Summary
China Summary 114
- Course
- History 114
- Institution
- Stellenbosch University (SUN)
Complete summary of Chinese Civilisation for History 114, including notes from class lectures and tips given.
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HISTORY 114CHINA
MISS ANRI DELPORT
PERIODISATION
Historians make use of time periods or time blocks. This is known as periodisation. Thus, historians
can refer to time periods rather than constantly referring to numerous calendar dates. The dividing of
time based on specific characteristics of the time. It is abstract, value laden and makes history simpler
to study. It is Eurocentric.
What is periodisation and why do we need it?
OCCIDENTAL AND ORIENTAL
Occidental- Countries of the West (the Occident)
Oriental- Countries of the Far East (the Orient, Asia)
DIFFICULTIES STUDYING CHINESE HISTORY
The Chinese were the first to document their own history. Records were kept in the Confucian
Classics known as the Shujing or Classic History, which was biased. This was their own form of
periodisation. Chinese history has been divided into dynasties. What makes a dynasty a dynasty is
that it is ruled by a king or an Emperor or Empress, who comes from a continuous ruling family. In
the past, china has used a cyclical or teleological model to study history.
CYCLICAL MODEL
A cyclical model is also known as a dynastic model and views history as a recurring pattern of similar
conditions and events. There were underlying forces which shaped each civilisation but the dynasties
still remain roughly the same. This implies that the circumstances were pre-ordained by the past.
What is the cyclical model? Be able to explain how it works.
Son of Heaven
(emperor)
Mandate divinely ordained
and justified right to rule.
Natural disasters, foreign invasions, Virtuous and morally just. Emperor dies and son
rebellious stirring to overthrow. takes over.
The emperor has become corrupt. Heaven
Emperor is overthrown.
is displeased.
, This theory was linked to the concept of the Mandate of Heaven which justified the power and right
to rule. The emperor was considered to be the Son of Heaven. If he became corrupt, he would lose his
mandate and his right to rule and be replaced by a new ruler who would receive the mandate.
Natural disasters, foreign invasions and rebellions striving to overthrow the emperor were seen as
signs from heaven indicating its displeasure with the presiding emperor.
Each dynasty would peak in the political, cultural and economic sphere and at its height, due to
moral corruption, the dynasty would decline and fall since it had lost the mandate of heaven. It
would then be replaced by a new dynasty that would follow the same pattern of reaching its zenith
and due to moral failures, would fall.
TELEOLOGICAL MODEL
Telos = purpose/goal. This model describes the events and the rule of individuals in terms of their
purpose or goal. This was presented as a linear progression through a number of distinct stages, all
leading to a crucial moment. It argues that past events would have an inevitable effect on the future
and that there can only be one rightful emperor with the mandate of heaven bestowed upon him.
Regardless of the merits of the emperor, the first emperor would be described with the greatest praise
and admiration whilst the last ruler would be negatively portrayed and considered unworthy of the
mandate of heaven.
BRIEF OVERVIEW
China could be considered to be the first modern state since it was one of the first civilisations that
had a centralised government and a corps of bureaucrats who could execute the wishes of the
government.
MAJOR CHINESE DYNASTIES
1. Shang Dynasty (1766BCE-1050BCE)
2. Zhou Dynasty (1046-256BCE)
3. Warring States Period (475-221BCE)
4. Qin Dynasty (221-206BCE)
5. Han Dynasty (206BCE-220CE)
6. Three Kingdoms Period (220-280CE)
7. Sui Dynasty (581-618CE)
8. Tang Dynasty (618-907CE)
9. 5 Dynasties & 10 Kingdoms (907/860-960CE)
10. Song Dynasty (907-1276CE)
11. Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368CE)
12. Red Turban Rebellion (1351-1368CE)
13. Ming Dynasty (1368-1644CE)
14. Qing Dynasty (1644-1911CE)
Aside from the Xia Dynasty (which historians and archaeologists are still debating as to whether or
not it existed), The Shang Dynasty was the first Chinese Dynasty.
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