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

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

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

BCE: Zhou  Warring States  Cultural flowering (philosophies) –Confucianism, Daoism, Legalism

BCE: Qin  Shi Huangdi = 1 st 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