China - (General, Slavery, Religion, Warfare) Flashcards
loess
Since prehistoric times, winds blowing from central asia depositing a yellowish-brown dust
What is the chronological order of the Ancient Chinese dynasties? (XSZQH)
Xia (Scholars uncertain of the historical reality) Shang (first dynasty. succeeded Xia) Zhou Qin Han
Divination
The effort to interpret phenomena in the natural world as signs of the gods will and intentions
(ancient world including Shang dynasty believed gods/ancestors created destinies and controlled nature. Shang believed divination was the link between heaven and earth)
An example of the Shang dynasty interpret phenomena in divination?
Using oracle bones. They would take the shoulder bone of an ox/cattle or bottom shells of a turtle, use a hot stick to make a crack in it. Then cracks made were seen as the answers gods/ancestors had to their questions
- close inspection of the form, size, or markings in the organs of sacrificed animals (i.e a sheep liver)
- following trail of smoke in burning
- examining how oil moves in a pattern when thrown at water
How are oracle bones used today by historians?
To find out info about shang dynasty. Theres info about king (often traveled on the road, like to courts) and religious conceptions but very little otherwise. The origins of Chinese language used today in East Asia is found here
What about the Shang writing system found in oracle bones?
Back then it was simple pictures that gave the meaning of words or sounds. This system has advanced and is very complex, and is used today in East Asia
In oracles bones what religious discoveries was found about the Shang Dynasty?
Believed in the supreme god, Di. Lives in sky and unconcerned about the fate of humans.
People die, go to sphere with Di. These dead ancestors can communicate with families. Shang rulers were known to communicate with them, and gained power thru this communication since it was known they could be protected from natural disasters thanks to the ruler thru the help of dead ancestors
What usage was the Shang dynasty known for?
Bronze. Theyd style it with animals real or fake and use it to make offers to ancestral spirits. If you had bronze objects, it was sign of authority and being noble. Also use it for weapons
What were the Shang elite like?
They were a warrior aristocracy. They did warfare, hunting, exchanging gifts, and feasting/drinking. They had frequent military campaigns, where they’d ride on horses. These operations where to demonstrate the elite as heroes and brave, displaying skills and courage. during military campaigns they’d take prisoners of wars and make them into either slaves or use them as sacrifice victims as part of divination
How did the Zhou dynasty gain power of the Shang?
The two founders (Wen and his son Wu). Wen was a prisoner of a Shang overlord and started a resistance movement. His son had a successful attack of shang capital and thus became the ruler.
Wu justified his attacks by saying the last shang ruler was depraved and tyrannical by not honoring gods and ancestors while abusing his subjects.
Wu modified what religious changes from the Shang dynasty?
They created a new diety, named Tian (‘Heaven’) who was more compassionate than Di of the Shang
What was the new ideology of mandate of heaven? (Heaven: Tian)
That Tian/Heaven granted authority and legitimacy to a ruler if he looked out for the welfare of his subjects. the monarch that rule are NOW called under the new dynasty the ‘son of heaven’. Otherwise known as the mandate of heaven
How did the mandates in the mandate of heaven work? (Heaven is Tian)
Proof of divine favor was the prosperity/stability of the kingdom. If the ruler consistently failed in his duties of neglecting warming signs of flood/invasion/disasters, heaven would withdraw their ‘mandate’ and transfer it to bea more deserving ruler and family.
Whats an example of the mandate of heaven being used?
A king would be replaced if the weather or economy became poor because that would mean that the ruler lost touch with Heaven
What was the western Zhou period (The early centuries of Zhou rule) about?
Much is known about this period because of survival of written texts such as the book of documents (letters, historical records) and the book of songs (poems, folksongs about rulers nobles and peasants).
In book of songs, you would hear how men/women had sex outside of marriage. you would hear of arranged marriages where women would go off to start family men. how boys/girls were welcomed into royal family, boy was treated as prince with robes.
After King Wu died, what was the Duke of Zhou?
Wu’s sons were too young to rule so Wu’s uncles ran the kingdom for a time. They are very popular with Chinese as Confucius laud them as heroes for serving the dynasty at a young time and selflessly handed over power when Wu’s son came of age
What was the Book of Changes?
Although most religious practices from shang was maintained, a new form of divination developed. They would read the patterns in the stalks of a yarrow plant. The patterns were compiled into a text called the Book of Changes, that explains the 64 standard patterns of the stalks.
This method of divination would be used for self examination and wonder of the world
How did the power of Western Zhou decline?
Because of the feudal division of territory and power. The Zhou capital was attacked by enemies and the dynasty had to withdraw to a base further east, giving birth to the eastern Zhou period.
Why is the early part of the Eastern Zhou era called spring and autumn period?
Because that is the name of the survival of a text called ‘spring and autumn annals’ that provides historical records of the eastern kingdom of Lu.
Why was warfare so common in the eastern Zhou period and how did it change compared to western period and shou regime?
It was common because the states of the eastern Zhou era where at odds with each other in many ways. It changed because warfare was seen as hero practice by the elites instead of anyone in this era
Who was Sunzi and what was the ‘Art of War’?
Sunzi was a man that studied war and was a pro military commander. ‘Art of War’ was a book he wrote explaining how to the best wars are won strategically without fighting by using psychological manipulation against opposing troops like creative tactics such as deception.
How did technology advance during the latter centuries of the Eastern Zhou period?
Iron became to replace bronze on chariots during warfare. Ironworking ideas came from nomadic people from the northwest. Chinese also invented steel at this point by removing carbon during the iron smelting process
What is Confucius real name untranslated?
Kongzi
Who was Confucius?
A guy who couldn’t get employment as a ruler. So he gathered himself around students and gave people his ideas on morality, conduct, and government? His sayings were written in analects and passed down to generation to generation
His ideas were little known during the time he was alive but the teachings were preserved (orally then in writing) and gradually spread.
What were the core texts of Confucianism?
The Book of Documents, Book of Songs, Book of Changes, Spring and Autumn Annals, and the analects where Confucius’ sayings were recorded and passed down
What were Confucius’ thoughts on morality, conduct, and government?
“Li” or proper “rituals” - as in behaving properly with one another to maintain harmony in human relations. Families should regulate their conduct at home to make themselves good citizens.
The government should be what it was in the early part of the western Zhou period.
“Ren” or “humaneness” - every activity should be consisted with love and compassion (Between family members? or everyone? dunno)
Overall Confucianism about social engagement
What were Confucius thoughts on religion, is Confucianism a religion?
Confucianism was not a religion. He believed gods, ancestors, and religious traditions should be respected but felt in the end it was unknowable and divine should avoid being looked into
What did two of Confucius’ disciples, Mengzi and Xunzi, believe in?
Mengzi (helped spread Confucianism) - Believed in the goodness of all human beings and argued that if they were shown the right way by good leaders, they would voluntarily do the right thing
Xunzi - Believed humans are inherently bad. They had to be compelled and forced to make the right choices
Who was Laozi and what did he create that is seen as the rival of Confucianism?
Laozi created Daoism. Laozi’s existence is doubted, but is credited with the foundational text of Daosim: “Classic of the way of Virtue”
What is Daoism?
An individuals understanding and accommodation to the Dao: the “path” of nature. Withdraw yourself from Chinese society, religions and empty formalities (like social engagement seen in Confucianism for instance)
The thinking behind Daoism is based on if the world we live in is real or a dream. That education, knowledge, and rational analysis blocks us to understand a higher reality, that we should trust our instincts and do things naturally. That perhaps the world was simple, happy, and blessed before it was corrupted by ‘knowledge’. Avoiding to ‘act’ since your desire wont be achieved, so inact is a better strategy. Live life freely, flow naturally, and have no fear of death since it could be the transition to a new life.
