Classical China

Classical ChinaDevelopment and Accomplishments

By Brittany Michaud

HistoryDynasties:•Zhou 1029 – 258 BCE•Qin 221 -202 BCE•Han 202 BCE – 220 CE

Zhou Dynasty•Did not establish strong government,•But started Mandate of Heaven political concept•Expanded settlement to “Middle Kingdom”•Cultivated rice and wheat•Attempted to bring cultural unity

• Banning human sacrifice• Standard language

•402 – 201 BCE Era of Warring States• Downfall of Zhou• Regional rulers rebelled

Qin Dynasty•Qin Shi Huandi, first Emperor, brutal but effective•Assumed control of central feudal estates

• Established centralizing government

•Powerful armies protected Chinese territory•Built the Great Wall of China

• Over 3,000 miles long, wide enough for chariots• Largest construction project in

human history•Established national census; standardization of coins, weights, measures; uniform written script; irrigation; silk•Unpopular because of high taxes and attack on intellectuals

Han Dynasty•Lasted over 400 years•Centralized but less brutal than Qin•Expanded territory, expanded contact with other civilizations•Wu Ti (140 – 87 BCE) most famous Han ruler

• Enforced peace through Asia• Brought great prosperity to China

•Government had formal training based on Confucianism•Invasion by nomadic Huns ended dynasty

Philosophical Contributions

•Confucianism• System of ethics• Creator: Kung Fuzi (Confucius) • Confucian order in book called

Analects• Emphasized respect, obedience,

proper hierarchy

•Daoism• More religious philosophy• Laozi furthered and popularized

Daoism• Produced division in religion and

philosophy• Had own set of ethics• Emphasized nature and harmony,

mystery and magic

Other Contributions•Gunpowder•Paper•Compass

•Printing Press

•Accurate calendar•Movement of planets Saturn, Jupiter•Seismograph to register earthquakes•Advanced acoustics

Works Cited"Chapter Two: Classical China." East-Asian-History. Web. 04 Oct. 2009. <http://www.east-asian-history.net/textbooks/PM-China/ch2.htm>."Classical Civilization: China." World Civilizations. Pearson Longman, 1995-2008. Web. 4 Oct. 2009. <http://wps.ablongman.com/long_stearns_wcap_4/18/4646/1189489.cw/index.html>.Smart, Richard. "Classical China And India." Upload & Share PowerPoint presentations and documents. 2007. Web. 04 Oct. 2009. <http://www.slideshare.net/learningsmart/classical-china-and-india>.