Chinese Classical Civilization I

Important early dynasties:

A. Shang (1,600 – 1,045 B.C.E)

B. Zhou (1,045 - 221 B.C.E.)

C. Qin (221-202 B.C.E.)

D. Han (202 B.C.E. -220 C.E.)

The Shang Dynasty-Aristocratic culture

-According to legend, the first Shang king (Tang) overthrew the Xia ca 1,600 BCE

-The Shang kings controlled an area covering most of the Yellow River plain (main sites: Zhengzou, Anyang (aka Yin), and Sanxingdui)

-These kings were absolute rulers regarded most probably as divine (after death, they could intercede with Shang Ti, their main god)

-They were often buried with large numbers of sacrificial victims (war captives or slaves)

-They equipped their armies with two-horse chariots

-They also used bronze, mostly for religious rituals and for weapons

-Writing on oracle bones (turtle shells or cattle bones) – predecessor of later Chinese writing

The Zhou Dynasty- Dates: 1,029-258 B.C.E.- China’s 2nd main dynasty (after the Shang )- Base of power was more to the west: first

capital city was Xian (later Luoyang was used also)

-Ruled through an alliance system with regional lords (land in exchange for troops and taxes) –this system of feudalism, however, contained the seeds of its own destruction (see the later Zhou period)

-Zhou ruled as “Sons of Heaven” (see the Mandate of Heaven theory)

-Built upon Shang culture (although oracle bones eventually were rarely inscribed)

-Expanded territory into the South-Now have two major grains –wheat and rice

-Major turning point: 771 BCE – last strong Zhou king, You, killed in battle by barbarians and disaffected vassals

The Eastern Zhou Period: 771-221 BCE

-This is a time of great turmoil and instability, politically, militarily, and socially

-Culturally and intellectually, however, this period is rich in developments (see e.g. Sun Tzu or the “Hundred Schools of Philosophy”)

-Sometimes this period is further subdivided into:

a) Spring and Autumn Period (770-464 BCE) – Zhou king was nominal ruler but there were at least a dozen other major states

b) Warring States Period (463-221 BCE)

Confucius• Philosopher and statesman

(551-478 B.C.E.)

• Eclectic interests (collected and edited Book of Songs, e.g.)

• Emphasized respect for one’s social superiors and elders

• Thought that a good society must have a firm hierarchy

• Encouraged people to live ethically, avoid excesses

• The Analects = main work

• Confucianism – not so much a religion as an ethical code

Some competing philosophies or religions

• Daoism –

1. more of a religion than Confucianism,

it stresses nature’s mystery and harmony

2. Laozi (aka Lao-tsu) (ca 5th cent. B.C.E.) –

main thinker

3. Dao Te Ching – i.e., Way of the Dao – key text

• Legalism

1. Philosophy that developed under the Warring States Period and Qin Dynasty

2. Said that humans are evil and needed to be kept under control by means of strict laws

3. State was more important than individuals

4. Han Fei – impt. advocate (cf. his influence on Mao Zedong and other Chinese Communists)

• Era of the Warring States

- ca 402-221 B.C.E.

- Zhou system disintegrated

during this time

-Emperor is mostly just a

figurehead

Qin Dynasty (221-206 B.C.E.)- Its founder took the title Qin Shi Huangdi (or Qin “the first emperor”)

- Dynastic rule characterizedby military expansionism,standardization in other areas(uniform written script; singlelaw code; standardizedcoinage, weights, andmeasures)

- More centralized statecompared to the Zhou

Qin Shi Huangdi

- ruled 221-210 B.C. E.

- brutal but effective ruler

- To rule, he made use of

powerful armies and non-

noble bureaucrats

- used forced labor to build

the Great Wall

- sponsored new irrigation

projects and the manufacture

of silk cloth

- ordered a national census

- also instituted higher taxes

- Terra Cotta Warriors (210 B.C.E.)

Terra Cotta Warriors (210 B.C.E.)

Han Dynasty (206 B.C.E. – 220 C.E.)

- Liu Bang (aka Gaozu) (+195 BCE) led a successful revolt against the unpopular Qin

- In general, the Han dynasty achieved peaceful rule

- Govt. played impt. role in economy (salt, iron)

- Bureaucracy expanded- Still used forced labor- Mil. expansion into Korea,

indochina, and C.Asia- Trade w/ Parthian empire- Supported Confucianism

Wu Ti, aka Wudi , the “Martial Emperor“ (r. 140-87 B.C.E.)• Most famous Han ruler; held throne longer than any other • Enforced peace throughout much of Central Asia• Defeated the Xiongnu (nomads)• Established civil service exams for bureaucrats• Urged support for Confucianism• Great ruler but his reign was marred by political infighting (see

Crown Prince Ju’s failed rebellion, for instance)

An interregnum : 9 C.E. – 23 C.E.-Confucian scholar and court leader Wang Mangseizes power in 9 C.E.

-Tries to establish a new dynasty (the Xin)

-Increased money supply and set up public granaries to feed the country’s poor

-Angered landowners; is eventually deposed and the Han resume power

• The Han dynasty lasted until 220 C.E. but it collapsed after central control weakened and foreign armies (Huns, e.g.) invaded China

• The Han were also hurt by the Yellow Turban Rebellion (184-205 C.E.) caused by secret Taoist societies

• Period of discontinuity (220-589 C.E.)

- political instability and disunity

a. Three Kingdoms (220 -280 C.E.)

b. Southern and Northern dynasties (ca 420-589 C.E.)

- Buddhism gains influence

• Restoration of imperial structure with the Sui dynasty (581-618 C.E.)

The Tang Dynasty (618-907 C.E.)- one of the high points of Chinese civilization - more on this later!