Ancient ChinaAncient China GeographyGeography

Physical barriers (Gobi Desert in the North, Himalayas in the South, Physical barriers (Gobi Desert in the North, Himalayas in the South, Pacific in the east) isolated China from other civilizations, leading to the Pacific in the east) isolated China from other civilizations, leading to the Chinese belief that they were the center of the earth and “best” Chinese belief that they were the center of the earth and “best” civilizationcivilization

Chinese civilization started c. 10,000 B.C. when early people settled Chinese civilization started c. 10,000 B.C. when early people settled near the Huang He Rivernear the Huang He River

c. 3000 B.C., the Chinese first harvested silk and used it to weave fine c. 3000 B.C., the Chinese first harvested silk and used it to weave fine fabrics fabrics

Lecture on Silk in Ancient China

First Historical Chinese First Historical Chinese DynastiesDynasties ShangShang (1700 B.C.-1100 B.C.) (1700 B.C.-1100 B.C.)

made their capital at Anyangmade their capital at Anyang evidence of reigns of emperors from evidence of reigns of emperors from

oracle bonesoracle bones (animal bones such as (animal bones such as turtle shells used by priests to read the turtle shells used by priests to read the future for the emperor)future for the emperor)

Generally limited to questions of Generally limited to questions of formal importance, such as formal importance, such as sacrifices, war, or irrigation projectssacrifices, war, or irrigation projects

Reveals two important points about Reveals two important points about Shang China: Shang China:

1. Names of emperors on the 1. Names of emperors on the bones confirmed the existence of bones confirmed the existence of at least 30 Shang emperors, at least 30 Shang emperors, known previously only through known previously only through traditiontradition

2. The characters on the bones 2. The characters on the bones proved to be the direct ancestors proved to be the direct ancestors to modern Chinese to modern Chinese characterscharacters and and calligraphycalligraphy

oracle boneoracle bone

2. 2. ZhouZhou (1100 B.C.-256 B.C.) (1100 B.C.-256 B.C.) ruled through system of ruled through system of

feudalismfeudalism: emperors sent out their : emperors sent out their relatives and followers to occupy relatives and followers to occupy more and more territory; each lord more and more territory; each lord constructed own fortress-city from constructed own fortress-city from which to rule *decreased central which to rule *decreased central power of the emperor*power of the emperor*

area of their vassal states (land area of their vassal states (land owned by lords) extended from owned by lords) extended from Beijing in the north to a little below Beijing in the north to a little below the Yangtze in the souththe Yangtze in the south

Ancestor worshipAncestor worship became central became central to Chinese family traditionsto Chinese family traditions

Zhou EmperorZhou Emperor

Dynastic CycleDynastic Cycle Mandate of HeavenMandate of Heaven: the right of a family to rule China, given to : the right of a family to rule China, given to

the emperors by the godsthe emperors by the gods This cycle of various dynasties rising and falling from power This cycle of various dynasties rising and falling from power

known as the known as the Dynastic CycleDynastic Cycle Allowed the Zhou to justify their right to overthrow the Shang Allowed the Zhou to justify their right to overthrow the Shang

dynastydynasty

Religion and Philosophies Religion and Philosophies of Classical Chinaof Classical China

Chinese religion not unified; people combined Chinese religion not unified; people combined aspects of different religions and aspects of different religions and philosophiesphilosophies (system of ideas)(system of ideas)

Each had its own idea about the best kind of Each had its own idea about the best kind of governmentgovernment

1. 1. ConfucianismConfucianism Founded by Confucius, c. 500 B.C.Founded by Confucius, c. 500 B.C. showed people how to behaveshowed people how to behave *Taught that most important duty is to one’s *Taught that most important duty is to one’s

family, esp. family, esp. filial pietyfilial piety (respect for parents) (respect for parents) His sayings collected by followers in the His sayings collected by followers in the

AnalectsAnalects Ideas would most influential throughout Ideas would most influential throughout

Chinese historyChinese history

Confucius( 551-479 B.C.)Confucius( 551-479 B.C.)

2. 2. TaoismTaoism Founded by LaoziFounded by Laozi showed people how to view the world around showed people how to view the world around

them them Stresses the need to live in harmony with Stresses the need to live in harmony with

nature and balance between the forces of yin nature and balance between the forces of yin and yangand yang

Collection of teachings in the Collection of teachings in the Tao Te ChingTao Te Ching

3. 3. LegalismLegalism Founded by Hanfeizi (hahn fay dzuh), c. 250 Founded by Hanfeizi (hahn fay dzuh), c. 250

B.C.B.C. ““Nature of man is evil. Goodness is Nature of man is evil. Goodness is

acquired.”acquired.” Strict laws and harsh punishmentsStrict laws and harsh punishments adopted as official policy of China’s first adopted as official policy of China’s first

empire, the Qin in 221 B.C.empire, the Qin in 221 B.C.

LaoziLaozi

The Unity of Yin and YangThe Unity of Yin and Yang

LaoziLaozi

4. 4. Mahayana BuddhismMahayana Buddhism brought to China by missionaries brought to China by missionaries

and merchants following the Silk and merchants following the Silk Road, by A.D. 100Road, by A.D. 100

Chinese had trouble with it at first, Chinese had trouble with it at first, because of their dedication to because of their dedication to family and Buddhism’s family and Buddhism’s encouraging of men and women encouraging of men and women to leave family to become monksto leave family to become monks

BUT had spread throughout China BUT had spread throughout China by A.D. 400by A.D. 400

provided Chinese the idea of provided Chinese the idea of salvation, unlike in Confucianismsalvation, unlike in Confucianism

Bodhisattva Guanyin, goddess of compassion

and mercy

Layout of Chinese Buddhist TempleLayout of Chinese Buddhist Temple

Qin and Han ChinaQin and Han China

B. Classical Chinese B. Classical Chinese DynastiesDynasties1. 1. QinQin (221-210 (221-210 B.C.)B.C.)- founded by - founded by Shi Shi HuangdiHuangdi, emperor , emperor who united Chinawho united China

- modeled his rule on - modeled his rule on Legalist policies Legalist policies - ended feudal - ended feudal system in Chinasystem in China- responsible for the - responsible for the Great WallGreat Wall joined joined together the old together the old walls of former walls of former feudal rulersfeudal rulers

2. 2. HanHan (206 B.C.-A.D. 220) (206 B.C.-A.D. 220)- eased the Qin’s harsh Legalist - eased the Qin’s harsh Legalist policies; made Confucianism policies; made Confucianism official system of the stateofficial system of the state- - WudiWudi: known as “the Warrior : known as “the Warrior Emperor” because expanded Emperor” because expanded China’s bordersChina’s borders- Silk Road became major trade - Silk Road became major trade route that connected China to the route that connected China to the westwest- used system of civil service - used system of civil service exams based on Confucius’ ideas exams based on Confucius’ ideas to choose most qualified officialsto choose most qualified officials