1. Ancient China

2. 4 Philosophies of Ancient China
Buddhism: introduced from India along the Silk Road
Confucianism: favored by rulers and adopted by the Han Emperor as the official state belief system
Daoism: stressed harmony with nature
Legalism: opposed Confucian belief that proper behavior would solve societies problems. Encouraged strict laws, severe punishments, & a strong central govt.

3. Dynastic China Zhou Dynasty (1027-256 BCE)
Claimed they had a right to rule because they possessed the Mandate of Heaven: permission to rule was granted by the divine power
Mandate of Heaven was later used to explain the Dynastic Cycle: a dynasty would remain in power as long as it was providing good govt.
Dev. of silk and the beginnings of the exportation of this resource
Dev. of bookmaking

5. Unified China for the first time Known for warfare: dev. Cavalry
Qin Dynasty (221 – 206 BCE)
Unified China for the first time
Known for warfare: dev. Cavalry
Favored Legalism: the state had absolute control and the nobility lost their power
Achievements: standardized the language, writing, currency, & measurements
Great Wall of China built to protect from Northern invasions
Punished any opposition and burned books

6. Han Dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE) Considered China’s Golden Age
Govt. focused on economic development: the Silk Road
~ stretched as far as Mesopotamia and India (4000 miles)
~ main method of exchange btwn. China and other cultures
~ main export: silk
~ imports: glass, cloth, food, architecture, gold, camels, Buddhism
Confucianism was the state belief system: civil service workers had to pass a Civil Service Exam to get a job: the Merit System
Achievements: adv. in science, accurate clocks, ship rudders, & PAPER

7. Tang Dynasty: strict social structure developed, dev
Tang Dynasty: strict social structure developed, dev. Of gunpowder, block printing, & the first vaccinations
Song Dynasty: movable type printing

8. Cultural Diffusion of Chinese Culture
Japan
Retained political independence
Copied Chinese models of government
Adopted Confucian philosophy, historical writing, and architecture (pagoda)
Japanese modified the Chinese system of writing
Buddhism became the dominant religion in Japan
Eventually, the influence of China declined in the 9th century
Long-term impact: Zen Buddhism, which is still a dominant faith in Japan today

9. Vietnam: (as an example of the influence on SE Asia)
Korea:
Influenced the most by China
Became a Chinese colony
Chinese rulers attempted to institute the Chinese writing, examination system, and govt. bureaucracy (process of Sinification)
Buddhism did take hold, Confucianism did not
Trade and colonization offered access to Chinese learning art, and goods
Vietnam: (as an example of the influence on SE Asia)
Chinese wanted Vietnam to control the rice production in the country
The Vietnamese resisted the adoption of Chinese more than other areas
Early attempts at conquest yielded trade, but no political control
Some differences between the two cultures: language, dress, and the higher status of women
The Han will eventually conquer and Confucianism, agricultural techniques, and military techniques will take hold
Even after winning independence from China in the 10th century, Chinese bureaucracy and Buddhism remained in place