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China. Mr. Giesler Global History. China’s Topography. Winter Monsoons. “Brown” China vs. “Green” China. Wheat Dominant. Pasture and Oasis. Rice Dominant. Double-crop rice. Early Civilizations, Dynasties, and Rulers of China
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China Mr. Giesler Global History
“Brown” China vs. “Green” China Wheat Dominant Pasture and Oasis Rice Dominant Double-crop rice
Early Civilizations, Dynasties, and Rulers of China • Yu and Xia Rulers: approx 2000 B.C., however, little exists to confirm their existence. Thus, little is known about these rulers/dynasties TTYN: What is ancestor worshiping? • Ancestor Worshiping • Offering of respect, food, and wine to their ancestors • Invite ancestors to a family feast, hopefully this would bring the family good luck • Traditions still exists today – a primary reason why having children is so important in China – to have someone look after you after you die, to look after your spirit
Zhou Dynasty • The Shang dynasty ended in 1122 B.C. in a rebellion led by two Zhou warriors. • The Zhou claimed a divine right to rule, calling it the Mandate of Heaven. • Chinese argued that the dynastic cycle reflected heaven’s judgment of good and bad governments. • Under the Zhou dynasty, China became a feudal state. • Under the Zhou, the first books were made; One them, The Book of Songs, depicted both farm and royal life in poetry and song. • Zhou Dynasty (1027 BC); pronounced Joe • Zhou overthrows the Shang assumes Mandate of Heaven
Confucianism …Review • Created a school – included all classes • “Become Superior Men” In other words, aristocracy of noble character not noble birth • One of his many decree’s – men and women walk on opposite sides of the street • Welfare State?? The state should take care of the elderly and children • Theory of society should be based upon the people
Confucianism …Review • Confucius’s goal: to save China • His radical ideas makes him dangerous • Evaded several assassination attempts • “An oppressive gov’t is much worse than a man-eating tiger” • Influenza Theory of Virtue – first you get the rulers than the people will follow
The First Emperor and the Qin Dynasty • Ended feudalism, unified China using a harsh system called Legalism to impose order. • Standardized weights and measures • Produced Qin coins • Built roads • One of Shi Huangdi’s greatest accomplishments was to link existing feudal walls into the Great Wall.
Pattern of life of the Chinese Respect – Confucius stressed the importance of family and respect for elders to maintain harmony. • Children respected their elders • Women obeyed men • Children respected their mother • Extended and Joint Family – oldest male was the leader of the family • Filial Piety – respect for parents and ancestors; obey them, take care of them as they age, advise parents, and of course to love them. Loving one’s parents and offering them respect is the spring from which other forms of filial piety flows. A relationship with parents must be centered on love and respect. • Respect for Ancestors – review ancestor worshiping; part of filial piety • The Role of Women - The Chinese believed that women were inferior to men; valued for their work and ability to produce children; birth of son equated to respect
The Mongols and China • eliminated one of the most basic of Chinese institutions — the civil service examinations. • Societal hierarchy – The Mongols perceived China as just one section of their vast empire. And they classified the population of their domain in China into a hierarchy of four groups — with the native Chinese at the bottom. The Mongols, of course, were at the top; then came the non-Han, mostly Islamic population that was brought to China by the Mongols to help them rule; third were the northern Chinese; and at the very bottom of the rung were the southern Chinese.
Ming Dynasty • The Ming dynasty was founded in 1368 by the rebel leader. • Ming rulers worked to restore Chinese greatness. • They restored the civil service exam, restored the primacy of Confucianism, and rooted out corruption. • Under the Ming, the economy once again grew, thanks to improved farming methods and trade. • Ming China fostered a revival of the arts. • Ming blue and white porcelain vases became the most valuable Chinese products exported to the West. • A new form of popular literature, the novel, emerged. One example, The Water Margin, was about ending injustice.
Growth of Opium Trade • Europeans bought silk, tea, porcelain, and spices from China • Chinese would only trade goods for silver • Drain on European finances • Opium manufactured in China since 15th century for medical purposes • Opium then mixed with tobacco so it could be smoked • Dutch were first to begin trade of opium • English soon followed • Chinese government banned smoking and trade of opium in 1729 due to health and social issues
First Opium War 1834 – 1843 • Had superior military force – attacked coastal cities, defeated Qing forces easily • British took Canton and sailed up the Yangtze River • Took Tax Barges, cut revenue of imperial court of Beijing • 1842 Qing sued for peace • Ended with Treaty of Nanjing • Treaty of Nanjing • Referred to as the Unequal Treaties – accepted 1843 • China • Ceded Hong Kong to the British • Opened ports to British – Canton, Amoy, Fuzhou, Ningbo, Shanghai
Treaty of Tientsin • China was to pay an indemnity to Britain and France in 2 million taels of silver respectively, and compensation to British merchants in 2 million taels of silver. • The Chinese are to be banned from referring to Westerners by the character "yi" (barbarian). • Legalized the import of Opium
Unrest and Revolution: Taiping Rebellion • The Taiping Rebellion was the climax of a half-century of widespread social upheaval that blanketed every part of the Ch'ing Empire at a time when dynastic strength was on the decline • The local feuds in Kwangsi were the seedbed for the uprising of the Taipings. • The Taiping Rebellion added new dimension to this general picture because the rebellion challenged not only the Manchu Dynasty but the Confucian social order as well. • The Taiping rebels were using an imported and heterodox brand of Christianity to reinforce their cohesion and morale, hence their connection with foreign influence was also important in our consideration.
Causes of Rebellions • Causes vary and are often difficult to pin down • Two important ideas supported rebellions • “Guanbiminfan”, rebellion in response to officials’ suppression • Change of the mandate of Heaven • Normally Han people rebelled because of the following reasons • Economic distress • Destruction of traditional forms of handicraft employment by the competition of foreign manufactures?
