Shang, Zhou, Qin, Han and Eastern Belief Systems
Why did Wudi establish a bureaucracy?
To create an efficient government
Explain the collapse of the Han Dynasty:
- A succession of weak emperors led roads and canals to fall into ruin - Heavy taxes put peasants into debt which led to revolts - In 220 CE warlords overthrew the last Han emperor - China broke into several kingdoms and general disorder became commonplace
What is a bureaucracy?
- A system of government in which most of the important decisions are made by state officials rather than by elected representatives - Specific branches had specific roles
How did the Shang's development along the river impact them?
- Along Huang He (Yellow River) and Yangzi a. Fertile farming region supported large population - Provided Water for irrigation - Transportation - River was always at risk of overflowing, which led to people needing to control it which led to a strong central government
How does Buddhism impact a society economically?
- Being a Buddhist, you would not have the want for materialistic things, and thus the economy would not profit off of trade
What reforms did Shi Huangdi make?
- Centralized power and created an Authoritarian government - Instituted legalism - A philosophy characterized by strict laws and harsh punishments - Belief that strength, not goodness, is a leader's greatest virtue
Describe the political structure of the Shang Dynasty
- City-states were ruled by Kings who would be head of the clan - Princes and nobles would own most of land that king ruled over - Women could be landowning nobility
Describe the religious beliefs of the Shang Dynasty
- Complex belief system where they prayed to the gods and nature spirits - The king was seen as the link between people and gods - Believed that the universe was a delicate balance (Yin and Yang) - Yin was linked to earth, darkness and female forces - Yang was linked to heaven, light and male forces
How does Confucianism impact a society socially?
- Confucianists believe in harmony and social order, thus a Confucian society would be a peaceful one with respect for elders and men
Forced political unity:
- Emperor Shi Huangdi abolished feudalism in China - He created 36 military districts that were led by officials loyal to him - He then sent spies to each district to moniter their local government
How does Taoism impact a society socially?
- Everyone is seeking harmony and rejects conflict, so naturally the society is calm and peaceful with little to no disputes
Explain the Civil Service tests:
- Exams focused on Confucian philosophy, poems, history, and customs - Women could not take the exam and therefore were excluded from government - The Civil Service tests were tests that all Chinese citizens took to become government employees - - The better people did, the higher they rose in the government
Describe the Warring States Period
- Feudalism the Zhou Dynasty led to a time known as the warring states period - Individuals that had been granted land by the Zhou became powerful warlords and had no allegiance to the dynasty - This led to fighting amongst the different warlords and China lacked unity
Why did Shi Huangdi dissolve feudalism?
- He dissolved feudalism because it did not respect the ruler/government - It was causing too much controversy
Why did Shi Huangdi make these reforms?
- He made these reforms to restore unity in China and create a loyalty to the dynasty
How does Confucianism impact a society economically?
- I don't think Confucianism would have a major impact of a society's economy
What economic reforms did Emperor Wudi make?
- Improved canals and roads - Established granaries around the empire to stabilize it's price - Established the silk road - Stretched 4,000 miles and connected China to the Middle East, India, Rome and Africa - Traded silk for grapes, figs, walnuts, furs, glass, etc - Put a monopoly on iron and salt
How does Buddhism impact a society socially?
- It allows all people to be equal, for everyone is try to achieve the same goal and without desire, they are not selfish and trying to be above everyone else
How does Buddhism impact a society politically?
- It does not cause a thirst for power and therefore does not cause conflict in government, believing a government should be run on humanitarian principle
What is the impact of the Civil Service test and why did Wudi create it?
- It was established to award government positions based on merit, not the family name - The Civil Service test was also away to tell citizens what government position they were suited for, and the better they did, the higher position they could be appointed
What are the majors ideas of Confucianism?
- Maintaining social order and a good government - The 5 key relationships 1. Father to son 2. Elder brother to younger brother 3.Husband to wife 4. Ruler to subject 5.Friend to friend (=) - Do not do to others what you would not wish yourself - Filial Piety: The most important duty, respect for one's parents
Describe the economic growth under the Zhou
- More food is produced - They developed iron farming tools which allowed farmers to produce more food - Irrigation - Expansion of Commerce - New roads - Copper coins - Prosperity led to population increase
Who was Emperor Wudi?
- Most famous emperor of Han Dynasty - He is noted for greatly strengthening China's government, economy, and for overseeing a Golden Age
What were the four geographical barriers that surrounded China?
- North: Gobi Desert - West and Southwest: Himalaya mountain ranges - Southeast: Thick jungles - East: Pacific Ocean
How does Confucianism impact a society politically?
- One of their main beliefs is in a strong government, and that combined with their respect for superiors would lead to a strong political climate
What reforms did Gao Zu make?
- Restored order and justice to the area and made reforms which built a strong foundation - Lowered taxes - Got rid of the harsh legalist policies - Appointed Confucian scholars and advisers
Describe the system of writing in the Shang Dynasty and how it affected the economy
- Shang developed a system of writing that included 10,000 characters - Written language developed unity - Not all Chinese spoke the same dialect but all used the same system of writing - Communication and overcoming the language barrier
Describe the achievements of the Qin dynasty
- Standardized weights and measures for coins to have more accurate trade - Hired scholars to create uniformity in Chinese writing - Repaired and extended roads and canals to strengthen the transportation system - Construction of the Great Wall of China began under Qin
Explain the major advancements under the Zhou
- Study of astronomy led to the development of an accurate 365 1/4 day calendar - Silk-making techniques were developed - Became China's most valuable export - Silk road would eventually link China to the middle east - First books - Book of Songs
How does Taoism impact a society economically?
- Taoists believe in not disturbing the balance of nature and letting everything happen as it happens, so they are not concerned with money and thus the economy is probably not very strong
How does Taoism impact a society politically?
- Taoists believe that the best government is one which govern the least, and that man must free himself from rules, causing the presence of politics in society to be very minimal
How did Wudi's economic reforms impact China?
- They greatly strengthened the economy - Brought in more money through trade
What advancements happened under the Han?
- They invented paper, which led people to be able to write more easily and thus books and education were improved - Created the seismograph to prepare for earthquakes - Were able to diagnose diseases and created remedies such as herbal remedies, anesthetics, and acupuncture which limited deaths - Invented the rudder to steer which improved trade and transportation - Suspension bridges helped them to travel across bodies of water
What are the major ideas of Taoism? (Pronounced Daoism)
- They want to live in harmony with nature - They reject conflict and strife - Stress the virtue of yielding - Believe that all forces in nature both balance and appose each other (Yin and Yang) - Believe that the best government is the one which governs the least The ultimate goal is to transcend life on earth as a physical being and achieve harmony with nature and the universe
Describe the Mandate of Heaven
- This was made by the Zhou to justify their rebellion - It was the belief that a divine power gave the ruler the right to rule/the ruler had the blessing of the gods, and only one ruler could exist at a time
Forced social unity:
- Those who criticized the government were punished severely - jail, torture or death - Authorized a book burning campaigned to prohibit written dissent - This targeted feudal nobles and Confucian scholars who hated Shi Huangdi's new laws
Describe the collapse of the Qin Dynasty
- When Shi Huangdi died in 206 BCE his empire collapsed - People were angry over high taxes, forced labor and cruel policies
Describe how China was a feudal state
- Zhou rewarded their supporters by giving them control over different regions - In the feudal state, local lords governed their own lands but owned military service and other support to the ruler
Describe the social classes of the Shang Dynasty
1. Royal family 2. Noble Warriors - Used leather armor and bronze weapons 3. Artisans - Produced weapons, silk, robes, jewelry for nobles... 4.Merchants - Traded for non-local goods 5. Peasantry - Harvested grain to support population
When did the Zhou dynasty end?
256 BCE
Who was Gao Zu?
An illiterate peasant leader who gained support and became emperor
Describe the role that geography played in the development of China socially, politically and economically.
Ancient China, as we studied in this most recent unit, was known to be a very isolated region, with 4 different barriers blocking its connection to outside civilizations. Without a connection to societies beyond its borders, its society, government, and economy were greatly influenced. As a result of China's isolation, it was economically isolated, and before trade routes and the silk road branched out, their economy suffered due to their lack of trade. Additionally, the isolation affected the political climate, for, without information on other nations, Ancient China's government was built without input on what had succeeded in other civilizations, leading to some of their types of governments and beliefs, such as legalism, to not succeed. Being geographically located on such fertile land also participated in the development of China. Due to the Huang He river,within Ancient China their farming flourished, resulting in many artisans and merchants. In addition, the region of Ancient Chinese civilizations was an indigenous region to silk worms which ultimately caused great wealth after the establishment of the silk road.
How did geography influence the development of the Shang Dynasty?
Being isolated from other beliefs and advancements left Ancient China to develop its own ideas and technology without the help or guidance of other people's failures or accomplishments.
One of the main purposes of studying history is to understand how and why events happened and to apply those lessons to current life to promote progress. Reflect on the four dynasties of Ancient China. What can be learned from studying these societies? What social, political, economic, religious, and intellectual lessons can be pulled from these dynasties? How can these lessons be used to promote progress in the U.S today? Be sure to touch on at least 3 dynasties.
From learning about Ancient China, many lessons can be drawn to ensure that we do not make the same mistakes as the people we learned about did, letting our nation be positively influenced by what worked well in the Ancient Chinese Dynasties. Starting with the Shang dynasty, lessons regarding their religious and social aspects of life can be learned. Their religious beliefs were similar to those of Taoists, believing that life must have balance and using the Yin Yang to illustrate this idea. However, female forces were associated with darkness and evil, while male forces were correlated with heaven and light. This led to the inferiority of women, not unlike the Han dynasty's Confucians beliefs regarding the inferiority of women, something which should not be mirrored in modern societies and should be left in the past. Additionally, their social climate should not be replicated, for it includes a triangle of social hierarchy in accordance to one's job. Limited opportunities were given to people lower on the social ladder which later led to revolts. Unlike the negative social and religious climates of the Shang Dynasty, the economy of the Zhou dynasty was one which prospered greatly and many of its lessons, if mirrored in America, could have great effects of our economy as well. In the Zhou Dynasty, the infrastructure, such as roads and canals, were greatly tended to, leading to prosperity and a large population increase. However, unlike this positivity brought into the Zhou Dynasty, the harsh legalist policies and government of the Qin Dynasty should not be mirrored and would have disastrous results if put into effect today. Under Shi Huangdi, legalism was instituted, for Shi Huangdi believed that anyone who criticized the government should be jailed, tortured or killed. While it could be argued that this was an effective way to rule, it ultimately ended his dynasty and was certainly a cruel way to run a civilization. Finally, the intellectualism of the Han Dynasty carries lesson which could be put into effect today in the United States, for in the Han Dynasty, achievements such as the creation of the first seismograph and durable paper. These achievements were a result of the discipline taught to children as they were taught that if they worked hard, they would have a great and prosperous job, which prompted kids to work harder and spurred these inventions. All considered, while many aspects of Ancient Chinese life should not be replicated when looking back at the Shang, Zhou, Qin and Han dynasty, many lessons can be learned at put into effect to benefit American society.
How did Gao Zu change the political and social climate from the Qin?
Gao Zu got rid of the harsh legalist policies as well as allowed religious beliefs, such as Confucianism, to be worshiped again.
How did the Zhou Dynasty overthrow the Shang Dynasty?
In the 12th century BCE the Zhou allied with neighboring tribes, invaded Shang territory and captured their capital (1122 BCE)
Define: Feudalism
Land in exchange for protection
Reflect on the role of the belief systems in China. Describe one impact on people's lives socially, politically, economically and intellectually. Choose ONE belief system to thoroughly explain. (Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Legalism)
Taoism was a belief in Ancient China which was worshiped by many people. Taoism affected all aspects of a person's life and taught people to seek harmony and order, thus creating a calm and conflict-free environment and social aspect of life. Believing that the best government is one which governs the least, the presence of politics in society was very minimal. And, with a philosophy which rejected conflict, there was never a power struggle between Taoists for political power, for all of them wanted to achieve the ultimate goal, to achieve harmony with nature and the universe. Taoists also believe in letting everything happen as it happens, so they are not concerned with money and thus the economy is probably not very strong. Due to their un-materialistic nature, I can assume they are not very interested in the purchasing of unnecessary goods. Dedicating their lives and intellect to living naturally, Taoists believe in the balance of all opposing forces (the Yin and Yang), as well as focusing of the Tao, or "the way" of the universe.
What are the major ideas of Buddhism?
The Four Noble Truths (All life is full of pain and suffering, the cause of suffering is desire, the only cure for suffering is to overcome desire, and the way to overcome desire is to follow the Eight-fold Path) The Eight-fold Path (Middle Path) The ultimate goal is to reach nirvana/become one with the universe Karma and Dharma Reincarnation No extremes, everything is even
Between what years did the Shang dynasty take control of China?
The Shang Dynasty took control of China between 1650 BCE and 1027 BCE
Describe the Dynastic Cycle
Weak rulers, corruption, floods, famine and other catastrophes were believed to be signs that the current dynasty has lost the Mandate of Heaven and should be overthrown
