The Land and its Challenge

– The Geography of China • Historical China was smaller than present

day China. • Northern China is colder, flatter, and more

arid than the south. • The Yangzi River is the central feature of

southern China. • Mountains and deserts separated China

from other early civilizations.

China’s Earliest Civilizations, to 1050 B.C.E.

– Chinese Myths and Legends • According to Chinese mythology, a series of

brilliant individuals made contributions to the advancement of Chinese society.

• These legends reveal much about what educated Chinese thought defined China and its history.

• The early Chinese conception of history and cosmology was more human-centered than that of other major civilizations.

• Technology played a major role in defining Chinese civilization.

• A number of different cultures played a role in the development of Chinese civilization.

““Peking Man”Peking Man” (750,000 – 500,000 BCE)(750,000 – 500,000 BCE)

““Peking Man”Peking Man” (750,000 – 500,000 BCE)(750,000 – 500,000 BCE)

SinanthropusSinanthropuspekinesispekinesis

Yellow River Yellow River CivilizationCivilization

Yellow River Yellow River CivilizationCivilization

The Neolithic Age

• Agriculture was practiced in China from about 10,000 B.C.E.

• Between the fifth and the third millennia B.C.E., distinct regional Neolithic cultures emerged.

• In time, China’s Neolithic cultures came to share many practices and beliefs.

Neolithic Neolithic PotteryPottery

Neolithic Neolithic PotteryPottery

3000 BCE 3000 BCE toto

2000 BCE2000 BCE

The 4 Old-World The 4 Old-World River Valley River Valley

CulturesCultures

The 4 Old-World The 4 Old-World River Valley River Valley

CulturesCultures

Pan-Gu: Pan-Gu: Mythical Mythical Creator of the Creator of the

UniverseUniverse

Pan-Gu: Pan-Gu: Mythical Mythical Creator of the Creator of the

UniverseUniverse

““Chung Kuo”Chung Kuo”(The (The “Middle “Middle Kingdom”Kingdom”))

““Chung Kuo”Chung Kuo”(The (The “Middle “Middle Kingdom”Kingdom”))

Yu, the Great – Yu, the Great – Founder of the Founder of the

HsiaHsia

Yu, the Great – Yu, the Great – Founder of the Founder of the

HsiaHsia

““Huangdi”Huangdi” – – EmperorEmperor

““Huangdi”Huangdi” – – EmperorEmperor

The “Yellow The “Yellow Emperor.” Emperor.”

Legend has it that Legend has it that he ruled for over he ruled for over 100 years. 100 years.

Associated with theAssociated with the invention of invention of wheeled vehicles, wheeled vehicles, ships, armor, ships, armor, pottery, and pottery, and silk-making. silk-making.

Emperor FuxiEmperor FuxiEmperor FuxiEmperor Fuxi Mythical Mythical HsiaHsia ruler. ruler.

Taught the Taught the Chinese how Chinese how to read and to read and write, write, according to according to legend. legend.

Hsia Plaque, Hsia Plaque, 1700 BCE1700 BCE

Hsia Plaque, Hsia Plaque, 1700 BCE1700 BCE

The Shang Dynasty (ca 1500−ca 1050 B.C)

Sometime after 2000 B.C.E. the Shang Dynasty emerged in the north China plain.

• The Shang was a central power, allied with some local powers and at war with others.

• Shang kingship was based on military power and the king’s priestly role.

• Shang palaces were magnificent, but nothing of them remains today.

• The Shang kings had sufficient authority and resources to mobilize large numbers of people for their military campaigns and construction projects.

• Shang society was highly stratified. • The royal family and aristocracy lived in large houses. • Shang farmers were essentially serfs.

Bronze Age Bronze Age EmpiresEmpires

Bronze Age Bronze Age EmpiresEmpires

Shang: Shang: 1523-1028 1523-1028 BCEBCE

Shang: Shang: 1523-1028 1523-1028 BCEBCE

Oracle BonesOracle BonesOracle BonesOracle Bones

Oracle Bones Oracle Bones CalendarCalendar

Oracle Bones Oracle Bones CalendarCalendar

Writing

• The Chinese writing system was perfected during this period.

• Writing facilitated the development of a bureaucratic state.

• Chinese script was logographic. • This restricted literacy to a tiny elite. • China’s logographic writing system had

important advantages. • Many of China’s neighbors adopted the

Chinese script.

The Evolution of The Evolution of ChineseChinese

Writing during the Writing during the ShangShang

The Evolution of The Evolution of ChineseChinese

Writing during the Writing during the ShangShang

PictograpPictographshs

Semantic-Semantic-PhoneticsPhonetics

Axe Scepter – Axe Scepter – 1100 BCE1100 BCE - jade- jade

Axe Scepter – Axe Scepter – 1100 BCE1100 BCE - jade- jade

Ceremonial Dagger – Ceremonial Dagger – 1028 BCE1028 BCE

Ceremonial Dagger – Ceremonial Dagger – 1028 BCE1028 BCE

Bronzes

• During the Shang period, bronze had an important place in ritual.

• Modern scholars disagree about the significance of the decoration on Shang bronzes.

• Bronze making spread beyond the territory controlled by the Shang kings.

ShangShangUrnUrn

ShangShangUrnUrn

Shang Shang BronzesBronzesShang Shang

BronzesBronzes

Ritual Wine Vessel Ritual Wine Vessel – bronze, – bronze, 13c BCE13c BCE

Ritual Wine Vessel Ritual Wine Vessel – bronze, – bronze, 13c BCE13c BCE

The Zhou Dynasty (ca 1050−256 B.C.E.)

– Zhou Politics • The Zhou of the Wei basin conquered the

Shang Dynasty in the eleventh century B.C.E.

• They assimilated well with the Shang. • The Zhou originated the political concept of

the Mandate of Heaven.

• Early Zhou rulers established a decentralized system of government.

– By 800 B.C.E. Zhou territory was divided into approximately 200 domains.

– In such a system, the control of the king was always tenuous.

• As new border states emerged, they eventually defeated the Zhou king in 771 B.C.E.

• Over time, China descended into a period of constant fighting known as the Warring States Period (403−221 B.C.E.).

Western Zhou:Western Zhou: 1027-771 BCE1027-771 BCE

Western Zhou:Western Zhou: 1027-771 BCE1027-771 BCE

Eastern Zhou:Eastern Zhou: 771-771-256 BCE256 BCE

Eastern Zhou:Eastern Zhou: 771-771-256 BCE256 BCE

Ritual Food Vessel, Ritual Food Vessel, bronze bronze

11c BCE11c BCE (Western Zhou) (Western Zhou)

Ritual Food Vessel, Ritual Food Vessel, bronze bronze

11c BCE11c BCE (Western Zhou) (Western Zhou)

Pendant of a Dancer Pendant of a Dancer - jade - jade

3c BCE (Eastern 3c BCE (Eastern Zhou)Zhou)

Pendant of a Dancer Pendant of a Dancer - jade - jade

3c BCE (Eastern 3c BCE (Eastern Zhou)Zhou)

Ritual Wine Vessel Ritual Wine Vessel – 4c– 4c

bronze, silver, bronze, silver, gold, coppergold, copper

Ritual Wine Vessel Ritual Wine Vessel – 4c– 4c

bronze, silver, bronze, silver, gold, coppergold, copper

Zhou Coins - Zhou Coins - bronzebronze

Zhou Coins - Zhou Coins - bronzebronze

““T’ien Ming”T’ien Ming”““T’ien Ming”T’ien Ming”The Mandate of The Mandate of

HeavenHeavenThe Mandate of The Mandate of

HeavenHeaven

1.1.The leader must lead by ability The leader must lead by ability and and virtue. virtue.

2.2.The dynasty's leadership must The dynasty's leadership must be be justified by succeeding justified by succeeding generations.generations.

3.3.The mandate could be revoked The mandate could be revoked by by negligence and abuse; the will negligence and abuse; the will of of the people was important. the people was important.

TheDynastic

Cycle

TheDynastic

Cycle

A new dynasty

comes to power.

A new dynasty

comes to power.

Lives of common people improved;

taxes reduced;farming encouraged.

Lives of common people improved;

taxes reduced;farming encouraged.

Problems begin(extensive wars,invasions, etc.)

Problems begin(extensive wars,invasions, etc.)

Taxes increase;men forced towork for army.

Farming neglected.

Taxes increase;men forced towork for army.

Farming neglected.

Govt. increasesspending; corruption.

Govt. increasesspending; corruption.

Droughts,floods,

famines occur.

Droughts,floods,

famines occur.

Poor loserespect for govt.They join rebels

& attack landlords.

Poor loserespect for govt.They join rebels

& attack landlords.

Rebel bands findstrong leader who

unites them.Attack the emperor.

Rebel bands findstrong leader who

unites them.Attack the emperor.

Emperor isdefeated !!

Emperor isdefeated !!

The emperorreforms the govt.& makes it more

efficient.

The emperorreforms the govt.& makes it more

efficient.

Start here

Zhou Society

Early Zhou society was based on aristocracy.

• By the middle of this period, cities had been founded all over China.

• During the Warring States period the old aristocratic society was undermined by competition between the states and advances in military technology.

• Social mobility within the elite also increased during this period.

• Peripheral territories began to participate in the culture of the “Central States.”

The Golden Age of Chinese Philosophy

– Confucius and his Followers • Confucius (traditional dates, 551−479

B.C.E.) spent most of his life teaching the sons of the aristocracy.

• Confucius believed that the family was the basic unit of society.

• A Confucian gentleman was a man of integrity, education, and culture.

• The Confucian gentleman used these qualities to serve his ruler.

• The ultimate Confucian virtue was ren.

• Confucius emphasized the importance of study.

• Mencius (ca 370−ca 300 B.C.E.) and Xunzi (ca 310−ca 215 B.C.E.) were the most important of Confucius’ followers.

• Mencius spent much of his life trying to convince rulers to adopt his ideas.

• Mencius believed that human nature was fundamentally good.

• Xunzi believed that people are born selfish and only acquire morals through study and ritual.

• Xunzi applied his experience working in the court of his home state to his philosophy.

• The Confucian vision of the family is still central to Chinese thinking today.

– Mozi • Mozi (ca 450 B.C.E.) challenged

Confucius’ ideas, arguing that rulers should choose their advisors on the basis of merit.

• Mozi believed that all ideas should be evaluated on the basis of utility.

• Mozi’s vision of the merit principle and his critique of extravagance were eventually absorbed into Confucianism.

Daoism

In contrast to Confucians who focused on human action, Daoists focused on the natural order as a whole.

• The two major sources of information about early Daoism are the Laozi and Zhuangzi.

• According to Daoism, almost all purposeful actions are counterproductive.

• Although Daoism can be seen as a response to Confucianism, many Chinese were attracted to aspects of both systems of thought.

Legalism

Legalists argued that strong government depended on clear and effective laws, not on the moral status of rulers.

• Under the leadership of its chief minister Lord Shang (d. 338 B.C.E.), the state of Qin adopted many legalist principles.

• Han Feizi (d. 233 B.C.E.) promoted legalism in the decades following Lord Shang’s death.

• Legalists sought to constrain officials and regulate the common people.

• Legalists discouraged public debate and private opinion.

Yin and Yang

• The previously discussed philosophies had important long-term consequences for Chinese history. They were not, however, the only schools of thought in the late Zhou period.

• Theorists about the concepts of yin and yang deserve special mention.

• Recent study has also uncovered records that shed light on the importance of popular religion to the development of Chinese early thought.

551 – 479 B.C.E.

Born in the feudal state of Liu.

Became a teacher and editor of books.

Li --> Rite, rules, ritual decorum (Binding force of an enduring stable society)

Ren --> humaneness, benevolence, humanity

Shu --> Reciprocity, empathy Do not do unto others what you would

not want others to do unto you. Yi --> Righteousness Xiao --> Filial Piety (Respect your elders!)

1. Ruler Subject

2. Father Son

3. Husband

Wife

4. Older Brother

YoungerBrother

5. Older Friend

YoungerFriend

Status

Age

Gender

The single most important Confucian work.

In Chinese, it means “conversation.”

Focus on practicalities of interpersonal relationships and the relationship of the role of rulers and ministers to the conduct of government.

Knowing what he knows and knowing what he doesn’t know, is characteristics of the person who knows.

Making a mistake and not correcting it, is making another mistake.

The superior man blames himself; the inferior man blames others.

To go too far is as wrong as to fall short.

372 - 289 B.C.E.

Disciple of Confucius.

Starts off with the assumption that “people are basically good.”

If someone does something bad, education, not punishment, is the answer.

Good people will mend their ways in accordance to their inherent goodness.

The emperor is the example of proper behavior --> “big daddy”

Social relationships are based on “rites” or “rituals.”

Even religious rituals are important for SOCIAL, not religious reasons, acc. to Confucius.

INDIA 1. Brahmin

CHINA 1. Scholar-Gentry

2. Kshatriyas 2. Peasants

3. Vaishyas

4. Shudras

3. Artisans

4. Merchants

Untouchables

Soldiers Imperial Nobility Domestic Slaves

280? - 233 B.C.E.

Han Fe Zi.

Lived during the late Warring States period.

Legalism became the political philosophy of the Qin [Ch’in] Dynasty.

1. Human nature is naturally selfish. 2. Intellectualism and literacy is

discouraged. 3. Law is the supreme authority and

replaces morality. 4. The ruler must rule with a strong,

punishing hand.

5. War is the means of strengthening a ruler’s power.

One who favors the principle that individuals should obey a powerful authority rather than exercise individual freedom.

The ruler, therefore, “cracks his whip” on the backs of his subjects!

Not sure when he died. [604 B.C.E. - ?]

His name means “Old Master”

Was he Confucius’ teacher?

The basic text of Daoism.

In Chinese, it means The Classic in the Way and Its Power.

“Those who speak know nothing: Those who know are silent.” These words, I am told, Were spoken by Laozi. If we are to believe that Laozi, Was himself one who knew, How is it that he wrote a book, Of five thousand words?

1. Dao [Tao] is the first-cause of the universe. It is a force that flows through all life.

2. A believer’s goal is to become one with Dao; one with nature.

3. Wu wei --> “Let nature take its course.” --> “The art of doing nothing.” --> “Go with the flow!”

4. Man is unhappy because he lives acc. to man-made laws, customs, & traditions that are contrary to the ways of nature.

1. Rejecting formal knowledge and learning.

2. Relying on the senses and instincts. 3. Discovering the nature and

“rhythm” of the universe. 4. Ignoring political and social laws.

To escape the “social, political, & cultural traps” of life, one must escape by:

Masculine Active Light Warmth Strong Heaven; Sun

Feminine Passive Darkness Cold Weak Earth; Moon

How is a man to live in a world dominated by chaos, suffering, and absurdity??

Confucianism --> Moral order in society.

Legalism --> Rule by harsh law & order.

Daoism --> Freedom for individuals and less govt. to avoid uniformity and conformity.