Chapter 2, classical civilization: china

Chapter 2, Classical Civilization: China 1.) China ‘ shang’ Worlds largest classical empire isolated heritage, every feature is balanced by an opposite yin, yang 2.) Patterns in Classical China dynasty: a family of kings ruled china, strong political institutions, active economy – one dynasty would decline, another one would emerge 3 dynastic cycles Zhou- ended by a decline in political infrastructure, extended a territory of china by taking over the yangtze river valley. became knows as the middle kingdom middle kingdom- agriculture lands: wheat growing in the north & rice grown in the south. the diversity encouraged population growth. -the expansion mad communication & transport to the capital difficult. -zhou provided a greater cultural unity in their empire. -spoken language was mandarin chinese -largest group of people speaking the same language Confucius- wrote a statement on political ethics Quin Shi Huangdi- deposes the zhou emperor, made him self ruler of china (1st Emperor) – was a brutal ruler Qin- (221-202 B. C. E.) emperor Shi Huangdi. built the Great Wall, put together a census, standardized weights measures, extended his teriorty to Hong Kong and northern Vietnam when he died massive revolts took place. Han dynasty (202 B. C. E.-220 C. E.) The Han rulers “ Wu Ti” expanded Chinese territory, formal training, based on Confucian philosophy, created political and cultural values that lasted into the twentieth century. bureaucrats were trained to do annual mandatory labor services, the central government had control over all the people in the Middle Kingdom became invaded and collapsed Religion and Culture 2 major systems, Confucianism and Daoism Kung Fuz (confucianism): not a religious leader was a defender of Chinese tradition-Both rulers and the ruled should act with respect, humility, and self-control. Daoism= embraced harmony in nature. they also had philosophies & Buddhism. Economy & Society China’s upper class VS. peasant farmers landowning aristocracy & bureaucrats, laboring peasants & urban artisans unskilled laborers. Trade was important (mostly in the Han period) Technology is where they excelled, developments were far ahead of the rest of the world family structures were similar, parents had a lot of authority over their kids. men were larger in society. – Women Marriages were arranged by their parents, husbands had control over their wives and children. women had power at religious functions & daughters-in-law and unmarried daughters. How Chinese Civilization Fits Together Chinese technology, religion, philosophy, and political structure evolved without outside contact. this civilization was Political stable and had economic growth. The chinese Civilization invulnerable to outside influence, Chinese civilization was the longest lasting, best-run bureaucracy, technologies, world’s largest trade network