Classical Civilizations of China pt. 2

The Han Dynasty

The Han Dynasty

• Lasts 4 centuries - 206 BC - 220 AD

  • reach a famous golden age 

• Qin power collapses —> a struggle for power 

  • Liu Bong claim the Mandate of Heaven and creates policies that set a strong foundation for the Han 

    • centralizes power 

    • Wins popular support by lowering taxes and abolishes legalism 

    • appointed Confucian scholar-officials as advisers 

Emperor Wudi

• rules of 54 years and continues efforts to unity and strengthen the Han government +economy

  • Created a govt. monopoly (when a business or govt. controls the production of goods in an area) in iron and salt = money for govt. 

  • set up an Imperial[=Empire] university to train scholars

  • built roads, canals, and developed the Silk Road

  • supported expansionism

Expansionism

the policy of territorial or economic expansion.

The Silk Road

a trade route that stretched 4,000 miles, from eastern China to eastern Europe; allowed cultural diversity + spread of ideas (ex: paper); allowed many advancements throughout regions

The Civil Service System

a system of government administration based on Confucian principles; involved selecting officials through rigorous examinations; tested knowledge of Confucianism, history; aimed to ensure that qualified individuals were appointed to govt. positions based on merit rather than social status or connections.

Bureaucracy

 a way to organize govt. 

Han Achievements

Science

• Textbooks in various subjects 

• Han astronomers studied stars and planets= improve earlier calendars + invent timekeeping devices 

• “Science should be based off of proof!”

Medicine 

• Physicians diagnosed diseases, experiments with herbal remedies and anesthetics

• Acupuncture: a procedure where a doctor inserts needles under the skin at a specific point to relieve or treat various illnesses 

Technology 

• Improved the silk making process 

• Inventions: a simple seismograph, fishing reel, rudder on a ship, durable paper(made out of wood pulp), bronze and iron stirrups, suspension bridges, chain pumps 

Ethnocentrism

a person believes that their cultural practices, beliefs, or customs are superior to those of other cultures, sign: lead to biased perspective + potential discrimination against other groups.

The Tang Dynasty

• Tang emperors restore unity and glory to China 

  • Rebuilt the bureaucracy + other Han govt. practices hiring Confucian advisors 

  • Created tributary states around Asia 

  • Built up canal, road system + helped with making paper 

  • Instituted land reform

• Falls after 300 years due to revolt caused by corruption, drought, taxes 

Tang Taizong

“Emperor Taizong” of Tang; expanded empire through military campaigns and diplomacy, bringing stability and prosperity to the Tang Dynasty; His reign = golden age of Chinese civilization.

Land reform

land will be redistributed from the rich to the poor

Tributary states

a smaller civilization; can still operate on your own but you have to pay a tax; if big person need anything = take stuff but have their own rules

The Song Dynasty

• Continue Tang govt. practices + stress traditions of the past by reviving Confucian principles 

• Advance many Tang achievements 

• Trade increases due to improved farming methods + open borders 

  • Chinese cities became centers of trade + see merchants from India, Persia, Arabia

    • Chinese goods and ideas spread 

• After 300 years, conquered by the Mongols 

Foot Bindings

• S = a beauty standard in a countries where they wear shoes that alter their foot structure. 

• EQ = still have beauty standards today 

  • May be unusual for others

• I = people change their bodies to look more beautiful and attractive to society 

• Confucian ideas 

  • One of the five rules (husband to wife)

Social Hierarchy

describe social relationships between individuals and groups

Gentry

Wealthy landowning class 

Merchants position

the lowest class; traders on the silk road

Social mobility

change in a person's socio-economic situation, either in relation to their parents (inter-generational mobility) or throughout their lifetime (intra-generational mobility).

Significance of the Achievements of Tang and Song

• Social Hierarchy based on Confucian principles (respect, hard work, education, serving in govt.)

• Gentry  

  • Educated, often civil servants 

• Merchants below peasants

  • Merchants not respected bc they gained wealth off of others hard work 

• Social mobility was possible

Block printing - Tang 

Moveable printing - Song 

Genghis Khan

“World Emperor“; conquered empires in Pacific Ocean to Eastern Europe; known for strict military BUT generous + rewarding to fighters; had most well trained horsemen; when conquered people = laid back = let people live their lives but obey Mongol Laws

Pax Mongolica

“Mongol Peace”; a time of many advancements in china = education, agriculture, and political stability

Kublai Khan

Grandson of Genghiz Khans; tried to keep Mongols out of Chinese civilizations = only Mongols can serve military, govt jobs only for Mongols or Non-Chinese officials employed by him; 

Sign divides Mongols and Chinese = not healthy relationship, could lead to rebel bc not fair rights; discriminating towards Chinese 

Grand Canal

a man-made waterway that unified the Northern and Southern part of China; used for trade

Yuan Dynasty

dynasty named after Kublai Khan’s Chinese name; period = had Arab architects design palace = many rooms represent Mongol Steppe dwellings; extended Grand Canal BUT many lives lost  

Significance: many achievements BUT No value for human lives. Allowed diversity = others design his palace

Marco Polo

A visitor of China  from Italy; while visiting: spent 17 yr in Kublai’s service; described the empire as being rich (many gold and silver on walls); very amazed how big the empire was compared to Venice (a huge/rich city-state); had diary = sparked interest in Europe for the riches in Asia —> sign: allow education to people on others

Sign: diversity in helping with the government.

The Ming Dynasty

Zheng He