(PRE) Classical China Lesson
Classical China Lesson
Three dynastic cycles—the Zhou, the Qin and the Han—covered many centuries of classical China (1029 b.c.e.- 220 c.e.) The dynastic patterns begun in classical Chinese history lasted until the early part of the 20th century. A family of kings called a "dynasty" began ruling China with great vigor, developing solid political institutions and encouraging active economies. Over time each dynasty grew weaker, tax revenues declined and social divisions occurred as the population outstripped available resources. Additionally, internal rebellions and sometimes invasions by foreign groups contributed to each dynasty's decline. As the ruling dynasty began to falter, usually a replacement dynasty arose from the family of a successful general, invader or peasant and the pattern started anew.
Patterns in Classical China
The Zhou dynasty (1029-258 b.c.e.) expanded the territorial boundaries of China by seizing the Yangtze River Valley. The territory from the Yangtze to the Huang is often called the "Middle Kingdom," blessed with rich cropland. They promoted Mandarin as the standard language. The Zhou did not establish a strong central government but ruled instead through alliances with regional princes and noble families. This practice led to vulnerabilities that plagued the Zhou: the regional princes solidified their power and disregarded the central government. When the Zhou began to fail, philosophers sought to explain the political confusion. One of these philosophers, Confucius, became one of the most important thinkers in Chinese history. His orderly social and political philosophy became an important doctrine of the Qin and Han dynasties.
The next dynasty, the Qin, (221-202 b.c.e.) was established by the brutal but effective emperor Shi Huangdi. He consolidated his power, built the Great Wall, conducted a census, standardized weights and measures and extended the borders of his realm to Hong Kong and northern Vietnam. Upon his death, massive revolts broke out and by 202 b.c.e., the Han dynasty (202 b.c.e.-220 c.e.) was established. The Han rulers lessened the brutality of the Qin but maintained its centralized rule. Early Han leaders, like Wu Ti, expanded Chinese territory and set up formal training based on Confucian philosophy for bureaucrats. During a long decline, the Han faced invasions and eventually fell to outside forces, especially the Huns. By the 6th century c.e., the Han collapsed, but not before they had established distinctive political and cultural values that lasted into the 20th century.
Political Institutions
Throughout the Qin and Han periods, the Chinese state bureaucracy expanded its powers significantly. By the end of the Han dynasty, China had roughly 130,000 bureaucrats all trained by the government to carry out the emperor's policies. Tax collections and annual mandatory labor services ensured the central government held some power over almost every person in the Middle Kingdom, something no other large government accomplished until the 20th century.
Religion and Culture
Like many civilizations, China did not produce a unitary belief system. Confucianism and Daoism were two of the major systems that competed for the loyalties of various Chinese communities during the years of the classical period. Kung Fuzi (Confucius) lived from roughly 551 to 478 b.c.e. He was not a religious leader but rather saw himself as a defender of Chinese tradition and espoused a secular system of ethics. Personal virtue, he believed, would lead to solid political institutions. Both rulers and the ruled should act with respect, humility, and self-control. Classical China also produced a more religious philosophy called Daoism, which embraced harmony in nature. According to this movement, politics, learning, and the general conditions in this world were of little importance. Over time, individuals embraced aspects of both philosophies and also Buddhism.
Chinese art was largely decorative, stressing detail and craftsmanship. Artistic styles often reflected the geometric qualities of the symbols of Chinese writing. The practical application of science superseded learning for learning's sake. Chinese astronomers developed accurate calendars. Scholars studied the mathematics of music. This practical focus contrasted with the more abstract approach to science applied by the Greeks.
In Depth: Women in Patriarchal Societies
Agricultural societies were usually patriarchal and as they developed the status of women generally deteriorated. Marriages were arranged for women by their parents and husbands had authority over their wives and children. Later, law codes ensured basic protections but also featured limits to and inferiority of women. There were exceptions of course. The Egyptians had powerful queens and Jewish law traced family lineage from mothers. Patriarchy responded to economic and legal conditions in agricultural civilizations and often deepened over time. In many societies, women held power through religious functions and had authority over daughters-in-law and unmarried daughters.
Global Connections: Classical China and the World
Chinese civilization was the longest lasting in world history and one of the most creative and influential. They created the most effective and efficient bureaucracy, a wide range of technologies, and they were the source of the world's largest trade network, the Silk Roads. (The term "Silk Road" refers to the land and sea routes between Asia and Europe. There were many different routes that are labeled the "Silk Road.") "Silk Road" networks provided the framework for later global trading patterns.
Great Wall of China
Qin Emperor Shi Huang's name is often associated with the Great Wall of China. Before the time of the First Emperor, segments of the wall were built by rulers of various states and dynasties against the "barbarian" harassment along China's northern border. Fire towers on these walls served as signal posts for the purpose of long-distance communication. After the unification of China, the First Emperor ordered the connection of various sections to form one long wall for defensive purposes. From its western to eastern ends, the Great Wall extends ten thousand Chinese li (about 6,000 miles)
. Some 300,000 lives are believed to have been lost during the construction of the wall. Since the Mongol invasion in the thirteenth century, the importance of the wall for defensive purposes gradually declined. This section of the wall, shown in the picture below, has been rebuilt as a tourist attraction near Beijing.
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