Classical India and Classical India and China China

221 B.C.- A.D. 450

Overview of Classical Overview of Classical CivilizationsCivilizations

Great interaction between Europe Great interaction between Europe and Asiaand Asia

Civilizations experience a “Golden Civilizations experience a “Golden Age” Age”

Institutions are greatly developedInstitutions are greatly developedClassical civilizations: India, China, Classical civilizations: India, China,

Hellenistic Civilization, RomeHellenistic Civilization, Rome

Empires in IndiaEmpires in India

Mauryan Empire (303 BC-232 BC)◦Chandragupta Maurya (had a large army and

high taxes) Unified the Northern part of India Follows rules for governing a large empire---

suggested a highly bureaucratic government, divided the empire, etc. (much like Rome)

IndiaIndia

Mauryan Empire◦Asoka’s Accomplishments (grandson of

Chandragupta) After a bloody war (100,000 civilians and soldiers

dead) Asoka urges religious toleration and nonviolence in a diverse area (Hinduism and Buddhism)

Extensive roads built for transportation and communication, including rest stops

Decline of Mauryan EmpireDecline of Mauryan Empire

After Asoka’s death:◦Political instability◦Power hungry regional leaders◦500 years of instability with Greeks, Persians,

and Central Asians moving into India

Empires in IndiaEmpires in India

Guptan Empire (320 AD-450 AD)Guptan Empire (320 AD-450 AD)◦Chaundra Gupta (not to be confused with Chaundra Gupta (not to be confused with

Chandragupta), Samudra Gupta, Chaundra Chandragupta), Samudra Gupta, Chaundra Gupta II (empire reaches its height) (“Golden Gupta II (empire reaches its height) (“Golden Age”)Age”)

◦Economy:Economy: Farming: very importantFarming: very important Silk Roads: Indians acted as MIDDLE MEN, sea Silk Roads: Indians acted as MIDDLE MEN, sea

trade with Europe (Rome) and Africa, SE Asiatrade with Europe (Rome) and Africa, SE Asia Effects of trade: Banking system, loans, cultural Effects of trade: Banking system, loans, cultural

diffusiondiffusion

Guptan EmpireGuptan Empire

Society (most Indian families were patriarchal)◦Role of women: in southern India, Tamil people

were matriarchal◦Social classes: caste system, small villages,

craftspeople and merchants live in special districts

◦Religion: revival in Buddhism and Hinduism

Decline of the Guptan EmpireDecline of the Guptan Empire

Chandra Gupta II death:◦Invaders again threatened northern India

Zhou Dynasty Zhou Dynasty 1046-256 BCE1046-256 BCE

The Zhou people overthrew the Shang dynasty and seized power of the government

Mandate of Heaven◦A just emperor has divine approval from the ancestral spirits to rule China.

◦Natural disasters, rebellions, and assassinations indicate that the emperor has lost the Mandate of Heaven.

Introduction of Iron and CoinsIntroduction of Iron and Coins

Zhou PoliticsZhou Politics

Western Zhou◦Era when Zhou rulers maintained control through

feudal system, which ended when northern nomads invaded.

Feudalism◦Political system in which nobles are granted the use

of lands that legally belong to the king. In return, nobles protect people on their land and give loyalty to the king.

Eastern Zhou◦Period of Warring States

Nobles become more powerful than their ruler and begin to fight each other for territory and wealth.

66th th c. Chinese Philosophersc. Chinese Philosophers

• ConfuciusConfucius Lao Tzu

Dynasties in ChinaDynasties in China

Qin Dynasty (221 BC-202 BC) led by Shi Huangdi◦Legalism/autocracy form of government◦Great Wall---constructed to keep out northern

invaders (notice that both India and China are invaded from the north)

Great Wall of China1400 miles longBuilt to repel nomadic invasions

Terra Cotta Army

Decline of the QinDecline of the Qin

Social unrest Peasant revoltWeak ineffective rulers

Dynasties in ChinaDynasties in China

Han Dynasty (202 BC-220AD)Han Dynasty (202 BC-220AD)◦Notable RulersNotable Rulers

Liu Bang and his wife Empress Lu (ruled for her Liu Bang and his wife Empress Lu (ruled for her son)son)◦UnifiedUnified◦Centralized beauracratic governmentCentralized beauracratic government◦Destroyed rivals and increased their powerDestroyed rivals and increased their power

Wu DiWu Di◦Expanded empire through warExpanded empire through war◦Colonized NE and SE ChinaColonized NE and SE China◦Boundaries similar to present-day ChinaBoundaries similar to present-day China

China’s Government and China’s Government and EconomyEconomy

Bureaucracy: way of organizing government, used civil servants (exams was based on Confucianism philosophy, mainly upper class)

Technology: improves government and economy: paper (more convenient for record keeping), harness, and plow

Monopoly: Chinese use this to protect their secret of silk making

China’s Government and China’s Government and EconomyEconomy

Chinese culture: assimilation is valued over toleration; helps to unify the empire

Decline of the HanDecline of the Han

Political instabilityPolitical instabilityRich vs. poorRich vs. poorEconomic imbalanceEconomic imbalancePeasant revoltPeasant revolt