Transcript First Civilizations Part Two: SSWH2

First Civilizations
Part Two: SSWH2
Indian and Chinese Societies
Development of
Indian Civilization
Geography of India
• Geography
– Separated from the rest of
Asia by mountain ranges,
including the Himalayas
– The Ganges River flows to
the southeast through a
fertile valley.
– The mountains to the
north made it difficult for
immigrants and invaders to
enter.
– The rivers of India helped
with transportation
through the country.
Climate of India
• Monsoons
– From November-March, monsoons blow from the
north and northeast. Any moisture they carry falls
onto the Himalayas so India receives little rain.
– From mid-June-October, monsoons blow from the
southwest, carrying warm, moist air from the
Indian Ocean. Most of India’s rainfall comes
during this time.
• Temperatures in the summer can reach 120⁰F
Rise of the Mauryan Empire
• Chandragupta Maurya
established the
Mauryan Empire.
• Built a grand palace on
the Ganges River
• Raised a large army of
600,000 with chariots
and elephants and was
able to conquer all of
northwestern India up
to the Hindu Kush.
• Maurya was a capable leader who established
a strict group of officials to carry out his
commands.
– Mines dug, centers for spinning and weaving built,
established standards for physicians
• Made many enemies and had to sleep in a
different room every night for fear of attempts
on his life.
Ashoka
• Ashoka was the grandson of
Chandragupta and came to
be an even greater ruler.
• Fought bloody wars to
increase size of kingdom
– Enlarged the empire until it
included all except southern
tip of the subcontinent
• Became sick of the violence
and converted to Buddhism.
He ordered an end to all
killing.
• Under Buddhism, Ashoka reversed many
policies put into place by his father and
grandfather.
• Later years of rule were remembered as a
time of cultural and political advance in India.
• After his death the strength of Mauryan
Empire declined and invaders from the north
and east attacked. The last Mauryan emperor
was killed in 184 BCE.
The Gupta Rulers
• The early years of Gupta
rule, which began in the
AD 300s, have been called
a golden age.
• Chandra Gupta II reigned
and society prospered.
• Progress was made in the
arts.
• During Gupta rule,
Hinduism became the
dominant religion of
India.
Major Religions
Hinduism
• Brahma- Hindu god
• Teaches that the world we
see is an illusion, called
maya.
• Salvation can only occur if
maya is rejected, but it
takes many lifetimes to do
this.
– Reincarnation- rebirth of
souls
Buddhism
• Siddhartha Gautama
(Buddha- enlightened one)
• Reincarnation
• Ethics over ceremonies
• Against caste system- any
person can reach nirvana
• Four Noble Truths
• Eightfold Path
Hinduism
• Important principles are dharma and karma.
– Dharma is doing one’s moral duty so soul can advance
to the next life
– Karma is the good or bad force created by a person’s
actions.
• People who fulfill their dharma gain good karma and are
born into a higher social group in their next life. What
happens if they don’t fulfill their dharma?
• Souls who grow spiritually will reach nirvana- a
perfect peace
– Cycle of reincarnation is complete and soul unites
with Brahman
Buddhism
• Denies importance of caste system
• Salvation comes from knowing the Four Noble
Truths and following the Eightfold Path.
• Over time, Buddhism declined in India but
reached great strength in other parts of Asia,
including China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam.
• Hinduism spread to become India’s major
religion.
DEVELOPMENT OF CHINESE
CIVILIZATION
The Zhou Dynasty
• The longest lasting of China’s three major dynasties
• Granted territories to members of the royal family and
their allies.
• Believed in the “Mandate of Heaven”
– The god of Heaven determined who should rule China
– When rebels overthrew a dynasty, they claimed the old
dynasty had lost the Mandate of Heaven
• Leaders began to fight among themselves and the Zhou
kings were losing control.
– An attack by outsiders destroyed the Zhou capital and they
lost a great deal of power.
The Qin Dynasty
• The ruler Cheng gave himself the title Shih
Huang Ti which means “first emperor.”
• Lasted only 15 years but produced many
changes in Chinese life.
• Established an autocracy
– Emperor holds total power
– Saw danger in scholars investigating problems
freely. This was suppressed and those that
criticized the government were executed.
Great Wall of China
• The Qin guarded against
invasion by building
defensive walls along
borders.
• As the walls of all
dynasties connected,
they formed the Great
Wall of China.
• Was 1,500 mi long
during Qin times.
Confucianism
• This philosophy had more influence on Chinese life
than any other.
• Taught about the importance of family, respect for
one’s elders, and reverence for ancestors.
• Confucius wanted to end the political disorder of his
time. He aimed to encourage strong, positive behavior
on the part of China’s leaders.
– 1. Every person should willingly accept his role in society
and perform the duties of that role.
– 2. The government and its leaders should be virtuous.
• Instead of seeking wealth or power, they should be honest and
honorable toward those they lead.
Confucianism
• Examination System
– Created to determine who
would make a good
government official
• Mandate of Heaven
– The right to rule is passed
down from Heaven and is
based on the virtue of the
ruler
• Status of Peasants
– Come in 2nd to the leadership
because they produce an
important commodity, food.
• Status of Merchants
– In the 4th and last position in
hierarchy because they
gained wealth without
producing goods.
• Patriarchal Family
– The father was the head of
the household and women
were expected to submit to
the male head of household.
• Diffusion
– Confucianism spread
throughout SE Asia, Japan,
and Korea