Chinese written culture maintains the longest recorded history in the entire world. With over 3,500 years of written history, China is also top-ranked as having the oldest civilization in the world. Some of the most influential Chinese culture dates has far back to 6000 BC. When discussing a culture as extensive as the Chinese, some topics of discussion have become lost in translation. Chinese military provides insight to the Chinese culture using set periods of influence that helped shape them into one of the most elite powers in the world, even to this day. The ancient culture and warfare recorded from the Xia, Shang, and Zhou Dynasties helped develop some of the first culture the world has ever seen. A powerful military was …show more content…
The culture that once held this great empire together ultimately resulted in its demise. Dynasties within the Zhou Dynasty formed, appointing new kings as each dynasty’s ruler. A shift in power directly affected the culture of the Chinese because now they had to adhere to the customs and courtesies of individual rulers, not under one dynasty as it was before. China’s first and most influential tyrannical emperor, Qin Shi Huang, persevered through all the turmoil created by the smaller states. Qin Shi Huang had the strongest army and managed to conquer all of the separated states. As the new ruler, Qin unified China, abolished all existing nobilities, and replaced them with leaders of his choosing. To defend against his Hun enemies to the North, Qin ordered the construction of a giant defensive wall, known as the Great Wall of China, built by thousands of slaves and criminals. Qin Shi Huang was a cruel and selfish emperor, once stating, “I am Emperor, and my descendants will be numerous. From the second generation to the ten thousandth, my line will not end” (Roach, n.d). A stoning or premature burial awaited anyone found threatening him. In the population, fear and legalism were instilled, which is following the emperor’s laws or face the consequences. Qin would become so afraid of mortality that he had doctors and alchemists create “elixir potions” that …show more content…
These great dynasty’s significant military conflicts and their impact on the society only touch the surface on what the dynasties over time created. Key areas of infrastructure and newfound terrain were developed and attained through these trial times, but more importantly, a culture formed. The Xia, Shang, and Zhou Dynasties all contributed the firm basis of Chinese culture as seen today. The development of this culture in China created the foundation for which a lifestyle formed, and will forever be with the past, present, and future Chinese
Each dynasty had plenty of unique aspects they created. Although many are more well-known than others, not all of them were considered the most effective or beneficial, so not all aspects were continuities. Although many of the changed systems worked at the time, they were not compatible at the time, hence why they had to be altered or defected from. Even though it may not be as apparent as the use of the continued aspects, the abandoned aspects had their uses too. Obviously, the continued features are important because they were used throughout later time periods of China, and some ideas even spread outside of the civilization. However, the less superficial and less easily-recognized importance of the changed features is that they teach why or why not something works. Failure teaches more than any success can, so that is why the trial-and-error of cast-aside ideas is so important. Between the dynasties of the Zhou, the Qin, and the Han, there have been many continuities and changes that have developed across the timeline of
The Chinese and Irish laborers answered strongly when asked to help build the Transcontinental Railroad that connected the Pacific and the Atlantic Coasts. During the long process the immigrant workers encountered harsh weather and living and working conditions. Their work produced the Great Iron Trail in an incredibly short time with minimal resources and equipment. Their struggles are often overlooked and their overseers credited with the building of the railroad. The Chinese and Irish found what entertainment they could, often challenging each other to lay more track in one day than the other. Both found a hostile country in the management of the railroad companies and the U.S. government that rejected them from the work place and drove them to accept the poor conditions presented by the railroad positions. The two groups couldn’t have been more different, yet they came together to create a revolutionary railway and opened a new era in the United States. Their great influence may have made the completion of the transcontinental railroad possible.
The Cultural Revolution was a revolution that had happened between 1966 and 1976 and had a great impact on China. The Cultural Revolution used to be known as the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution but was changed after many years. The main goal of this Revolution was to preserve true communist mainly in China by purging remnants of capitalist and traditional elements from Chinese society. It was also used to re-impose Maoist which was thought as the dominant ideology within the Party. The Cultural Revolution was basically a sociopolitical movement. But it was mainly for the return of the leader, Mao Zedong, who was the leader of the revolution on and off. Which had led him to a position of power after the Great Leap Forward which paralyzed
Major changes in political structure, social and economic life define the Sui, Tang, and Song dynasties. Each period laid the foundation for the next, with changes and improvements to create a new order.
The Han Dynasty, the amazing Chinese era to have said to unified China for over 400 years old. This era in China’s history began in 206 B.C when a rebel armies rose up against the Qin army. One rebellion, led by Chen Sheng and Wu Kuang was later joined by Xiang Liang, Xiang Yu, Ying Bu, and Peng Yue joined forces with Liu Bang. The people of the Qin Dynasty were unhappy under the rule of Qin Shihuang who was ran his empire with an iron fist. His rule was absolute and disagreeing was punishable by death, though Emperor Qin was the one who to end the Warring States as well as complete the conquering of China in 221 B.C, thus expanding the Chinese state. After the takeover, Liu Bang took the name as Emperor of China and changed his given name to Emperor Gaozu and the Qin laws were abolished.
Between the concept of immortality that the First Emperor had on himself, to the devotion he had toward the army, to the idea of have a united China. Each motivation support each other. However, based on the reasoning of each source, centralization of a united country was the main intention that Qin Shi Huang had. The idea of immortality soon followed to make sure the objective was meant, along with him constantly ruling over the unified dynasty. The military, that he was heavily involved in, influenced the design process. More of how will he be able to be immortalized to keep a centralized
Some positive reforms of the Qin Dynasty include the newly adopted bureaucratic system, which allowed non-hereditary to control. Throughout this dynasty, and to the end, its imperial system was continued in the next dynasty, though with some new measures and doctrines. Also, the great wall was built to protect its borders against barbarians, which, though had required large supplies of manpower and supplies that had caused the workers to be treated in repressive manners. In a matter of negative aspects, I believe that centralization was controlled inefficiently. For the dynasty of the Qin had standardized much of the legal procedures, such as writing, thought, and scholarship. Though to support such acquisition, those who did not follow such reformations were to be killed and their teachings, such as the Confucianists. The demanding unequal treatment of the laborers, and the inability to promote free-thinking had lead to civil wars and revolts which eventually had led to this dynasties' downfall.
The Great Wall of China, one of the world’s eight wonders, is one of the most famous feats of human architecture in the history of the world. This ancient marvel is not only a great spectacle, but is also significant in the shaping and molding of the China everyone knows today. The Great Wall of China allowed China to possess some of the longest lived governmental structures in the world by providing a means of protection against hostile nomadic groups and other warlike peoples. This allowed the lifespans of the dynasties-- lines of hereditary rulers who rule over a country for a long period of time-- inside the wall to be prolonged. This massive structure is therefore a key part of China’s history, influencing nearly every dynasty that ruled the region, since the rise of the first emperor.
The Han Dynasty and the Roman Empire were two grand empires that rose out of preexisting territories and provided relative peace over wide areas. The collapse of the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE), which was the first great land-based empire in East Asia, came after a period of war, confusion, and tyrannical rule. Due to the political disorder that stemmed from the early dynastic activity, the emergence of the Han Dynasty (206 BCE- 228 CE) sprung to focus on restoring order. On the other hand, the rise of the Roman Empire (44 BCE- 476 CE) originated from consolidating authority over aristocratic landlords and overriding the democratic elements of the earlier Republic. Instead, the Roman Empire redefined the concept of “citizen” as subjects to the Roman emperor. Both empires shared similar agendas to exploit their vast territories and resources, which helped them expand their political dominance; however, despite having similar political goals and foundations, their government system, cultural ideologies and imperial expansionist natures diverged.
The way the Chinese have conceived of their past, and of themselves, was profoundly shaped by the Shiji. The Shiji, or Historical Records, was a monumental work composed of 130 chapters written during the Han dynasty by Sima Qian. It presented the past from several perspectives: a chronological narrative of political events; topical accounts of key institutions; and biographies of individuals that Qian saw as important. The political narrative began with the Yellow Lord and continued through the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties, down to the Han dynasty and Emperor Wudi of Sima Qian's day. Chronological charts with genealogical data and information on government posts came next, such as the calendar, state ritual, the construction of waterworks, and government finance. Thirty chapters were devoted to the ruling houses of the states of the Zhou period, recounting the reigns of successive rulers. These were supplemented by seventy chapters on other important individuals, including not only great officials and generals, but also people not associated with the government, both the famous and infamous including: philosophers, poets, merchants, magicians, and even rebels. Even non-Han people along the frontiers were described in narrative accounts. The emergence of a unified empire out of the warring States of pre-Qin China, the consolidation of the former Han, and the relations between the empire and the surrounding people groups were major themes in the Shiji. Qian’s records also offer insights through his role as a historian and his attempt to resolve a life changing experience he distinguished in his own life. Equally important, Sima Qian, by writing so well on so much, had a profound impact on Chinese thinking about government, pers...
When comparing different societies in ancient history you may not think that Han China and Ancient Rome had a lot in common. These two great societies had many similarities and differences, especially in their social structures. These similarities and differences are all due to Han China’s and Ancient Rome’s governments, family structures and religions. Both of these wonderful empires lasted for approximately 400 years and had lasting effects on the lands they conquered.
The Tang and Song Dynasties are both pertinent to China’s development. During the Tang period, which is also considered the “Golden Age”, art and literature was embraced and thrived. During the Song Dynasties, many technical inventions allowed China to grow as a nation, and emerge as one of the greatest nations in the medieval world. Both dynasties played a key role in the history of China.
Comparison of American and Chinese Cultures Cultural differences are apparent from one group of people to another. Culture is based on many things that are passed on from one generation to the next. Most of the time, people take for granted their language, beliefs, and values. When it comes to the cultural differences of people, there is no right or wrong. People should be aware of others culture and respect the differences that exist between them.
Throughout China's encased history it has developed much differently than western parts of the world. Chinese culture varies greatly compared to ours. These great differences between eastern culture and western culture make China a very interesting place. Some of the vast differences include literature, social structure, and government. The greatest difference is Chinese philosophy and way of thinking.
The purpose of this paper is to tell the history of the Ming Dynasty’s impact on the Chinese Empire, and to explain why the Chinese Empire was in fact an empire.