Imperial China: From the First to the Last Emperor

1. Imperial China: From the First to the Last Emperor Shana J. Brown Department of History University of Hawaii

2. Tactics in studying Chinese history… • Appreciating the extraordinary degree of geographical, cultural, linguistic, and ethnic diversity • Countering the myth of “eternal China” by defining historical units and themes that acknowledge growth, change, influences by outside world • Looking for historical themes that enrich our understanding of contemporary problems, without reducing them to stereotypes

3. Aspects of the imperial system • The bureaucratic operation and ritual coherence of the empire provided social coherence despite significant ethnic, linguistic, religious, and other cleavages • China’s borders were malleable – the empire grew and contracted in size, without losing distinctive political, economic, and cultural features • Imperial system required social consent and cultural harmony – numerically small regimes can only survive via strategic partnerships

4. Part I: Legalism v. Confucianism

5. Spring and Autumn Period (771-481 BC) Feudal: central king & subservient fiefdoms Central state loses authority as kings become corrupt Last Zhou king is defeated by vassal, allied with “barbarian” forces Fiefdoms devolve into independent states Zhou feudalism and decline

6. Age of Confucius and the philosophers Effective political & social structures attract & control subjects Confucians: ruler relies on moral example and elite cooperation Warring States (481-221 BC)

7. Ruler is distant, impartial, and stern Strict rules & punishments leads to secure, prosperous society No hereditary nobility; private ownership & taxation Rise of the State of Qin & Legalism

8. Qin Shihuang (259 – 210 BC) conquers neighboring states Builds Great Wall to the north, Lingqu Canal to the south Imperial ambitions

9. Weights & measures, currency, cart axels standardized Non-Qin characters outlawed Outlaws & burns existing most texts, kills scholars who resist Rule by standardization

10. Qin Shihuang obsessed with elixir of life Builds enormous, elaborate tomb to ensure power and comfort in afterlife Search for immortality

11. After collapse of Qin, two rebel commanders emerge; victor is proclaimed emperor of new dynasty Han initially reestablish feudal system, but gradually develop new administrative system Qin conquered by Han (206 BC – 220 CE)

12. Semi-autonomous fiefdoms gradually made smaller, and autonomous staff was replaced by appointees from central court Introduced an Imperial College to teach Confucian texts and literature Confucian ritual elevated above Legalist focus on power of the emperor Concepts of Mandate of Heaven and rule by ethics replace Legalist emperor’s claim to absolute power and rule by decree Han administration system

13. Government monopolies on salt, iron, and other commodities encourage trade and increase state revenue Loyalty of wealthy landowners essential to government taxation & functioning A flourishing economy Han Dynasty coin and mold

14. Elaborate temple & tomb architecture Ritual practice aimed to achieve purification, repentance, and the expiation of sins Minister of Ceremonies organized court ritual, administered imperial examinations Ritual and performance

15. The tensions of the imperial system • New states founded by conquest, but survive by accommodation and consent • Administrative power relies on pragmatic rule, ritual persuasion • Rulers emphasize popular welfare as the definition of good government, but expect obedient population

16. Part II: Inner and Outer Empires

17. Invasion of nomadic groups from northern steppes diverse cultures and political structures Rise of Buddhism as significant moral and cultural influence After Han, age of disunity

18. Tang rulers linked to nomadic groups Population reached some 50 million people Creation of unified legal code; resurrection of Han institutions Buddhist & Daoist institutions at the height of their power and wealth Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE)

19. Tang culture and society Increased trade led to greater variety of foodstuffs, including the “golden peaches of Samarkand”…

20. How to defend and police such a large population, such diffuse borders Problem of rebellion, particularly in borderlands: An Lushan and the Tibetans Attacks on the Buddhism: in 846, seizure of temples and other property Control and danger

21. Introduction of fast-growing rice led to dramatic population growth Development of specialized agriculture and more sophisticated urban markets Rise of Neo-Confucianism as state orthodoxy Song Dynasty (960-1279 CE)

22. The idealized Song capital: “Going upriver on the Qingming Festival”

23. Did language impede innovation? Was there an “equilibrium trap” between population and need for labor-saving devices? Too protective to take advantage of trade and culture exchange? Why no industrial revolution?

24. Song conquered first by Jin, then by Yuan (Mongols) Mongols discriminate against Han Chinese, but eventually revive many aspects of Song imperial system Song falls to northern invaders

25. China in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)

26. Korean map dating to 1402 (before Zheng He’s voyages)

27. Ming administrative power

28. Great walls

29. “Maritime party” – wants to direct more resources towards SE Asia, maritime trade Anti-maritime party: wanted to focus on domestic development, threats from NW frontier Imperial political “parties”

30. Foreign states expected to hold peaceful, if subservient attitudes Gift exchange reinforced China’s position of as supreme political power, as well as trade Tribute included native products, like elephants from Siam, or eunuchs and virgin girls for harem The tributary system Mongol envoys to Ming court (courtesy of a Dutch artist)