Ap 1 Ch2 Classical Civilization: China_Scripted

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Classical Civilization: China
Social

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•Classical china had a dynastic cycle: A powerful family would claim Mandate of Heaven (something that justifies their ruling position) and would take control of China, over time citizens would become unhappy and would revolt claiming the family (dynasty) had lost the Mandate of Heaven and a new dynasty would emerge.
•China had three main dynasties: the Zhou, the Qin, and the Han.
•China derived it's name today from the Qin dynasty.
•There was a large gap between China's upper class which owned land, and the lower class peasants.
•The main factor that symbolized the gap was the difficulty of becoming literate.
•China had three main social groups: Land owning aristocracy and Mandarins (educated bureaucracy) were at the top, followed by laboring people (peasants and artisans) Merchants also fit into this social level however they were the lowest of this social level. In last were "the Mean people" who had no particularly useful skills, Mean people were punished more harshly for crime and were identified by wearing green scarves.

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Classical Civilization: China
Culture

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•Many Chinese cultural views and beliefs were linked to the political structure that developed during the Classical period.
•The Chinese saw themselves as civilized, and every one else was a barbarian.
•Confucian ethics which emerged during the Zhou Dynasty and were stressed and emphasized in the Han and Qin Dynasties were enforced and spread throughout China.
•It stressed loyalty to the community, respect for those socially higher up, and for the elite to set a good example for those below them (afterwards, those below them would follow the good example.)
•The use of chopsticks began at the end of the Zhou Dynasty.
•Chinese civilization at the time in general was secular (ruled non religiously) although many believed in God and the mysteries of heaven no one really described the nature of the god, they only acknowledged God's existence.
•Families were also patriarchal meaning the husband was the one with the most power.
•Chinese art during this era was highly decorative and stressed careful craftmanship.
•Caligraphy also became an important art form.
•A literary tradition developed which was based on mastering the Five classics (contained information pertaining to historical speeches, treatises, culture, art, etiquette, and other political material) plus Confucian works.

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Classical Civilization: China
Religion

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•China did not have a national religion, instead philosophies developed (Confucianism and Daoism most importantly)
•Confucianism: Confucianism is a philosophy based on the the teachings of Confucius (551 B.C. - 478 B.C.) which were recorded in the Analects. Confucianism stressed ethics and proper behavior in society such as respect for elders and leaders. The elite and those in higher social classes were expected to set good examples for the society as well as show loyalty to the community. Subordinates were expected to be obedient and respectful, even under a bad ruler. Confucius himself did acknowledge God's existence but refused to speculate any further about God.
•Daoism: A more religious philosphy, and once again an intellectual product of the Classical era, Daoism which stressed the harmony of nature, as well as mysteries and forces of nature. Daoism appealed to the upper class due to it's elaborate spirituality. A key figure of Daoism was Lao-Zi who furthered it's popularity. Dao means "the way of nature". Daoism lead to many religious rituals and was also popular among emperors.
•During and after the Han, Buddhism spread to China from India. Buddhism altered China's art and also formed examples of syncretism ( Mahayana Buddhism) later on.

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Classical Civilization: China
Interaction

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•Classical China remained mostly isolated not wishing to export their culture and relying on internal trade to supplement it's economy, however China did push out and interact with some adjacent regions.
• Under Qin Shih Huangdi, China expanded to present day Hong Kong and even influenced northern Vietnam.
•Huangdi also built the 3000 mile long Great Wall of China to guard against nomadic invasions from the North (doing so required great taxation and work force that made Huangdi unpopular).
•Under Han rulers (Han dynasty) Chinese territory was expanded into the Koreas, Indochina, and central Asia. Also under Han ruler Wu Ti, peace was enforced through out the entire continent.
•There was some trade with the West along trade routes.

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Classical Civilization: China
Political

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•The political achievements of the three dynasties had similarities but also distinct differences.
•Zhou Dynasty(1029 B.C. - 258 B.C.): This dynasty came into China from the north (displacing the Shang in China). The Zhou dynasty eventually did end up strengthening Chinese politics, winning over land (the Middle kingdom, which posessed vital agricultural lands) and the Zhou also focused a little on central government. However the Zhou ruled through alliances with regional princes and nobles. This worked on a basis that the ruler could not directly control all regions so the ruler would appoint large regional estates to family members or other nobles in hopes that loyalty would remain intact. In exchange, the regional rulers provided the central government with tax and troops. This was a regional government that also developed in India. This eventually led to the downfall of the Zhou as regional warlords developed independant armies which reduced the pwoer of the emperor.
• After the fall of the Zhou, the era of warring states began (402 B.C.- 201 B.C.)
•Qin Dynasty (221 B.C. - 202 B.C.): During the turmoil of the era of warring states, Qin Shih Huangdi seized power. Huangdi was a brutal autocratic ruler who realized pwoer lay with the aristocrats. He fixed this by appointing nonaristocratic rulers who were sure to be loyal to him (as they came across their power only because of him). Huangdi created a truely centralized government as well as extending territory to the south. Huangdi was however unpopular due to his harsh policies such as high taxes for the Great Wall, and the military, and attacks on intellectuals.
•Han Dynasty (202 B.C. - 220 A.D.): Arose after grieved peasants fought for control upon Huangdi's death in 202 B.C. Han rulers kept centralized rule that the Qin had but expanded the pwoers of the bureacracy instead of the aristocracy. Confucianism is revived during this period and is supported by rulers such as Wu Ti. The Han was eventually ended when control weakened and invasions from northern Asia commenced.
•It is also important to note that during the Qin and Han periods, a seperate political system of thought called Legalism developed which stressed an authoritarian state ruled by force.

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Classical Civilization: China
Technology

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•The Chinese invented many firsts throughout their history, many of which arose during the Classical period.
•Around 300 B.C. Ox-drawn ploughs were introduced which increased productivity.
•Under the Han all of the following were created:
-A non-choking colar for plough drawing animals(Oxen).
-The first water powered mills were created which increased manufacturing.
-Paper was invented.
•Iron mining, Iron tools, pottery, and textiles were improved.

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Classical Civilization: China
Economy

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•Trade became important in the Zhou and Han Dynasties.
•Trade often focused on luxury items (silks, jewels, leather goods, furniture) produced for the upper class by artisans.
•There was also some food exchange between rice/wheat growing regions.
•Copper coins were distributed and circulated, these facilitated trade and currency.
•It is important to note that merchants had such a low social position due to Confucian emphasis on learning and a scorn for lives devoted to making money. Merchants were often wealthier than their low position in society suggested.

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Classical Civilization: China
Demography

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•China was not only isolated because of traditional focus(The focus being that China was proud of their culture, saw no need to teach the world, and the missionary spirit was foreign to them), but also because of terrain and geograpy. China was surrounded by mountains to the west of their center of civilization.
•The Yangtze River Valley became China's core and a major agricultural food production region. It came to be known as the Middle Kingdom and possessed wheat producing regions to the north, and rice producing regions in the south.
•The Chinese saw their region as a whole, they did not see government and society as two seperate entities, nor did they distinguish private/ public activities. Despite the Chinese seeing themselves as a whole, it is important to notice the disparities among beliefs (Confucianism vs. Daoism)