Chinese civilization originated in various regional centers along both the Yellow River and the Yangtze River valleys in the Neolithic era the Yellow.

Ancient China

Origins• Chinese civilization originated in various regional

centers along both the Yellow River and the Yangtze River valleys in the Neolithic era

• the Yellow River is said to be the cradle of Chinese civilization.

• With thousands of years of continuous history, China is one of the world's oldest civilizations

Government• Chinese rulers = emperors• Based on Confucian model, which taught that the

best ruler was a virtuous man who led by example• Legalists stressed strength, not goodness, as a ruler's

greatest virtue• Daoists, who rejected the everyday world, believed that

the best government was the one that governed least.

Periods and Dynasties of Ancient China• Goes back to roughly 2500 B.C.• Focus here is on period of ancient Chinese history

that begins with the advent of writing and ending around 467 A.D.

Neolithic• Huang Di unified tribes along the Yellow River

valley nearly 5,000 years ago• Founder of Chinese nation and culture

• Neolithic: neo = “new”, lithic = “stone”• Lasted from 12,000 – 2000 B.C.• Hunting, gathering, and agriculture were practiced • Silk produced from mulberry leaf-fed silkworms• Culture divided into Yangshao (north & western

mountains) and Lungshan (eastern plains)

Xia – Myth?• Bronze Age people suggests that the period ran

from 2100 to 1800 B.C. • Bronze vessels found at Erlitou along the Yellow

River, in northern central China, also attest to the reality of the Xia.

• The agrarian Xia were ancestors of the Shang

Beginning of the Historical Era: Shang• The truth about the Shang (c. 1700-1027 B.C.),

who, like the Xia, had been considered mythical, came as a result of the discovery of the writing on oracle bones.

• It is traditionally believed that there were 30 kings and 7 capitals of the Shang. • The ruler lived at the center of his capital.

• The Shang had bronze weapons and vessels, as well as earthenware.

• The Shang are credited with inventing Chinese writing because there are written records, notably the oracle bones.

Shang (continued)• The Shang built city-states in northeastern China,

around the Yellow River, for which reason they are called the Yellow River Civilization

• The Shang worshiped Shang Ti 'Lord on high', ruler or the heavens, gods, and mankind.

Zhou• The Zhou were originally semi-nomadic and had

co-existed with the Shang. • The dynasty began with Kings Wen (Ji Chang) and

Zhou Wuwang (Ji Fa)• who were considered ideal rulers, • patrons of the arts• descendants of the Yellow Emperor.

• The great philosophers flourished in this period: Confucianism and Taoism emerged

Yellow Emperor• The Yellow Emperor (Huangdi), son of Shao-dian,

is a legendary ruler and ancestor of the Chinese people

• said to have lived in the third millennium B.C. for 100-118 years.

• Credited with having invented Chinese medicine; various religious practices, including worship of the sun, moon, and five planets; and technological inventions, like the compass and calendar.

Zhou (continued)• The Zhou period is sub-divided into:• Western Zhou 1027-771 B.C.• Eastern Zhou 770-221 B.C.• 770-476 B.C. -- Spring and Autumn period • 475-221 B.C. -- Warring States period

• During this period, iron tools were developed and population exploded.

• During the Warring States Period, only the Qin defeated their enemies.

Zhou Dynasty and Empire• Developed a feudal-like system of allegiance and

government• 1040 – 221 B.C.• System survived barbarian invaders

• Capital originally in Hao, moved in 772 B.C. to Luoyang

• empire was a proto-feudal one with at least 20 "feudal" lords maintained by an extended family network

Qin• Lasted from 221-206 B.C., • begun by the architect of the Great Wall of China, the

first emperor, Qin Shihuangdi (aka Shi Huangdi or Shih Huang-ti) (r. 246/221 [start of the empire] -210 B.C.). • The wall was built to repel nomadic invaders, the Xiongnu. • When he died, the emperor was buried in an enormous tomb

with a terra cotta army for protection (alternatively, servants).

• During this period the feudal system was replaced by a strong central bureaucracy.

• The second emperor of the Qin was Qin Ershi Huangdi (Ying Huhai) who ruled from 209-207 B.C.

• The third emperor was the King of Qin (Ying Ziying) who ruled in 207 B.C.

Han• The Han Dynasty, which was founded by Liu Bang (Han

Gaozu), lasted for four centuries (206 B.C.- A.D. 8, 25-220). • During this period, Confucianism became state doctrine. • China had contact with the west via the Silk Road during

this period. • Under Emperor Han Wudi, the empire expanded into Asia. • The dynasty is to divided into a Western Han and an

Eastern Han because there was a split following the unsuccessful attempt by Wang Mang to reform the government. • At the end of the Eastern Han, the empire was divided into three

kingdoms by powerful warlords.

Religions and Philosophies of Ancient China• The ancient Chinese are said to have three doctrines:

Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, with Christianity and Islam arriving only in the 7th century A.D.

• Laozi, according to tradition, was the 6th century B.C. Chinese philosopher who wrote the Tao Te Ching of Taoism.

• Confucius (551-479) taught morality. His philosophy became important during the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-A.D.220). • although it is often counted as a religion of China, Confucianism

is not a religion, but a system of social and political morality.

• The Indian emperor Ashoka sent Buddhist missionaries to China in the third century B.C.

Confucius & Confucianism

Life & Times of Confucius• (probably) lived from 551 BC – 479 BC• Also known as Kung Fu-tzu• According to legend, Confucius aspired to advice

several rulers, failed, and became a teacher and moral exemplar instead

• Lived during Warring States period • Ideas documented in writing by his successor,

Mencius

What did Confucius believe?• Confucianism is rooted in the belief that familial

relationships are the foundation for society. • Society is based on hierarchy, respect, and

education• The basis of the relationship between children and

their parents is the concept of filial piety• Children will demonstrate devotion and dedication to their

parents in both thoughts and actions• Interactions within a family based on proper conventions

and rituals (li)

The fundamental Confucian principles

REN HUMANNESSYI RIGHTEOUSNESSLI RITUALZHI WISDOMXIN TRUSTXIAO FILIAL PIETY

formed the basis of moral conduct and individual responsibility for the cultivated

individual

Education• Confucius’s teachings center on the importance of

education in the formation of a person’s character. • Confucius felt that education was paramount in

the development of just leaders.• education that stressed moral behavior and those

mentored by benevolent individuals would be best suited to rule.

• advocated a meritocratic government – ability and talent would supersede blood ties and kinship as the basis for advancement

Five Key Relationships• advocated behavior that showed obedience and

respect for superiors• humans are inherently social beings. • Adherence to conventions or rituals (li) would

ensure harmony.• The subordinate person was always to defer and learn

from the superior person in the relationship.• The superior person had a responsibility to act as a

custodian for the subordinate person. • extended from relationships among family members to

leaders and their subjects

5 Key Relationships

SUPERIOR SUBORDINATE

RULER RULED

HUSBAND WIFE

PARENT CHILD

ELDER BROTHER YOUNGER BROTHER

FRIEND FRIEND

What role does Confucianism play today?• influence large groups of people across Asia and

throughout the world. • Countries that show the most significant imprint:

China, Korea, Japan, and Vietnam.• Confucianism manifests itself in the way children

defer to their elders (filial piety) and in the hierarchical structure within offices among employees of different ages and levels of experience.

• Confucianism also plays a role in the expectations people place upon government and upon its legitimacy.