Prehistory and Classical China and India

1. Prehistory and Classical China and India AP World History Exam Study Session #1

2. PREHISTORY • Archeology—Has given us our knowledge of human development and ancient societies • Paleolithic Age—Began more than 2 million years ago • Homo erectus and homo sapiens sapiens appeared

3. Human life before agriculture • Characteristics of Paleolithic Age: • Humans used simple tools, tamed fire, and developed bigger brains and a more erect posture • Lasted until 12,000 BCE • Homo sapiens sapiens—Hunters and gatherers that originated in Africa • Dominated other human types

4. Stone tool use improved gradually • Humans developed speech, rituals, and culture • Characteristics of the Mesolithic Age (12,000-8,000 BCE): • Humans made more advanced tools and fought more frequently • Populations increased considerably

5. The Neolithic Revolution (8,000-3,500 BCE) • Characteristics of the Neolithic Age: • One of the most important transitions in human history • Humans mastered sedentary agriculture and domesticated animals • Resulted in food surpluses, increasing population, creation of cities, and job specialization • Pastoral nomadism developed • Use of metal tools • Resulted in improved agriculture and stronger weapons and aided artisans

6. The emergence of civilization • Occurred in many agricultural societies • Built on technological advances • Characteristics include: • Cities • Writing • Formal institutions (government and religion) • Stratified social classes • Trade • Early civilizations included Mesopotamia, Egypt, Indus River Valley, and northern China

7. River Valley Civilizations • All corresponded geographically to river locations • Left durable innovations • Most declined after 1,200 BCE • A small number of population centers emerged in the Middle East • Introduced Judaism, the alphabet, iron tools, and extensive trade connections throughout the Mediterranean

8. The first civilizations • Created basic sets of tools • Introduced intellectual concepts like writing and math • Created political forms • Reduced local autonomy • Had little contact with each other • They developed separate cultural patterns

9. CLASSICAL CHINA • Patterns in classical China • Included three dynasties—Zhou, Qin, and Han • Zhou Dynasty • Declined because of political instability and frequent invasions • Thinkers like Confucius tried to restore order and social harmony • Family, filial piety, harmony, reciprocal social relationships, and respect were central to culture

10. Qin Dynasty • Founded by Shi Huangdi • Centralized power • Began constructing the Great Wall of China • Han Dynasty • Most famous ruler was Wu Di • Supported Confucianism and promoted peace

11. Political institutions • For most of recorded history, the Chinese have been the most strictly governed people • Political institutions were one of classical China’s most important contributions • There should be a strong, unified central government • Emperor should rule • Should be assisted by an educated professional bureaucracy

12. Religion and culture • Chinese culture coalesced at the end of the Zhou Dynasty • Three critical philosophies that emphasized education were introduced • Confucianism—Ethical system based on relationships and personal virtue • Legalism—Countered Confucianism by favoring an authoritarian state and harsh rule • Daoism—Taught harmony with nature and humble living

13. Art was mostly decorative • Appeared in calligraphy, carved jade and ivory, and silk screens • Science and math emphasized the practical over the theoretical • Chinese excelled in astronomy

14. Economy and society • Classical economy focused on agriculture • Sharp class divisions existed between: • Landowning aristocracy and educated bureaucrats • Laboring masses, peasants, and urban artisans • “Mean” people (those without meaningful skills) • State fostered extensive internal trade • China created technological advances • Including ox-drawn plows, water-powered mills, and paper • Socially, China was hierarchical, deferential, and patriarchal • Tight family structure was valued

15. How Chinese civilization fits together • China’s politics and culture meshed, especially with the emergence of a Confucian bureaucracy • Economic innovation didn’t disrupt the emphasis on order and stability • Family structures were linked to political and cultural goals • Classical China developed with very little outside contact

16. CLASSICAL INDIA • Geography and a formative period established the framework for Indian history • Geography and climate were major influences on Indian civilization • Mountains (in the north) • Rivers—Ganges and Indus • Aryan culture dominated India after the fall of the Indus River Valley civilization • Brought the beginnings of the caste system to India • Literature included the Vedas, the Ramayana, and the Upanishads

17. Patterns in classical India • Most important empires were the Mauryan and the Gupta • Mauryan Empire—Rose because of the Greek conquest of the Indus and the exchange of ideas between the Mediterranean and southwest Asia • Chandragupta Maurya—First Mauryan ruler • Ashoka—Greatest Mauryan ruler • Expanded the empire • Promoted Buddhism • Gupta Empire—Arose after a period of nomadic invasions • Created a long period of political stability

18. Political institutions • Dominated by regionalism and political diversity • Central authority was relatively weak • Increasingly complex caste system promoted public order • Government structure usually promoted public order in other cultures

19. Religion and culture • Hinduism and Buddhism were the most important religions • Influenced arts and sciences • Promoted religious tolerance • Hinduism is polytheistic • Gradually became more complex • Stresses reincarnation, shallowness of worldly concerns, and dharma • Buddhism was founded by Siddhartha Gautama (6th century BCE) • Scorned Hindu caste system and the material world • Favored self-control and the Eightfold Path to nirvana

20. Religious and cultural accomplishments of classical India by the last centuries BCE • Developed a written language • Built cities • Produced art and literature • Created two of the world’s great religions

21. Economy and society • Dominated by the caste system • Developed extensive internal and international maritime trade • Economy remained mostly agricultural • Families were patriarchal

22. Classical India had an enormous effect on other parts of the world • Emerged as the center of the Eurasian trade system • Brought India great wealth • Spread Indian culture abroad

23. Classical China and India • Similarities • Built stable structures over large areas • Used culture to justify social inequality • Differences • Focused on different things politically • Social systems and cultures