china’s classical age to 221 bce
TRANSCRIPT
China’s Classical Age to 221 BCE
HI 101 Origins of Civilization
Fall 2014
Study Questions:
1. In what ways did Shang rulers maintain control over their society?
2. What were the unique features of Chinese society under the Zhou Dynasty?
3. What was significant about the Warring States Period?
4. Compare and Contrast Confucianism, Daoism, Legalism
Emergence of Civilization in China
Agricultural villages appeared along the Yellow Riveraround 4000 BCE
Urban settlements appeared around 2000 BCE
Two Dynasties (ruling families) of Early Chinese History
Early Chinese History is usually divided into two dynasties:
1. Shang Dynasty (ca. 1500-1050 BCE)
2. Zhou Dynasty (ca. 1050-400 BCE)
Zhou is pronounced as chow or joe
Shang Civilization
Anyang (AHN-YAHNG) = central city of Shang Dynasty
Shang Kings = military chiefs who ruled over armies of 3,000-5,000 noblemen/warriors who fought using horse-drawn chariots
Items taken in wars provided slaves and wealth for Shang, as well as human sacrifices to ancestors
King Held all political, religious, social, & economic power
Shang Religion
Combination of Animism & Ancestor worship
King = high priest
Di = High or supreme god
Ancestors intervened between people and gods
Royal Tombs of Anyang
Most of what we know about the Shang comes from archaeology of the Royal Tombs of Anyang
11 large tombs + a thousand small graves filled with bronze, stone, pottery, textiles, and jade
Most famous is tomb of Lady Hao—included 500 bronze vessels & weapons, over 700 pieces of jade and ivory, and 16 people sacrificed to be her servants in the afterlife
Tomb of Lady Hao
Shang Society
Rigid Class distinctions:
King
Court officials
Warriors
Artisans
Agricultural laborers
Slaves—did most of building projects
Chinese Writing
Developed during the Shang Dynasty for religious purposes
Also used for government record keeping and correspondence
Royalty were the most literate in the society and education was a sign of prestige
Helped rulers to maintain control of lower classes
Logographic = style of writing when each word is represented by a single symbol
Zhou Dynasty, ca. 1050-400 BCE
1050 BCE Zhou (joe) rose up against the Shang and defeated them in battle
Zhou maintained Shang’s cultural and political systems including writing, ancestor worship
The Book of Documents
Ca. 900 BCE, Zhou Dynasty
Describes Zhou conquest of Shang and establishes Zhou rulers at the center of the universe
Describes relationship between the King and Heaven
Mandate of Heaven
The approval of the gods to govern—gave Zhou Kings political legitimacy & justified overthrow of the Shang— this idea survived into the 20th century CE!
Zhou Politics
Feudal System: Royal family members were granted lands in exchange for loyal military service to the king
Some feudal lords gained a lot of power over time and built city-states to fight with each other over land and power—this weakened the power of the king
Led to Warring States Period, 403-221 BCE
Warring States Period, 403-221 BCE
Following end of Zhou Dynasty
Characterized by different Chinese states warring with each other
Fueled by new military technology & tactics
Crossbow, invented ca. 650 BCE—allowed a foot soldier to shoot farther than with a bow and arrow
Led to wearing armor and helmets
Calvary = soldiers on horseback, introduced and became a key element of Chinese militaries
Also the Golden age of Chinese Philosophy
Early Chinese Crossbow, ca. 350 BCE
Golden Age of Chinese Philosophy
Confucianism
Daoism
Legalism
Confucius, 551-479 BCE
Chinese philosopher, Warring States period
Taught ethical ideas about civic morality—how people should live in their daily relationships with others—and good government
His followers became important government advisors
His teachings provide the moral basis for modern Chinese families
Confucius’ teachings: Five Fundamental Relationships:
Ruler and subjects
Father and son
Husband and wife
Older and younger brothers
Members of a community
Family is of fundamental importance
Respect elders and ancestors
People in superior positions responsible for setting a good example of moral behavior (example: father responsible for son’s behavior)
If a ruler did not act morally, then he lost the Mandate of Heaven and the people had the right to overthrow him
Daoism (or Taoism)
a response to Confucianism
Tao/Dao means the “Way” or the “Way of Nature,” an indescribable force that governs the universe and nature, it can only be sensed or felt
People should withdraw from acting in the world and contemplate nature to live in harmony with the Tao
People should abandon the pursuit for wealth. Political power and learning should be quiet, thoughtful, humble
Daoism appealed to peasant classes because of emphasis on nature and the arts
Legalism
Taught that people are by nature evil, selfish, and untrustworthy
People are motivated by fear and greed
A wealthy and powerful state with an absolute ruler is needed to control unruly people through harsh laws and punishments
Appealed mostly to rulers and public officials
Disfavored education in history or classics—these could teach people to be rebellious