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—Chinese Civilization developed like those in the Near East and India. Civilization emerged along with a Great River, the Yellow River or what we called as " Hwang Ho" in Chinese.
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—It begins in the mountains of Western China and forms a huge loop as it flows nearly 3,000 miles to the Yellow Sea. The river has changed course many times, creating a broad valley, the North China Plain.
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—The North China Plain is so flat, however, disastrous flood are very common. Like the Nile, the Yellow River regularly overflows its banks and leaves rich topsoil on the land.
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THE DYNASTIES
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Time Period, – Hsia Dynasty lasted for more than 400 years, it was started about 2000 B.C. by Yu, a great hero
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—It is the first government to emerged in Ancient China and the first to adapt the policy of dynastic succession. Consequently, the China's first ruling house or dynasty.
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– The first ruler of the Hsia dynasty, – He is best remember for his bottle against the flood and the victories over the Sanmiao, – He also establish a stable central government and the organization of the country into nine provinces to make governing such an enormous .. area more manageable., YU the Great
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The Early Chinese Rulers, – Early Chinese rulers were thought to be "sons of heaven" – the approval of the gods to rule as long as they ruled well. However, according to the tradition the later Hsia rulers named Jie (1728-1675 BCE) was a tyrant and so cruel who lost the mandate of heaven to Shang dynasty.
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Did the Hsia really Exist?, – In 1960s and 1970s archaeologists uncovered what looked like small cities, bronze remains and tombs that pointed to the existence of a Hsia Dynasty., – No written records from this time have been found to confirm the existence of the Hsia dynasty.
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Time Period, – Shang dynasty was started about 1600 or 1500 B.C, – It lasted almost 600 years with 31 Kings over 17 generations.
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– The chief of the tribe, Tang established the Shang Dynasty and made Bo ( present caoxian country in Shadong province);his capital city., – This dynasty generally located at the Northern part of China and around the Eastern parts of the Yellow River.
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– The capital was headed by a king, who was also a head priest, military commander, etc., Social Structure
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– Shang was at continuously battled warlike neighboring states. Military was finally exhausted and overthrew by Chou dynasty in 1100 BC
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– The Shang worshipped a figure called " Shang Ti", or " Lord on High"., – This supreme god ruled over lesser gods of the sun, the moon, the wind, the rain and other natural forces. Shang- Ti also regulated human affair as well as ruling over the material universe., Beliefs
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– For many years, Shang people were thought to have existed only in legend, however, in 1920's archaeologists found the ruins of a great Shang city at An- yang on the North China Plain. The Excavation of An- yang produced much information about the Bronze Age peoples.
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Tools and Weapons, –Chinese continues to make most tools and weapons of stone, bone and wood., –Objects were made up of Bronze, used by the rulers and priest in religious rituals.
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Tools and Weapons, –Shang metal workers made beautiful cups and cauldrons used to hold the food or drink offered to the God's and to the spirits of royal ancestors., –Some of these bronze article were found burried in the tombs of Kings and Nobles.
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Chinese Writing, Chinese writing has been found dating back to the Shang Dynasty, around 1200 BC. Writing was originally done on oracle bones, usually turtle shells or ox scapulae. Bones with writing were put in the fire and the cracks formed were used to answer questions as a form of “fortune telling.” , Writing was eventually done on bronze and later paper. , Writing was standardized during the Qin dynasty (221 BC)., Today, educated Chinese people know about 4000 characters.
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The Chou reigned nearly 900 years, longer than any other dynasty in Chinese history., Time Period
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- Invented a new system of authority to legitimize their power called (mandate of Heaven). This system became later an integral aspect of Chinese theories., - They extended Chinese rule beyond the boundaries of the Shang and adopt much of Shang culture.
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- The Chou could not rule the whole of their territory directly so they put family members and trusted military leaders in change of the eastern lands taken from the Shang.
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–The King of that time was;, , • A landlord , • A supreme religious leader, • A political leader, , , – Each local lord lived in walled town protected by an army warrior-nobles. In time there lords grew quite independent of the Chou kings.
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- In 771 BC. The Chou's king had been defeated and killed by the rebel lords.
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Culture and Technology Advance, In this time, their long reign (770-256 BC) was a time of war, lawlessness and disunity, but also an important development in Chinese society.
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- Agriculture, technology, trade and transportation are all undergoing changes., , - Metal workers of the Chou period learned to work with iron, making sturdy plaws and sharp weapons.
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- Canals for shipping grain were built and immigration system were developed to import foods and goods to the city., , - Towns grew up as trading centers and class of merchants traders formed.
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CHINESE SCHOOL OF THOUGHTS, ° CONFUCIONISM, ° TAOISM, ° LEGALISM
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- To run the government, there grew up a new class of trained public officials and administrator, or bureaucrats., - Most of these men were not high-ranking nobles but scholars and teachers.
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Some of this are the following:, , • CONFUCIANISM, , - Confucius considers the roles of people in society., - Confucianism means "the school of the scholars" or "less accurately". It brought the most profound impact on China.
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- A teacher named Kangzi or Kung Fu-tzu ("Master Kung") was called "Confucius" in the 6th and 5th centuries, taught the beginnings of a system of thought and behavior that developed into a sophisticated ethico-religious tradition.
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- In this system, human beings are understood as essentially human beings and human fulfillment involves perfecting the moral nature of both the individual and society., - He also considered that the family is the basic unit of society.
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- After he died, his teaching were propagated by his followers and entered the current of intellectual debates., - In the 2nd century, Confucianism was adopted by the Han dynasty as the intellectual basis for its system of government and it's educational program for training officials.
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MENCIUS, , - Teaches that the individual is good., - The philosopher Meng-tzu, who is known to the West as Mencius, lived about 200 years after Confucius (372-289 BC)
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- He argued that individuals are naturally good and that this goodness can be developed into the Confucian virtues., - He also depended the people's right to overthrow a ruler who did not live up to high principles and so lost the mandate of heaven.
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TAOISM, , - urges harmony with nature., - In the 6th century, Lao-Tzu was the person who founded this school of thought. Taoism was concerned with direct experience of universe, accepting things as they are not setting the standard of morality and not labeling things as good or bad.
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- Taoism argued that political authority cannot bestow peace and order if it restricts itself to the rules and custom society., - The only effective social control stems, according to him from adherence to the ultimate nature of reality.
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–According to Taoist, people could be happy only if they abandoned the world and reverted to nature, living simply and alone.
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- Taoism was most popular among the rules ang ministers who actually governed the Chinese society because the religion gave them a way if coping with the extreme pressures with they faced., - Later, Taoism became a philosophy of consolation. The elite often adopted Taoism for consolation.
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LEGALISM, , - The Legalists place the state above the people's welfare., - Legalism was founded by Han Fei-tzu and Li Ssu, and they both were heavily influenced by Taoism. , They were pragmatic realist who though that the state should possess as much power as possible and extend it relentlessly.
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- Their ideal state was authoritarian: the sensible ruler, in their view should root cut all intellectual and all competing political ideas. The people should be treated but not to be educated., - Legalism was ruthless in its approach to the problems of the government.
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- Legalism was realistic and offered Chinese rulers practical solutions to the problems of governing large population over great distance., - Both founders were high officials in a position to put legalist theories into practice.
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- The family was always the most important part of Chinese society., - It was considered more important than the individual or government., - One of the most important virtues is fitial-piety- respect and obedience to one's parents., Chinese Philosophies Stress the Importance of the Family
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- This respect extended to the family's ancestors. The early rulers of China worshipped not only various deities, but also the spirits of their "honored ancestors".
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Women are given a lesser role, - These same attitudes affected the status of women in Chinese society because maintaining the family name was considered so important, the birth of a son or grandson was a joyous event., -- Daughters might be loved, but only through marriage could a woman bring "honor" to her family.
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- The Chinese, both men and women, looked forward to old age, for it brought them wisdom, respect and leisure., - There were few sins in ancient China greater than showing disrespect for a parent, living or dead., Age brings respect
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Ch'in Dynasty
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- Suppress freedom of thought, - The Ch'in came to power in 221 B.C. They were one of the western states that existed during Warring States Period. They conquered the other Warring States, unifying China for the first time.
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- The Ch'in probably where the name China originated., - It made many changes that were meant to unify China and aid in administrative tasks., - It implemented a Legalist form of government, which was how the former Ch'in territory had been governed. The area was divided up in 36 commanderies which were then subdivided into countries.
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- These commanderies had a civil governor, a military commander and an imperial inspector., - The Legalist form of government involved rewards and punishments to keep order. Also, the state had absolute control over the people, and the former nobility lost all of their power.
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- The Ch'in rule came to an end shortly after the First Emperor's death.Shi Huangdi had only ruled for 37 years, when he died suddenly in 210 B.C. His son took the throne as the Second Emperor, but was quickly overthrown and the Han dynasty began in 206 B.C.
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Shi Huang Di, - Named Ying Zheng, was King Zheng of Ch'in during the Warring States Period prior to becoming an emperor., - He unified China and proclaimed himself the First(shi) Emperor (Huangdi) of the Ch'in Dynasty, as he was the first Chinese sovereign able to rule the whole country. He resigned from 246 BC to 210 BC.
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- "Huang" and "Di" were titles once reserved for the eight legendary kings (three Huang and five Di), so by employing the term "Huang Di", Ying Zheng indicated that he was even greater than the eight legendary kings combined., - He believed that his family would rule China forever and so he wanted his successors to be titled "Emperor of China II", "Emperor of China III", etc.
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- The first Emperor was almost always portrayed as a brutal tyrant, superstitious and something even as a mediocre ruler., - He gave China a common currency and a standardized systems of weights and measures, writing characters and local prefecture administration.
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- Endless labor in the later years of his reign (including the link-up of the Great Wall of China and Construction of the first canal (Lingqua) in todays Guangxi Province, an inclusive campaign against the Huns, and the widening and paving of countless roads all over China) started to provoke widespread discontent.
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- The emperor was still barely able to maintain stability by his tight grip on every aspect of lives of the Chinese. He also travelled frequently to large cities in Northern China to inspect the effeciency of the bureaucracy and to symbolize the presence of Ch'ins prestige.
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- Nevertheless his trips provided chances for assassins, the most famous of whom was Zhang Liang., - In legend, he died suddenly so two of his high officials to take advantage of this. They forged the Emperor's order to kill his heir and then they chose his another son to be a puppet emperor.
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- Everything went well except that they were not able to depress the rebels. Ch'in Dynasty soon collapsed., - He was believed to be buried with the Terracotta Army near Xian, but his body yet to be discovered.
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Han(HAHN )DYNASTY
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- The history of the Hahn Chinese ethnic group is closely tied to that of China. Hahn Chinese trace their ancestry back to the Huaxia, people who lived along the Yellow River in Northern China., - The reign of the Hahn dynasty , lasting 400 years, is commonly considered within China to be one of the greatest periods in the entire history of China.
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- The Hahn empire began in 206 BC when Liu Pang, prince of Hahn, defeated the Ch'in army in the valley of Wei. The defeat was part of a larger rebellion that began after the First Emperorer's death. The people were dissatisfied with the tyranny of the Ch'in leaders and their Legalist form of government.
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There was a period of great military expansion. It expanded beyond the borders of Vietnam and Korea. The expansion also led to trade with the people of inner Asia.Thereafter, the Silk Road was developed., - To make sure travel was safe, the army took control of parts of North Vietnam and North Korea.
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- To assure peace with the non-Chinese people along the route, a mutual system of tribute was established., - The non-Chinese people symbolically acknowledged that the Chinese were superior and paid them tribute; the Chinese in return gave them gifts and ties which strengthened the culture by inter-marraiges of the ruling class.
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- The success of the Hahn kept their dynasty going for nearly 400 years. With a growing population, increased wealth and huge numbers of allies (and enemies), the Hahn lost control of their society. , - Corruption ran rampant in the highest levels of authority as public happiness waned., - The dynasty collapsed in 220 AD. This period was called the Era of Disunity.
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- By early in second century AD the later Hahn rulers were facing economic ruin. There were rivalries among powerful families, at court and between generals in provinces, as well as widespread peasant rebellions., - Even the examination system had become corrupt. Officials were more likely to be chosen through political influence than on the basis of their knowledge., The Age of Disunity begins
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- In 220 A.D., the Hahn empire split into three kingdoms. Nomads crossed the frontier and swept into North China., - Constant warfare caused great hardship for the peasants throughout China. This time of trouble came to be called the Age of Disunity. It continued for more than 300 years, until the year 589.
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- By Hahn times, Chinese astronomers had devised an accurate calendar, star maps and several astronomical instruments., - Other scientists experimented in chemistry and made discoveries in medicine., Science and technology develop
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- About the first century AD the Chinese learned to make paper. Like silk weaving, this remained a uniquely Chinese skill for centuries. China's other most famous craft-the making of fine porcelain or "china"-- also began during the Hahn dynasty. , - Hahn potters glazes that gave plates and bowls a smooth, clean surface.
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Time Period, - Sui dynasty lasted from 589-618, less than 30 years, but they accomplished much by rebelding the empire.
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- The Sui brought China together again and set up many institution that were to be adopted by their successors, the Tang.
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- In Sui dynasty there were just two emperor, this two emperor rebuilt the great wall, reconquered part of central asia and reclaim part of southeast asia., - They began an ambitious program of canal building, which included the Grand Canal linking the Yellow River and Yangtze.
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- Established lasted until 907. , - This dynasty created another golden age in China.
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- The Tang introduced a new system into the Chinese government called the "Equal Field System"., - Chang'an (modern Xi'an) the national capital, is through to have been the world's largest city at the time. The Tang and the Hahn are often referred to as the most prosperous periods of Chinese history.
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SUNG DYNASTY
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- In 1960, the Sung Dynasty (1960-1279) gained power over most of China and established its capital in Kaifeng, starting a period of economic prosperity., - China's first permanent standing navy was assembled and provided an admiral's office at Dinghai in 1132 AD, under the reign of Emperor Renzong of Song.
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YUAN DYNASTY
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Yuan Dynasty, - Kublai Khan, grandson of Genghis Khan, wanting to adopt the customs of China, established the Yuan Dynasty., - This was the first dynasty to rule the whole of China from Beijing as the capital.
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MING DYNASTY
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- Emperor Yong-le strenuously tried to extend China's influence beyond it's borders by demanding other ruler send ambassadors to China to present tribute., - A large navy was built, including four-massed ships displacing 1,500 tons. A standing army of 1 million tons was created.
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- The Chinese armies conquered Vietnam for around 20 years., - The Grand Canal was expanded and proved to be stimulus to domestic trade., - During the Ming Dynasty the last construction on the Break Wall was undertaken to protect China from foreign invasions.
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Chinese Dynasties; Rise and Fall, , ° Throughout the Chinese history, ruling houses faced the same basic problems: Rebellions by local Lord's and peasant, Barbarian invasions and natural disasters. These problem caused the rise and fall of dynasties in a regular pattern. Many historians discuss Chinese history in terms of this dynastic cycle.
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Dynastic Cycle, ° A new dynasty begins with a period of peace, prosperity and loyalty to the ruler., ° Population Increases, ° The government spends money on public works— walls, canals, and roads, ° As the dynasty continues, less able rulers come to power., ° Court officials and bureacrats became corrupt and used to luxury, which causes them to spend more of the government's money., ° More money also may spent on defending newly won lands or holding off Invaders., ° The peasants are taxed more heavily, but the government still does not have enough money to keep things in repair.
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° Peasant rebellions break out, ° During the uprising, dams and walls are weakened by neglect, allowing floods or invasion., ° Crops are destroyed and famine may result, ° These weaken the government still more and nobles begin to seize power from the ruling dynasty., ° The population decreases and tax revenues are smaller, ° Finally the old dynasty fall, new dynasty will starts by establishing a period of peace and prosperity, the cycle begins again.
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Thank You
