Chapter 3 Guided Questions
What were some of the key political, cultural and social characteristics of life during the Shang dynasty? cultural
Shang dynasty characteristics *Cultural* Took the lead in the development of writing. The Yellow River valley was not China's mother culture. Similar advances were taking place in the Yangtze River valley and other parts of China at the same time. Advanced farming techniques Creating bronze ritual vessels
What were some of the key political, cultural and social characteristics of life during the Shang dynasty? political
Shang dynasty characteristics *Political* An agricultural society ruled by an aristocratic class. The king ruled a number of territories governed by aristocratic chieftains that he appointed.
What were some of the key political, cultural and social characteristics of life during the Shang dynasty? social
Shang dynasty characteristics *Social* Classes became differentiated. The peasants worked the land belonging to the chieftain and other elites. There were a small number of merchants, artisans, and slaves. Mastered bronze casting. Sophisticated writing system.
What were some of the key political, cultural and social characteristics of life during the Zhou dynasty? cultural
Zhou dynasty characteristics *Cultural* Used rows of bronze bells, struck by a mallet, for music. Later string and wind instruments became more popular. The earliest surviving form of Chinese lititure: - Rites of Zhou - Analects - The Way of Tao
How did the geography of ancient China influence the development of Chinese civilization and China's interactions with those around them?
*Chinese civilization developed in the Yellow and Yangtze river valleys.* Both river valleys are isolated by the Gobi Desert to the north, mountains to the west, and the Yellow Sea and the Pacific Ocean to the east and south. *These geographic barriers isolated the Chinese people from advanced agrarian societies in other parts of Asia.* Mutual distrust and conflict with Mongolian, Indo-European, and Turkish pastoral societies from the frontier regions of the Gobi Desert, Central Asia, and Tibetan plateau. *When China was unified, it could defend itself from the nomads.* When China was internally weak, the nomads could defeat them and start their own dynasty.
What were the key aspects of social and economic life in early China?
*Social:* The Neolithic clan gave way to the family unit. The family was the basic social unit for education, religious observances and training in ethical principles. Children were used for labor, then as adults, the sons were expected to provide for their parents. Loyalty to the family was more important than loyalty to the state. Five Relationships that were key to a proper social order: - The son is subordinate to the father. - The wife to her husband. - The younger brother to the older brother. - All were subject to their king. - The proper relationship between friend and friend. *Economic:* The family was the basic economic unit.
What contributions did the ancient Chinese people make in the fields of writing and metallurgy?
*Writing* Used pictographs to represent objects and ideas. *Metallurgy* Used bronze casting Invented the blast furnace powered by bellows to heat iron for casting.
What were the major tenets of Confucianism, Legalism, and Daoism, and what role did each play in early Chinese history? Confucianism
Confucianism *Tenets:* Analects - A collection of Confucius's sayings. The universe is constructed so that human beings can act harmoniously with its purposes, then their own affairs would prosper. *The key to proper behavior is to behave IAW the Dao.* Each person has their own Dao, based on their role in life, it was their duty to follow it. *Concept of duty - the responsibility of everyone to subordinate their own interest and aspirations to the broader needs of the family and the community.* The idea of humanity (AKA human-heartedness) - A sense of companionship and empathy for others. *Role:* Provided moral and philosophical guidance which shaped the lives and culture of the Chinese people.
What were the major tenets of Confucianism, Legalism, and Daoism, and what role did each play in early Chinese history? Daoism
Daoism *Tenets:* The best way to act in harmony with the universal order is to act spontaneously and let nature take its course. - as a result of a sudden impulse and without premeditation. - without apparent external cause or stimulus. *Role:* Popular in the waning years of the Zhou dynasty.
What were the major tenets of Confucianism, Legalism, and Daoism, and what role did each play in early Chinese history? Legalism
Legalism *Tenets:* Human beings by nature are evil and will follow the correct path only if coerced by harsh laws and stiff punishments. *System of impersonal laws.* Only firm action by the state could bring about social order. *Only a strong ruler can create an orderly society.* All human actions should create a strong and prosperous state subject to the rulers will. *Role:* Adopted by the Qin dynasty. *Created a central bureaucracy which was the model for future dynasties.* Three primary ministries: - civil authority - military authority - censorate (inspector general)
What role did nomadic peoples play in early Chinese history?
The pastoral societies fostered conflict with the agrarian villages. They raided villages for two thousand years, then were kept at bay by unified dynasties.
What were some of the key political, cultural and social characteristics of life during the Zhou dynasty? political
Zhou dynasty characteristics *Political* The king was served by a bureaucracy including ministers for rites, education, law, and public works. The kingdom was divided into principalities governed by the hereditary aristocracy, who were appointed by the king. The Zhou dynasty ruled China because it had the mandate-of-heaven.
What were some of the key political, cultural and social characteristics of life during the Zhou dynasty? social
Zhou dynasty characteristics *Social* The peasants worked on lands owned by their lord but owned outer plots that they cultivated for their own use. The inner plots owned by their lord were worked by multiple families. Merchants were not independent but were property of the local lord. Slaves performed menial tasks such as working on irrigation projects.
