CIV Final EAST ASIA

The Zhou topple the Shang

1122 BCE

The Zhou introduce the famous "Mandate of Heaven" wherein an emperor must retain harmony within their dynasty, and if they don't, the powers that be remove the Mandate. They were usurped after a lot of civil infighting, and the period that came afterwards would throw Ancient China into turmoil.
Pictured: a statuette of a charioteer from the Zhou dynasty. It's thought to be the Zhou design for a turkish nomad, due to the short hem of their garment as well as how the sword hangs.

Kong Fu Tse's Philosophizing Gets Recorded

Period: 479 BCE to 389 BCE

After he dies in 479 BCE, Kong Fu Tse's philosophy students start collecting and writing down their master's ideas and wisdom. Everything was compiled into four books, and it was through the study of these four books that many a hopeful would try to pass the rigorous Confucian Exam system.
It is believed it took these scholars around 70 years to compile Kong Fu Tse's knowledge into written works.

The Period of Warring States aka The Hundred Schools of Thought

Period: 403 BCE to 221 BCE

As the different fractions of the Zhou Dynasty fight with each other for the Mandate of Heaven, China is thrown into a consistently violent and chaotic age. Many people died and many displaced, but not all was bad! Sun Tzu created The Art of War during this time, and Kong Fu Tse's philosophies would become wildly popular. New schools of thought like Daosim and Legalism would be born from this constant craziness as well!

Qin up! It's Legalism Time!

221 BCE

Only when did the Qin emperor, Shi Huang, come to power did the Period of Warring States end. He introduced strict laws based in Legalism, and the addition of such rigid structure helped strengthen China internally. Unfortunately these policies didn't make him very popular, and there were 80 attempts on his life. My favorite was by Gao Janli. RIP Lute Guy: shine on, you crazy diamond.
Pictured: Terracotta soldiers from the Qin emperor's tomb. These were on display at the Met!

Out With the Old, In With the Han

206 BCE

Although chaos once again reared its ugly head when the Qin emperor was usurped in such a violent way, Liu Bang said "absolutely none of that" and pressed Legalism onward through China. This marked the beginning of the Han Dynasty, one of my favorite dynasties to learn about in this unit. Bang was a great conqueror and was great at unifying everyone, but it's the next Han ruler that helps solidify them as a dynasty.
Pictured: an incense burner found in a Daoist Han prince's tomb.

Introducing Martial Emperor Han Wudi

141 BCE

At risk of sounding unprofessional: Han Wudi is the MAN. Where Liu Bang excelled at conquering, Han Wudi excelled at bureaucracy. He creates the first imperial university, expands the empire further into Asia which allows for the Silk Road, and whoops the Xiongnu.
Pictured: a Liubo Board from the Han Dynasty. Liubo was a gambling board game popular during this time. According to the Met: "These figures, captured in a dramatic moment, embody the wish for the continuation of life in the tomb."

End of Han Wudi's Reign

87 BCE

Honestly, this addition is just an excuse to add more photos of Han Dynasty art because it is SO beautiful.
Pictured: A seal in the shape of a turtle created likely during the Han Dynasty. On the seal in China's archaic script it states: "Seal of Tiannan General." Currently at the Met, like most of the pieces in my timelines.

Sui Dynasty Enters The Game

580

350 years after the fall of the Han dynasty, Yang Jian comes on the scene. He unites all of China under Legalist principles like many emperors before him. It's under the Sui banner that the Grand Canal is created, and it united China culturally as well as economically.
Pictured: Jar created in 6th century. There are elements of Buddhist imagery on the vase, like the elongated earlobes.

Incoming: T'ang Dynasty

619

This dynasty lasted 300 years, and that was in part to the fantastic policies that were put in place by Tang Taizong. There were the 3 policies which included the re-introduction of the previously lost Confucian exams! The tribute system was born during this time, and also aided their success.
Pictured: a sculpture from the T'ang dynasty that depicts Turkish musicians riding a camel.

T'ang Loses Their Mandate

901

Whoops, all their success made the T'ang emperors pretty corrupt. They didn't keep up their public works, and were ousted in 907 due to political unrest.
Pictured: a sculpture of a Lokapala, which is a guardian of a tomb. There were limits based on how much one could bury with them during this dynasty based on social status, but it was important to have someone watch over the deceased. At Barakat Gallery.

Welcome To The Imperial Stage: The Song Dynasty

960

The Song led the overthrow of the T'ang, but they didn't take control right away. They reformed their own military so that a takeover of that nature couldn't repeat itself, and this required a lot of Confucian scholars.
Pictured: This is a hanging scroll created during the time that illustrates the Daoist beliefs that were resurging. It's hard to see, but there are people in the lower right of this painting, but they are so tiny in comparison to the massive landscape. Currently in Taiwan.

Ding Dong, it's the Mongols

1279

Over time, the Song Dynasty had been pushed south by the forces of the vicious Mongol army. In 1279, the capital of Southern Song was taken, and control was given to Genghis' grandson: Kublai Khan. This guy was almost Mansa Musa levels of "I travel with my entire life savings." The Chinese didn't like being ruled by foreigners, so they staged a rebellion a century or so later.
Pictured: a bodhisattva statue created during this period. This was a time of many missionaries coming into China.

Ring Ring, it's the Ming! (Dynasty!)

1371

Led by Chu Yuan-chang, Chinese control was reinstated to China in 1371. They re-established the tribute system, and created these beautiful porcelain vases that are world renowned! After a few centuries of success however, things turned sour in the palaces where the eunuchs let their machinations in the court run wild.
Pictured: a Ming vase at the Metropolitain Museum of Art in NY.

The Manchus Practice Squatter's Rights To The Extreme

1644

Okay, well that title isn't quite right; As the Ming dynasty started to slip, they called on the Manchus for some help. After getting things settled, they didn't leave, and ended up forcing the Ming out. The Manchu introduced the Grand Council, which added regulations to the military and political affairs. This would work well up until the Opium Wars add chaos and violence to the mix.
Pictured: a Jade vessel created during this Manchurian rule, inspired by a piece earlier owned by Kublai Khan.