This essay gives an overview of early civilization in China and the different periods within this era. Also, it includes political and cultural pursuits of the people within this time period and the struggles of the Asian peoples and their religious beliefs and community uniqueness and differences.
Early on we see the emergence of civilization in China, where relatively isolated within geographical barriers, China’s early civilization developed with little contact with other cultures. During the Neolithic period, peoples living in environmentally distinctive zones—the Yellow and Yangzi River Valleys—mastered agriculture, animals became domesticated, the production of ceramics became more elaborate, built fortified towns, and developed
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The Shang fell to the Zhou Dynasty, whose first rulers claimed that the Mandate of Heaven had passed to them from the decadent Shang. The Zhou ruled an increasingly decentralized feudal kingdom that ultimately disintegrated into the independent Warring States. For a couple centuries, a code of chivalrous conduct still regulated warfare between the states. During this period, the Zhou society was highly aristocratic. One could witness the distrust of women in politics growing, partly because of the practice of concubinage. Poems compiled in The Book of Songs which contains the earliest Chinese poetry and offered insights into the daily life of the period.
Following the Early Zhou Dynasty, we envision the Warring States Period (500–221 B.C.E.). Despite political instability, the Warring States period was a time of great technological and cultural achievement. Advances in military organization and technology, such as the introduction of the crossbow and cavalry revolutionized warfare, and the trend toward centralized bureaucracy fostered social mobility based on individual ability.
After the Warring States Period, Confucius and His Followers presented a new way of teaching. Confucius was one of the first men of ideas. Confucius emphasized filial piety and gentlemanly conduct. His teachings minimized the importance of class distinction and opened the way for intelligent and talented
o Later Shang sites found at Erligang in Northwest China hint at an even more complex state and society
The period from 481-221 b.c. was referred to as the warring states period of the Zhou dynasty because the rivalry and feuding of each state of the Zhou dynasty increased to the point where almost full war broke out. Larger states would attack and assimilate smaller states. Before around 300 b.c., seven large states were all that were left of the Zhou dynasty, each one still trying to establish wealth and security
The empires of this time period had some innovative ideas and discoveries that permanently changed their nations and in some cases, the world. Both Rome and China had two unique and important cultural characteristics that completely changed their nations. For the Romans, their unique cultural characteristics were new ideas. The first of these new ideas, their unique Judicial System is the basis for many current judicial systems around the world, the other new idea, Christianity is now one of the worlds most practiced Religions. Whereas the unique cultural characteristics of China, namely the creation of paper and the formation of the “silk road” were more practical cultural characteristics, but no less impactful for both their
The two great civilizations of Imperial Rome (31 B.C.E. - 476 C.E.) and Han China (206 B.C.E.- 220 C.E.) were both two of the greatest civilizations ever built.In addition to the great advancements these two dynasties made, the governments of these civilizations each had ways of maintaining political control over their subjects. Although the two dynasties ways of political control were very similar, there were also major differences. The use of centralized government and military were both political power similarities among both civilizations. A major difference was that Han China was based on Confucianism, which emphasized the family unit and order while Rome was based on law and order. Another major difference between the two nations was their citizenship policies. These differences and similarities are what made these nations what they were.
Although China has a complex history, it was one of the most economically stable countries in the world. Chinese’s current complex form of government started with different principles for each city-state and was later unified by dynasties. However, even before the establishment of modern-day China, its success can be contributed to its geographic features, earliest historical record in the Oracle bones, as well as the Shang and Zhou Dynasties. China’s several geographic features contribute to its isolation and success.
Han Dynasty and Roman Empire have many cultural aspects including religious, geographical, and political similarities that can be compared, though many differences are also widespread during this era. Though Roman and Han political structures, both emphasized bureaucracies, they came to them quite differently. Through many amounts of expansion, both societies spread culture and earned money, though expansion was eventually their downfall. Their religions differed greatly, with Rome, emphasizing polytheism and Han China focusing on Confucianism. The differences and similarities between these two civilizations are to be discussed in this essay. One might ask, Which civilization yielded the best
When comparing Han China and Classical Rome, many political, geographical, and religious similarities can be found, though many differences are also prevalent. Though Roman and Han political structures both emphasized bureaucracies, they came to them quite differently. Through copious amounts of expansion, both societies spread culture and earned money, though expansion was eventually their downfalls. Their religions differed immensely, with Rome emphasizing polytheism and Han China focusing on Confucianism. The differences and similarities between these two civilizations are to be discussed in this essay.
during the Zhou Dynasty, China was experiencing a great deal of political turmoil. A major part of this era was called the Period of the Warring States. It was a time when there were numerous wars that occurred due to the conflict that existed between seven states. (Watkins, 2013) These warring states were the Han, Wu, Zhao, Chu, Qi, Yan and Jin. According to Jerry H. Bentley and Herbert F. Ziegler of the book Traditions and Encounters, “This period forced some people to reflect on the nature of society, and the roles of humans beings within society.” The authors continued saying that it forced others to “identify principles that would restore political and social order.” (Bentley & Ziegler, 2011) The principles of Confucianism were established and followed in order to help the citizens of China to live and govern their communities more efficiently. Through Confucianism, Confucius helped legitimize China’s rule and bring about order in the mist of turmoil. The effects of Confucius’ principles are still seen and felt today in many aspects of modern day Chinese society. Veritably, there were points throughout Chinese history where Confucianism affected almost every aspect of life in China. Confucius has impacted the development of Chinese thought and culture in various ways from education to politics, to familial relationships.
2. Albert M. Craig, William A. Graham, Donald Kagan, Steven Ozment, Frank M. Turner. “China‘s First Empire”. The Heritage of World Civilizations. 1: 1152 (2007, 2005, 2002) Pearson Education, Inc. New
McNeil is also critical of Landes’ preoccupation in the happenings of Europe alone, while remaining dismissive of all economic and technological accomplishments of China after 1 000 A.D. While Landes dismisses the economic demise of China as a “weird pattern of isolated initiatives and Sisyphean discontinuities,” McNeil instead portrays the rapid innovations of the Sung era, and how they were damaged and disrupted by Mongol conquests and contained within the Ming dynasty, thereby showing that Europe did not surpass Europe in achievement due to their own pre-eminence.
Shan Hai Jing is considered by historians, geographers and academics alike, to be one of the oldest records of ancient Chinese geography, and the most extensive literature on ancient China. The literature has 32 volumes, of which only 18 volumes have survived. Of these 18 volumes, five volumes are relating to the Shan Jing (Classic of Mountains), the next 8 volumes to the Hai Jing (Classic of Seas), another 4 volumes relate to the Da Huang Jing (Classic of Big Land) and the remaining one volume relates to the Hainei Jing (Classic of Mainland). The book, vast as it is, contains long and detailed descriptions of the great mountains and famous rivers of China. Each volume of the book has its own specific system, and therefore, was completed in different periods of time (Owen, 1986). It is important to realize that Shan Hai Jing contains many zhiguai stories and it is the type of Chinese literature which contains a huge number of stories through thousands of years. This book is a very important depiction of the ancient Chinese history and in many cases the actual history is blended with the created stories. Among these stories, the Yellow Emperor is one of the most important characters in ancient Chinese history. Thus, this essay mainly focuses on introducing The Yellow Emperor, his battle with Chi You, his personality and his contribution to
The Han dynasty was a golden era for China. It saw the greatest land confiscation of the nation’s history and economic success. In this paper I will be focusing on the structure of the national government, the monopolizing of iron and salt, the Yumen Pass and the Yellow Turban rebellion. Join me as we take a trip back in time to visit a time in Chinas history that is highly revered.
We have covered the general accounts of human nature found in Confucianism and Taoism in light of the historical backdrop of the Period of Warring States. Use your responses to the following general questions below as an opportunity to refer either to the Smith text and accompanying assigned scriptures(s), Smith video(s) on China, Confucianism, and Taoism, or any additional material covered in class. Look ahead to the next question on the chun tzu in order to plan on avoiding repetition of answers verbatim within each essay if there are areas of potential overlap.
Confucius, being the first, was one of the most influential men in history. Him being a Chinese philosopher, he had many ideas. The most important idea/belief that he had was that the key to happiness and control was knowledge. Striving for improvement is important. He was concerned with how to attain and preserve order.
China has about five thousand years history which is a very long period of time. Also, the Chinese civilization was growing with these periods of time and it will continues greater than ever. Many wars and unhappinesses were happening during this period. Although, the time has passed, the histories and the civilizations have not passed. These family virtues, serious, working attitudes, sense of justice and the great Confucian tradition have been deeply assimilated into the Chinese people. Some Chinese traditions are different from North American’s. The Chinese culture has many special characteristics which are very interesting for people to learn.