Ancient China Flashcards
Warring-States Period
Internal conflict/war in China. Philosophies developed: Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism. These philosophies attempted to answer the tough questions about the chaotic world.
Ancient China River Valley Review (GRAPES)
G- unpredictable rivers, isolation
R- polytheistic, ancestor worship, oracle bones
A- oracle bones and writing, bronze vs. iron
P- mandate of heaven, dynastic cycle
E- based on agriculture, utilized rivers
S- patriarchy, family devotion
List the dynasties/periods of China in order
Xia Dynasty, Shang Dynasty, Zhou Dynasty, Warring-States Period, Qin Dynasty, Han Dynasty
Dynasty
group of rulers from the same family (in this case, all men)
What material were the Chinese the best with?
Bronze
Xia Dynasty
First dynasty, although possibly a myth. There are no written records. Founded by Yu the Great, who created an irrigation system that controlled destructive flooding.
Shang Dynasty
Established dynastic cycle by taking over Xia Dynasty (king Tang took over). Many bronze tools and weapons were used. Rulers were the head of government and religion. There was construction of irrigation systems, walled cities, and an army
Zhou Dynasty
Formed by a king named Wu. Mandate of Heaven created. First to use iron. Land divided into states; kings could be in charge of them in exchange for loyalty, taxes, supplying soldiers, etc.
Qin Dynasty
Leader was Shi Huangdi. Formed because the Qin state emerged strongest from the Warring-States Period. Legalism was enforced. Shi Huangdi led by the quote “strengthening the trunk and weakening the branches”. Set standards for currency, writing, etc. Ended because Shi Huangdi died.
What was constructed during the Qin Dynasty? Provide brief definitions
Great Wall of China (protected China from invaders), Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huangdi (his tomb), and Terracotta Army (protected him in the afterlife)
Explain the quote “strengthening the trunk and weakening the branches”
Shi Huangdi kept power for himself (the trunk) while weakening the power of other noble families in China (the branches)
Han Dynasty
Established by Liu Bang. Previous dynasty declined after Qin Shi Huangdi’s death, and a revolt overthrew it, so the Han Dynasty was created. Wu Di expanded the Civil Service Bureaucracy. Legalism abandoned, Confucianism promoted. Encouraged assimilation of conquered people into Chinese culture. Economy controlled through monopolies, and agriculture considered important.
Bureaucracy
created to help the emperor rule China by designating officials to perform certain tasks
What was the social hierarchy of Ancient China?
Top: Emperor, royal family, scholars
Farmers
Artisans
Merchants (at the bottom because they didn’t produce anything of their own)
What are the main aspects of Chinese society?
4 main classes (organized by the time of the Han Dynasty). They didn’t indicate wealth or power; instead they indicated someone’s worth based on their contributions. Gender inequalities; women had less rights
What are the main Chinese achievements?
Great Wall of China, important texts (the Analects, Dao De Jing, the Shiji), Silk Road
Great Wall of China
Wall built to protect from invaders, along the northern border of China. Many people died building it
Important Chinese Texts
The Analects: Confucius’ students took notes from their lessons to spread Confucianism
Dao De Jing: contains ideas about Daoism
The Shiji: first recorded official history of Ancient China
Silk Road
Series of trade routes connecting China and the Far East with the Middle East and Europe. Silk was traded. Established under the Han Dynasty
Confucianism
Founder: Confucius
Beliefs:
-5 qualities/morals: kindness, honor, good manners, wisdom and integrity
-5 Constant relationships, most important is parent + child
-Government must display good morals
-“Golden Rule”: Don’t impose on others what you yourself don’t desire
Legacy: Confucius taught at a school, the Analects were made, official philosophy of Han Dynasty
Daoism
Founder: Laozi
Beliefs:
-Humans are part of nature
-The “Dao”/The Way is invisible force that created universe, connects life and nature
-Dao is made up of Yin and Yang
-Humans can’t change natural course of universe
-Gov’ts should interfere with its people as little as possible
Legacy: Official philosophy of Tang Dynasty, spread to east Asia
Legalism
Founder: Shang Yang and Han Feizi
Beliefs:
-All people are evil, must be forced to make good decisions
-People avoid crime if there are punishments, so punishments are harsh
-A guilty person’s relatives can also be punished
-Rulers don’t owe their followers mercy
-Security of the state is more important than well-being of one person
Legacy: Used to conquer all of China and end Warring-States Period, but harsh conditions caused dynasty to collapse and was never official philosophy again
