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Classical Civilization: China. Chapter 2. I. Classical China. Classical China established a dynastic pattern of strong political institutions, followed by periods of decline and fall. Zhou Dynasty (c. 1029-258 BCE) Fell- resulting in a period- Warring States. Three Philosophies.
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Classical Civilization:China Chapter 2
I. Classical China Classical China established a dynastic pattern of strong political institutions, followed by periods of decline and fall. • Zhou Dynasty (c. 1029-258 BCE) • Fell- resulting in a period- Warring States
Three Philosophies • Confucianism • Daoism • Legalism
Confucianism 551-478 BCE • Stressed relationaships • 5 Relationships • Ruler- Subject • Husband-Wife • Parent-Child • Sibling-Sibling • Friend-Friend • Believed that if these are balanced- all will run smoothly • Not really spiritual
Daoism • Balance nature • The Dao • Peace comes by balancing the dao • Yin and yang- opposing forces. Daoists believe that all nature is in balance. Harmony with nature brings peace. • “Go with the flow”
Legalism • Humans are naturally evil • Gov should rule with authoritarian force.
#2 Qin Dynasty 221-202 BCE • Shi Huangdi, overthrew Zhou • Political • created centralized control with provincial bureaucracy • Increased Chinese territory • Began census, standardization axels • Brutal rule • high taxes and persecution of intellectual led to downfall • Technology and Culture • built Great Wall • written language • Confucianism unfavored • silk production
#3 Han Dynasty • Political: Peasant revolt at emperor’s death; lasted until 220 CE • Retained centralized admin of Qin • extended territory • formalized bureaucracy with Confucian training • Han formalized bureaucracy • with civil service tests only open to wealthy land owners • Economy: Han supported economy with organized production, price regulation, public works
Trade/Economy in the Han • trade expanded during Han; focused on providing luxury goods to wealthy, some food exchange between regions, even extra regional trade along Silk Roads • Considerable disdain for greed, merchants • Diffusion of ideas with India, ME, Europe
Religion in the Han: • Confucian philosophy: Han supportedConfucius • Legalism emerged from Qin, Han, believed man need authoritarian state to control evil nature • Daoism, Buddhism become strong with lower classes, after fall of Han; stressed humility, frugality; believed politics, learning irrelevant
Han Art and Intellectual Life • Literary tradition based in Five Classics, Confucian ideas • Daoism promoted: Art with careful detail, poetry • absence of unifying religion didn’t promote monument building • Science • Innovation key function of culture focused on discovering natural harmony; accurate calendar, most planets, early seismology, anatomy, hygiene
IV. Han Social Issues • Society structured on Confucian hierarchy, SPAM • Scholars • Peasants • Artisans • Merchants • Tight family organization, filial piety, strict control of emotions, family center, model of orderly harmonious hierarchy- Which philosophy? • Restriction of Women: arranged marriages, women’s power held with emotional control of husbands, sons, becoming mother’s in law; eventually results in foot binding • Considerable disdain for greed, merchants