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Ancient Chinese Dynasties

Ancient Chinese Dynasties. Shang Dynasty 1600-1050 BCE. Technology: Bronze, chopsticks, jade, silk, spices, oracle bones and writing Kingship moved from Brother to Brother or Brother to nephew Mandate of Heaven Shang imbued with right to rule by the gods Gave ruler religious power

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Ancient Chinese Dynasties

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  1. Ancient Chinese Dynasties

  2. Shang Dynasty 1600-1050 BCE • Technology: • Bronze, chopsticks, jade, silk, spices, oracle bones and writing • Kingship moved from Brother to Brother or Brother to nephew • Mandate of Heaven • Shang imbued with right to rule by the gods • Gave ruler religious power • Only if they were good, cared about people • Gave secular power to decide what was good and right for people • Gods would remove him if he was not doing good for the people • Not limited to 1 family/dynasty. • Dynasty can be replaced and is justified • Successful invader has the support of the gods, because they chose him

  3. Zhou (Chou) 1046-256 BCE • Long-Lived • Government was Decentralized (Feudal kingdoms pledged allegiance) • Technology: • Roads and canals for trade • Chariots, bowmen • Science (astronomy) • Literature • Very RICH nobles and very POOR farmers • Confucius • Warring States (475-221 BCE)

  4. Warring States 475-221 BCE • China was dived into 7 competing nations • Qin, Chu (largest), Zhao, Wei, Han, Yan, and Qi • Warfare aided by: • Cavalry, conscription, crossbows and armor • War tactics, training (development of military skill) and espionage • Sun Tzu’s ART of WAR • Significant developments in society, commerce, agriculture, philosophy and arts • Better tools and craft skills (metalworking) • Skilled artists • Growth of agriculture to feed armies • Irrigation and canal system • Display of extravagance • Walls, buildings, pottery, weapons • Town planning (grid systems) • Bronze coins • Led to unification of China

  5. Qin Dynasty 221-206 BCE • First unified China • Short-lived • Very cruel • Put to death dissenters • Great Wall got started • Books burned • Terra Cotta Warriors (Protectors of Emperor Shi Huangdi tomb): • 8000 soldiers, 520 horses, 150 cavalry, 130 chariots and weapons • No two alike, great detail • Took approx. 720,000 unpaid workers 30 yrs. to complete • Legalist • Emphasis on laws and procedures • Bureaucracy to run provinces

  6. Han Dynasty 206 BCE-220 CE • Long-lived • Expanded territory of China • Silk Road • Invention of paper • Free public education • Centralized govt. • Used for 2000 years after fall of dynasty • Han Wudi • Emperor (54 years) • Created imperial exams for govt. workers • Confucianism officially established as state religion • Philosophy of “uprightness”, social order and family responsibility

  7. Tang Dynasty 618-906 CE • The Golden Age of Ancient China • Came after the Age of Division (Warfare in China) • New trade • Bananas • Tea Drinking • Arts: • Literature, dancing, music, scroll painting and art • Perfected painted pottery with scenes of daily life, nature and zodiac • Chinese Calligraphy • Palace opened for artisans to practice • Buddhism started to be practiced in China

  8. Confucianism • Confucius lived 551-479 BCE • Believe he was setting the values of the people • Moral, uprightness, social order, and family responsibility • Solely focused on everyday concerns, not the universe, god or the afterlife • Rulers and teachers are the models for society • Virtuous, moral • Against the idea that some men were superior to others • Believed nobility should be determined by qualities, not birth • Official philosophy during Han Dynasty • Teachings are written in his Analects • Complied by his students/may be adapted • Used to be part of Chinese Civil Service exam books (unit 1905) • Seen as a preservation of traditional Chinese thought

  9. Legalism • Han Feizi (280-233 BCE) • Developed during the Warring times—is a response to constant warfare • Political theory of autocratic, centralized rule that emphasized strict penalties • Humans would rather do wrong because they are motived by self-interest • Control human impulse to deal with Chaos • Official philosophy during Qin Dynasty • All others banned as corrupting influences • Especially Confucianism because of idea that humans are basically good • Resulted in loss of life and culture • Burned books • Writers, philosophers and teachers were executed

  10. Daoism • Laozi (6th century BCE) • Official religion of Tang Dynasty (618-906 CE) • Philosophy of universal harmony that urged people to not get involved with “worldly” affairs • “The Way” • Ultimate truth to the Universe • Life is generally happy • Live with balance and virtue • Minor philosophy/Religion until 100 CE • Faced competition with Buddhism to gain converts

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