classical civilizations
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Classical Civilizations. India and China. Differences between Classical and Preceding Era. Each classical civilization was separate but there was trade between them. What occurred within each civilization makes this period what it is, not the interaction between them. India. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
CLASSICAL CIVILIZATIONSIndia and China
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CLASSICAL AND PRECEDING ERA Each classical civilization was separate but there was trade
between them.
What occurred within each civilization makes this period what it is, not the interaction between them
India
Harappan civilization developed along the Indus river.
Scientists believe the civilization ended because of earthquakes and changes in climate.
CLASSICAL INDIA
ARYANS
The Aryans migrated (relocated to a new region) to India
They were nomads who spoke Sanskrit.
Aryans shift to the Ganges River
ARYAN SOCIETY
The Aryan society was divided into classes.
A social class that a person belongs to by birth is called a caste.
THE CASTE SYSTEM• Level 1: The Brahmins (priests)
• Level 2: The Kshatriyas (warriors/nobles)
• Level 3: The Vaisyas (traders and farmers)
• Level 4: The Sudras (common laborers)
• Untouchables: This group included those that worked at “unclean” jobs.
ARYAN RELIGION
The Aryan religion was Brahmanism.
The Aryan’s wrote the Vedas, a collection of songs to their gods.
Over time Brahmanism developed into Hinduism.
HINDUISM
Holy book - The Bhagavad GitaBeliefs – Polytheistic (many gods)Reincarnation – each person has many livesKarma – Your actions in this life decide your
next lifeMany paths to God – You can reach God in
many ways
BUDDHISM
Buddhism developed in IndiaBased on teaching of Siddhartha
Gautama who became Buddha.Leader – Buddha (enlightened one)Nirvana – perfect peace
MAURYAN EMPIRE
Chandragupta took control of India along the Ganges in 322 BC
Established the Mauryan EmpireUsed the military and spies to stay in
power His grandson, Ashoka, became the
greatest ruler in Indian history (269- 232 BC)
The Mauryan Empire at its height
MAURYAN EMPIRE
Ashoka’s accomplishments• Control over most of India• Converted to Buddhism (emphasis on
Dharma- the law of moral consequences)
• Spread Buddhism throughout his empire
• He worked for the welfare of his people
GUPTA EMPIRE
Chandra Gupta II was the greatest ruler of the family.
The caste system helped them maintain order without the need for government
Used negotiations and marriage to expand influence instead of war
Their period was one of peace and prosperity
INDIAN ACHIEVEMENTS Indian astronomers identified seven planets, Developed steel that was better than any
produced elsewhere The Indian number system is the one we use
today. Architecture developed use of stones and use
of pyramid shaped roof (not flat) Spread their culture through trade
IMPORTANT PEOPLE AND THINGS
Mohandas Gandhi – practiced ahimsa (nonviolence) and lead India to independence from Britain through nonviolent protests.
Kalidasa – great writer of playsDrama – Men and women performed
dramas through India.Art and Sculpture – based on Hindu and
Buddhist subjects
Angkor Wat - Cambodia
EARLY DEVELOPMENT
Developed along river valleys between Yangtze and Huang He rivers
Isolated by mountains, deserts, and waterFew outside influences
Shang family started a dynasty (a family or group that rules for several generations)
Spoke to the gods through oracle bones (animal bones)
Writing style was pictographs (drawings that represent words or ideas)
The Shang Dynasty
The Shang Dynasty
1029 – 258 BCEZhou people, led by Wu Wang, defeated
the Shang family.Gained control through Mandate of
Heaven (idea that when a ruler was bad they would lose heaven’s favor)
Government – Zhou put family members or friends in charge of regions as lords.
PHILOSOPHIES - LEGALISM
Legalism - Efficient and powerful government is
needed for social orderHarsh punishments are needed to
keep social orderIdeas should be controlled by the
government
PHILOSOPHIES - CONFUCIANISM
Confucianism – Led by ConfuciusSocial order and good government
should be based on family relationships
Respect for elders helps to create order in society
Education helps to improve both individuals and society
PHILOSOPHIES - DAOISM
Daoism – Led by LaoziThe natural order (relationship among
all living things) matters more than social order
A universal force called Dao (the way) guides all things
Humans should learn to live in harmony with nature.
Established and ruled by Qin Shi Huangdi (first true emperor)
Expansion through conquering Followed Legalism Began construction of the Great WallBuried with army of terracotta soldiers.
Built highways and irrigation projects
Set high taxes to pay for projects
Set standard weights and measures, coins and writing
Qin “knife”/ money
201 BCE to 220 CELed by Liu Bang Kept Qin’s centralized government
• Set up a bureaucracy – a system of departments to carry out the work of government
• Established civil service exam based on ideals of Confucianism
141 BC to 87 BCWudi expanded the empire through warPracticed assimilation (adopt the cultural or
social traditions of a group) Forced Chinese farmers to marry conquered
people and taught them Confucianism
Expanded trade on Silk Road (trade routes along which silk and other Chinese goods were traded)
Shared culture by coming into contact with traders
Buddhism spread through missionaries on the Silk Roads
CHINESE ACHIEVEMENTS
Improved the plowDeveloped wheelbarrow and water millsInvented paperDeveloped silk