Early Chinese Early Chinese Civilizations Civilizations Mrs. Brahe Mrs. Brahe World History I World History I
Jan 25, 2016
Early Chinese Early Chinese CivilizationsCivilizations
Mrs. BraheMrs. Brahe
World History IWorld History I
ObjectivesObjectives
Explain how geography influenced the Explain how geography influenced the development of civilizations in Chinadevelopment of civilizations in China
Identify the characteristics of early Identify the characteristics of early Chinese civilizationsChinese civilizations
Explain the political and social structureExplain the political and social structure Describe the role of religionDescribe the role of religion Discuss the contributionsDiscuss the contributions
Geography of ChinaGeography of China
Fertile River ValleysFertile River Valleys Huang He (HWONG-HUH) aka Yellow RiverHuang He (HWONG-HUH) aka Yellow River
Stretches across China Stretches across China carrying rich yellow silt carrying rich yellow silt fromfrom Mongolia to the Pacific Ocean Mongolia to the Pacific Ocean
Chang Jiang (CHONG-JYONG) Chang Jiang (CHONG-JYONG) aka Yangtze Riveraka Yangtze River
Longer than Huang HeLonger than Huang He Across central China to the Yellow SeaAcross central China to the Yellow Sea
Great food producing area of Great food producing area of ancient worldancient world
Geography of ChinaGeography of China
Only 10% of China is suitable for farmingOnly 10% of China is suitable for farming (compare to 19% of the United States)(compare to 19% of the United States) Mostly mountains and deserts Mostly mountains and deserts on the northern on the northern
and western frontiersand western frontiers Geographical barriers isolated the Chinese Geographical barriers isolated the Chinese
peoplepeople Contact with others marked with conflictContact with others marked with conflict North – Chinese protecting precious farmlandNorth – Chinese protecting precious farmland
Shang DynastyShang Dynasty
First dynasty, Xia (SYAH) approx. 4,000 B.C.First dynasty, Xia (SYAH) approx. 4,000 B.C. Could compete with Sumer for “first” titleCould compete with Sumer for “first” title Little is known, however…Little is known, however…
Second dynasty, ShangSecond dynasty, Shang 1750 to 1045 B.C.1750 to 1045 B.C. Farming society ruled by warrior aristocracyFarming society ruled by warrior aristocracy
((aristocracyaristocracy: upper class whose wealth is based on land : upper class whose wealth is based on land and power is passed from one generation to the next)and power is passed from one generation to the next)
Excavation revealsExcavation reveals impressive cities with huge city impressive cities with huge city walls, royal palaces and large royal tombswalls, royal palaces and large royal tombs
Political StructurePolitical Structure
Realm divided into territoriesRealm divided into territories Administered by aristocratic warlordsAdministered by aristocratic warlords King appointed and removedKing appointed and removed
King’s spiritual beliefsKing’s spiritual beliefs Buried with corpses of servantsBuried with corpses of servants Supernatural forces gave adviceSupernatural forces gave advice
Oracle Bones Oracle Bones – priests carved questions in bones, heated – priests carved questions in bones, heated metal rods were stuck into the bone causing cracks, priests metal rods were stuck into the bone causing cracks, priests interpreted the cracks as answers from the godsinterpreted the cracks as answers from the gods
Wrote the answers, stored the bones –Wrote the answers, stored the bones – are a valuable asset are a valuable asset in understanding the Shang periodin understanding the Shang period
Social StructureSocial Structure
King and his familyKing and his family Aided by aristocratic familiesAided by aristocratic families
Aristocrats waged war and served as officialsAristocrats waged war and served as officials Were the chief landownersWere the chief landowners
Majority of peopleMajority of people Peasants who farmed the land owned by the Peasants who farmed the land owned by the
aristocracyaristocracy Small number of merchants, artisans, and Small number of merchants, artisans, and
slavesslaves
Religion and CultureReligion and Culture
Veneration of ancestors (ancestor worship)Veneration of ancestors (ancestor worship) Belief in afterlifeBelief in afterlife To this day – may people burn exactly replicas To this day – may people burn exactly replicas
of physical objects to accompany dead on of physical objects to accompany dead on journey to next worldjourney to next world
Believed that the spirits of family ancestors Believed that the spirits of family ancestors could bring good or evil to living members of could bring good or evil to living members of the familythe family
Shang – mastery of art of bronze castingShang – mastery of art of bronze casting
Zhou DynastyZhou Dynasty
Last Shang ruler was a “wicked tyrant”Last Shang ruler was a “wicked tyrant” Aggressive ruler of the state of Zhou (JOH) Aggressive ruler of the state of Zhou (JOH)
revolted and created a new dynastyrevolted and created a new dynasty Zhou Dynasty lasted almost 800 years, Zhou Dynasty lasted almost 800 years,
longest of all Chinese dynastieslongest of all Chinese dynasties 1045 B.C. to 256 B.C.1045 B.C. to 256 B.C.
Zhou political structureZhou political structure Same as the Shang Same as the Shang – king served by large, – king served by large,
complex bureaucracy, territories/officialscomplex bureaucracy, territories/officials
Mandate of HeavenMandate of Heaven
New Theory of GovernmentNew Theory of Government Zhou claimed to rule China because it Zhou claimed to rule China because it
possessed the possessed the Mandate of HeavenMandate of Heaven Believed that “Heaven” – an impersonal law of Believed that “Heaven” – an impersonal law of
nature – kept order in the universe through the nature – kept order in the universe through the Zhou kingZhou king
Zhou king ruled over all humanity by mandate, Zhou king ruled over all humanity by mandate, or authority to command, from Heavenor authority to command, from Heaven
Chosen because of talent and virtueChosen because of talent and virtue Responsible toResponsible to rule with goodness and efficiency rule with goodness and efficiency
Mandate of HeavenMandate of Heaven
Double-edgedDouble-edged King supposed to rule according to the proper “Way” King supposed to rule according to the proper “Way”
called the Dao (DOW)called the Dao (DOW) His duty to keep the gods pleasedHis duty to keep the gods pleased Protects people from natural disaster, bad harvestProtects people from natural disaster, bad harvest
““Right of Revolution” - if King was ineffective, he could Right of Revolution” - if King was ineffective, he could be overthrown by a new rulerbe overthrown by a new ruler
Representative of Heaven, but not divineRepresentative of Heaven, but not divine Dynastic CycleDynastic Cycle
established, ruled successfully, then began to decline established, ruled successfully, then began to decline (rebellions, invasions) collapsed, new dynasty(rebellions, invasions) collapsed, new dynasty
Fall of Zhou DynastyFall of Zhou Dynasty Divided into smaller territoriesDivided into smaller territories
Evolved into powerful statesEvolved into powerful states Zhou rulers declined, intellectually & morallyZhou rulers declined, intellectually & morally 403 B.C. civil war broke out, beginning the 403 B.C. civil war broke out, beginning the
“Period of the Warring States”“Period of the Warring States” Nature of warfare had changedNature of warfare had changed
Iron weapons Iron weapons replaced bronze weaponsreplaced bronze weapons Foot soldiers (infantry) and soldiers on horseback Foot soldiers (infantry) and soldiers on horseback
(cavalry)(cavalry) Calvary had powerfulCalvary had powerful crossbows, Chinese invention crossbows, Chinese invention
of 7of 7thth B.C. B.C. Eventually one warring state – Qin (CHIN) took Eventually one warring state – Qin (CHIN) took
control, established dynasty in 221 B.C.control, established dynasty in 221 B.C.
Life During Zhou DynastyLife During Zhou Dynasty
Economic FeaturesEconomic Features Peasants worked land owned by a lord Peasants worked land owned by a lord but but
often had a small area for own useoften had a small area for own use Artisans and merchants Artisans and merchants lived in walled townslived in walled towns
under direct control of local lordunder direct control of local lord Merchants did not operate freely but were Merchants did not operate freely but were
considered property of local lordconsidered property of local lord Slaves present as wellSlaves present as well
Local trade (later distant trade) for items Local trade (later distant trade) for items like salt, iron, cloth and luxurieslike salt, iron, cloth and luxuries
Economic and Technical GrowthEconomic and Technical Growth
Significant growth – 6Significant growth – 6thth to 3 to 3rdrd century B.C. century B.C. Irrigation Irrigation early 6early 6thth century century Mid 6Mid 6thth century century iron plowshares = more land to iron plowshares = more land to
farmfarm Population up to 50 million people Population up to 50 million people at the end at the end
of Zhouof Zhou Trade and manufacturingTrade and manufacturing
SILK! All the way to SILK! All the way to Athens, Greece…Athens, Greece…
Family in Ancient ChinaFamily in Ancient China
Almost sacred quality of entire social orderAlmost sacred quality of entire social order Filial pietyFilial piety: duty of family members to subordinate : duty of family members to subordinate
their needs and desires to those of the male head of their needs and desires to those of the male head of the familythe family
system in which every family member has a placesystem in which every family member has a place Central to ConfucianismCentral to Confucianism
Male supremacyMale supremacy Traditional role – provide food, work in fields, warriors, Traditional role – provide food, work in fields, warriors,
scholars, government ministersscholars, government ministers Women raised kids and worked in home (court…)Women raised kids and worked in home (court…)
Chinese Written LanguageChinese Written Language Pictographic and Pictographic and
IdeographicIdeographic Form a picture of the Form a picture of the
object to be representedobject to be represented Characters given a sound Characters given a sound
when pronouncedwhen pronounced Later phonetic meanings Later phonetic meanings
given to some symbolsgiven to some symbols Evolved over 400 years, Evolved over 400 years,
never abandoned original never abandoned original formatformat
Chinese PhilosophiesChinese Philosophies
Between 500 and 200 B.C.Between 500 and 200 B.C. 3 major schools of thought about the nature of 3 major schools of thought about the nature of
human beings and the universe emergedhuman beings and the universe emerged Confucianism, Daoism, and LegalismConfucianism, Daoism, and Legalism
Focused on immediate world and how to Focused on immediate world and how to create a stable ordercreate a stable order (unlike Hinduism and Buddhism – conserved (unlike Hinduism and Buddhism – conserved
about freeing the human soul from the cycle about freeing the human soul from the cycle of rebirth/reincarnation)of rebirth/reincarnation)
ConfucianismConfucianism
Confucius/Kongfuzi (KOONG FOO DZUH)Confucius/Kongfuzi (KOONG FOO DZUH) Born 551 B.C. in ChinaBorn 551 B.C. in China Upset by violence and moral decayUpset by violence and moral decay Traveled China to persuade political leaders to Traveled China to persuade political leaders to
follow his ideas follow his ideas (pretty unsuccessful)(pretty unsuccessful) Followers documented his sayings in the Followers documented his sayings in the
AnalectsAnalects Until 20Until 20thth century almost every Chinese student century almost every Chinese student
studied these sayingsstudied these sayings Provided a basic set of ideas to keep orderProvided a basic set of ideas to keep order
Political and ethical philosophy, not Political and ethical philosophy, not spiritualspiritual Useless to speculate on spiritual questionsUseless to speculate on spiritual questions Focus on ordering the affairs of the world -Focus on ordering the affairs of the world - if if
act in harmony with the world, will prosperact in harmony with the world, will prosper Human behavior is keyHuman behavior is key Behave in accordance with the Dao (Way)Behave in accordance with the Dao (Way)
Two elements to DaoTwo elements to Dao Duty and Humanity Duty and Humanity
ConfucianismConfucianism
Duty Duty (according to the Dao, the Way)(according to the Dao, the Way) All should subordinate their own interests to the All should subordinate their own interests to the
needs of family and the communityneeds of family and the community Governed by the Five Constant RelationshipsGoverned by the Five Constant Relationships:: parent parent
and child, husband and wife, older sibling and and child, husband and wife, older sibling and younger sibling, older friend and younger friend, and younger sibling, older friend and younger friend, and ruler and subjectruler and subject
Each person in a relationship has a duty to the otherEach person in a relationship has a duty to the other Parents loving towards children, children revere parentsParents loving towards children, children revere parents Husband fulfill duties, wives should be obedientHusband fulfill duties, wives should be obedient Older siblings kind, younger siblings respectful…Older siblings kind, younger siblings respectful…
Obvious family importance!Obvious family importance! Everyone does their duty – whole world prospers!Everyone does their duty – whole world prospers!
ConfucianismConfucianism
ConfucianismConfucianism
““If there is righteousness in the heart, If there is righteousness in the heart, there will be beauty in the character. If there will be beauty in the character. If there is beauty in the character, there will there is beauty in the character, there will be harmony in the home. If there be be harmony in the home. If there be harmony in the home, there will be order in harmony in the home, there will be order in the nation. If there be order in the nation, the nation. If there be order in the nation, there will be peace in the world.”there will be peace in the world.”
~ Confucius~ Confucius
ConfucianismConfucianism
Humanity Humanity (according to the Dao, the Way)(according to the Dao, the Way) Sense of compassion and empathy for othersSense of compassion and empathy for others Like the Christian idea “Do unto others as you would Like the Christian idea “Do unto others as you would
have others do unto you.” – instead it is “Do not do have others do unto you.” – instead it is “Do not do unto others what you would not want done to unto others what you would not want done to yourself.” ~ Confuciusyourself.” ~ Confucius
Tolerate others…Tolerate others… Values of the “Golden Age” of the ZhouValues of the “Golden Age” of the Zhou Revolutionary idea – government officials should Revolutionary idea – government officials should
be ruled by merit, not noble birthbe ruled by merit, not noble birth Later – civil service examinationsLater – civil service examinations
DaoismDaoism System of ideas based on teachings System of ideas based on teachings
of Laozi (LOW DZUH)of Laozi (LOW DZUH) Contemporary of Confucius (if existed!)Contemporary of Confucius (if existed!) Ideas outlined in Ideas outlined in Tao Te ChingTao Te Ching (The Way of the Dao) (The Way of the Dao) Also Also does not concern itself with underlying meaning does not concern itself with underlying meaning
of the universe butof the universe but focuses on proper behavior focuses on proper behavior Differs from ConfucianismDiffers from Confucianism
True way to follow the will of Heaven is not action but True way to follow the will of Heaven is not action but inaction inaction (unlike emphasis on duty of humans to work (unlike emphasis on duty of humans to work hard and improve life here on Earth)hard and improve life here on Earth)
Act in harmony with universal order by acting Act in harmony with universal order by acting spontaneously and letting nature take its course by spontaneously and letting nature take its course by not interferingnot interfering
DaoismDaoism ““Without going outside, you mayWithout going outside, you may know the whole world. know the whole world. Without looking through the window, Without looking through the window, you may see the ways of heaven.you may see the ways of heaven. The farther you go, the less you know.The farther you go, the less you know. Thus the sage [wise man] knows Thus the sage [wise man] knows
without traveling; without traveling;
He sees without looking; He sees without looking; He works without doing.”He works without doing.”
DaoismDaoism
““The universe is sacred. The universe is sacred.
You cannot improve it. You cannot improve it.
If you try to change it, you will ruin it. If you try to change it, you will ruin it.
If you try to hold it, you will lose it.”If you try to hold it, you will lose it.”
LegalismLegalism Proposed that humans are evil by natureProposed that humans are evil by nature
Will only follow the correct path if forced to by harsh Will only follow the correct path if forced to by harsh laws and punishmentslaws and punishments
Argued for a system of impersonal lawsArgued for a system of impersonal laws Strong ruler was required to create an orderly societyStrong ruler was required to create an orderly society Disagreed with Confucius “Lead the people by virtue Disagreed with Confucius “Lead the people by virtue
and restrain them by the rules of good taste, and the and restrain them by the rules of good taste, and the people will have a sense of shame, and moreover will people will have a sense of shame, and moreover will be become good.”be become good.”
People are not capable of being goodPeople are not capable of being good Only the fear of harsh punishment would keep orderOnly the fear of harsh punishment would keep order Ruler did not have to show compassion Ruler did not have to show compassion for the needs for the needs
of the peopleof the people
Phew!Phew!
That’s it for the Early Chinese Civilizations…That’s it for the Early Chinese Civilizations…
Chapter 3: India and China notes DONE!Chapter 3: India and China notes DONE!