1 / 17

China 2000 – 221 B.C.E

China 2000 – 221 B.C.E. The same or different to “River Civilizations?”. River Civilizations. Think back to last week. With your partner, discuss the following questions: What was the main purpose of writing? To what extent was literacy widespread?

hesper
Download Presentation

China 2000 – 221 B.C.E

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. China 2000 – 221 B.C.E The same or different to “River Civilizations?”

  2. River Civilizations • Think back to last week. With your partner, discuss the following questions: • What was the main purpose of writing? • To what extent was literacy widespread? • What characteristics defined belief systems? • What was the main purpose of social structures?

  3. Geography

  4. Shang Dynasty: 1750 – 1027 B.C.E Warrior Aristocracy Nomads:attacked periodically to gain booty,pride & POW Royal family governed surrounding agric. areas King & Court rule core area of state directly. Aristocrats = Generals, Ambassadors, supervise public projects Native rulers swear allegiance to Shang Nomads:despite Shangpropagandanot “inferior”

  5. Compare & Contrast • Is the Shang social structure so different to the River Valley Civilizations?

  6. Shang belief systems • King as intermediary • Ancestor worship (male) • Sacrifices • Divination • Oracle Bones

  7. Shang Administration • Decentralized • Pictograms – formal writing, does not change over time • Bronze and metallurgy • Trade with Mesopotamia • Chariots • Natural resources and inventions

  8. Compare and Contrast • In regard to state administration, do the Shang have more in common with the Egyptians or the Mesopotamians? Explain

  9. Zhou: 11th – 9th Century BCE

  10. Validation Myth • Mandate from Heaven • Continue Shang traditions in Admin/Trade • Religion changes focus • Rise of philosophy and mysticism

  11. Compare and Contrast • Compare and contrast the link between religion and government in Zhou China and Egypt. • The Zhou are characterized as separating Church and State. How is this statement true?

  12. Zhou – After 800 BCE Eastern Zhou “Spring and Autumn Period” – 771 to 481 BCE Eastern Zhou “Warring States Period” - 480 – 221 BCE

  13. Legalism • Increased competition lead to bureaucracy expanding - centralizing • State demanded obedience to fulfill needs of a more centralized government • Human nature is essentially wicked • People only behave if forced by law and punishment • Sacrifice your personal freedom for the state

  14. Confucianism • Kongzi – 551-479 BCE • “Ren” Government exists to serve people Father Ruler Sons Public Officials Wife Common People Daughters

  15. Daoism • Laozi - Warring state period • Accepts the world as they see it • Avoiding violence • Passivity; minimal action necessary for task • World always changing & lacks absolute meaning • Follow the Dao to right conduct

  16. Societal Roles Change • Impact of Legalism and Confucianism • Clan becomes 3 Tier family • Hierarchy codified • Role of Women • Yin and Yang • Balance, later translated to mean superiority

  17. Question • Of the following statements which do you agree with more? Explain. • Ancient Chinese belief systems created social systems in Shang and Zhou China • Ancient Chinese belief systems were a reaction to the social systems at play in Shang and Zhou China • How important was the role of environment in the development of early Chinese civilizations?

More Related