean people
- Educated bureaucratic elite, peasants,
artisans,soldiers, merchants, mean-pople
23Culture
- Ceremony became an important part of upper-class
Chinese life because the Chinese believed that
people should restrain crude impulses.
24Key Features of Chinese Family Life
- Ancestor Worship for the upper class that
emphasized tight family values and structures - Gender hierarchy
- Parent-child hierarchy
- Discipline
25 Qin Dynasty China
26 Qin Dynasty.
- Qin Shih Huangdi, First Emperor
- Qin conferred the name China to the region
- He realized that Chinas problem lay in the
regional power of the aristocrats, like many
later centralizers in world history, i.e.
Cardinal Richelieu and Louis XIV
27 Qin Shih Huangdi
- Provided a single law code for the whole empire
and established a uniform tax system - Delegated special areas and decisions to the
emperors ministers thus further promoting
effective centralized government. Some dealt with
finance, others with justice - Followed up on centralization by extending
Chinese territory to the south, reaching
present-day Hong Kong on the South China Sea and
influencing northern Vietnam.
28In the north, to guard against barbarian
invasion, Shih Huangdi built a Great Wall,
extending over 3000 miles, wide enough for
chariots to move along its crest.
29Qin innovations in Chinese politics and culture
- National census
- Standardization of coins, weights and measures
even the length of the axles on cart led to
standardized road building - Agricultural innovation irrigation projects
- Promoted manufacture, especially silk cloth
- Uniform written script, completing the process
of creating a single basic language for all
educated Chinese
30Demise of Qin Shih Huangdi
- His construction projects and high taxes made
him unpopular as did the - Banning and burning the classical text
- constripting peasants and excessive labor
projects - aristocrats lost land
- Daoist prists opposed him
- On Shih Huangdis death in 210 C.E., popular
revolts by the peasants led to one peasant leader
establishing himself and his family as the new
dynasty of China
31The Qin dynasty differed from the Zhou
32Han Dynasty 202 B.C.E.-220C.E
- Reduced the brutal repression of the Qin.
33Han Dynasty
- Instituted a system of examination to prepare
professional civil servants - promoted scientific research
- Large construction projects
- Instituted a system of punishment of criminals
- Promoted Confucian beliefs
- Census taking
- Exerted military legal power
34Han Dynasty
- The Han emperors revived Confucianism
- Confucian built the links among many levels of
authority that came to characterize Chine
politics at their best.
35Han Dynasty
- Trade was particularly important during the Han
period and was produced by skilled artisans in
the cities. - Silk, jewelry, leather goods, and furniture.
Food was also traded. Copper coins began to
circulate. - Classical China reached far higher levels of
technical expertise than Europe or western Asia
in the same period, a lead they would long
maintain.
36Calligraphy
37Civil Service Examinations
38 Han Dynasty
- Expanded Chinese territory into Korea,
Indochina, and central Asia - Contact with India and with the Parthian empire
in the Middle East through trade with the Roman
Empire around the Mediterranean - Repaired the Great Wall to keep out the Huns
39Wu Ti, 140-87 B.C.E
- Enforced peace throughout most of the continent
of Asia - Supported Confucianism and established shrines
to promote worship of the ancient philosopher as
a god.
40Key Elements of Han Bureaucracy
- Training
- Specialization
- Confucian-based ethic
41Demise of the Han Dynasty
- The Huns, a nomadic people from central Asia
overturned the Hun dynasty and occupied China
from 220 C.E. until 531 C.E. - Between 220 and 589 China was in a state of
chaos. By the time stability restored the
classical and formative period of Chinese
civilization had ended.
42Era of Divisions
- The demise of the Han Dynasty and occupation of
China by the Huns resulted in a chaotic time
known as the Era of Divisions that lasted from
220 C.E. until 531 C.E.
43Demise of the Han Dynasty
- With the collapse of the Han dynasty, Daoism
(which would join with Buddhist influence from
India during the chaos that followed in the years
of the Hun occupation) guaranteed that the
Chinese people would not be united by a single
religious or philosophical system. In time Daoism
became a formal religion
44Key Elements of the Classical Era
- In literature, a set of five classics, written
during the early part of the Zhou dynasty and
then edited during the Confucian period, provided
important literary tradition. They were used,
among other things, as a basis for civil service
exams. The five classics contain many things
historical treatises, speeches, and other
political material, a discussion on etiquette,
and ceremonies, 300 poems dealing with love,
politics, joy, family life. - From the classical period forward, the ability to
learn and recite poetry became the mark of the
educated Chinese.
45Key Elements of the Classical Era
- Chinese art during the classical period was
largely decorative, stressing detail and
craftsmanship. Calligraphy became important art
form. Chinese artists worked in bronze, pottery,
carved jade, and ivory, and wove silk screen. - Classical China did not produce monumental
building because of the absence of a single
religion
46Key Elements of the Classical Era
- In science practical work was encouraged rather
than Imaginative theorizing - Chinese astronomers developed an accurate
calendar by 444 B.C.E based on a year of 365.5
days - Astronomers calculated the movement of the
planets Saturn and Jupiter - Astronomers observed sunspots more than 1500
years before comparable knowledge developed in
Europe
47Key Elements of the Classical Era
- Medical research- precise anatomical knowledge,
studied hygene to promote a longer life
48Major Technological Innovations of Classical China
- Paper
- wheelbarrow
- advances in metalwork
49Economic Strength of Classical China
- A key element of economic strength was the high
level of technological innovation - The government was active in the economy.
50Political Institution- became one of the
hallmarks of classical Chinese culture
- Strong local units never disappeared
- China relieved heavily on patriarchal families.
Whether within the family or the central state,
most Chinese believed in the importance of
respect for those in power - The central government had little effect on the
everyday life of the people. - Chinese proverb heaven is high and the emperor
is far away.
51- The central government had little effect on the
everyday life of the people. - Chinese proverb heaven is high and the emperor
is far away.
52Hallmarks of Classical China
- Classical China reached far higher levels of
technical expertise than Europe or western Asia
in the same period, a lead they would long
maintain. - Chinese classical society evolved with little
outside influence
53Post Classical China
- 220-589 Era of Division
- 581-618 Sui Dynasty
- 618-907 Tang Dynasty
- 960-1279 Song Dynasty
54Era of Division
- The period of political disorder and chaotic
warfare that followed the Qin-Han era is referred
to as the Era of Division - Buddhism eclipsed Confucian teachings
55 The Era of Division
- dominated by political division among many small
warring states who were often ruled by nomadic
invaders - period of Buddhist dominance
- growth of monastic movement
- loss of imperial centralization
- loss of dominance of scholar-gentry in favor of
militarized aristocracy
56 The Sui Dynasty
- Wendi
- Yangdi
- The emergence of the Sui dynasty at the end of
the 6th century C. E. (580s), after nearly four
centuries of discord, signaled a return to strong
dynastic control. - The short-lived Sui dynasty reestablished a
centralized empire
57Sui Calligraphy
58Wendi secured his power base
- Won support of the neighboring nomadic military
commanders - He reconfirmed their titles at the expense of the
Confucian scholar-gentry class - With the support of the nomadic military
commanders he spread his empire across northern
China
59Wendi won support
- Lowered taxes
- Established granaries to ensure a reserve of food
- Large landowners and peasants alike were taxed a
portion of their crop to keep the granaries
filled - Surplus grain was brought to market in times of
food shortage to hold down the price of the
peoples staple food
60Yangdi
- Established a milder legal code
- Upgraded Confucian education restored the
examination system for regulating entry into the
bureaucracy - Broad policy of promoting the scholar-gentry in
the imperial administration
61Yangdis policies led to widespread revolt
- He forcibly conscripted hundreds of thousands of
peasants to build a new capital city at Loyang - He had a series of canals built
62The Great Wall
63Unsuccessful campaigns in Korea and central Asia
against the Turks.
- Provincial governors declared independence
- Bandit gangs raided at will
- Nomadic peoples seized sections of the north
China plain
64Tang Dynasty Map
65The Golden Age of the Tang
66Tang strategy
- Contain the Turkic tribes
- Repair the Great Wall
- Create frontier armies
- Heavenly khan
67Tang strategy
- The empire was also extended to parts of Tibet in
the west, the Red River valley homeland of the
Vietnamese in the south and Manchuria in the north
68Emperor Kaozong
- In 668, Chinese armies overran Korea
- Silla, the Korean vassal kingdom, was established
at it remained loyal to the Tang - In a matter of decades the Tang built an empire
far larger than the Han and one whose boundaries
extended far beyond the borders of present-day
China
69Tang Dynasty
- The Tang supported the reinstitution of the
Confucian scholar-gentry - Jinshi
70Zen Buddhism
- Early Tang rulers continued to patronize Buddhism
while trying to promote education in Confucian
classics.
71Tang Dynasty
- Empress Wu, the only female emperor, 690-705
- supported Buddhism
72Anti-Buddhist Backlash
- Daoist rivals began stressing their own magical
and predictive powers - Confucian-scholar-administrators launched the
most damaging campaigns against Buddhism
73Emperor Wuzong, 841-847
- Openly persecuted the Buddhist
- Thousands of Buddhist monasteries and shrines
were destroyed - Hundreds of thousands of monks and nuns were
forced to abandon their monastic orders and
return to civilian life and again subject to
taxation
74Legacy of Chinese Buddhism
- Buddhism left its mark on the arts, the Chinese
language, and Chinese thinking about such things
as heaven, charity, and law - Buddhism ceased to be a dominate force in China
- In contrast to its impact on the civilizations of
southeast Asia, Tibet, and parts of central Asia.
75The economic challenge to the imperial order
- Monastic lands not taxed Tang regime lost huge
revenues as a result of imperial grants to
Buddhist monasteries - The wills of ordinary Chinese people that turned
family property over to Buddhist monasteries - The state was denied labor because it could not
tax or conscript peasants who worked on monastic
estates.
76Tang Decline
- Internal rebellion
- Nomadic incursions
- Yang Guifei
- An Lushan
77The Song Dynasty
- The last Tang was forced to resign in 907
- Zhao Kuangyin
- Emperor Taizu
- The Northern Liao Dynasty, nomadic Khitan people
of Manchia.
78Song Dynasty Map
79The Song dynasty
- Zhao Kuangyin was the founder of the Song
dynasty
80The Song era
- The ascendancy of the scholar-gentry over its
aristocratic and Buddhist rivals was fully
secured in the Song era. - Zhu Xi was the most prominent of the
Neo-Confucians during the Song era -
81Impact of Neo-Confucianism
82Neo-Confucians also became familiar with Buddhist
beliefs
- Li- a concept that defined a spiritual presence
similar to the universal spirit of both Hinduism
and Buddhism - New form of Confucianism
- Reconciled Confucianism and Buddhism
- It influenced philosophical thought in China,
Korea, Vietnam, and Japan in all subsequent eras.
83Constructionism
84Weakness of the Song
- The Song paid tribute to the Khatan
- Distain for military and too much emphasis on
Confucian elite.
85The flight of the Song dynasty from their capital
in northern China
86Economic development during the period of
commercial expansion during the Tang and Song
dynasties
- The Silk Road connected Changan (Xian) with
Antioch, Asia Minor
87Urbanization in China during the Tang-Song era
88Hangzhou
- The capital of the southern Song dynasty
89The agricultural policies of the Sui and Tang
emperors
- Numbers of free peasantry increased
- Fortunes of the old aristocratic families
declined - Lands were distributed more equitably to the free
peasant households of the empire - The gentry side of the scholar-gentry came to
dominate the bureaucracy -
90Society in Tang- Song China
- Age at time of marriage was the primary
difference between marriages of the upper and
lower classes - The status of women
- Footbinding
91Chinese landscape painting
- Members of the ruling political elite in China
produced many of the paintings in the Song - Shanshui, the art of drawing with brush and ink
92Poetry
93The independence of Chinese women
94Technological innovation of the Tang-Song Era
- Coal used for fuel
- Gunpowder
- Complex bridges
- Abacus
- Moveable type
95Confucian
- intellectual schools were responsible for the
production of most literary and artistic works
during the Tang-Song era
96The decline of Buddhism in the later Tang and
Song dynasties
- Confucians attacked Buddhism as a foreign
innovation in China - Confucians convinced emperors that monastic
control of land represented an economic threat - Persecution of Buddhists introduced in 840s.
97Demise of the southern Song Dynasty in 1279
98Comparison Contrast of the the empire under the
Tang and the Song dynastiesSimilarities
- continued intellectual and political dominance of
Confucian scholar- gentry - growth of bureaucracy essential to imperial
administration - Differences
- smaller in size
- unable to control nomadic dynasties of the north
- payment of tribute to nomadic states
- military decline with subjection of aristocracy
to scholar-gentry - failure of Wang Anshi's reforms led to military
defeat
99The elements of Tang-Song economic prosperity
100Ways the Tang-Song era departed from previous
developments in Chinese civilization
- Full incorporation of southern China into economy
- dominance of south as food- producing region
center of population and political capital of
southern Song - decline of influence of Buddhism
- increasing trend toward intellectual and
technological isolation - extraordinary level of urbanization--up to 10
percent of population - extraordinary level of technology
101Chinas Hegemony
- Hegemony occurs when a civilization extends its
political, economy, social, and cultural
influence over others. - 600-1450 China was the richest and most powerful
of all, and extended its reach over most of Asia.