CLASSICAL CIVILIZATIONS

India and China

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CLASSICAL AND PRECEDING ERA Each classical civilization was separate but there was trade

between them.

What occurred within each civilization makes this period what it is, not the interaction between them

India

Harappan civilization developed along the Indus river.

Scientists believe the civilization ended because of earthquakes and changes in climate.

CLASSICAL INDIA

ARYANS

The Aryans migrated (relocated to a new region) to India

They were nomads who spoke Sanskrit.

Aryans shift to the Ganges River

ARYAN SOCIETY

The Aryan society was divided into classes.

A social class that a person belongs to by birth is called a caste.

THE CASTE SYSTEM• Level 1: The Brahmins (priests)

• Level 2: The Kshatriyas (warriors/nobles)

• Level 3: The Vaisyas (traders and farmers)

• Level 4: The Sudras (common laborers)

• Untouchables: This group included those that worked at “unclean” jobs.

ARYAN RELIGION

The Aryan religion was Brahmanism.

The Aryan’s wrote the Vedas, a collection of songs to their gods.

Over time Brahmanism developed into Hinduism.

HINDUISM

Holy book - The Bhagavad GitaBeliefs – Polytheistic (many gods)Reincarnation – each person has many livesKarma – Your actions in this life decide your

next lifeMany paths to God – You can reach God in

many ways

BUDDHISM

Buddhism developed in India

Based on teaching of Siddhartha Gautama who became Buddha.

Leader – Buddha (enlightened one)

Nirvana – perfect peace

MAURYAN EMPIRE

Chandragupta took control of India along the Ganges in 322 BC

Established the Mauryan Empire

Used the military and spies to stay in power

His grandson, Ashoka, became the greatest ruler in Indian history (269- 232 BC)

The Mauryan Empire at its height

MAURYAN EMPIRE

Ashoka’s accomplishments

• Control over most of India

• Converted to Buddhism (emphasis on Dharma- the law of moral consequences)

• Spread Buddhism throughout his empire

• He worked for the welfare of his people

GUPTA EMPIRE

Chandra Gupta II was the greatest ruler of the family.

The caste system helped them maintain order without the need for government

Used negotiations and marriage to expand influence instead of war

Their period was one of peace and prosperity

INDIAN ACHIEVEMENTS Indian astronomers identified seven planets, Developed steel that was better than any

produced elsewhere The Indian number system is the one we use

today. Architecture developed use of stones and use

of pyramid shaped roof (not flat) Spread their culture through trade

IMPORTANT PEOPLE AND THINGS

Mohandas Gandhi – practiced ahimsa (nonviolence) and lead India to independence from Britain through nonviolent protests.

Kalidasa – great writer of plays

Drama – Men and women performed dramas through India.

Art and Sculpture – based on Hindu and Buddhist subjects

Angkor Wat - Cambodia

EARLY DEVELOPMENT

Developed along river valleys between Yangtze and Huang He rivers

Isolated by mountains, deserts, and waterFew outside influences

Shang family started a dynasty (a family or group that rules for several generations)

Spoke to the gods through oracle bones (animal bones)

Writing style was pictographs (drawings that represent words or ideas)

The Shang Dynasty

The Shang Dynasty

1029 – 258 BCE

Zhou people, led by Wu Wang, defeated the Shang family.

Gained control through Mandate of Heaven (idea that when a ruler was bad they would lose heaven’s favor)

Government – Zhou put family members or friends in charge of regions as lords.

PHILOSOPHIES - LEGALISM

Legalism -

Efficient and powerful government is needed for social order

Harsh punishments are needed to keep social order

Ideas should be controlled by the government

PHILOSOPHIES - CONFUCIANISM

Confucianism – Led by Confucius

Social order and good government should be based on family relationships

Respect for elders helps to create order in society

Education helps to improve both individuals and society

PHILOSOPHIES - DAOISM

Daoism – Led by LaoziThe natural order (relationship among

all living things) matters more than social order

A universal force called Dao (the way) guides all things

Humans should learn to live in harmony with nature.

Established and ruled by Qin Shi Huangdi (first true emperor)

Expansion through conquering

Followed Legalism

Began construction of the Great Wall

Buried with army of terracotta soldiers.

Built highways and irrigation projects

Set high taxes to pay for projects

Set standard weights and measures, coins and writing

Qin “knife”/ money

201 BCE to 220 CE

Led by Liu Bang

Kept Qin’s centralized government

• Set up a bureaucracy – a system of departments to carry out the work of government

• Established civil service exam based on ideals of Confucianism

141 BC to 87 BCWudi expanded the empire through warPracticed assimilation (adopt the cultural or

social traditions of a group) Forced Chinese farmers to marry conquered

people and taught them Confucianism

Expanded trade on Silk Road (trade routes along which silk and other Chinese goods were traded)

Shared culture by coming into contact with traders

Buddhism spread through missionaries on the Silk Roads

CHINESE ACHIEVEMENTS

Improved the plowDeveloped wheelbarrow and water millsInvented paperDeveloped silk