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China

China. China at 600 CE. Hominids (Peking Man) in China at least 500 kya First Homo Sapiens arrive 60 kya Settle along the major river systems. Ancient Ones. What if your family had been in the same place forever?. The Way. The Way that can be told of is not an unvarying way;

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China

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  1. China

  2. China at 600 CE • Hominids (Peking Man) in China at least 500 kya • First Homo Sapiens arrive 60 kya • Settle along the major river systems

  3. Ancient Ones • What if your family had been in the same place forever?

  4. The Way • The Way that can be told of is not an unvarying way; • The names that can be named are not unvarying names. • It was from the Nameless that Heaven and Earth sprang; • The named is but the mother that rears the ten thousand creatures, each after its kind

  5. The Myth of China—”The Middle Kingdom” • For thousands of years China has been a place roughly centered on the three rivers • But China is also an idea—the Middle Kingdom, the Central Country • As do all ancient cultures, China views itself as the center of all things human

  6. The Middle Kingdom

  7. The Three Heroes—Inventors of China • Fu Hsi—writing, trapping, hunting, fishing • Shen Nung—agriculture and trade • The Yellow Emperor—government and Taoism (2697 BCE)

  8. Taoism • Laozi (6th to 4th Century BCE)—Old Master, traditional author of the TaoTe Ching—”tao” or “dao” means “the way” • Said to have studied the more ancient texts of the Yellow Emperor

  9. Taoism • Chi—the life force • Yin and Yang—life and death • Tao—the way, perfect harmony with nature • Wu Wei—”non-activity,” “The perfect activity leaves no tracks.” Laozi

  10. The Myth of China • Dynasties come and go, but the Middle Kingdom remains—the essential, primordial China • Face—dignity, order, balance, harmony, cultural identity, ancestors

  11. Pre T’ang Politics and Culture • 300 years of political strife (yin and yang) • Huns and Turks periodically invade the north • South remains relatively peaceful and prosperous • Southern kingdom ruled by “son of heaven” with capital at Nanking • Cultural values • Buddhist “right conduct” • Taoism • Confucianism • Harmony, hierarchy

  12. T’ang Dynasty 618- 907 CE • First emperors reunify ancient territories

  13. T’ang Dynasty 618- 907 CE • Empress Wu • Concubine who rose to power • Favored Buddhism—why? • Established strong examination system—basis for later T’ang bureaucratic structure

  14. Empress Wu—Ancestor Cave

  15. T’ang Dynasty 618- 907 CE • Emperor Hsuan-tsung (713-756 CE) • Established 15 provincial governors • Government schools • Scholar-bureaucrats rose to power—meritocracy vs. aristocracy • Confucianism returns to favor • Trade routes protected • Infrastructure built • Agricultural and technological advances lead to baby boom

  16. Li Po 701-762 CE

  17. Medieval Nation Building • You are the emperor of a sophisticated and powerful eastern empire in the year 1000 CE. Your armies have successfully conquered the wild tribes of England. You are shocked by the primitive conditions that you find. How will you develop this backward country? • Focus on: • Government • Military • Religion • Culture

  18. Medieval Nation Building • You may choose features from medieval: • Europe • Islam • China • Japan • Begin by describing the status quo, and then explain the changes that you will make and how you will implement those changes.

  19. Neo-Confucianism The Three Masters

  20. Pax Mongolica

  21. The Steppes

  22. The Steppes

  23. The Mongols • Nomadic • Gers—round, portable, felt covered tents • Sheep—provided food, clothing, shelter, heat • Horses—mobility, hit and run • Religion • Tengriism • Buddhism • Christianity—Nestorian • Islam

  24. The Mongols—Military • Decimal Organization • Arav—10 • Zuut—100 • Minghan—1000 • Tumen—10,000 • Command and Control—flexibility • Mobility • Tribal allegiances broken • Logistics—postal system, stations one day’s horse ride

  25. Mongol Cavalry

  26. Composite Bow • Targeted shots to 200 m • Lethal to 400 m

  27. Genghis Khan 1162-1227

  28. Kublai Khan 1215-1294

  29. Silk Road • Silk • Spices—nutmeg, pepper, cinnamon, ginger • Cotton—muslin • Pearls, precious stones • Weapons • Gunpowder • Paper

  30. Marco Polo

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