Chinese Culture: Origins to the Ming Dynasty 

 

I. Introduction: China’s Preeminence in the 15th century World

II. Transitional Chinese Dynasties

     A. Shang Dynasty (1523 BCE to 1028 BCE)

          1. Bronzes

          2. Writing

     B. Ch’in Dynasty (221 BCE to 206 BCE)

          1. Governing system

          2. “Legalism”

     C. Han Dynasty (206 BCE to 220 CE)

          1. Confucianism (Confucius, 552 to 479 BCE)

          2. Buddhism

     D. T’ang Dynasty (618 CE to 907 CE)

          1. Civil Service Exam

III. Ming Dynasty (1368 CE to 1644 CE)

     A. Founding of the Ming Dynasty

          - Zhu Yuanzhang (ruled 1368-1398)

               a. Distrust of Scholar Bureaucracy

               b. Reconstruction

     B. Taxation and Rigid Economic Policies

     C. Popular Responses to State Polices

          - Example: paper money vs. silver

IV. Conclusion: China and the World Economy

                                         

 

 

Key Terms

Shang Dynasty

Ch’in Dynasty

“Son of Heaven”

“Mandate of Heaven”

Han Dynasty

Confucius (Kong Qiu)

“Middle Kingdom”

Civil Service Examination

Zhu Yuanzhang

Hongwu

 

 

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