Indian & Chinese Empires
African Civilizations
321 BC-Chandragupta Maurya killed the Nanda
king, declared himself ruler and established the Mauryan Empire
Raised a vast army and soon had control over a large empire
Used tough policies, including spying on people and political assassination to hold empire together
Divided empire into four provinces, headed by a royal prince Provinces were divided into districts
Establishment of Mauryan Empire
Asoka
Leader of Mauryan Empire following the death of his fathers
Also waged war to expand the empire
Studied and promoted Buddhism
Built extensive roads to visit all of India Made travel easier and
increased communication
A Period of Turmoil
Followed Asoka’s deathRegional kings challenged central government
Led by Chandra Gupta India’s second Empire Expanded the empire through conquest Most families were patriarchal, headed by the
oldest male Growth of Hinduism during this time Great period of achievement in the arts,
religious thought and science
The Gupta Empire
Changes in Buddhism Some began to teach that
Buddha was a God Others believed that
many people could become Buddhas
Changed Buddhism to a mass religion that offered salvation to all
Several different sects emerged
New trends inspired Indian art
Hindu Rebirth
Developed into a complex set of sacrifices that could be performed only by the priests
Evolved into a more personal religion
Achievements in
Indian Culture Rich literary tradition Writing academies
began Drama was popular Expansion of trade
spurred advance of science
Began using calendars to keep time
Knowledge of astronomy increased
Silk Roads
Roads throughout Central AsiaUsed to bring silk from China, to western Asia and then to
Rome
Hans Restore Chinese
Unity 202 BC Liu Bang declared
himself the first emperor of the Han Dynasty after winning the civil war
This dynasty ruled for more than 400 years
Established a central government, lowered taxes and softened harsh punishments
Highly structured Emperor King & Governor State Officials & Scholars Peasants Artisans & Merchants Soldiers Slaves
Society’s Structure
Unification of Chinese Culture
Encouraged assimilationSent Chinese farmers to settle conquered areas
Encouraged intermarriage
The Fall of the Han
Gap between rich and poor increased
Political instability grew Flood left thousands dead
and millions homeless Not enough food to feed
people & peasants revolted
Hans off the throne for two years, but a period of second Han rule soon began
Deserts
Largest are Sahara and Kalahari Rain Forests Savannas
Grassy plains Mountains are also in this area Dry and rainy seasons alternate Very thin top soil, so minerals are
stripped away
African Geography
Earliest Africans were hunter-gatherers Eventually learned to domesticate and raise a
variety of animals for food Agriculture began by 6000BC
Allowed Africans to live in one location Build permanent shelters
As settlements grew more complex, more organization was needed
Early Africans & The Environment
Early African Society
Organized into family groups
Nearly all local religious involved belief in one creator
Also included elements of animism, a religion in which spirits play an important role
Storytellers, or griots kept history alive
Traced back to King Solomon and lasted until
the last ruler died in 1975 Aksum’s location made it a hub of
international trade Reached its height between AD 325 and 360 Traditionally believed in one God, called
Mahrem Official religion was later changed to
Christianity
The Kingdom of Aksum