Dynastic China
Shang Dynasty 1650 - 1027 BCE (Source: Regents Prep)
The Shang Dynasty is considered to be the earliest dynasty in China. Little is known about the Shang,
other than their major contribution to Chinese culture, a system of writing. The Chinese system of writing
includes tens of thousands of characters, and is very difficult to learn. This resulted in on a very privileged
few ever learning to read and write in ancient Chinese society.
The ancient Chinese system of writing used pictographs, or drawings of
objects, and ideographs, or drawings that expressed a thought or idea.
Examples of this type of writing can be found on oracle bones. Oracle bones
are pieces of bone of turtle shell used by Shang priests to tell the future. They
would write a question addressed to either one of the gods, or an ancestor on the
bone, then heat it until it cracked. They believed that by studying the pattern of
cracks, one could learn the answer to the question. Oracle bones are the oldest
example of Chinese writing.
Zhou Dynasty 1027-256 BCE (Source: Regents Prep)
The Zhou overthrew the Shang and setup their own dynasty in 1027 BCE. They explained their actions by
claiming the Mandate of Heaven, or divine right of rule. The Mandate of Heaven was later used to
explain the Dynastic Cycle. A dynasty would remain in power only as long as it was providing good
government. When a dynasty went into decline, and began to abuse its power, it was said to lose the
Mandate of Heaven, or the favor of the gods. A strong leader would usually emerge to claim the Mandate,
and establish a new dynasty. The dynastic cycle would then begin again.
Under the Zhou, the Chinese discovered how to make silk from the cocoons of silkworms. Silk would
become China’s most valuable export, eventually linking them with most of the world through trade.
Chinese artisans also excelled in book making. The first books were made by binding together long, thin
strips of wood or bamboo. Chinese scholars would then carefully paint characters on with brush and ink.
Early book include the I Ching, a book for diviners, or fortune tellers, and the Book of Songs, which
includes a poetry describing a variety of Chinese life.
Confucius and the Social Order (Source: Beck et al., 2009)
Toward the end of the Zhou Dynasty, China moved away from its ancient values of social order, harmony,
and respect for authority. China’s most influential scholar was Confucius. Born in 551 BCE, Confucius
lived in a time when the Zhou Dynasty was in decline and it was a period of crisis and violence in China. He
had a deep desire to restore order and moral living of earlier times to his society. Confucius believed that
these could be restored if society was organized around five basic relationships: 1) ruler and subject, 2)
father and son, 3) husband and wife, 4) older brother and younger brother, and 5) friend and friend. A code
of proper conduct regulated each of these relationships. For example, rulers should practice kindness and
virtuous living. In return, subjects should be loyal and law-abiding.
Three of Confucius’ relationships were based upon family. Confucius stressed that children should practice
filial piety, or respect for their parents and ancestors. This meant devoting oneself to one’s parents during
their lifetimes and honoring their memories after death.
Confucius spent the remainder of his life teaching. His students later collected his works in a book called the
Analects. Confucius said that education could transform a humbly born person into a gentleman. He laid the
groundwork for the creation of a bureaucracy, a trained civil service, or those who run the government. A
gentleman was courteous, provided for the needs of the people, and was just. Education was critical to career
advancement in the bureaucracy.
Confucianism was never a religion, but an ethical system based on accepted principles of right and wrong.
Daoists Seek Harmony (Source: Beck et al., 2009)
For a Chinese thinker named Laozi who may have lived during the 6th century BC, only the natural order
was important. The natural order involves relations among all living things. His book Dao De Jing (The Way
of Virtue) expressed his beliefs. He said that a universal force called the Dao (dow), meaning “the Way”,
guides all things.
Of all the creatures in nature, only humans fail to follow the Dao. They argue about questions of right and
wrong, good manners or bad. According to Laozi, such arguments are pointless. The philosophy became
known as Daoism. Its search for knowledge and understanding of nature led Daoism’s followers to pursue
scientific studies. Daoists made many important contributions to the sciences of alchemy, astronomy, and
medicine.
Legalism (Source: Beck et al., 2009)
In sharp contrast to the followers of Confucius and Laozi was a group of practical political thinkers called
the Legalists. They believed that a highly efficient and powerful government was the key to restoring order
in society. They got their name from their belief that government should use the law to end civil disorder and
restore harmony.
The Legalists taught that a ruler should provide rich rewards for people who carried out their duties well.
Likewise, the disobedient should be harshly punished. In practice, the Legalists stressed punishment more
than rewards. They believed in controlling ideas as well as actions. They suggested that a ruler burn all
writings that might encourage people to criticize government.
Qin Dynasty (221 BCE-206 BCE) (Source: Beck et al., 2009)
While these ideas moved through China, a new ruler arose to put an end to the troubles of the warring states
period. At 13, he became king of a part of China called Qin (chihn), and he used the ideas of Legalists to
bring the different parts of China together. In 221 BCE, he took a new name – Shi Huangdi, which means
“First Emperor”.
Shi Huangdi defeated many leaders of different states and doubled the size of China. He also acted to extend
his power within this land. He forced wealthy nobles to give up their land in the country and move to his
capital city. There he kept a watchful eye on them, while he gave their land to members of his government.
The emperor wanted to control ideas, too. He ordered his government to burn many books – those that held
ideas that he disagreed with (including those of Confucius).
Shi Huangdi also took steps to bring all parts of his empire together. He ordered the peasants to build a
network of roads that linked one corner to another. The roads made trade grow, but the peasants hated the
emperor for the forced work. He set standards for writing, law, money, and weights and measures that were
to be followed throughout the empire.
Finally, he moved to protect his empire from foreign invaders. In the past, some Chinese rulers had built
sections of wall to try to block attacks from northern nomads. Emperor Shi Huangdi had hundreds of
thousands of poor people work to connect these sections of all and make a huge barrier. When finished, the
Great Wall of China stretched from the Yellow Sea to the Gobi Desert.
These steps won the emperor little support. When he died, his son took the throne. Just three years into his
reign, peasants revolted and managed to overthrow the emperor. By 202 BC, the Qin Dynasty had given way
to the Han Dynasty.
Han Dynasty 206 BCE – 220 CE (Source: Regents Prep)
China enjoyed a true golden age under the Han. Many cultural and intellectual achievements came as a
result of the strong leadership of the Emperor Wudi. Under Wudi, China strengthened both its government
and economy, setting the conditions for the golden age. This included a period of expansion that saw the
opening of the Silk Road as a major trade route. Trade along the Silk Road brought China in contact with
other civilizations, and introduced new products such as cucumbers and grapes.
Under the Hans, Confucianism became the official belief system of China. They also setup a Civil
Service Exam based on Confucianism. This exam was required to enter service in the government. The
Confucian system of government was used in China for most of the last 2000 years.
Han scientists wrote textbooks on subjects ranging from zoology to botany and chemistry. They were
advanced astronomers, which enabled them to create more accurate clocks. Han scientist also invented
the process to make paper from wood pulp; they invented the rudder for use on ships, and created other
such useful devices as the fishing reel and the wheelbarrow.
Han physicians developed acupuncture to alleviate pain and to treat various illnesses. They also made use
of certain plants as herbal remedies. They were able to diagnose and successfully treat various illnesses with
these techniques.
Han artists and architects are noted for their detailed carvings in jade, wood, or ivory, and the building of
elaborate temples. The also refined the process of silk making, which set the standard in China for centuries.
Tang Dynasty 618 – 907 (Source: Regents Prep)
After a period of civil war and decline in China, the Tang reestablished a unified government. Tang
emperors expanded their influence into Central and Southeast Asia, demanding tribute from such places as
Korea and Vietnam. They redistributed land to the peasants and reintroduced the use of Confucian scholars
in running the government. Tang emperors also established a law code, and renovated the canal system to
encourage trade and communication inside of China.
Under the Tang, a strict social structure was developed.
This system consisted of three main social classes, which
included the gentry, the peasantry, and the merchants.
Each class had its own rights and duties, and social mobility
was possible from one class to another.
Tang scientists invented gunpowder in the 9th Century by
combining saltpeter, sulfur, and charcoal. They began using
block printing in the 8th Century. Block printing is a system
of printing where characters are carved onto a wooden block.
The block is then inked and pressed onto a sheet of paper.
Other inventions include mechanical clocks that kept very
accurate time.
Tang physicians developed a small pox vaccine in the 10th
century. However, the widespread use of this vaccine did not
occur in China until the 16th century. This idea eventually
spread west, and was introduced in Europe in the 1600’s.
Song Dynasty 960 – 1279 (Source: Regents Prep)
After the decline of the Tang Dynasty, China experienced a short period of general chaos, with no strong,
central government. In 960 CE, the first Song Emperor reunited most of China. The Chinese Empire under
the Song was smaller than the Empire of the Tang, but Chinese culture was still dominate in most of eastern
Asia.
Under the Song, China began rice cultivation. China was able to plant two rice crops a year, giving them an
abundance of food. The result of this was the ability to pursue other interests, such as art and literature. The
Song also maintained extensive trade with the India, Persia, and the Middle East.
Song artisans were known for their fine porcelain, and the use of calligraphy, a form of fine
handwriting. Along with the Tang, they are known for stunning landscape paintings. Architects
designed the pagoda, which is a multistoried building with the corners of the roof curved up that
were used as temples.
Under the Song, the Chinese invented movable type printing machines. This idea spread to
Korea and Japan, and may have also been spread to Europe by Mongol armies. The use of movable
type allowed for faster printing, and the widespread diffusion of ideas. Other inventions include the
spinning wheel, which is a machine used to make thread.
Ming Dynasty 1368 ACE – 1644 (Source: Regents Prep)
After almost one hundred years of foreign rule by the Mongols, the Ming seized power and setup their own
dynasty in 1368 CE. The Ming restored Confucian government and traditions to China. They
experienced an economic revival due to great achievements in agricultural production through better farming
methods. During the 1500’s, new crops brought over from the Americas, such as corn and sweet potatoes
helped to increase food production. This resulted in over 100 million people in China during this time.
Ming industry thrived producing large amounts of porcelain, paper, and tools. The canal system was
renovated to increase trade and communication within China. New methods of printing led to an abundance
of books, and an increase in the literacy rate.
Under the Ming, some artisans produced prized blue and white porcelain vases, while others
began a revival of landscape painting. Confucian poetry also experienced a revival, and the first
detective stories began to circulate among the Chinese people. Chinese artists also excelled in
opera and drama.
Voyages of Zheng He 1405 – 1433 (Source: Regents Prep)
Zheng He was a Chinese explorer that sailed along the coasts of S.E. Asia, India, and East Africa during the
15th century. The Chinese established trade in these areas and spread their culture to the west. However,
after Zheng He’s death in 1433, the Ming Emperor ordered all voyages stopped and trade with the outside
world cut off. This was done to keep China free from foreign influence. However, this action limited
China’s development and made them an easy target for the more advanced Europeans in the coming years.
Sources:
Beck, Roger et al. World History: Patterns of Interaction. Evanston, IL: McDougal-Littell, 2009. Print.
Watkins, Jeffery. “Golden Ages: Dynastic China”. Regents Prep Global History. 1999-2003. Web. 8 Nov. 2012.