StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Dynasties in ChineseHistory and Political Science - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
Shang Dynasty has ruled from 1600 to 1046 B.C. Bo or Zhengzhou is the capital of Shang Dynasty. There are 12 Shang kings starting from Pangeng to Yinxu. Shang is divided into three periods: the Pre-Shang Period, Middle Shang Period, and Late Shang Period (Pletcher, 35)…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER94.9% of users find it useful
Dynasties in ChineseHistory and Political Science
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Dynasties in ChineseHistory and Political Science"

History and Political Science The Shang Dynasty Shang Dynasty has ruled from 1600 to 1046 B.C. Bo or Zhengzhou is the capital of Shang Dynasty. There are 12 Shang kings starting from Pangeng to Yinxu. Shang is divided into three periods: the Pre-Shang Period, Middle Shang Period, and Late Shang Period (Pletcher, 35). The Shang Dynasty is known for two palace foundations, elite burials, ceremonial jade blades and sceptres, bronze axes and dagger axes, simple ritual bronzes, massive-rammed earth fortification, four monumental tetrapods, workshops for bronze casting, pot making, bone working, and two inscribed tablets of oracle bones.

The art of Shang has zoomorphic and theriomorphic designs with intricate geometric backgrounds. The earliest body of Chinese writing appeared in the oracle bone inscriptions in Xiaotun made from scapulae or turtle plastrons (Pletcher, 38). Shang Dynasty believed on luck and prognostication, as well as in crop and human offerings to Gods. Their government is based on politico-religious hierarchy. Shangdi (The Lord on High) was the highest living power of all given to a king. The king ruled through kinship alliances and may refer himself as yu yiren (I, the one man).

Women also played a key role in alliances and continuity of power. Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 B.C) The Zhou Dynasty has ruled for the longest period of Chinese History. It is divided into Xi (Western) Zhou and Dong (Eastern) Zhou. The capital of Zhou is near Huang He (Yellow River). The first ancestor of Zhou Dynasty is Houji (Lord of Millet) and is an agricultural deity (Pletcher, 42). Zhou Dynasty migrated to avoid pressure from powerful people and nomads and stayed on the Valley of Wei River to start farming.

The Zhou Dynasty united with Shang Dynasty through occasional marriages and borrowed bronze casting. The greatest contribution of Zhou Dynasty is the feudal system. The feudal system was divided into ranks – ruler, feudal lord or court minister, shi or gentlemen or servants of feudal lords, and commoners or slaves (Pletcher, 45). Leadership was based mainly on familial relationship. Treaties of war were established including the Bingfa (Art of War) by Sunzi and cavalry welfare during Zhou Dynasty.

Wheat and soy bean grew importance in economy, as well as trade industry. Chinese develop intensive agriculture using manure and night soil, rotating crops, and irrigation. Zhou Dynasty started the land individual ownership taxes. Qin Dynasty (221-207 B.C.) Qin was regarded as a barbarian dynasty and played a supporting in the power struggle of Chunqiu. Qin Dynasty is the only major power that did not suffer from battle within its territory (Pletcher, 54). They developed a new governmental pattern away from feudal system.

Standardization of localities was created and unification in 221 B.C. The king assumed the title of Shihuangdi or First Sovereign Emperor. Shihuangdi built the Great Wall of China to protect the Qin dynasty from barbarians (Pletcher, 57). Books criticizing the emperors were burned and intellectuals were massacred. Shihuangdi died on 210 B.C. and led to the fall of dynasty. Among the contributions of Qin was giving of farmers incentives. To increase incentives, the Qin government levied a double tax on any male citizen who was not a master of the household resulting to break down of extended family and proliferation of nuclear family.

Qin also standardized systems of weights and measures. Han Dynasty Han was founded by Liu Bang, best known as Gaozu. He the title of emperor in 202 B.C. Han Dynasty is divided into Xi (Western) Han and Dong (Eastern) Han. The capital cities are Xi’an for Xi and Luoyang for Dong. Han formed the first long-lasting regime to wield administrative power for 400 years (Pletcher, 60). Han’s form of government was centralized and derived from Qin. Succession is mainly hereditary. Statesmen proposed intensive used of manpower and exploitation of natural resources as well as promotion of scholarship and civil service.

Han’s military strength had been overtaxed. The experiments in new types of coinage and in controlling economic transactions failed to achieve its purpose of increasing state resources thereby adopting a positive foreign policy. The rivalry between successors increases as well as the incidence of massacres making Han Dynasty to fall. Confucius Philosophy The Confucius philosophy was highly influential among Chinese government. Confucius believed that the state is compared to a harmonious family.

The father is the head of the family and has special rights and duties. The aged members of the family provide wisdom and guidance to the young ones. The oldest male should guide and protect members of the family. In return, they owe him obedience even it appears that he’s decision is wrong (Pletcher, 88). The other philosophy of Confucius focused on gentility – the courtesy, justice, and moderation of a public man. A true gentleman must understand the need of the poor. The rich and the strong have a sense of obligation towards the poor and the weak.

A true gentleman was made and even a low status person could learn how to be one. A gentleman advises the ruler to promote fairness and general welfare and a ruler who follows his gentlemen retains the mandate of heaven (Pletcher, 88). Reference: Pletcher, Kenneth. Understanding China: The History of China. New York, Britannica Educational Publishing, 2011. p. 35-89.

Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Dynasties in ChineseHistory and Political Science Essay”, n.d.)
Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/history/1423623-dynasties-in-chinesehistory-and-political-science
(Dynasties in ChineseHistory and Political Science Essay)
https://studentshare.org/history/1423623-dynasties-in-chinesehistory-and-political-science.
“Dynasties in ChineseHistory and Political Science Essay”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/history/1423623-dynasties-in-chinesehistory-and-political-science.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Dynasties in ChineseHistory and Political Science

The History of Ancient Chinese Dynasties

The author states that the history of Chinese dynasties is unalienable part of the country's past and bloodlines of Chinese rulers are also well explored.... Some of the dynasties were successful and ruled for centuries; some remained at power for several years only....
5 Pages (1250 words) Term Paper

Cubas Criminal Justice System

Located in Eastern Asia, China had been at the forefront of academia in the fields of arts and the sciences for centuries and under the various dynasties.... Its history dates back to 1492 when Columbus discovered this small island inhabited by native Amerindians.... Cuba then became a… ny under the Spanish rule and began to actively participate in the import of African slaves who were employed in sugar and coffee plantations throughout Cuba....
24 Pages (6000 words) Essay

Chinese Dynasties of the Mongol Yuan and the Manchu Qing

As advances in science, the arts, and philosophy would expand, so to did the population double in size.... This work called "Chinese dynasties of the Mongol Yuan and the Manchu Qing" describes the Chinese culture under Mongolian rule.... The author takes into account the peculiarities of the Mongol dynasty, the expansion of the government, growth, and addressing the needs of the people, the development of Chinese nationalism....
9 Pages (2250 words) Case Study

Role of Confucian Scholars and Tang Dynasty

How rulers of the Tang Dynasty were able to create a strong centralized government and work towards unifying the political and cultural divisions between its people and were able to maintain excellent administrative efficiency in the entire country on the strength of classical… The people during the reign of Tang Dynasty (618 AD-907 AD) were basically sound and industrious and basic conditions were created by the rulers for the people to enable them to become basically sound and industrious....
8 Pages (2000 words) Research Paper

Political Science

Scientific theory refers to a summarized hypothesis or a collection of hypothesis that have been backed up with more than one tests, in cases where there is ample evidence to support a hypothesis, it graduates to being referred to as a theory in the scientific method and thus… Political science is termed as a science by definition, however, it is practically a science due to the fact that is comprised of two segments , carrying out of investigations via the application of scientific techniques and political science Affiliation Political Science Scientific theory refers to a summarized hypothesis or a collection of hypothesis that have been backed up with more than one tests, in cases where there is ample evidence to support a hypothesis, it graduates to being referred to as a theory in the scientific method and thus can be termed as a legit representation of a phenomenon....
2 Pages (500 words) Coursework

Chinas Historical Dynasties

For instance, the dynasty led to the unification of the whole nation making the society more stable and peaceful for economic and political development.... For instance, the dynasty led to the unification of the whole nation making the society more stable and peaceful for economic and political development.... The end of this dynasty was followed by the emergence of many other dynasties including the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) under the leadership of Zhu Yuanzhang....
4 Pages (1000 words) Assignment

Mao and Dynastic History

hellip; According to the Chinese history, the political environment experienced hardships associated with the transition from one dynasty to another.... At an early age, Mao liked to read popular historical books concerning political turmoil and unconventional military heroes.... He liked the artistic works of Kang Yuwei, a nationalist reformer in China, and admired the earlier political generations of Chinese history.... Thirteen years later, the political party had a membership of more than eighty thousand individuals....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

Contemporary Chinese Politics - the Legacy of Dynastic China

The legacy of dynasties in China dates back to as far as 2070 B.... … The paper "Contemporary Chinese Politics - the Legacy of Dynastic China" is a wonderful example of an assignment on social science.... The paper "Contemporary Chinese Politics - the Legacy of Dynastic China" is a wonderful example of an assignment on social science.... Each dynasty was unique and has impacted the modern political culture of China in various ways (Carlson, Gallagher & Liebertha, 2010)....
16 Pages (4000 words) Assignment
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us