9/22 Early Chinese History

Overview of Chinese History

• Chinese history begins with the Shia Dynasty, considered to have existed between approximately 2070 BC and 1800 BC.

  • Missing Records: There are no contemporaneous records or mentions in the oldest Chinese texts, such as the oracle bones.

The Shia Dynasty

• First documented mention in the Zhou era source, Book of Documents.

• Imagery: Rubbing of a stone carving represents Fu the Great, regarded as the founder of the Shia Dynasty.

• Mandate of Heaven: A key political ideology of Chinese governance, which states:

  • Heaven grants a mandate to virtuous rulers and can withdraw it at any time.

  • Withdrawal might manifest through natural disasters (floods, earthquakes) or societal turmoil (invasions, rebellions).

  • The Zhou used this ideology to link their legitimacy back to the Shia Dynasty, suggesting that the Shia lost the mandate to the Shang due to their immorality.

  • Scholars view this as propaganda, similar to historical narratives in other cultures (e.g., Egypt's seventh dynasty as a metaphor for chaos).

Chinese Dynastic Cycle

• The historical pattern of dynasties rising and falling, often explained through the Dynastic Cycle:

  • Foundations laid by the initial dynasty.

  • Subsequent cycles of assertion of power followed by decline.

Oracle Bones and Early Communities

• Origin of oracle bones in the Yellow River Valley, significant for millet agriculture:

  • Growth of urban centers and intensification of agriculture.

  • Documented evidence primarily comes from oracle bones found at Yunshu, their last capital.

  • Wudeng, the twenty-first king, first known ruler supported by names in oracle bones, characterized by prosperity and expansionist policies.

Wudeng's Reign and Administration

• Historical significance of Wudeng:

  • Divinations recorded reveal movements and inquiries on governance issues (new settlements, battles).

  • Associated with requests to ancestor kings/gods about military fortunes.

  • Marriages with 64 wives symbolizing alliance-building.

Fu Hao: A Notable Figure

• Fu Hao, one of Wudeng's wives, is recognized as a military leader, commanding up to 13,000 soldiers.

  • Importance of her Tomb: Undisturbed tomb revealed weapons, grave goods, and insights into elite life during this era.

  • Unequal society illustrated through the 16 servants sacrificed for her afterlife.

Shang Dynasty

• Decline of Shang coincides with the rise of the Zhou.

  • Zhou king Wu defeats the last Shang king Zhou at the Battle of Mu Wei (approximately 1046 BC).

  • Success attributed to the Shang army being composed mainly of enslaved warriors, who defected amidst the battle.

  • King's death marks a significant shift in power dynamics, leading to the rise of the Zhou Dynasty.

The Zhou Dynasty

• Longevity: The Zhou become the longest-living dynasty in Chinese history.

  • Conventional dates establish the Zhou's foundation around 1046 BC and lasting until 256 BC.

• Divided into Western Zhou and Eastern Zhou periods:

  • Early governance focused on ritual bronzes and inscriptions, serving as historical documents and celebrating military achievements.

  • Mandate of Heaven conceptualization prominent, portraying rightful rulership.

Early Zhou Capital and Society

• The Western Zhou capital located in the Wei River Valley; subjects primarily composed of agrarian farmers.

• Focus on military campaigns led to famines due to long-term warfare affecting agricultural output.

• Emergence of soybeans and shifts in crop diversity provide evidence for societal adaptation to environmental stressors.

The Spring and Autumn Period

• Characterized by the Zhou king's decreased authority and rising regional powers (Feng Shan system).

• Tensions from local leaders ignoring the Zhou king's commands induce a period marked by conflict and factionalism, leading into the Warring States period.

The Warring States Period

• Emergence of numerous states led by independent lords declaring themselves kings.

  • Examples: The seven principal states each vying for dominance, with significant military developments, including large troop mobilization (mass infantry battles).

• Technological advancements introduce crossbows and dagger axes, expanding capabilities in infantry warfare.

Philosophical Developments

• During this time, multiple competing schools of thought develop:

  • Taoism: Focuses on personal cultivation and natural harmony, represented in the Tao Te Ching;

  • Confucianism: Emphasizes communal values and moral order, advocating for family and societal structures;

  • Legalism: Emerges as a strict rule-based system, prioritizing governance through law and fixed bureaucratic hierarchies.

The Qin Dynasty

• Following extensive conflicts of the Warring States, the Qin state, utilizing legalistic principles, ultimately defeats its neighbors.

  • King Ying Zheng declares himself the First Emperor of China, introducing a centralized bureaucratic structure over the previous feudal systems, shifting the course of governance in China.

Conclusion: The discussions of various leaders and dynasties, along with significant philosophies during these periods, lay the groundwork for understanding traditional Chinese political, philosophical, and military frameworks that have influenced Chinese identity and governance through history.