Thematic Focus
Governance (GOV)
A variety of internal and external factors contribute to state formation, expansion, and decline. Governments maintain order through a variety of administrative institutions, policies, and procedures, and governments obtain, retain, and exercise power in different ways and for different purposes.
Cultural Developments and Interactions (CDI)
The development of ideas, beliefs, and religions illustrates how groups in society view themselves, and the interactions of societies and their beliefs often have political, social, and cultural implications.
Economics Systems (ECN)
As societies develop, they affect and are affected by the ways that they produce, exchange, and consume goods and services.
Unit 1: Learning Objective A
Explain the systems of government employed by Chinese dynasties and how they developed over time.
Unit 1: Learning Objective B
Explain the effects of Chinese cultural traditions on East Asia over time.
Unit 1: Learning Objective C
Explain the effects of innovation on the Chinese economy over time.
Historical Developments
KC-3.2.I.A - Empires and states in Afro-Eurasia and the Americas demonstrated continuity, innovation, and diversity in the 13th century. This included the Song Dynasty of China, which utilized traditional methods of Confucianism and an imperial bureaucracy to maintain and justify its rule.
KC-3.1.III.D.i - Chinese cultural traditions continued, and they influenced neighboring regions.
- Filial piety in East Asia
- Influence of Neo-Confucianism and Buddhism in East Asia
- Confucian traditions of both respect for and expected deference from women
- Chinese literary and scholarly traditions and their spread to Heian Japan and Korea
KC-3.3.III.A.i - The economy of Song China became increasingly commercialized while continuing to depend on free peasant and artisanal labor.
KC-3.1.I.D - The economy of Song China flourished as a result of increased productive capacity, expanding trade networks, and innovations in agriculture and manufacturing.
- Champa rice
- Transportation innovations, like the Grand Canal expansion
- Steel and iron production
- Textiles and porcelains for export
INTRO TO CHINA
1.1.A - Chinese Systems of Government
Mandate of Heaven
- Heaven would grant power only as long as its rulers would govern justly and wisely
- If a ruler was unjust, heaven would punish him by removing his authority to rule
- Such signs of this would include a corrupt government, hungry people, and natural disasters
- All of these things make societies difficult to govern anyway
- Heaven had the right to give authority, and to take it away
- Justification for removal of poor leaders
- The Chinese emperors were known as the Sons of Heaven
Bureaucracy
- Organizing government tasks by department, or bureau
- Allows different parts of the government to specialize
Civil Service Examination System
- Meritocracy
- Chinese believed that those involved in government service should be highly educated
- Excellent communicators
- Very difficult test that lasted for several days
- Open to everyone, only the wealthy could afford to prepare for it
- Occasionally some lower class would be invited to participate
- Chinese government bureaucracy was highly skilled
- Contributed to the stability in the system of government for centuries
Neo-Confucianism
- Revival of Confucian Thought
- Zhu Xi (Confucian thinker)
- Morality should be the ultimate goal for humans
- One could gain virtue through studying texts and observing wise men with high morals
- Neo-Confucianism was the best way to develop strong leaders
- Stressed importance of Chinese belief systems (Confucianism and Daosim) and rejected foreign philosophy (Buddhism)
- This mindset made Chinese leaders less open to foreign ideas
- Reject outside ideas
- Would stifle innovation and critical thinking among Chinese elite
- Neo-Confucianist place emphasis on rank, obligation, deference, and traditional rituals that reinforced class, age, and gender distinctions
- Supported idea of patriarchy
- If everyone knew their place and their role, then there would be social harmony
THE GRAND CANAL
SONG DYNASTY
OVERVIEW
- Capital in Hangzhou
- Lots of regional issues between northerners and southerners
- Language, food, etc.
- Massive population growth
- Foreign groups will start purchasing massive amounts of Chinese luxury items
- Leads to economic boom for Song
ADVANCEMENTS
1.1.B - Chinese Belief Systems
CONFUCIANISM
- 400 B.C.E.
- Kung Fuzi
- The Analects
- Moral and Ethical
- Social and Political Order
FIVE FUNDAMENTAL RELATIONSHIPS
- Ruler / Subject
- Parent / Child
- Husband / Wife
- Older Brother / Younger Brother
- Friend / Friend
Junzi
Values of Confucianism
- Ren
- Li
- Xiao - Filial Piety
Social Controls
- Filial Piety
- Foot-binding
Daoism
- 500 B.C.E.
- Laozi
- "The Way"
- Natural Relationships - not Social Relationships
- Passive and Yielding
- Doctrine of Wuwei
Buddhism
Siddhartha Gautama
- Hindu prince
- 563-483 B.C.E.
- Meaning of human suffering??
- Enlightened One (Buddha)
- No supreme being in Buddhism
Four Noble Truths
- All life is suffering
- Suffering is caused by desire
- One can be freed from this desire
- One is freed from desire by following the Eightfold Path
Eightfold Path
- Right views
- Right intention
- Right speech
- Right action (conduct)
- Right livelihood
- Right effort
- Right mindfulness
- Right concentration (meditation)
Nirvana
- State of perfect peace and harmony
- Reincarnation
- Not related to an underlying social structure (caste)
Branches of Buddhism
1.1.B. - Japanese Feudalism
Objective
- Understand Chinese influence on Japan
- Examine the Heian Period
- Break down the Japanese Feudal structure
Nara
The Heian Period
- 794-1185
- Families like the Fujiwara had the real power
The Elegant Court
- Fairy-tale like existance
- Women played a key role in Japanese literature
- Lady Murasaki (Murasaki Shikibu)
- The Tale of Genji
The Heian Court