1. Classical Era in the East Chapter 4 section 4 Chapter 7
Essential Questions:
How did the caste system influence India?
How did Confucianism affect politics in China?
What were the major accomplishments of the civilizations of India and China during the “Classical Era”?
How did these civilizations compare with the civilizations of the West?
What factors contributed to the rise and fall of empires and dynasties in the East?

2. China and India Vocabulary
* Use post-it notes, write the term on the top, the picture on the under side, and the definition on the notebook under the post-it. Bureaucracy Confucianism Hinduism Islam Civil service

3. Major Beliefs of Hinduism
Gods
Reincarnation
Karma
Sacred Objects
Hindus believe that there are many gods and goddesses. Each of these gods, however, is a manifestation of on Supreme Being.
Hindus believe that at death, a person’s soul is reborn as another living thing. This creates an endless cycle of rebirth for each soul.
It refers to a person’s behavior in life, which Hindus belief determines that person’s form in the next life. People who live a good life will be reborn in a higher caste. Those who do not are reborn in a lower caste.
Hindus believe the Ganges River is sacred and has the power to wash away sin and evil. The cow is also considered sacred, and religious Hindus do not eat beef.

4. Caste system
Warriors
Priests
Peasants
Landowners
untouchables

5. Major Beliefs of Buddhism
Basic Philosophy – Buddhism is based on the philosophy of self-denial and meditation. Buddhists also believe in reincarnation.
Gods and Holy Books – Buddhists do not believe in a single Supreme Being. They also do not have a primary holy book. Their basic beliefs are found in book called Sutras.
Four Noble Truths – These truths explain life’s meaning. They explain that pain and suffering is caused by human desires, such as the desire for material wealth and selfish pleasures. Only by giving up wrongful desires can a person find peace and harmony.
Eightfold Path – To give up selfish human desires. Buddhists believe one should follow this path: have the right goals, have the right perspectives, be aware, act in a worthy manner, speak truthfully, live righteously, respect all living things, and meditate.
Nirvana – by following the Eightfold Path, an individual can escape the soul’s endless reincarnations and achieve nirvana – a state of eternal peace and bliss.

6. Indian Empires
Create a Venn diagram comparing the Mauryan and the Gupta empires.
Which similarity do you consider most important? Explain

7. Mauryan
Both
Gupta
Chandragupta used spies
Asoka followed the teachings of Buddha
Unified through force
Required high taxes
Lasted for about 100 years
Defeated the Shakas
Period of great cultural achievements
Invaded by Hunas

8. Indian Culture
Create the diagram below, list one or more specific developments in Indian culture
Religion
Literature/Arts
Science/Math
Trade

9. Religion
Mahayana Buddhism
Hinduism became more personal
Literature/Arts
Buddhist sculpture
Kalidasa wrote Shakuntala
Science/Math
The decimal system
Medical guides
Trade
Profited from Silk Roads trade
Traded with Rome, Africa, SE Asia, Arabia, and China

10. Major Beliefs of Confucianism
Natural Order – there is a natural order to the universe and to human relationships. Each person had a role in society, which reflects his or her position in the universe.
Role of Each Person – each person’s social role brings a number of obligations. If everyone fulfills these roles by meeting their obligations, people and society will be in harmony.
Relationships – in each relationship, there is a superior and an inferior. The superior must show love and responsibility, while the inferior must show loyalty and obedience.
Mandate of Heaven – if the ruler benefits his people and provides them with food and protection, then the people will obey their ruler, who will continue to hold the Mandate of Heaven (the right to rule).

11. Chinese Ethical Systems
Confucianism
Daoism
Legalism
Social order, harmony, and good government should be based on family relationships
The natural order is more important than the social order
A highly efficient and powerful government is the key to social order
Respect for parents and elders is important to well-ordered society
A universal force guides all things
Punishments are useful to maintain social order
Education is important both to the welfare of the individual and to society
Human beings should live simply and in harmony with nature
Thinkers and their ideas should be strictly controlled by the government

12. ROLE OF MANDATE OF HEAVEN
Strong dynasty establishes peace and prosperity: it is considered to have Mandate of Heaven
In time, dynasty declines and becomes corrupt; taxes are raised; power grows weaker.
The new dynasty gains power, restores peace and order, and claims to have Mandate of Heaven
ROLE OF MANDATE OF HEAVEN
Dynasty is overthrown through rebellion and bloodshed; a new dynasty emerges.
Disaster such as floods, famines, peasant revolts, and invasions occur.
Old dynasty is seen as having lost Mandate of Heaven; rebellion is justified.

13. How to look at a Quote or a Document
Who is the author?
Who is the audience?
What is the time period?
What are the words you do not understand? And what do those words mean?
Summarize or put into your own words what the quote or document is saying.

14. Quote
“Guide the people with governmental measures and control or regulate them by the threat of punishment, and the people will try to keep out of jail, but will have no sense of honor or shame. Guide the people by virtue and control or regulate them by li (moral rules and customs), and the people will have a sense of honor and respect.”
Confucius, The Analects

15. Two Great Empires: Han China and Rome
Han Dynasty 202 bce – 220ce
Roman Empire 27bce – 476ce
Empire replaced rival kingdoms
Centralized, bureaucratic government
Built roads and defensive walls
Conquered many diverse peoples in regions bordering China
At its height – area of 1.5 million square miles and population of 60 million
Chinese became common written language throughout empire
Ongoing conflict with nomads
Empire fell apart; restored by Tang dynasty in 618ce
Empire replaced republic
Centralized, bureaucratic government
Built road and defensive wall
Conquered many diverse peoples in regions of three continents
At its height – area of 3.4 million square miles and population of 55 million
Latin did not replace other written languages in empire
Ongoing conflict with nomads
Empire fell apart; never restored

16. Classical China and India Ideas and Instituions
Fundamental Ideas and Institutions
China
*Confucianism
*Civil Service, extensive bureaucracy
India
*Calendar based on the cycles of the sun 365 days in a year
*Modern numerals, zero and the decimal system
*Hinduism
*Caste System

17. Classical China and India Cultural Diffusion Patterns and Barriers
Culture
Cultural Spread
Isolation
India
Spread of religions to Asia
Himalayas Mountains
China
*Buddhism spread from India
*Silk Road – opportunity for diffusion
The Great Wall

18. Classical Civilizations of India
Mauryan
Location
Characteristics
Achievements
Gupta
Location
Characteristics
Achievements

19. The Classical Civilizations of China
Qin
Location
Characteristics
Achievements
Han
Location
Characteristics
Achievements

20. Pulling It All Together
Select 2 of the civilizations you learned about in this unit. Describe two achievement or contributions of these civilizations, and explain why they are still important to our world today.