Unit 2 - Qin, Han, Maurya, Gupta, and Maya

What is the geographical context of Chinese civilization?

• Isolated by mountains & deserts = ethnocentrism(middle kingdom)

• Mountainous topography = terrace farming = agricultural surplus ( The Han dynasty was not entirely “isolated” because they communicated with the foreign world using the Silk Road)

What is daoism?

• A nature-based religion developed in China

• The Dao is nature and cannot be understood because “nature” cannot be explained

• “Go with the flow”… follow nature

• Meditation(clear mind become one with nature) & Tai Chi (exercise which brings you inline with the Dao)

The Art of War

• Written by Sun-Tzu and implemented by Qin Shi Huangdi who became the first emperor of China. Book on deception tactics and acting which helped him conquer the warring states and unify China. 

• Ex: if we are far away, make the enemy think we are near, when using our forces, we must make them think we are inactive, etc

Legalism

• Emperor enforces strict laws on everyone(no freedoms, burn books, close schools etc.)

• Two handles: evil - punishment(torture, forced labor, death), Good - reward(land, $$)

The nobles are not exempt to the law, everyone is equal by the law and if you are bad as a merchant or bad as a noble, you will still get the punishment.

Shi Huangdi Reforms

Shi Huangdi’s Reforms centralized power by…

• Strict laws

• Standardized roads and canals(improved trade)

• Standardized language

• Standardized measurement

• Control of nobility to eliminate threats to his power(groups were formed with several noble families who all had the responsibility for the wrongdoings of any individual in the group)

Great Wall of China

• Shi Huangdi built this 3000 mile walk in 14 years through forced labor Purposes:

• Protection from Mongol Invasions

• Population control/keep people in

• Cultural barrier: “civilized China and “non civilized” barbarians

Shi Huangdi’s Terracotta Tomb

To immortalize(protect his body for 10,000 years) the rule of the first emperor

Why did the Qin Dynasty immediately collapse(221 BCE-207 BCE: 14 years)?

• Shi Huangdi died from drinking “an elixir of immortality” given to him by a Daoist monk in 207 BCE

• The people rebelled against his harsh rule of Legalism

The Dynastic Cycle 

The way dynasties(families) gain and lose the mandate of Heaven(right to rule China). 

Confucianism and the 5 Relationships

5 Relationships: Inferior respects superior

• Subjects & emperor, son & father, youngest son & eldest son, wife & husband, friend & friend

The purpose of Confucianism and the 5 relationships:

To bring order(peace) to China based on filial piety: respect for elders

*Women did not have rights in the 5 Relationships*

Civil Service Exams

• Males could take a test to get a government position

• There were different test for each government department

• Developed a meritocracy(society based on achievement not birth)

• Any male could take the test = increased social mobility which created a… bureaucracy(government with different scholar officials: ex-taxes, war, agriculture, education, etc.

Why was the Han dynasty in a Golden Age?

People were seeking education (peace) =

Innovations(accomplishments) =

$(prosperity)=

The Golden Age

What were the Silk Roads?

Trade routes(over land and water) that connected Eurasia: Han, Rome, Maurya/Gupta(India)

Why did the Silk Roads develop during the Han Dynasty?

Han emperor Wudi wanted to trade jade & Silk for goods China did not have(horses, cotton, glassware)

What were the major effects of the Silk Roads?

• China is no longer isolated

• Great Wall extended for protection of trade

• Silk Road = Cultural diffusion

Impact of Han Innovations

Impact of Paper: education increased = Golden Age

Impact of Junk: Cargo ship increased long distance trade

Impact of the Magnetic Compass: Allowed for exploration maritime sailing

Commonality: Trade increase & cultural diffusion

Similarities between the Qin and Han

• Dynastic cycle

• Mandate of Heaven

• Great Wall

• Daoism

• Ethnocentrism

• Middle Kingdom

• Terrace Farming

Geographical Context of the Maurya and Gupta Empires

• Monsoons(seasonal winds) = agricultural surplus & disasters

• Khyber Pass(pass through the Hindu Kush that connects Eurasia to India) = Allowed people to access the subcontinent = cultural diffusion = diversity

• Indo-Gangetic Plain(Fertile area) = agricultural surplus = large population

• Coastal region = spices = trade = $$

• Diverse topography = diverse culture

*Geography has made India difficult to unify*

How did the Classical Indian Empires overcome geographical challenges?

Religion: Maurya used Buddhism, Gupta used Hinduism

How and when did Hinduism begin?

4000 years ago in northern India, Aryans who migrated from Europe to South Africa

NO SINGLE FOUNDER(ARYANS INTRODUCED IT)

What are the core beliefs of Hinduism?

• Monotheism: Brahman one god, supreme creator

• Polytheism: Brahman, Vishnu, Shiva, etc. thousands of gods

• Atman: soul

• Reincarnation: rebirth of the atman

• Moksha: goal of Hinduism… unity with Brahman, stops reincarnation

• Dharma: duties

• Karma: actions

• Ahimsa: nonviolence

• Caste: class

What are the sacred texts of Hinduism?

Vedas(written in sanskrit), Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita

What are the holy sites of Hinduism?

• Temple = place of worship

• Ganges River = Sacred river that washes away bad karma(millions pilgrimage each year to bathe in it)

How and when did Buddhism begin?

Northern India 2500 years ago a sheltered Hindu prince saw suffering…meditated, became the Buddha(enlightened one = no suffering)

Who founded Buddhism?

Siddhartha Gautama:

He was called the Buddha because he was the 1st to reach Nirvana which was enlightenment, and taught others

Who is the spiritual leader of Buddhism today?

Dalai Lama

What are the core beliefs of Buddhism?

• Four Noble Truths: people suffer because of selfish desire

• Eightfold Path: way to end selfish desire

• Meditation: Clears mind, ends selfish desire

• Nirvana: Enlightenment(perfection/no desire) can be achieved while living

• Dharma: duties

• Karma: actions

• Ahimsa: nonviolence

• Reincarnation: rebirth of the atman

NO GODS!! ALL PEOPLE ARE EQUAL!! NO CASTES!!

What is the sacred text of Buddhism?

Tripitaka

What is a stupa?

Place of worship(Buddhism)

Why was Chandragupta Maurya important?

• Met Alexander the Great

• He unified India

• Built one of the greatest cities\

• Founded the Mauryan Empire

• Inspired by Alexander the Great’s military

• Conquered a vast empire

   

Why did Asoka’s empire continue to expand without violence?

The idea of equality appealed to Indians in the caste

Who is Asoka?

Chandragupta’s grandson who wanted to be just as good as a conqueror as his grandfather. At The Battle of Kalinga he realized the amount of loss and so he converted to Buddhism and went on to expand the empire without violence.

What did Ashoka’ Rock and Pillar Edicts consist of?

• Officials will inspire others

• Encourages respect of other religions, elders, and minorities(so that people can gain better karma for their next life)

How is Asoka still relevant today?

Promote equality, pillars of Ashoka are a symbol of unity in a diverse nation.

What is the greatest accomplishment of Asoka?

Missionaries(Buddhist monks) who spread Buddhism to East/Southeast Asia; dominates today in those regions.

Why is the Maurya NOT considered a Golden age?

Peace: Buddhism, wheel of law, pillars

Prosperity: ??

Accomplishments: ??

How did the Gupta create peace?

Chandragupta II:

• Conquered the Ganges River then…

Used Hinduism and the caste system to bring order(peace) to society to let Brahmins(top caste) make innovations

How did the Gupta generate prosperity?

Silk Road:

Gupta coins - Rome - China

Gold spices - Cotton Glassware - Silk/paper

What were the Gupta able to accomplish?

• Ajanta Cave art dedicated to religion

• Literature: Brahmin Caste Nine Gems author Kalidasa

• Math: Zero, decimals, Pi, etc.

• Architecture: Step wells to overcome monsoons

• Medicine: Surgery/inoculations, vaccine for measles, etc.

Geography of the Mayan civilization?

• Yucatan Peninsula between Gulf of Mexico and Pacific Ocean

• Completely isolated from other classical civilizations

How did the Mayans get an agricultural surplus and what effects did their technique have?

• Developed slash-and-burn agriculture = Fertile soil from the ash

• Caused drought which could have led to their downfall

What was Mayan government like?

• Each controlled by a separate city-state ruled by the Priest-king

• Ziggurats were constructed in the center of each city-state designated for the Priest-king: pyramids made of hand-cut limestone blocks

• Created enough peace to allow for incredible accomplishments in Math and Science

Mayan social aspects and accomplishments:

• 3 Calendars

• Concept of 0

• Indecipherable hieroglyphic writing 

• Polytheism(many gods): Itzamna(creator), Chac(rain god), K’inich Ajaw(sun god), etc.

• Believed each individual’s spirit was associated with an animal

• Early form of chocolate: “bitter water”

• Social hierarchy: Main ruler, nobles, artisans, merchants, farmers