Chinese civilization.World history - Essay Example

Early Chinese civilization has a number of unique characteristics; to start with, the civilization process has been protected from external civilized invaders, who instead of having an effect on the civilization process get absorbed by adopting Chinese language and the culture. Secondly, its strategic geographical location boarder resourceful physical features such as the Pacific Ocean in the eastern part. Steppes, rivers, mountains and deserts are also found in it. Thirdly, Chinese culture advocates for a social welfare of the whole community other than an individual’s life style.

In addition, Chinese civilization did not recognize any social class as superior than others and no single person had a valid political mandate to execute. Finally, thousands years ago before any other nation, the Chinese introduced a stabilizing institution that hired and recruited civil servants based on their academic qualification merits.The histories of the early Chinese civilization can be traditionally categorized into three main dynasties; the Shang, the Hsia and the Chou (Ian 229). The Shang Dynasty This dynasty is believed to have existed between ca 1766 and 1050.

Historical records put it that Shang family fought and conquered the Hsia Dynasty. This was achieved under his ruler, King T’ang who was believed to have been called upon by the Heavens. It was an empire that was surrounded by a great perimeter wall situated in a rich agricultural land. This is how the Shang Civilization was structured; the King was the ruler who lived in the palace and had the social, political, economic and religious powers. In his office were the court officials, and the worriers .

The armies defended the empire against internal and external enemies. They were armed with bronze swords and matches. Slaves and Agricultural workers lied at the bottom and they performed manual jobs (Ian 229). The Chou Dynasty (ca. 1050-256 BC) This is the third Chinese dynasty to originate and it was situated along Wei River. They conquered and captured the Shang dynasty. They borrowed the Shang Civilization system and their cultural practices such as the pictograph writing style. One of the most important contributions they made was the discovery of a ruling god.

This is where the first feudalistic form of governance first originated. The King exchanged land for the loyalty he was paid to by trusted family and military members. The Ch’in Dynasty It existed between 221-202 BC. They replaced the Chou Dynasty and for the first time, its rulers united China. They brought the feudal system of governance into an end and introduced a centralized empire. They built Hsienyang and Xianyang along the Wei River that acted as their capital. Its rulers reigned over a larger empire than their former counterparts.

This was the time when a centralized government and a bureaucratic form of government that acted as a basis upon which a political organization was built down to the present century (Ian 237). The Han Dynasty (202BC- AD 220) This was the regime that lasted up to AD 220. It also introduced a stabilized centralized government. Its success may be attributed to the brutal excessive force that they avoided unlike their former counterparts who applied excessive force on their subjects. Its first capital was Chang’an, Liu Bang being its first emperor who expanded the empire to the south.

The new idea that they came up with in the Chinese civilization process, was the recruitment of civil servants based on merits. Confucius and Mencius According to Confucius ideas, in