Ancient China

Early Civilizations

Mesopotamia

• Location: Southern Mesopotamia, between Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.

• Sumerian Civilization:

  • Developed cuneiform writing (3500-3000 BCE).

  • Inventions included the wheel, sailboat, and irrigation systems.

Yellow River Valley and Indus Valley

Ancient Egypt

• Development: Along the Nile River, Northeast Africa.

• Kingdoms:

  • Old Kingdom: (2613-2181 BCE)

  • Middle Kingdom: (2040-1782 BCE)

  • New Kingdom: (1570-1069 BCE)

• Notable Contributions:

  • Pyramids as tombs for pharaohs.

  • Hieroglyphics: writing system combining letters and symbols.

Indus Valley Civilizations

• Harappan Civilization:

  • Farming settlements evident by 4000 BCE.

  • Major cities: Mohenjo Daro and Harappa (2600 BCE).

  • Known for highly developed urban planning.

  • Unique writing system remains undeciphered.

Ancient China

• Development:

  • Originated in the Yellow River Valley.

  • Innovated inventions: compass, paper-making, gunpowder.

  • Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BCE) marks the end of this civilization.

• Timeline:

  • Started at least 1,000 years later than other river valley civilizations, only one surviving today.

Dynastic Cycle and Political Structure

Mandate of Heaven

• Definition: Rulers received approval from God to govern.

• Signs of Displeasure: Earthquakes, floods indicate loss of mandate.

• Dynamic: If a king loses favor, he can be overthrown.

Process of Dynastic Cycle:

• Ruler gets approval from God.

• Establishes a prosperous dynasty.

• Dynasty declines and appears to lose approval.

• New dynasty establishes and gains approval.

Characteristics of the Cycle

• Strong Dynasty:

  • Establishes peace and order.

  • Gains prosperity but eventually becomes corrupt.

  • Heavy taxes and loss of power lead to weakened claims to mandate.

• Decline:

  • Revolts, famine, natural disasters lead to the old dynasty's fall.

  • New dynasty emerges.

Chinese Dynasties Overview

• Notable Dynasties:

  • Shang Dynasty: 1766-1122 BCE

  • Zhou Dynasty: 1122-221 BCE

  • Qin Dynasty: 221-206 BCE

  • Han Dynasty: 206-581 CE

  • Tang Dynasty: 618-907 CE

  • Song Dynasty: 960-1279 CE

  • Yuan Dynasty: 1279-1368 CE

  • Ming Dynasty: 1368-1644 CE

  • Qing Dynasty: 1644-1911 CE

Shang Dynasty Highlights

Overview

• Timeline: (1500-1029 BCE)

• Location: Along the Yellow River; known for unpredictable flooding.

• Social Structure: Divided between nobles and peasants.

• Innovations:

  • Use of bronze and silk.

  • Development of chopsticks.

  • Usage of oracle bones for divination.

Writing and Communication

Chinese Writing

• Earliest Writing Systems: Pictographic, developing from oracular bones.

• Relationship to Modern Characters: Simplified drawings related to modern Chinese characters still in use.

• Examples: Ancient symbols related to ox, tree, moon, etc.

Zhou Dynasty Overview

Timeline

• Period: 1122-221 BCE

• Expansion: Beyond the Yellow River into Yangtze, establishing core of China (Middle Kingdom).

• Political Structure:

  • Lacked strong central government.

  • Alliances with local princes allowed aristocrats to gain power.

Innovations Under Zhou

• Technological Advances:

  • Infrastructure: roads and horse utilization.

  • Official language established (Mandarin Chinese).

  • Advancements in agriculture: iron plows, irrigation.

Philosophies of the Zhou Dynasty

Confucianism

• Teachings of Confucius:

  • Emphasizes social order through five key relationships.

  • Advocates kindness from rulers and filial piety from children.

  • Notable Quote: "To know what is right and not to do is the worst cowardice."

Daoism

• Principles of Daoism:

  • Harmony and peace through living in accordance with nature.

  • Yin and Yang represent balance: shaded vs. sunlit, good vs. bad, etc.

Legalism

• Core Beliefs:

  • Advocated for strict laws to control human nature.

  • Severe punishment for poor job performance or dissent against government.