China during the Classical Period

Chapter 2

China

Hallmarks of Chinese Society

What do you notice about China’s geography? What role does this play?– a world view, the Middle Kingdom =

Belief that China is center of world (geographically & culturally)

Other core values: Family = central social unit

Cyclical view of nature

Results of Core Chinese Values?

Government organization– Dynasties (Ruling families)

History seen as cycles traced by dynasty Classical Era: Zhou -> Qin -> Han

Foundational religion– Ancestor veneration & natural spirits

Oracle bones Rituals performed to honor ancestors Male descendants perform ancestral offerings Land key to rituals

Timeline Preview

1029-771 BCE: Zhou Peak of Zhou dynasty Decentralized rule

– King as ritual authority & military organizer

– Appointed family members to rule provinces

Most governing done by regional provincial lords

770-403 BCE: Zhou Zhou in decline as regional provinces

exercise more independence– Zhou kings remain as ceremonial

authority, but…– Provinces no longer forward tax revenue

or muster soldiers

402-221 BCE: Zhou Warring States Cultural flowering (philosophies)

– Confucianism, Daoism, Legalism

221-202 BCE: Qin Shi Huangdi = 1st emperor

Centralized, harsh rule:– an empire is born

Legalist, burned books of rival ideas Built roads, standardization

202 BCE – 9 CE: Han Centralized, but less harsh Military strength expanded territory to

West– Silk Road & economic expansion

Created ministries to execute emperor’s wishes– How to choose ministers?– Civil Service Exams

25 CE – 220: Han Han dynasty in decline

– Crushing expenses of military expansion– Growing social divide between rich &

poor

220 – 589: no central authority

Regional kingdoms, but era dominated by warfare, chaos, disorder– Buddhism spreads from India

589 – 618: Sui

Geography

Continents vs. Regions

Overarching Idea Economic conditions and religion are

key components in legitimizing or undermining government.

Zhou dynasty– First dynasty to unite large area– Forced to justify rule:

Wickness of Shang

…but why Zhou? Mandate of Heaven – emperors claimed

to rule with the favor of heaven

Historical Background of Philosophies

What happens to Mandate when things go wrong? –famine, flood, etc

Decline of Zhou led Chinese to question how to resume greatness

So, new philosophies developed– Confucianism– Daoism– Legalism

Used to legitimize government, so after Zhou dynasties = “empires”

Philosophies Confucianism

– Goal = wanted to create an orderly, peaceful China– Stressed = Filial Piety (respect for family & authority)– Summarized by = Five Relationships

Ruler > ruled Father > son Husband > wife Older brother > younger brother Friend = friend

Consider the importance of family in the following conversation:Governor of Shi province says to Confucius, “In our village there is a man nicknamed Straight Body. When his father stole a sheep, he gave evidence against him.”

Confucius replies, “In our village those who are straight are quite different. Fathers cover up for their sons, and sons cover up for their fathers.”

Philosophies Daoism (“Dao” = the way)

– Stressed = Harmony, balance w/ nature, & passiveness

– Summarized by = – “Those who know the Dao do not speak of it; those

who speak of it do not know it.”

Legalism– Stressed = Belief in the rule of law– Summarized by = Rewards & punishments must be

used to get people to behave

Qin & Legalism

3 of 3

terra cotta army of Shi Huangdi’s tomb

Han & Confucianism…sort of

Who would you give government jobs to if you were President?

Han Dynasty= – Layers of legitimacy (blending earlier ideas )

Mandate of Heaven Legalism Confucianism Civil Service Exams

– Impact = meritocracy, fosters new loyalty for opportunity, professional & effective gov’t

Overarching Idea Economic conditions and religion are

key components in legitimizing or undermining government.

Philosophies Review

Confucianism, Daoism, Legalism

“The relationship between superiors & inferiors is like that between the wind and the grass. The grass must bend when the wind

blows across it.” Confucian

“Keep your mouth closed.Guard your senses.

Temper your sharpness.Simplify your problems.Mask your brightness.

Be at one with the dust of the earth.This is primal union.”

Daoist

“When people are educated, the distinction between classes disappears.”

Confucian

“A youth, when at home should be filial, and, when abroad, respectful to his elders.”

Confucian

“Kindness and benevolence are the foster-mother of transgressions;

employment and promotion are opportunities for the rapacity of the wicked.”

Legalist

“The world is a sacred vessel. It should not be meddled with. It should not be owned. If you try to meddle with it, you will ruin it. If you try to own it,

you will lose it.”Daoist

“Let the emperor be emperor and

the subject be the subject.”Confucian

“The superior man…does not set his mind either for anything, or against anything; what

is right he will follow.”Confucian

“The enlightened ruler, in ruling his country, increases the guards and makes the penalties

heavier.”Legalist

“When it is left to follow its natural feelings, human nature will do good. That’s why I say it is good. If it becomes evil, it is not the fault of

man’s original capability.”Confucian

Thesis Practice Analyze the similarities and

differences in ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt.

Analyze the similarities and differences in the Qin and Han dynasties.

Analyzes the impacts of Confucianism on Chinese society.

Explain the history of classical China using examples to support patterns seen

in the dynastic cycle