1. CCOT ESSAY CHANGE AND CONTINUITY OVER TIME

2. Essay Question
Analyze the cultural and political changes and continuities in the Mauryan and Gupta civilizations during the centuries of the classical era

3. Rubric Thesis (1 point) Evidence and support for argument
Supports thesis with specific evidence (1 point)
Thesis driven (1 point)
Historical Thinking Skill
Describes continuity and change over time (1 point)
Analyzes specific examples of continuities and changes over time (1 point)
Synthesis (1 point)

4. Thesis Must be in introduction Must contain: Valid change
Valid continuity
Time period
Region/location

5. TIME PERIOD = CLASSICAL ERA (600 B.C.E. – 600 C.E.)
Essay Question
TOPIC
Analyze the cultural and political changes and continuities in the Mauryan and Gupta civilizations during the centuries of the classical era
REGION = INDIA
TIME PERIOD = CLASSICAL ERA (600 B.C.E. – 600 C.E.)

6. Change Words Continuity Words Constant Changed Persistent Altered
The same
Continuous
Changed
Altered
Transformed
Lessened/ intensified

7. Timeline for India Gupta Empire Mauryan Empire (320- 550 C.E.)
Local Kingdoms
(no empire)
Gupta Empire
( C.E.)
Mauryan Empire
(322 B.C.E. – 184 B.C.E.)

9. India after the collapse of the Mauryan Empire

11. Cultural CONTINUITIES
Continuity
Reason
Importance of religion/Hinduism
Religion is promoted by both the Mauryan and Gupta empires
Hinduism remained a major religion in India (gods/ goddesses important; caste system provided way of life)

12. Other Cultural CONTINUITIES
Continuity
Reason
Importance of trade
Patriarchy
Demand for goods remains high which promotes both land and sea trade
No significant improvement in lives of women which kept patriarchies strong

13. Cultural CHANGES Change Reason
For awhile Buddhism gains prominence but by end of time period decline of Buddhism and revival of Hinduism
Buddhism changed and eventually fused with Hinduism
Mauryans (Asoka) promoted Buddhism
Guptas promoted Hinduism
Buddhism went against initial teachings
After collapse of Mauryan Empire, disorder may have caused people to see Buddha as more of a god
Revival of Hinduism -incorporated Siddhartha as one of their gods to accommodate Buddhist influences

14. Cultural CHANGES Change Reason
Under Guptas, cultural achievements intensified (golden age)
Education led to advances in math, medicine, literature

15. Global Context
Expansion of trade routes provided motivation for Indian advances (cotton, sugar, spices in high demand)
Indian advances in turn continued to spread along trade routes (Hindi numerals, concept of 0, smallpox vaccine)

16. political CONTINUITIES
Continuity
Reason
Empires organized by strong rulers
Strong rulers able to unite large land area (Chandragupta Maurya, Chandra Gupta)

17. political CHANGES Change Reason
Guptas were more decentralized and smaller in size
Over time, less focus on political aspects (expansion/power) and more focus on cultural aspects (education, advances)
Strong tradition of local/regional rule due to cultural, ethnic, linguistic diversity
Mauryans were large, powerful, large bureaucracy, laws (military conquest, secret police)
Guptas left some decision making in the hands of local rulers

18. Global Context
In Eurasia, empires were growing in size, power and influence which provided motivation for organization of Indian empires
Invasions put an end to both Mauryan and Gupta empires

19. Sample Thesis
Throughout the classical era in India, focus on political power and expansion lessened as focus on cultural advances intensified. While Hinduism consistently remained important , over time the influence of Buddhism declined as the influence of Hinduism strengthened. Meanwhile, leaders continued to use religion to guide their government.

20. Sample Thesis
During the classical era, the Mauryan and Gupta empires changed politically and culturally over time. At the beginning of this time period, India was politically centralized under the Mauryan Empire. By the end of the classical era, India was decentralized and separated into several kingdoms. Culturally, the religions changed from Hinduism to Buddhism and then back to Hinduism. Despite the change to Buddhism under the Mauryans, Hinduism remained a major religion for the Indian people.

21. Sample Thesis
Throughout classical India, government was characterized by shifts between local and centralized rule. However, over time Indian empires focused less on political power and expansion and focused more on cultural advances. While Hinduism consistently remained important , over time the influence of Buddhism declined as the influence of Hinduism strengthened. In addition, leaders continued to use religion to guide their government.

22. Synthesis
While these political and cultural changes were taking place in India, their economy was expanding over time. India was a major producer of cotton and spices which were in high demand in other places. As India culturally expanded and had a golden age, their new innovations, such as crystallized sugar, drove trade routes even further. India became a major participant in Indian Ocean trade.

23. Synthesis
While these developments were taking place in classical India, other areas of the world were also building empires. The Roman Empire began as a republic, giving power to its people, but over time it evolved into a major empire ruling over most of Europe. Just like Indian empires, Rome declined due to outside invaders and Europe became politically decentralized. Despite these changes, Rome remained a cultural center for Europe producing major architectural and engineering advances.
This is Christina’s global context