China

World Cultures and Civilizations

Great Wall

Great Wall

a system of fortified walls with a roadway along the top, constructed as a defense for China against the nomads of the regions that are now Mongolia and Manchuria: the wall is more than 2,300 years old it’s length is 13,170.7 miles (21,196.18 km) long (6 dynasties worth).

Period of 100 Schools

many new philosophies were invented to solve the problems of society during the Warring States

Warring States

happened from 476 BCE-221 BCE, nomads attacked the Zhou Empire and killed some of the royal family. The royal family moved the capital but this weakened the power of them. This lead to the noble families fighting for territory. Traditional values collapsed; no harmony, respect, love of one another.

Mandate of Heaven

the god given approval to rule

an ancient Chinese philosophical concept, which originated during the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BCE). determines whether an emperor of China is sufficiently virtuous to rule; if he does not funfill his obligations as emperor, then he loses the Mandate and thus the right to be emperor.

Dynastic Cycles

the pattern of the rise, decline, and rebirth of dynasties

Strong dynasty that establishes peace/prosperity (considering to have the Mandate of Heaven), dynasty begins to decline (becomes corrupt, taxes raise, power is weaker), disaster strikes (flood, famines, revolt, invasion), dynasty loses Mandate of Heaven (rebellion), dynasty is overthrown (bloodshed) new synasty emerges, new dynasty returns and restores peace/prosperity/Mandate of Heaven

Legalism

Han Fei/Li Si-Philosophy of Qin Dynasty

Based in belief that humans are naturally selfish and short-sighted.  Humans can’t be trusted to be moral. Humans can  only be managed through a powerful government with strict laws and harsh punishments.

Oracle Bone

refers to ox scapulae (or shoulder blade bones) and tortoiseshells used by Shang rulers for divination. A fortune-teller would carve (later, paint) symbols on the bones of the ox or the turtle shell, apply a hot poker or fire until the bone or shell cracked, and then interpret the direction of the crack through their drawing to predict the future.Were said to offer a conduit to the spirits of royal ancestors, legendary figures from the past, nature deities, and other powerful spirits.

Ming Treasure Ships

Treasure Fleets

• 7 voyages

• Led by Zheng He, Muslim

• Led voyages all over the Indian Ocean

• Why they wanted to end----:

  • They didn’t have enough money, or lower taxes, and they had to fight the Mongols/nomads on the Northern borders

  Wanted the ------ to continue:

  • Show prestige/power around the world

  • Possibly make new discoveries

  • Not isolate themselves from the rest of the world

  • Get people to send tributes

Shih Huang Ti

Led the Qin state to victory and united the Warring States, had a very well organized large army who were brutal, when he won he brought many changes (same currency, same language, exact measurement, determined the number of states: 36), was very paranoid (would have throne room cleared out, always wore armor, always had soldiers positioned outside)

Confucius

the creator of Confucianism, emerged during the Warring States

Lao Tzu

the creator of Taoism, an old teacher (we don’t know the actual person)

The Great Yu

In Chinese myth, flood stories pretty much all revolve around a guy. In the distant past, he was tasked with stopping the flooding of the Yangtze and Yellow rivers, and he did it. He also founded the legendary Xia Dynasty.

Zheng He

led 7 voyages sent by leader Hongwe (40-300 ships sailed in each expedition, had fishing ships, storage vessels, “treasure ships”, 27,000 or more estimated crew). He gave gifts of silver which led to 16 countries sending tribute to the Ming Court but after he returned from the 7th voyage (1433) China went into isolation

Xia Dynasty

-first dynasty

- no written records, just stories such as…

-The Great Yu invented irrigation/flood control for the rivers

Shang Dynasty

- we have written records on animals bones, oracle bones, first writing

-the capital Anyang/cities protected by “earthen walls”

Zhou Dynasty

-it occurred during the Warring States, Period of 100 Schools (new philosophies such as Confucianism, Taoism, and legalism)

-break down of the legal system, and the leader gets murdered, which initiates a power struggle

more separate

Qin Dynasty

-Shih Huang Ti

-he wins the Warring States, very large, organized army

-adopts legalism as the government

-unites China’s currency, language (writing/speaking), measurement

-sent for the Great Wall to be built

standarnize/unite

Han Dynasty

-Confucianism takes over for ideas and government, become guide for gov.

-Silk Road begins/originates ~around 200 CE

Pu

Taoism, simplicity and natural are better (less material possessions and be more aware of nature, be one with it)

Chi

Taoism, the energy in all things/everything is made up of energy, balance your energy

Tao

Taoism, The Way/path, go with the flow

Wu Wei

Taoism, “non action”, one step at a time, take things slowly

Tao Te Ching

the way and its power, book on principles of Taoism

Golden Rule

Confucianism, also known as Jen, the ideal relationship that should pertain between people: humanity toward others while respect for oneself (treat others as you would like to be treated)

Filial Piety

a Confucian concept derived from Chinese culture, which advocates a set of moral norms, values, and practices of respect and caring for one's parents. (The story about the boy protecting his parents from mosquitoes and being rewarded)

Analects

a collection of Confucius's sayings brought together by his pupils shortly after his death in 497 BC, book

Five Relationships

parent child (1st loving, second reverential), husband wife (“good”, listening), elder sibling and junior sibling (gentle, respectful), elder friend and junior friend (considerate, differential), ruler and subject (benevolent, loyal)