Ancient to Classical China Dynasty to Dynasty Ancient

Ancient to Classical China Dynasty to Dynasty

Ancient China n n n Isolation and internal growth Distant from Middle East Oldest civilization still in existence

Prehistoric Society: Yangshao n n 5000 -3000 BCE River villages with unique soil – Garden-style agriculture – Do not adopt plow until late n n Painted pottery Bronze tools

The Earliest Dynasties n n n Xia – C. 2200 BCE – Organized through village network – Hereditary monarchy – Flood control Shang – 1766 -1122 BCE Zhou – 1122 -256 BCE

The Shang Dynasty n n n 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 n Bronze development controlled by the state – Tools, pots, temple bells, weapons n Horses used to advance civilization – Chariots for travel, trade, warfare n Large armies defended lands – Foot soldiers, archers, cavalry (horse & elephant), chariot-riders n Political organization of cities loyal to center – 1000 cities with leading capital

Shang Dynasty Dig n Trade goods of prized items – Silk, crafts n Ancestor worship religion – Oracle bones, afterlife, human sacrifice n Structure of society based on value – Nobles, Craftsmen, Traders, Farmers, Slaves n Family key to roles – Clans, defined gender roles, adult/child n Writing basis for modern form – Logographs, Ideographic script, Characters

End of the Shang n n Nomadic invaders and lavish spending by kings and nobles led to weakness Replaced one ruling class with another

Zhou (Chou) Dynasty, 1122 -256 BC n n n 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 n n n n n 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 n n Response to crisis and uncertainty Confucianism becomes more widespread and accepted – System of political ethics – Central beliefs n 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… n n n “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 n n n Decentralized leadership allowed for building of regional powers – Increasing local independence – Refusal to pay Zhou taxes Northern invaders weaken dynasty, beginning 8 th c BCE 771 B. C. Zhou driven east

The Period of Warring States n n 771 B. C. Dozen-plus states Balance of power until 500’s Period of chronic warfare between states

The Qin Dynasty n n n 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 n n n n n 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 n Emperor orders execution of all critics – Ordered burning of all ideological works – 460 scholars buried alive – Others exiled n n n Massive cultural losses Paranoia for safety and possessions Led to massive revolts and overthrow by peasant-led army

Han Dynasty, 206 BC to 220 AD n n n 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 n n n n n 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 n n 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 n n General prosperity Increased agricultural productivity

End of Han n n 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 n Relative harmony with government, religious beliefs, economy, and social structure meshed together – “Society as a whole” – Government and society are one n Some tensions over time – Religious differences – Confucianism or Daoism – Division of elites from other classes

Impact on World n n n Idea of bureaucracy and civil service tests Trade of luxury goods along Silk Road connecting civilizations Inventions and developments – – n Paper Compass Porcelain Water mills/pump systems Model of long-lasting cultural society

Exit Slip – Write a Thesis Statement for the following Comparative Essay: n 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 n Goods traded – – – Silk China Ornaments Jewelry Cast-iron Decorative Boxes

China n Cultural Contributions – – – Silk-making Roses Oranges Peaches Pears n Regional Obstacles – Gobi Desert sandstorms – Mirages leading travelers astray – Plateau of Tibet – Mongols and other bandits

From Rome n n Glass products Asbestos for fireproof cloth Coral Gold

Roman n Cultural Contributions – – – Glass-blowing Grapes Alfalfa Figs Chives Walnuts n Regional Obstacles – Syrian Desert – Mediterranean Sea

Egypt & Persia n Egypt – Perfumes – Cosmetics n Persia – Carpets

From Central Asia n n Horses Jade Furs Gold

Central Asia n Cultural Contributions – Use of the horse n Regional Obstacles – – – Himalayas Zagros Mountains Caspian Sea Taklamakan Desert Pamir Mountains

From India n n Cotton Spices Pearls Ivory

India n Cultural Contributions – New foods and spices – Buddhism n Regional Obstacles – Himalayas – Indus & Ganges Rivers – Thar Desert