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Social classes in the ancient world
Social classes during the middle ages
Social classes in the ancient world
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China and India both have extremely rigid social structures. They have noticeable similarities of individuals being considered higher than another. In India, the caste system was created by the higher class to restrict the lower classes by their amount of education, freedom and way of thinking (Dushkin Scheduled Policy in India). China's social system varied from India by not creating as a strict social ladder. It had a simple structure with only four social classes compared to the 25,000 sub castes India had at one point. Even though China did not have such a strong social structure, there were still people considered “higher” than others. Bureaucrats and landowners were considered to be of a higher class than traders, farmers and peasants.
There are many similarities between the four civilizations Egypt, Mesopotamia, Indus Valley, and Ancient China. One of the similarities is that all of these civilizations were located near rivers. These rivers were essential for surviving. The rivers would provide not only fresh water, but the rivers would flood and bring fresh soil for crops. Egypt used the Nile River. Mesopotamia used the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. Indus Valley used the Indus River. Ancient China used the Yellow and the Yangzi Rivers. Another similarity is that all the civilizations believed in multiple gods. Religion played a big role in developing these civilizations. In these civilizations there was a hierarchy in which religious people were in charge. In Egypt, there
Traditionally, the Confucian model of society was organized with the gentry at the very top, and the merchant as a class on the bottom (Brook, p. 134).
The ancient Chinese invented many things we use today, including paper, silk, matches, wheelbarrows, gunpowder, the waterwheel, lacquer, fireworks, paper money, compass, the seismograph, folding umbrella, ink, calligraphy, printing, abacus, wallpaper, the crossbow, ice cream and much more!
There are many different ways of looking at and understanding the large and multi faceted country of China. From looking at things like its history, economy, politics, philosophies, and other aspects of the Chinese people, it is difficult to really describe China as one specific thing. Instead of there being one true face of China, it seems there are a variety of different people and faces to represent this diverse country. In some cases, what might be representative of one group of people in China, is completely different for another. Take for example the difference between people that live in rural areas, and people that are living in the city. As seen in the documentary, Young and Restless in China, the poor people in rural areas live very
“This system in found in the traditional Hindu population of India” (Haviland 256). Although it is found in other parts of the world, In North America, it is not indicated as a caste system, but is classified as a social class or class system. In Sociology: The Essentials, social class or class is described as the social structural position groups hold relative to the economic, social, political, and cultural resources of society. With this characterization in mind, a persons “class determines the access different people have to these resources and puts groups in different positions of privilege and disadvantage” (Sociology 172). With this perception of class in mind, it shows that people do not have the same amount of resources or privileges as others.
In India, for example, caste systems are used. The lowest caste is called Shudra, the Shudra are the unskilled and semi-skilled workers. They receive next to nothing for very labor intensive jobs such as farming and factory work. The caste after that is called the Vaishya. The Vaishya are businessmen and are more powerful than the Shudra. They still are paid very little and work in jobs such as market stalls. Th...
In every civilization there exists a hierarchy that is accepted by the people that are a part of it. This hierarchy, which is present in all societies, is called a class system and usually includes an upper class, a middle class, and a lower class. The upper class consists of those who are the richest in a society, the middle class consists of the working people, and the lower class consists of the poorest people. There is one class system that consists of five tiers, including one that is below its lower class, and differs from any other system; the caste system of India. In a caste system, the class that is received is hereditary and cannot be changed like in other societies. The civilization of India has an extensive history with this longstanding and controversial caste system that has evolved over time and is still in place today.
For example, Vedic India’s caste system was placed in the following order from top to bottom: the brahmins, warriors, middle class people, the low ranked civilians. The civilians were the ones who did the majority, if not all, of the back breaking work that allowed the land to flourish and feed the population. Although this class name isn’t part of the caste system, there is group that is considered so low that they cannot be part of the caste system, called “untouchables”. The untouchables know their place as well as everyone else so no one else interacts with them. In China, The social order works by keeping everyone in their designated category to avoid disorder as a whole because they are one huge family that cooperate together. Social order functions to keep everyone from causing a chaos and telling everyone the duties they fulfill. (BP#2: How social order works/
Caste systems were affected by philosophies and religion. Shown in the graphic organiser, “Father > son, older brother > younger brother… as taught in Confucianism…” This evidence shows of a simple caste system in China, a caste system that was not as strict as the Indian Caste System. These castes were separated by how much power a person had. A dad was more powerful than his son, and more powerful than his wife. This is the same thing with India. The Brahmins were more powerful than the Sudras. As shown by the research above, religion and philosophies affected the caste system in both India and China.
The differences and similarities between Ancient China and Rome’s culture are pronounced and merit analysis. Both cultures were very innovative technology for their time. Some of their practices were also very diverse. In the end, both cultures were very similar.
...mans, Khastriyas, and the Vaishyas are the upper class. Nobody under them gets any recognition. The Shudras and the Untouchables are the lower class. They mainly don’t exist in society. Hindu’s have some sacred objects such as cows and the Gangas River. The Gangas River is believed to wash away all evil.
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.
Caste System is a social system based on ascribed statuses, which are traits or characteristics of people at birth. The ascribed status includes race, gender, nationality, body type and age. The caste system ranks people so rigidly. A person cannot just change his caste any time he wants.
I stayed in China for more than 20 years, and then came to the United States last year. During the last year, I kept comparing the two countries and found both similarities and differences.
The most heinous scene of slavery was seen in North American slavery because it gradually grew by a racist ideology. The second system of social stratification is caste. In this system, people are born into unequal groups based on their parents' status and remain in these groups for the rest of their lives. In a caste system the accompanying rights and obligations are ascribed on the basis of birth into a particular group in the society. This system is often found in India, for instance the Sudra Caste. It’s unfortunate that no matter what an individual accomplishes in their life, because of them being born in a low status group, their status will never change. The third system of social stratification is known as class. This system is primarily based on material possessions where an individual is born into a social ranking but allows for social mobility, when an individual can move up or down from it unlike the systems of slavery and caste systems. A person's own effort, knowledge, and skills or lack of