ANCIENT TIMES
The Xia dynasty, recognized as the first dynasty in traditional Chinese historiography, marked the beginning of the era of slavery in China Established by the legendary figure Yu the Great, the Xia dynasty eventually succumbed to Cheng Tang, the founder of the Shang Dynasty.
1 Administrative Geography: divided kingdom into 9 continents to rule.
The national structure of the Xia Dynasty originates directly from the structure of tribal alliances, characterized by:
The area of direct governmental control was limited to the clans only With those outside the limit, other tribal leaders were able to gain independent dominance over their territory.
Regarding management regime, there are two major natures: autocratic and democratic, showing that the national regime began to transit from the democratic clanship regime towards the monarchy.
The Xia dynasty established a structured bureaucracy with a hierarchy of officials, each assigned specific responsibilities Key roles included the "lục nhân," who oversaw national affairs, the "quan bách," serving as a subordinate to the "lục nhân," and the "mục chính," responsible for managing grazing activities This system ensured effective governance and organization within the dynasty.
The Xia Dynasty's military primarily relied on infantry, as cavalry did not exist during that era The soldiers, who were essentially peasants, utilized rudimentary weapons and lacked specialized military training In times of peace, these individuals engaged in agricultural and pastoral activities, but when conflict arose, they transformed into a military force.
Regarding Agriculture, Xia Dynasty focus on controling floods to improve producivity.
"Luận ngữ-Thái bá" has mentioned: “Yu improved on his father's flood-controlling method, dredging the river, uniting tribal people, and finally overcoming the flood.”
During the Xia Dynasty, significant advancements in handicrafts emerged, particularly in bronze casting and pottery making This period marked a transition from the Stone Age to the Bronze Age in Chinese civilization, with the use of materials such as pottery, lacquerware, jade, turquoise, and bronze becoming prominent.
In Commercial transactions, Xia people used seashells as currency but sometimes foods and cattle were directly traded
Artistic products reflect social class distinctions, with items used by ordinary people featuring pragmatic designs and simple decorations inspired by agricultural themes like cattle and fish In contrast, the artistic creations of the nobility showcase a wider variety of forms and more intricate decorative patterns, often incorporating complex motifs such as cloud shapes, eyes, snake imagery, animal faces, and other subjects that may be associated with the devil.
Xia people possessed knowledge about calendar astronomy In Xia dynasty calendar, there were simple records about climate and weather of months, which was helpful in agriculture
In Te Gia culture, the practice of human sacrifice involved burying wives alongside their husbands, which later evolved to include the burial of servants, believed to serve their masters in the afterlife Additionally, the Xia people held the belief that sacrificing individuals could appease the heavens and deities, ensuring favorable weather for bountiful harvests.
6 The fall of the dynasty
Xia Jie was a lotus-eater, he didn't pay any attention to the civilian Therefore, ChengTang received the support to overthrow Xia Jie causing the Xia dynasty to collapse
II Shang Dynasty (1600 BC – 1046 BC)
Capital Bo, Xiao, Xiang, Xing, Bi, Yan (Early Shang Dynasty)
The Shang dynasty, recognized as the second dynasty of China, followed the semi-mythical Xia dynasty and is the earliest dynasty in traditional Chinese history substantiated by archaeological findings It marked the introduction of decentralized feudalism and was ruled by 30 monarchs, beginning with King Cheng Thang and concluding with King Zhou.
Decentralized feudalism establishes a hierarchy where the king directly oversees large vassals, who in turn manage smaller vassals Each vassal is obligated to fulfill duties such as paying taxes and tribute as mandated.
The Shang dynasty divided its territory into two main regions: the internal region, which encompassed the area surrounding the capital and was directly governed by the central authority, and the external region, where control was established through military conquest In the external region, the dynasty established military bases and appointed numerous officials to maintain order and governance.
The Shang dynasty established its power through the invasion of neighboring territories and tribes, relying on a formidable army known for its massed formations under the leadership of the Shang King Over time, this military force became a source of fear for their enemies During this era, the Shang people began to domesticate horses for use in horse-drawn chariots, while also innovating with bronze to create stronger weapons and more protective armor, significantly enhancing their military capabilities.
There were 4 classes in Shang society: High class, middle class, peasants and slaver.
The Shang dynasty's social hierarchy placed the aristocracy at the top, revered for their governance of local regions, with the King at the center in Anyang, the dynasty's capital Following the aristocrats, the Shang military held significant respect due to their expertise, comprising two main groups: infantry and chariot warriors.
The middle class were artisans and craftsmen Their largest contribution was their work with bronze Artisans that were skilled in bronze were highly valued.
Peasants were at the very bottom of the social ladder since they were the poorest of the
Chinese citizens, particularly peasants, were restricted to agriculture and the sale of crops for profit, while being governed by local aristocrats They did not possess the land they cultivated, which remained under the authority of the king or nobles As a result, farmers were only allowed to retain enough food to sustain themselves and their families.
At the bottom of the Shang society were slaves Many slaves were prisoners of war.
Throughout their lives, slaves dedicated themselves to constructing elaborate tombs and palaces for their masters Upon the death of their masters, it was a common practice to sacrifice these slaves, as it was believed that they would continue to serve their masters in the afterlife.
Regarding Currency, similar to Xia Dynasty, Shang people also used cowrie shells as currency Many Shang writings on bronze refer to cowrie shells as a form of money
The Shang Dynasty was actively engaged in commercial transactions, utilizing extensive trade routes for the exchange of various goods and services They traded a diverse range of products, including salt, copper, and tin, with some items being imported from foreign countries.
The Shang Dynasty was a remarkable civilization known for its advanced handicrafts, including intricate bronze works, ceramics, and exquisite jade trinkets Distinct from other Bronze Age cultures, Shang artisans utilized piece-mold casting instead of the lost-wax technique Additionally, many farmers mastered the cultivation of silkworms, weaving their threads into beautiful fabrics that became essential for clothing This expertise in silk production ultimately established silk as a primary export of China.
Agriculture was the basis of the Shang economy and most of the people were farmers.
IMPERIAL TIMES
The Qin Dynasty, though short-lived from 221 to 206 B.C., established the first Chinese empire and left a profound cultural legacy for subsequent dynasties Located in present-day Shaanxi province, the Qin region served as a barrier against less civilized states to the north and was initially viewed as a backward, barbarian territory by the Zhou Dynasty Despite this perception, the Qin ruling class considered themselves the rightful successors to the Zhou, enhancing their political and diplomatic influence through strategic marriages and other means over the centuries.
1 Ying Zheng – Qin Shi Huang
Ying Zheng, the first emperor of China, ascended to the throne at just 13 years old as the son of King Zhuangxiang of Qin He adopted the title Qin Shi Huang Di, meaning "first emperor of Qin," and initiated a militarily-driven expansionist policy By 229 B.C., the Qin had successfully seized Zhao territory and continued their conquests until they unified all five Zhou states, establishing a cohesive Chinese empire.
During the early Qin Empire, Legalism emerged as a dominant state policy, reaching its historical peak under the influence of foreign advisor Shang Yang As a minister, Shang Yang implemented radical reforms that emphasized government efficiency and minimized traditional practices, reinforcing the importance of strict adherence to the law.
Emperor Shi Huangdi approved of Shang Yang's policies and implemented them across his realm
The government implemented a collectivization program aimed at diminishing aristocratic influence, liberating farmers from serfdom, and promoting collective responsibility among citizens Under Shi Huangdi's rule, individuals were expected to adhere to strict behavioral guidelines, with the obligation to report any transgressions Failure to do so could result in severe punishments, including quartering or beheading.
Fear and control were central to this political system, where an individual's significance to the empire determined their worth Those deemed valuable to the state received substantial rewards, while those considered insignificant faced dire consequences, often ending up as slaves on monumental projects like the Great Wall of China, the Grand Canal, and trade-enhancing roads.
The Qin government was characterized by a strict bureaucratic hierarchy, with officials dedicated to serving the First Emperor Implementing the philosophies of Han Feizi, the First Emperor maintained control over his extensive territories, including newly acquired lands This regime standardized various aspects of daily life, encompassing measurements, language, and practical elements like chariot axle lengths.
The Qin dynasty boasted a formidable and efficient military, led by skilled generals who embraced the latest advancements in weaponry and transportation This technological edge provided them with enhanced mobility across diverse terrains, a significant advantage over many of their adversaries Consequently, both in ideology and execution, the Qin demonstrated clear military superiority.
The Qin dynasty enhanced their military effectiveness by adopting advanced transportation methods and tactics Following Zhao's lead in 307 BC, which saw the replacement of chariots with cavalry, other states quickly embraced this change due to the cavalry's superior mobility across China's diverse terrain.
Shi Huangdi's Legalism led to the suppression of scholarship and widespread denial of literacy among the populace He believed that an uneducated society would be easier to control, ensuring that the people remained ignorant and unlikely to question the authority of the empire.
The Qin Empire is renowned for its impressive engineering feats, featuring an extensive network of over 4,000 miles of roads, including the significant Straight Road, which stretched approximately 500 miles along the Ziwu Mountain range This crucial route facilitated the transportation of materials for the Great Wall of China Under the supervision of the Qin road builder Meng Tian, around 300,000 workers were mobilized to construct both the Great Wall and the necessary service roads for supply transport.
6 End of the Qin Dynasty
Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China, passed away in 210 B.C during a tour of eastern China, with the cause of his death remaining a mystery Following his death, two courtiers plotted to place the emperor's second son on the throne, bypassing the eldest son The new ruler's weakness, combined with the harsh oppression of the Qin Dynasty, sparked numerous uprisings that ultimately led to the dynasty's downfall and the rise of the Han Dynasty.
II Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD)
Capital Chang'an (206 BC–9 AD, 190–195 AD)
Luoyang (23–190 AD, 196 AD) Xuchang (196–220 AD)
The Han Dynasty, which ruled China from 206 B.C to 220 A.D., was the second imperial dynasty and is renowned for its over four-century reign characterized by significant advancements in arts, politics, and technology Often regarded as a golden age in Chinese history, the Han period served as an influential model for all subsequent Chinese dynasties, showcasing the ideals of a united empire and a self-sustaining government.
Following a mass revolt in the Qin Empire in 210 B.C and brief control by warlord Xiang
In 202 B.C., Liu Bang ascended to the throne as the first emperor of the Han Dynasty, adopting the title Emperor Gaozu and establishing the capital at Chang’an along the Wei River He acknowledged several kingdoms in Ancient China but strategically replaced many kings with his own family members to mitigate potential rebellions However, this approach often led to challenges as the Liu family kings pursued their own ambitions, testing the resilience of the empire until Liu Bang's death in 195 B.C.
In the hierarchical structure of Han society, the emperor held the highest position, yet often was a minor under the control of a regent, typically the empress dowager or a male relative Directly beneath the emperor were kings from the Liu family clan, while the remainder of society, including nobles of lower rank and all commoners except for slaves, was categorized into twenty distinct ranks.
During the Han dynasty, the political structure was organized into several hierarchical units, including provinces (zhou), commanderies (jun), and counties (xian), arranged in descending order of size Each county was further subdivided into districts, which consisted of multiple hamlets, typically housing around a hundred families each.