Chapters 2 and 3: The Classical Period in China and India AP World History, Mr. Bartula

The Classical Era ca 1000 BCE- ca 500 CE

What is a Classical Period? A period of advanced civilization Technology Cross cultural trade and contact Ethical religion and philosophy Population growth Syncretism

Ca 1000 BCE—500 CE Technological Developments Iron metallurgy Hittites (Asia Minor ca 1200 BCE) Stronger and more versatile than bronze Levers, inclined planes, pulleys, wedges, wheels, sails Power from human and animal labor

Ruins of Hattusas, the Hittite Capital

Population changes Population growth in civilized areas Diseases in civilized areas spread to hunter-gathering societies. Many diseases became endemic in civilized areas Exposure to pathogens caused virulent epidemics among other societies Isolation caused substantially less disease in the Americas, Australia, and the Pacific Islands: Virgin soil areas.

Gender Structures Patriarchal societies Patrilocal structure Philosophies and religions considered women necessary, but inferior to men. Women had little access to education or economic power

Religious Changes in the Classical Era The Axial Age ca 800 BCE- 200 BCE Zoroaster ca 600 BCE Isaiah and the “Age of the Prophets” 770-600 BCE Confucius 551-479 BCE and Laozi 606-530 BCE Upanishad texts ca 550 BCE, Buddha 563-483 BCE Greek philosophy

Zoroaster Dualism Apocalyptic Ahura-Mazda vs Ahriman Devas

Hebrew Monotheism Growing emphasis on personal God of morality Early Hebrews worshipped Elohim (plural for “lords”) or El Shaddai “God the Mountaineer” Henotheism

Moses: El Shaddai became YHWH (Yahweh) Transcendant Monotheism

Isaiah and the Prophets God of Righteousness Ethics: do right, show mercy, punish evil, do justice to ensure harmonious society

Classical Age China Later Zhou Dynasty Period of weak central government Ca 600 BCE, only eight or nine large states remained

Warring States Period Large population (There is no point in history in which China has not been the most heavily populated region.) Large, conscripted armies led by professional soldiers Professional governing class developed

“The Period of the One Hundred Schools” 551-233 BCE The most creative period in Chinese philosophy All the major schools of Chinese philosophy began

Confucianism Kung fu tzu 551-479 BCE “Master Kung” Born in province of Lu Early successful political career Dismissed from government service Became itinerant teacher

The Analects Confucius’ teachings, recorded by his students

What is the right way to live? Determine the right pattern to live and govern by. Do this by studying the past. Follow rituals, which are prescribed for conduct of every day life. Neglecting ritual demonstrates moral anarchy.

Confucianism’s Basic Tenets Confucius’ teachings have been followed by more people for more generations than any other human being. Confucianism has influenced the development of Chinese and other East Asian civilizations: Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, etc.

What is the chief goal of Confucianism? An orderly society Hierarchy Patriarchy The Emperor is the father of his people The past is the model for the present

The Shi An educated gentleman Kindly to those beneath him Obedient and respectful to those above him Criticism of those above is acceptable if done politely Shi-Bureaucrats

Jen Humaneness Humanity, benevolence, goodness, virtue Always follow the highest concepts of behavior, even if impractical or foolish.

Te Moral virtue All people are basically good

The Second Sage Mencius (Mong Ka) 372-289 BCE The foremost student of Confucius

Righteousness (i) The humaneness (jen) you show to others is influenced by the type of personal relationship you have to that person. Jen is displayed according to your positions and to the obligations you owe to the other.

Mencius and Confucius compared Both believed rulers were divinely placed to guarantee peace and order within their realms. Mencius believed that a ruler who failed to bring about peace and order could be replaced, and the people absolved of loyalty to him. People are basically good (te)

Xunzi (fl 298-238 BCE) The third great Confucian scholar Xunzi’s teachings are called “Legalism” People are fundamentally depraved, selfish, greedy, and lustful

How can people be “made” to be good? people could be made good through acculturation and education Xunzi’s pupil Han Fei Tzu believed people are made good by state laws

Laws should punish all actions that harm others or the state and reward actions that benefit others or the state.

Confucianism and Legalism Compared To Confucius, power is to be wielded for the benefit of the people. To the Legalists, power was to control individual selfishness

Legalism’s Influence Utilitarianism: people should have occupations that materially benefit others. “Rule of Law”: Law is supreme over every individual, including rulers Law must be uniformly applied, regardless of social standings (equality before the law)

Daoism Laozi 606-530 BCE “The Teachings of the Yellow Emperor and Laozi”

Tao te ching The teachings of Laozi

Daoism Behind all material things and all change in the world lies one fundamental, universal principle: The Dao (The Way)

Characteristics of Daoism Passivity Calm Non-striving (wu wei) Humility Lack of Planning

A Daoist Government Would: Not wage war Not be complex Not interfere in people’s lives Serve as a guide, not a governor

Later Daoists enocouraged mysticism and magic Many Chinese doctors were Daoists Feng Shui is a version of Daoism popular today.

Qin Dynasty China 256-206 BCE Shi Huangdi became “First Emperor” Conquered most of northern China by 221 BCE

Qin Developments Centralized government under Legalist principles Standardized weights and measures Public works and building programs Great Wall constructed to prevent invasions by Hsiung-nu

The Great Wall

Qin Cavalryman and horse

Bronze Chariot and Horses of Shi Huangdi

Tomb of Shi Huangdi

Diagram showing tomb as originally constructed

Fall of the Qin Dynasty “Ruthless efficiency” led to harsh, Legalistic rule Peasant Revolts over heavy taxation, forced labor Qin collapsed in 206 BC, four years after the death of the First Emperor

Han Dynasty 202 BCE-220 CE The Classical Period in Chinese history Legalism replaced by Confucianism “Shi-Bureaucrats” ran centralized government Standardization of coinage, weights and measures

Han Wudi 141-85 BCE Greatest and most powerful Han Emperor Defeated Hsiung-nu Expanded Chinese territory Increased Chinese influence in Central Asia Helped lead to establishment of the Silk Road

Classical Age India Culturally, linguistically, and ethnically diverse 14 major languages (most Indo-European) Indian culture synthesis of Harappan, Aryan, and other influences

We owe a lot to the Indians, who taught us how to count, without which no worthwhile scientific discovery could have been made. Albert Einstein. India is the cradle of the human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of history, the grandmother of legend and the great grand mother of tradition. Mark Twain. If there is one place on the face of earth where all dreams of living men have found a home from the very earliest days when man began the dream of existence, it is India . French scholar Romain Rolland.

Religions of South Asia

Hinduism Early Aryan history known as the “Rig-Vedic” Period (1700-1000 BCE) Rig-Vedas are the earliest religious texts of Hinduism Written in Sanskrit

Monotheism or Polytheism? Over 3000 gods and goddesses All considered aspects of Brahma, the overall

Shiva

Vishnu

Kali

The Hindu Caste System Brahmin (priests) Kshatriyas (warriors and rulers) Vaisyas (merchants) Sudras (peasants and laborers) Untouchables (people without caste, Chandala)

The four varnas (castes) originated in the sacrifice of the macrocosmic, primeval man, according to the Rig Veda. Brahmans: Head Kshatriyas: Shoulders Vaisyas: Thighs Sudras: Feet

Traditional Functions of the Castes Brahman: priests, thinkers, intellectuals Kshatriyas: rule, protect, maintain order Vaisyas: commerce and agriculture Sudras: more menial tasks Untouchables: work with polluting substances: leather, excrement, filth

Castes and Hierarchy Hierarchical rank according to purity and pollution Rituals and ceremonies in each caste serve as caste identifiers Ultimate punishment: excommunication from your caste

Consequences of the Caste System Individuals are judged by their caste, not by their abilities. Caste interaction discouraged Benefits the top castes to the detriment of the lower castes Some caste mobility through Sanskritization: groups within castes can gradually raise their status by emulating higher castes over several generations

The system has survived for centuries, meaning Hindu society remains stable Modern India has legal equality for all and guarantees basic human rights, but cultural discrimination against lower castes and untouchables continues

Hindu Religious texts Ramayana Mahabarata Upanishads Written in Sanskrit

Dharma: Life Path Karma : Fate Reincarnation

Siddhartha Gautama ca 563-483 BCE Born the son of a Kshatriya chief At age 29 assumed an ascetic lifestyle in search of Nirvana (Enlightenment) Known as Buddha “The Enlightened One”

The Four Noble Truths 1. All human life is suffering 2. All suffering is caused by desire End suffering by ending desire End desire by following the Eightfold Noble Path: right understanding, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration.

Selflessness Disapproval of violence, meat eating, animal sacrifice, and war Four Cardinal Virtues: friendliness, compassion, joy, and equanimity

Buddhism and Hinduism Compared Belief in reincarnation, the Brahma or “Universal Soul” Buddhism more egalitarian, no caste system Buddhism less patriarchal, women have equal chance to achieve Nirvana

Two Types of Buddhism Theravada Buddhism: philosophy rather than religion. Buddha a man, not god, practiced primarily in Sri Lanka Mahayana Buddhism: salvation religion. Buddha became a god, good and devout people can become bhoddisatvas: potential future Buddhas.

Mahayana Buddhism spread through India to China, East Asia Emphasis on repetition of prayers and devotions: prayer flags, prayer wheels, printing.

Buddhism in the Subcontinent

Buddha’s head : 2c Pakistan

Mandala: Wheel of Life Motif

Indian Contact with outside World Hinduism encouraged pilgrimages Mixing of Aryans with indigenous cultures encouraged syncretism 331 BCE Alexander the Great marched to the edge of India Greek and Indian culture began to intermix

Chandragupta Maurya 321-297 BCE Conquered Northern India, Indus Valley Established Mauryan Dynasty

Ashoka 272-232 BCE Last of the great Mauryan Emperors Aggressive, cruel conqueror in early life After the bloody conquest of Kalinga, Ashoka converted to Buddhism

Ashoka became a vegetarian and renounced warfare State would rule by right or law, not might Religious toleration Better treatment of women and lower castes Encouaged Buddhist expansion throughout India and Asia

Asoka’s law code Edicts scattered in more than 30 places in India, Nepal, Pakistan, & Afghanistan. Written mostly in Sanskrit, but one was in Greek and Aramaic. 10 rock edicts. Each pillar [stupa] is 40’-50’ high. Buddhist principles dominate his laws.

One of Asoka’s Stupas

During Ashoka’s reign Buddhism became dominant in India and threatened to wipe out Hinduism After Ashoka’s death, Hinduism revived and Buddhism declined

Reasons for India’s Religious Shift After Ashoka Hindu syncretism: Brahmins accepted Buddha as god, encouraged devotional cults and small sacrifices (personal worship and prayer), loosened caste restrictions and enhanced the role of women Buddhist withdrawal to monasteries, less active lives within India

Fa-Hsien: Life in Gupta India Chinese Buddhist monk traveled along the Silk Road and visited India in the 5c. He was following the path of the Buddha. He reported the people to be happy, relatively free of government oppression, and inclined towards courtesy and charity. Other references in the journal, however, indicate that the caste system was rapidly assuming its basic features, including "untouchability," the social isolation of a lowest class that is doomed to menial labor.

India Under The Gupta Dynasty 320-550 CE Hinduism dominant Heavy rice cultivation in Ganges valley Economic expansion due to Silk Road and Indian Ocean trade Cultural Flowering Indian cultural influence on Southeast Asia

International Trade Routes during the Guptas

Extensive Trade: 4c spices silks cotton goods rice & wheat spices horses gold & ivory gold & ivory cotton goods

Greatly influenced Southeast Asian art & architecture. Gupta Art Greatly influenced Southeast Asian art & architecture.

500 healing plants identified Printed medicinal guides Gupta Achievements 1000 diseases classified 500 healing plants identified Printed medicinal guides Kalidasa Literature Plastic Surgery Medicine Inoculations Gupta India C-sections performed Solar Calendar Astronomy Mathematics Decimal System The earth is round PI = 3.1416 Concept of Zero

Ajanta Cave

Ajanta Cave

Cave temple at Elephanta

Kalidasa, Gupta India’s greatest writer

The Classical Civilizations Han China Mauryan-Gupta India Greco-Rome