Chapter 3

Chapter 7

Chapter 3Foundations of Indian CivilizationSection 1GeographyIndia is known as a subcontinent b/c its a large and physically isolated landmass w/n the continent of Asia

Geography India can be divided into 3 distinct topographical zones:Himalaya - mountainous northern zoneThe great basins of the Indus and Ganges RiversThe peninsula properGeography

India has a subtropical climateThe most dramatic source of moisture is the monsoon (season wind)The temperature difference between the water and the land acts like a bellows, producing a great wind The monsoon picks up huge amts of moisture from the Indian Ocean and drop it over India

Geography So, India looks like one giant peninsula with seasonal windsits likely that its people.

Learned to ride the monsoon winds across open waters to establish good trade routesFIRST CIVILIZATIONSHarrapaBased power on a belief in divine assistanceReligion and political powers were closely linkedEconomy was based on agriculture and tradeTraded copper and lumber for Sumerian textiles and foodMuch of the trade was by shipFIRST CIVILIZATIONSAryansConquered the HarappansNomadic people that moved across Hindu Kush Mountains into northern IndiaCreated a new Indian societyBecame farmers with discovery of iron Irrigation systemsDeveloped their form of writing SanskritDeveloped Hinduism (religion)Social ClassesSkin color has been a persistent concern of Indian society and is one of the bases for its historically sharp internal divisionsCaste System:Brahman priest and scholarsKshatriya warriors and officialsVaishya merchants, artisans, and landownersSundra peasants and laborersUntouchables

The Untouchables

They were excluded from the class system, and members of the other groups literally avoided them b/c of the demeaning or polluting work to which they were related with ( such as tanning leather which involved touching dead animals )

untouchablesReligionHinduismOrigin from the Aryan peopleVedas- collection of hymns and religious ceremoniesBelieved in the existence of a single force Reincarnation- form of life after deathLiving beings seek to achieve goals on earthKarma- force generated by a persons actions that determines their after-life outcome

ReligionBuddhismRivaled HinduismSiddhartha Gautama- known as the BuddhaPrinciplesPain, poverty and sorrow were illusionsNirvana- achieving wisdom (ultimate reality)Four Noble TruthsEightfold Path (Middle Path)

The Mauryan EmpireSection 2 324-184 BCEThe Mauryan Empire

The Mauryan Empire Lack of politics, prevented the Aryans to continue.

Factors that paved the wayPersiaGreeks and Macedonians (Alexander the Great)The Mauryan Empire Very centralized government

King divided the empire into provinces, which were governed by governorsThe Mauryan Empire Reign of AshokaConsidered the Greatest Ruler in India historyConverted to BuddismIndia prospered because of the expansion of trade After his death, India began to declineThe Kushan Kingdom Flourished because of passing trade from both the East and West

Most of the trade was between the Romans and ChinaThe Silk Road The major trade route China was silk, spices, and porcelainRoman Empire was wool linens, glass and precious stonesIndia was ivory and textilesHuge caravans of expensive items

Kingdom of the GuptasAfter the Kushan Kingdom were invaded by the Persian

Samudragupta founded the kingdomPolitics- MonarchyEconomics- trade

Indian CultureLiteratureVedas- Aryan tradition, primary religious.

ArchitectureThree main types of structuresPillarStupaRock Chamber

The Chinese Section 3 324-184 BCEChinese CivilizationGeographyYellow RiverYangtze RiverYellow Sea

Only about 10% of the land is suitable for farmingMountains to the North and West create a natural boundaryisolationShang DynastyFarming Society

Ruled by an Aristocracy Upper classBased wealth on landPassed on from generation to generationKing ruled over system of territories BUT each was run by a warlords or governor. Shang Dynasty

Shang DynastySocial ClassesKing and his familyAided by a number of Aristocratic familiesWage warChief land ownersPeasants- largest number of people

Note: small number of artisans and merchants Shang DynastyReligionLife after deathBurn exact replicas to accompany them to life after

ArtBronze castingStatuesArmor Zhou DynastyHistoryLast Shang ruler was very wicked and arrogant

This led to a massive revolt of an existing state (Zhou) and establish a new dynasty.800 years

Longest lasting dynasty in Chinese history

Zhou Dynasty (Chou)

Zhou DynastyPolitical structureSame basic structure as Shang cultureKing was seen as a link between Heaven & Earth

ReligionMandate of HeavenHeaven impersonal law and that King took commands from heaven to govern the dynastyResponsible for ruling with goodness & efficiency

Zhou DynastyReligionMandate of Heaven

Dao Proper way to govern

Keep the Gods pleased

If king fails to be effective, they may be replaced

Each king rules through Mandate of Heaven throughout Chinese history

Zhou DynastyThe FallSame pattern rise, decline, and collapse

Leaders declined intellectually and morally

Nature of warfare changedIron weaponsFoot soldiers and on horsebackCrossbow

Zhou DynastyEconomics & TechnologyIron made it possible to harvest more land

Large- scale water projects

Trade of silk

Chinese CulturePhilosophiesConfucianismConfucius- known as the first teacher

Two elementsDuty- work ethicHumanity- compassion and empathy for others

DaoismProper forms of behaviorShould be Inactive vs active (spontaneously)

Chinese CulturePhilosophiesLegalismVery different than Confucianism and DaoismBelieved that all humans were essentially evilStrong Ruler and harsh lawsLive in fear

The ChineseRise and fall of Empires Section 4 Qin Dynasty

Chinese EmpiresQin DynastyDefeated the Zhou by ignoring authority

PoliticsLegalism was adopted to the regimeCentralized GovernmentBureaucracy

IntelligenceGreat Wall of China

Great Wall of China

Han Dynasty

Chinese EmpiresHan DynastyLeader replaced Legalism with ConfucianismChose government officials based on merit vs birthCivil service examsTechnologyTextile manufacturingWater millsRudder for shipsPaper