ancient china origins: shang development: chou height of greatness: chin and han decline: huns
TRANSCRIPT
Ancient China
Origins: Shang
Development: Chou
Height of Greatness: Ch’in and Han
Decline: Huns
Shang Dynasty (review) Bronze Age society c.1600-1100 B.C.
• first urban society in China • Trade and commerce develop• Chinese writing invented, • bronze for tools, weapons,
cups and trade goods.• grew grains like millet and rice• used silk and flax to make
clothes• capital was Anyang• Oracles used animal bone
cracks to advise on decisions and possible future events
The Chou Dynasty (review) (c. 1100-221 B.C.)
• Chou originated west of the Hwang Hu’s great river bend.
• Ruled as coordinators of regional (feudal) kingdoms rather than as a central govt.
• military force determined strength of rulers
• Conflict led to decline into the "Period of the Warring States" (403-221 B.C.).
• Vast majority of peasants lived on farms in family compounds
• Silk was their most important product
• Confucianism, Taoism, Legalism begin
Hawk-shaped gold hat ornament(8th - 3rd century B.C.)
Classical Imperial China
Qin Dynasty – China united by war and controlled by legalist ruler for 20 years
Han Dynasty – Empire China ruled by Confuscian govt that brought freedom,
prosperity, invention and trade to China
Qin (Ch’in) Dynasty 221-206 B.C.E.
• China is named after this dynasty (Ch’in = Qin = China)
• China was conquered and united by Shi Huangdi (221-206 B.C.E)
• China’s first emperor
Politics• The Qin dynasty adopted
Legalism. • Effective but cruel laws• Political opponents were
imprisoned or executed. • Increased the size and power
of the govt bureaucracy• censorate acted as spies on
the govt officials• Large and powerful military• He extended the empire w/
ruthless military
Economy• Abolished feudal estates
• Empire owns land and all people
• standardized monetary system
• Improved and standardized road system.
• weights and measures were standardized
• Massive public building projects• Great Wall of China• Emperor’s tomb (terra cotta
army)
Religion/Philosophy
• Legalism
• Emperor treated like a divine being
• Confucians and Taoists persecuted
• Ancestor worship common
Social Life
• Commoners made up over 90% of the population• rarely left their village
• fathers' employment passed to eldest son • Strict laws kept good order• Military leaders were most important social class• Often peasants treated like slaves for large
building projects• Women were treated as property
Intellectual Developments
• Books that opposed the official views were burned.
• Excellent bronze weapons
• Terra cotta army
• Great Wall
Qin walls were simple compared to future walls (note the tower in the distance)
Art
• Bronze work continued
• Clay for art and pottery
Archaeology is hard work