China During the time period that Ancient Greece, Rome and the Mauryan and Gupta empires existed, China was thriving. China is a classical civilization because it has contributed a great deal to later civilizations.

Geographic Setting Chinese civilization developed along the Huang He (Yellow) River, and the Yangtze River. Mountains, deserts and ocean contributed to China being more isolated than other civilizations Having little contact with other civilizations led the Chinese to believe China was the center of the earth, so they called it the Middle Kingdom

Huang He (Yellow River)

Yangtze River Flooding along the Yangtze River (below)

Shang Dynasty 1650 B.C. A Chinese family called the Shang took control Power was passed from family member to family member Dynasty: ruling family Polytheism Worship of dead ancestors Yin-Yang: the universe is held in a delicate balance between these two forces Chinese writing develops: tens of thousands of characters

Zhou Dynasty 1027 B.C. – 221 B.C. Zhou overthrow the Shang and establish a new dynasty The Zhou now acquired the Mandate of Heaven, the belief that the gods gave them the right to rule Established a feudal society – regions controlled by local lords who give military support to the ruler. Chinese began to make books Astronomers studied the stars and planets Developed a calendar Began to make silk from the cocoons of silkworms Develop roads and canals for trade

Chinese Silk Silk Worms Silk Robe

Dynastic Cycle

Qin Dynasty 221 B.C. – 206 B.C. Qin people overthrow the Zhou and rule The Qin dynasty now has the Mandate of Heaven Centralizes the government and creates military districts Emperor Shi Huangdi created national coins, repaired canals and roads, and promoted Chinese writing The Great Wall of China was started during the Qin Dynasty

Over 4000 Mile Long

Guarded by over 1Million Men

Close to 3 million will die during its construction

The Great Wall of China

Rise of the Han After Shi Hugandi’s death the Chinese people revolted against the Qin A new dynasty came to power: Han Harsh policies and taxes were reduced The Han expanded their empire through military conquests

Han Dynasty: Government 206 B.C. – A.D. 220 Emperor Wudi established civil service system to strengthen government Educated citizens would help run the government Exams were given based on the teachings of the Chinese philosopher: Confucius Imperial universities established to teach Confucian philosophy. Painting of Confucius to the left

Han Dynasty: Economy Roads and canals improved for internal trade Government monopoly on salt and iron Storage areas created for surplus grain Developed the Silk Roads

The Silk Roads The Han Dynasty opened a trade route called the Silk Roads They linked China with lands west (Mesopotamia) It eventually stretched 4,000 miles Few merchants actually traveled the entire length

The Silk Roads

The Silk Roads

Han Dynasty: Social Structure Confucian values became very important in daily life and the government Confucianism spelled out proper behavior for all members of society Five Relationships EXAMPLE: Men were thought to be superior to women Therefore women could not take civil service exams and not hold government jobs

Han Contributions A “Golden Age’ in China Jade Carving Technology: The Chinese made paper out of wood pulp They also invented the wheelbarrow; fishing reel; and the rudder Science: In medicine the Han developed acupuncture, and experimented with anesthesia Art: Jade and ivory carvings and works in bronze, ceramics and silk

Acupuncture

Decline of the Han Empire The Han empire fell because of weak leaders (after emperor Wudi) Subsequent leaders unable to control local warlords The canals and roads began to crumble and were not maintained High taxes were imposed on Chinese citizens leading to revolts Invaders came from the north, overrunning the Great Wall of China For 400 years China will be divided into competing kingdoms

The Tang (618 -907 CE) and Song (960 -1279 CE) Dynasties In 627 CE a powerful general named Tang Taizong reclaims lands lost after decline of the Han and restores the Middle Kingdom The Tang Dynasties empire stretched from the China Sea to central Asia Wu Zhao (690-705 CE) is the first female empress and will extend Chinese influence over Korea

Tang Dynasty

Tang Dynasty and Social Classes Chinese peasants farming the land China had a strict social order At the top were the gentry or wealthy landowners who were educated in Confucian philosophy Next were the peasants who were the majority of the population and farmed and lived in small villages Last were the merchants. They were often rich but looked down upon since they made their riches from work done by others Women gained rights and ran the household. However boys were valued over girls. Girls were subjected to foot binding.

Tang Dynasty Government Tang rulers revived the civil service exams Set up schools for males This resulted in a highly educated ruling class Guided by Confucianism (duty – rank – proper behavior) Tang emperors forced Vietnam, Korea, and Tibet to become tributary states, meaning they had to pay taxes to China

Tang: Economy Economy To encourage trade and transportation, canals (Grand Canal) and roads were built The Grand Canal linked the Huang He and Yangzi Rivers (northern and southern China) Land was also taken from rich landowners and redistributed to peasants Agriculture: Rice production helps feed the world’s largest population Ocean trade and cultural diffusion with India, Persia, Middle East

The Grand Canal in China

Song Dynasty: 960 – 1279 CE Song Taizu is first emperor of Song Dynasty Reunites China after 50 years of warlords Never regain lands lost during Tang decline Keep China stable, powerful, prosperous, Economic growth in Southern China trade

Song Dynasty1127 – 1279CE Internal rebellions led to the fall of the Tang dynasty Liao and Jing dynasties emerge Nomads and agriculturalists Confucian rulers, Buddhist monarchs, nomad leaders Song developed seafaring contacts with Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asia Standing professional, paid military High-grade iron and steel for weapons, armour, and developed/used gunpowder

Economy and Society Neo-Confucian philosophy and Zen Buddhist practices Population rise to 100 million Women’s status declined – entirely subordinate to men, remarriage forbidden, no rights to own or manage property, foot-binding extremely popular a status symbol for wealthy.

Song Dynasty Literature and Arts Chinese authors wrote short stories and poetry Chinese landscape paintings were popular during the Song Dynasty and showed a love of nature Scholar officials expected to own fine art and write poetry.

Art: Calligraphy Chinese calligraphy or the art of fine handwriting flourished during the Tang and Song Dynasties

Architecture: Pagoda Chinese architects created the pagoda A temple with a roof that curved up at the corners The Chinese also made porcelain, a hard shiny pottery

Art: Chinese Porcelain

Science and Technology Moveable Type Gunpowder Mechanical Clock Paper Money Magnetic Compass

Chinese Influence on Japan The Japanese first learned about Chinese culture through Korea During the Tang Dynasty, Japan sent nobles to China to study They brought back Chinese ideas and technology By the 800s, Japan had begun to blend some of the Chinese ideas with Japanese culture: Food, Dance, Clothes, Gardens, Language

Chinese Influence on Korea Hereditary elite took Confucianism and Buddhism from China Unified by 600s Used woodblock printing Invented moveable type and chared with Song China

Japanese Culture Mountainous terrain Hundreds of small states Mid-17th century unification: centralized government, legal code, national histories, architecture, city planning (Tang influence) Kept concept of Emperorship and Shinto religion and Buddhism Developed a constitution in 604 1000s Feudalism developed a rigid class structure with warrior clans becoming powerful and wealthy Kamakura Shogunate took control of Japan

Chinese Influence on Vietnam Geographical proximity and similar wet lands made it suitable for integration with southern China (Tang and Song times) Rice agriculture Modeled high culture after Chinese Champa in southern Vietnam influenced by Malay and India culture Confucius interest in hierarchy Status of women varied

Dynasties of China

Big Picture Strengthened Central Government Strict Social Classes Strong Economy Achievements in Art and Architecture Influenced Japanese and other Cultures