Objectives: Examine China’s
Dynasties
Do Now: Draw a Venn
Diagram comparing 2-3
Chinese Philosophies of
your choice
Background: Family and Society
• According to Confucianism, all people were not
equal. Age, sex, education and occupation were
factors determining status.
• Gentry- Wealthy educated land owners
• Peasants- The majority of people. Some owned
land and a few were wealthy. Lived far from
rulers
• Usually paid taxes but otherwise relied on family
to solve problems.
Social Mobility
• Artisans and peasants could sometimes save
enough money to educate their children.
• Why was it so important that they do this
“The bamboo stick makes a good child”
• How does the above quote relate to
China’s social ideology?
• Do you agree or disagree?
Family
• The joint family was crucial to peasant
survival. They relied on themselves. This
was stressed by Confucius.
• Oldest male always had the authority.
• Filial piety- Family’s interest comes before
self interest. Complete obedience to the
parents.
Respecting Ancestors
• Above all else the
extended family was
respected.
• Ancestors were revered
• Memorial services
• Ancestors lived in another world and
were offered food and clothing by
the sons in rituals. If not they would
become ghosts and their descendents
would suffer.
• Westerners referred to it as ancestor
worship
Marriage
• Arranged marriages by parents
• It was through marriage that the rulers
strengthened their position
• Ancestors were consulted for approval of possible
spouse
• Priests would determine auspicious date of
marriage
• Dowry would be paid to groom’s family by the
bride’s family (provided financial security and
reinforced marriage)
Women
•
•
•
•
•
•
Women were inferior to men
Did not celebrate the birth of a daughter
Were valued for their fertility and their work
When married they became a part of their husband’s family.
Mother-in-laws often treated their daughter-in-laws harshly
Sons, because of filial piety, could not oppose
Qin and the 1st Emperor
221-207 BCE (short)
• Shi Huangdi-Leader
of Qin
• Overthrew
neighbors at the end
of the Zhou dynasty
• Established an
empire on legalist
principles
What did Shi Huangdi do?
• Set up system of weights and
measures
• Currency regulations
• Roads for efficient travel
• He built the great wall
• 1500 mile wall separating
the south from the northern
“barbarians”
• The wall was an extension
of other walls built by
villages for protection
• All of the above done with
slave labor
The Han Dynasty
202bce-220ce
• When Huangdi died revolts broke out and
eventually a peasant leader took power. Liu
Bang (lyoh bong) overthrew the Qin and set
up the Han Dynasty 202bce-220ce
• Trade along the silk road expanded greatly
• Cultural Diffusion
• Ideas such as Buddhism spread
• New Goods
The Silk Road
• Not just one route rather many different
paths through various oases
• Used as a trade route for silk, gold, ivory,
jade, animals, plants and many other
commodities.
• Silk was said to be the most valued
commodity in the west.
• Roman empire and before
Han Continued
• Reinstituted Confucianism
• Government run by most
talented and well educated
• Examination system to
determine positions
• University was established
to train government officials
• Official gained their position
because of merit rather than
birth
Civil Service Exams
•
•
•
•
3 days in cell
400,000 Confucian characters
Poetic essays
Many were critical yet most accepted it
Achievements of the Han
• Calendar improvement
• Seismograph invented
• Medical colleges
• (1st time pulse was taken as a
diagnosis
• Flood Control, fertilization and
drought resistant rice
• Seismograph, Wheelbarrow, mill
wheel, water clock, and sundial
• Paper (none in Europe for another
1000 years)
End of the Han
• Although the Han dynasty flourished,
eventually invaders brought the
dynasty to an end.
• For more than a millennia, several
dynasties reunited China and brought
relative peace and prosperity
• Often referred to as China’s Golden
Ages
Do Now
• Which dynasty began the great wall
• Which dynasty implemented the civil
service examination
• Which dynasty used Oracle bones
• Which dynasty expanded the silk road
• Which dynasy was ruled by Shi Huangdi
• Which dynasty developed paper
Tang and Song Dynasties
618-907 and 960-1279
• Golden Ages
• Peace
• Trade expanded
• Cotton, Pepper, Dates
etc were introduced in
China
• Became a naval power
• Rudder and Compass
were invented
• Foreign merchants settled in
China’s cities
Arts and Literature
• block printing and moveable
• type led to a rapid expansion of literary works
• Poetry, Paintings
• Many based on Taoist traditions and principles
• Li Po, Li Bo or Li Bai (lee bwaw) was one of the most
famous poets in China
Drinking Alone Under the Moon– Li Bo
• Among the flowers, a single jug of wine;
I drink alone. No one close to me.
I raise my cup, invite the bright moon;
facing my shadow, together we make three.
The moon doesn't know how to drink;
and my shadow can only follow my body.
But for a time I make moon and shadow my companions;
taking one's pleasure must last until spring.
I sing--the moon wavers back and forth.
I dance--my shadow flickers and scatters.
When I'm sober we take pleasure together.
When I'm drunk, we each go our own ways.
I make an oath to journey forever free of feelings,
making an appointment with them to meet in the Milky Way afar.
Do Now
What significance did Marco Polo have on
world history?
Mongols and Khan
• Mongol Invasion ended the Song
• Genghis Khan conquered immense territory
• Kublai Khan put in charge of China
• 2 capitals (Why?)
• Named Yuan Dynasty
• Confucianism limited (Why?)
• Infrastructure improved
• To control and build the empire
The Mongol Empire
China’s Empires
• Marco Polo
• journeyed through China
for 17 years (during
Mongol rule/Yuan)
• He reported back to Europe
telling of the beauty and
wealth of the country.
Chinese Revolt and a New Leader
Rules Ming Dynasty—1368-1644
• Poor peasant Zhu Yuanzang (joo yoo ahn
jang) pushed the Mongols out of China
and established the Ming Dynasty
• Revived Confucian
• Civil Service exam
•
•
•
•
Forbidden City built in Beijing
Navigation and exploration and then
Began to isolate
*At a time when Europe was developing,
the Ming dynasty sat stagnate
Manchus and the Qing Dynasty
1644-1911
• Manchus from
Manchuria took over
the Ming Dynasty and
restricted Chinese
culture.
• Kept Confucian ideas
• Continued isolation
• Much of Southeast
Asia was taken over