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World Civilizations
The Global Experience

AP* Sixth Edition
Chapter 2
Classical Civilization:
China
World Civilizations: The Global Experience, AP* Sixth Edition Copyright ©2011, ©2007, ©2004 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Stearns • Adas • Schwartz • Gilbert All rights reserved.
Establishment of Political Order
New order from 700s B.C.E.

–New political structures
–Zhou, Qin, then Han rule
–Establishment of enduring institutions
China from the Later Zhou to the
Han Era
Han Dynasty
– Overthrew Qin in 207 B.C.E.
– Ruled for four centuries
– Long-lasting, stable bureaucracy
– Rise of Chinese sense of uniqueness
Cultural traditions
– Broad isolation
– Enduring philosophy of yin and yang
Patterns in Classical China
Pattern established
– New dynasty
Begins rule strong, economic strength
Dynasty weakens, revenues decline
Internal rebellions and invasions
– Succeeding dynasty emerges
Zhou Dynasty (1029-258 B.C.E.)

– Came from the north, replacing Shang
– System of indirect rule
– Territorial expansion
– Some centralization
Linguistic unity
Religious practices reshaped
Qin Rule
–Originally nomadic, marginal
–Shi Huangdi
Zhou rival
Rules from about 200 B.C.E.
Great Wall
Great centralization
Death of Shi Huangdi in 210 B.C.E.
• Leads to a period of conflict
The Han Dynasty

– Territorial expansion
Contact with India
Trade with Roman Empire
– Wu Ti (140-87 B.C.E.)
Establishes peaceful rule
– Han rule strong until about 220 C.E.
Government allows rule of large territory

– Reliance on family structure
Ancestor worship
– Local rule weakened
Single law code over all
Rule from center out
Strong Bureaucracy
– Power of warrior-landlords lessened
– Examination system put in place by Wu Ti
– Highly-integrated system
Trained bureaucrats
Some limits on imperial power
Ancient Capitals
Roles of the state

– Military role not preeminent
– Economic role
Weights, measures, currency
– Public works
Religion and Culture
Confucianism
–Concern with stability, peace
–An ethical system
–Role of moral elite
Education central
–The Confucian Gentleman
Moral rectitude
Public and private spheres equally important
Kings should be reminded of duties
Legalism
– Favored a strong state, ruling through force
– Belief that human nature was basically evil
– In opposition to Confucianism in many ways
Yet the two often combined in exercise of power
Popular religion
– Confucianism has limited appeal
– Polytheism persists
Conciliation of spirits
Family ceremonies
Laozi (400s B.C.E.)

–Philosopher
–Retreat from society
–State cannot solve all problems
–Nature
Dao, cosmic force
–Meditation
Literature, Art, and Science

– Five Classics
Combination of genres
Basis for government examinations
– Decorative arts
Calligraphy
– Science concentrated on the practical
Economy and Society
Confucian Social System

– Landowning aristocracy and bureaucrats
– Laboring masses: peasants and artisans
– The “mean people”
Unskilled laborers
Performing artists
Slaves
Economy and Society
Trade and technology

– Trade increases under the Zhou and Han
Little respect for trade and merchants
– Technology
Plows, new collar for draft animals
Iron tools
Water-powered mills
Ppaer
Economy and Society
Gender and Family Life

– Great emphasis on authority
– Parental authority especially upheld
– Women subordinate to men
How Chinese Society
Fits Together
Isolation
– View of surrounding peoples as inferior
– No missionary desires
– Buddhism an exception
How Chinese Society
Fits Together
Social and Cultural Links to Politics
– Society viewed as a whole
– Government and society seen as one
– Agriculture tied to government through
revenue
How Chinese Society
Fits Together
Complexities in Classical China
– Confucianism versus Daoism
Many points of overlap
But some antagonism
– Balance often upset
Overpopulation might lead to uprisings
Global Connections:
Classical China and the World
Qin and Han China
– Agriculture permits large population
– Development of technologies
– Influence through the Silk Road
China connected with other areas
Trade mostly by nomadic merchants
– The “Middle Kingdom”
Influence on surrounding peoples

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World Civilizations

The Global Experience

New order from 700s B.C.E.

Zhou Dynasty (1029-258 B.C.E.)

The Han Dynasty

Government allows rule of large territory

Roles of the state

Laozi (400s B.C.E.)

Literature, Art, and Science

Confucian Social System

Trade and technology

Gender and Family Life

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