Ancient China Lecture

  1. Early China: (Mention there might be info not listed on note page at all that will be beneficial to write down)
  2. The Chinese lived in isolation from the rest of the world, which was due in large part to geographic barriers.
  3. The Chinese called their land the ‘Middle Kingdom’.
  4. They felt they were the center of the universe because they had no contact with any other large civilization.
  5. Oldest Continuous Civilization

o  Important to note that there was less of a break between RV China and later, more fully developed Classical China than there was with the other RVCs.

  1. There are 3 Major rivers that factored into the development of Chinese civilization.
  2. Huang He (Yellow River)
  3. Chang Jiang (Yangtze)
  4. Xi Jiang
  5. Ancient Chinese civilization developed along the Huang He (Yellow River) in considerable isolation.
  6. Important to note that there was some overland trade with India and Middle East; Chinese silk made is way all the way to Egypt.
  7. Yellow River’s flooding
  8. The land surrounding the Yellow River was quite fertile, but the river flooded unpredictably.
  9. This led the Chinese to develop carefully regulated irrigation on the land.
  10. Four Thousand Years of Civilization
  11. Oldest Continuous Civilization
  12. Chinese civilization extends backwards in history in an unbroken chain for nearly four thousand years. Throughout this time, the Chinese people have been instrumental in developing new technologies and advancing human knowledge.
  13. Dynasties
  14. The Chinese have been ruled by a succession of dynasties (families that pass the right to rule the nation from one generation to the next).
  15. Dynasties were significant in that they were the main form of government system of China for thousands of years.
  16. Chinese history is traditionally represented in terms of dynastic cycles. Through its long history, the Chinese have been ruled not by one dynasty, but by a succession of different dynasties. Each one experienced a rise, a Golden period, followed by a decline.
  17. Each also experienced significant cultural achievements.
  18. Shang Rule: 1500 – 1100 B.C.E.
  19. The Shang Dynasty ruled China from around 1500 B.C.E. until 1100 B.C.E.
  20. During this 400 year period of history, Chinese tradition states that thirty separate kings ruled from a succession of seven different capitals.
  21. Shang Religion
  22. The Shang were polytheistic, believing that there were many spirits in nature.
  23. Ancestor Veneration:
  24. the practice of living family providing (in theory) for a deceased family member with continuous happiness and well-being in the afterlife. It is a way of continuing to show respect toward them, and it reinforces the unity of family and lineage. Showing respect to ancestors is an ideology deeply rooted in Chinese society.
  25. Both Shang and Zhou worship of heaven and ancestor veneration central to Chinese religious beliefs and practices for thousands of years.
  26. The Chinese believed in a harmonious connection between humankind and nature (as opposed to the view of the ancient Mesopotamians).
  27. This persisted throughout much of Chinese history and will be an important theme.
  28. The Zhou Dynasty:
  29. The Zhou family was able to defeat and overthrow the last Shang Dynasty king in 1046 B.C.E.
  30. They claimed that the Shang Dynasty had lost the mandate of heaven due to their poor governing.
  31. The Zhou Dynasty would become the longest lasting dynasty in Chinese history, lasting over 800 years.
  32. However, the actual political and military control lasted only until 771 B.C.E
  33. The remaining years are known as the Warring States period.
  34. Mandate of Heaven
  35. Divine source of political legitimacy. Developed by the Zhou to justify overthrow of Shang. Governing authority given to rulers by god.
  36. The Mandate of Heaven would transfer to those who would rule best. The mere fact of a leader having been overthrown is itself indication that he has lost the Mandate of Heaven.
  37. This was an important aspect of governmental legitimacy for much of Chinese history
  38. Zhou Expansion
  39. The Zhou set up a new economy, rearranging the affairs of the kingdom.
  40. As they did so, the borders of their kingdom swelled, and they were able to maintain control over the people they conquered effectively.
  41. Zhou Regional Rulers
  42. Zhou kings assigned nobleman, who were usually members of the royal family, to serve as regional rulers.
  43. These noblemen owned the land and were given absolute authority over it.
  44. The peasants could not own land, but instead worked the land for the noblemen.
  45. This system was very Feudal
  46. a system for structuring society around relationships derived from the holding of land in exchange for service or labor.
  47. Noblemen Grew in Power
  48. This form of government worked well for several hundred years.
  49. Overtime the king slowly became less powerful, while the nobleman
    grew in power.
  50. Warring States:
  51. In 771 B.C. while fighting against a rebellion, the Zhou armies suffered a terrible defeat.
  52. As a result, the Zhou Dynasty lost even more power to the noblemen. They managed to hang on to power for another 500 years.
  53. The struggle for hegemony (domination) eventually created a system dominated by several large states
  54. Then in 256 B.C.E. the Zhou Dynasty was finally overthrown.
  55. Science and Technology
  56. By about 2000 BCE the Chinese had developed advanced technology and an intellectual life.
  57. Tools
  58. Used Bronze Tools successfully
  59. Began using Iron around 1000 BCE
  60. They had a well-developed irrigation and dike system, which enabled them to spread the agriculturally productive land and to help control the unpredictable flooding of the Yellow River.
  61. Also developed wheat and millet (cereal crops or grains used for human and animal food) production
  62. The Chinese also developed advancements in Military Technology, which included their ability to ride horses (cavalry); they built fortifications to help protect cities; utilized iron to create weapons, and they eventually made such inventions like the crossbow.
  63. Created fortified towns and villages which were surrounded by stamped earth walls. This pattern persisted as the predominant patters of settlement throughout Chinese history.
  64. The Chinese were fairly advanced scientifically, particularly astronomy.
  65. They did not build elaborate monuments and instead constructed simple houses built of mud. This was due to lack of building materials in the region.
  66. Instead they did construct some impressive tombs and palaces (particularly under the Shao).
  67. Writing: (point out that there are not as many bullet points on there notes, but they should still write down the info I provide for them)

a.  The Beginning of writing in China was on Oracle Bones (which was on turtle shells)

b.  The earliest form was Pictographs, which eventually developed into Ideographs (a graphic symbol that represents an idea or concept), which in turn developed into Modern Chinese characters Calligraphy ~ artistic writing

  1. Trade and Interaction
  2. Some overland trade did exist
  3. Experienced much contact and interaction with nomadic peoples from the surrounding areas, particularly to the North West.
  4. This had the effect of spreading goods and ideas, which created a lasting impact from Chinese civilization.
  5. However, this contact threatened the peace and stability of Ancient China.
  6. This caused China to develop advancements in military technology.