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ASIAN HISTORY
The history of Asia can be seen as the collective history of several distinct peripheral coastal regions such as East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Middle East linked by the interior mass of the Eurasia. The coastal periphery was the home to some of the world's earliest known civilizations and religions, with each of the three regions developing early civilizations around fertile river valleys. These valleys were fertile because the soil there was rich and could bear many root crops. The civilizations in Mesopotamia, ancient India, and ancient China shared many similarities and likely exchanged technologies and ideas such as mathematics and the wheel. Other notions such as that of writing likely developed individually in each area. Cities, states, and then empires developed in these lowlands. Asia's history features major developments seen in other parts of the world, as well as events that have affected those other regions. These include the trade of the Silk Road, which spread cultures, languages, religions, and diseases throughout Afro-Eurasian trade. Another major advancement was the innovation of gunpowder in medieval China, later developed by the Gunpowder empires, mainly by the Mughals and Safavids, which led to advanced warfare through the use of guns. CHINA Three August Ones
- Fu Xi - Heavenly Sovereign
- Nuwa - Earthly Sovereign
- Shennong - Human Sovereign Five Mythological Emperors
- Yellow Emperor / Huangdi - originator of Chinese civilization
- Zhuanxu / Gaoyang - grandson of the Yellow Emperor
- White Emperor /Ku – great grandson of the Yellow Emperor
- Emperor Yao – great great grandson of the Yellow Emperor
- Shun the great CHINESE Dynasties Xia/Hsia The Xia dynasty is the first dynasty in traditional Chinese historiography. According to tradition, the Xia dynasty was established by the legendary Yu the Great, after Shun, the last of the Five Emperors, gave the throne to him. In traditional historiography, the Xia was later succeeded by the Shang dynasty. The Xia dynasty brought about what would become the foundation of Chinese rule, namely that of familial succession, with sons following fathers to the throne. The Xia dynasty was overthrown in 1600 B.C.E. by the first Shang leader. Shang The Shang dynasty is the earliest dynasty of traditional Chinese history firmly supported by archaeological evidence. First true dynasty - first Chinese Dynasty to invent writing and have a recorded history. The Shang made many contributions to Chinese civilization, but four in particular define the dynasty: the invention of writing; the development of a stratified government; the advancement of bronze technology; and the use of the chariot and bronze weapons in warfare.
oracle bones. These were bones that the Shang used to try and determine the future. Religious men would write a question on one side of the bone and then burn the bone until it cracked. They would then interpret the cracks for the answers and write the answers on the other side of the bone. Historians are able to decipher much of the history of the Shang through these questions and answers. Thousands of oracle bones have been found by archeologists. Zhou
- Longest dynastic regime
- Peace and prosperity
- Feudal system/warlord
- Confucius – “Master Kong” | Paragon of Chinese sages
- Lao Tzu – Tao Te-Ching “ The way of Virtue ”
- Mencius – the second sage “Human Nature” Qin / Chin Dynasty
- Qin Shi Huang Ti – First emperor of unified China
- Great wall of China
- Imperial Dynasty
- First Central Government
- Burned Books
- Destroyed Feudal system Han dynasty
- Golden Age of China
- Paper
- sundials / water clocks
- seismograph
- Confucianism – National Religion
- Civil service exam
- Silk Road The Silk Road in Asia The Han dynasty)was the second imperial dynasty of China, preceded by the Qin dynasty and succeeded by the Three Kingdoms (220–265 AD). Spanning over four centuries, the period of the Han dynasty is considered a golden age in Chinese history. One of the Han dynasty's greatest emperors, Emperor Wu of Han, established a peace throughout China comparable to the Pax Romana seen in the Mediterranean a hundred years later. To this day, China's majority ethnic group refers to itself as the "Han people". The Han dynasty was established when two peasants succeeded in rising up against Shi Huang's significantly weaker successor-son. The new Han government retained the centralization and bureaucracy of the Qin, but greatly reduced the repression seen before. They expanded their territory into Korea, Vietnam, and Central Asia, creating an even larger empire than the Qin. The Han developed contacts with the Persian Empire in the Middle East and the Romans, through the Silk Road , with which they were able to trade many commodities—primarily silk. Many ancient civilizations were influenced by the Silk Road, which connected China, India, the Middle East and Europe. Han emperors like Wu also promoted Confucianism as the national "religion" (although it is debated by theologians as to whether it is defined as such or as a philosophy). Shrines devoted to Confucius were built and Confucian philosophy was taught to all scholars who entered the Chinese bureaucracy. The bureaucracy was further improved with the introduction of an examination system that selected scholars of high merit. These bureaucrats were often upper- class people educated in special schools, but whose power was often checked by the lower-class brought into the bureaucracy through their skill. The Chinese imperial bureaucracy was very
- Yuan
- Kublai Khan
- First Foreign-ruled
- The Black Death Chinese cities were soon besieged by the Mongol hordes that showed little mercy for those who resisted and the Southern Song Chinese were quickly losing territory. In 1271 the current great khan, Kublai Khan, claimed himself Emperor of China and officially established the Yuan dynasty. By 1290, all of China was under control of the Mongols, marking the first time they were ever completely conquered by a foreign invader; the new capital was established at Khanbaliq (modern-day Beijing). Kublai Khan segregated Mongol culture from Chinese culture by discouraging interactions between the two peoples, separating living spaces and places of worship, and reserving top administrative positions to Mongols, thus preventing Confucian scholars to continue the bureaucratic system. Nevertheless, Kublai remained fascinated with Chinese thinking, surrounding himself with Chinese Buddhist, Taoist, or Confucian advisors. Mongol women displayed a contrasting independent nature compared to the Chinese women who continued to be suppressed. Mongol women often rode out on hunts or even to war. Kublai's wife, Chabi, was a perfect example of this; Chabi advised her husband on several political and diplomatic matters; she convinced him that the Chinese were to be respected and well-treated in order to make them easier to rule.[16]: p. 327 However, this was not enough to affect Chinese women's position, and the increasingly Neo-Confucian successors of Kublai further repressed Chinese and even Mongol women. The Black Death, which would later ravage Western Europe, had its beginnings in Asia, where it wiped out large populations in China in 1331. Ming
- Emperor Hongwu executed 100,
- Forbidden City
- Ended by Rebellions
- Last Imperial dynasty ruled by Han people Qing / Ching
- Manchu/Manzu
- The last Chinese Dynasty
- 268 years, from 1644 to 1912
- First Opium War (Britain)
- Second Opium War / Arrow War (Britain and France)
- Boxer Rebellion The northern Manchu people had conquered Ming dynasty and established a foreign dynasty— the Qing dynasty—once more. The Manchu Qing emperors, especially Confucian scholar Kangxi, remained largely conservative—retaining the bureaucracy and the scholars within it, as well as the Confucian ideals present in Chinese society. However, changes in the economy and new attempts at resolving certain issues occurred too. These included increased trade with Western countries that brought large amounts of silver into the Chinese economy in exchange for tea, porcelain, and silk textiles. This allowed for a new merchant-class, the compradors, to develop. In addition, repairs were done on existing dikes, canals, roadways, and irrigation works. This, combined with the lowering of taxes and government-assigned labor, was supposed to calm peasant unrest. However, the Qing failed to control the growing landlord class which had begun to exploit the peasantry and abuse their position.
Opium War The Opium Wars arose from China’s attempts to suppress the opium trade. Foreign traders (primarily British) had been illegally exporting opium mainly from India to China since the 18th century, but that trade grew dramatically from about 1820. The resulting widespread addiction in China was causing serious social and economic disruption there. In spring 1839 the Chinese government confiscated and destroyed more than 20,000 chests of opium—some 1,400 tons of the drug—that were warehoused at Canton (Guangzhou) by British merchants. The antagonism between the two sides increased in July when some drunken British sailors killed a Chinese villager. The British government, which did not wish its subjects to be tried in the Chinese legal system, refused to turn the accused men over to the Chinese courts. Boxer Rebellion The Boxer Rebellion, also known as the Boxer Uprising, the Boxer Insurrection, or the Yihetuan Movement, was an anti-foreign, anti-colonial, and anti-Christian uprising in China between 1899 and 1901, towards the end of the Qing dynasty, by the Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists (Yìhéquán). The Boxer Rebellion was an uprising against foreigners that occurred in China about 1900, begun by peasants but eventually supported by the government. A Chinese secret society known as the Boxers embarked on a violent campaign to drive all foreigners from China. Several countries sent troops to halt the attacks. JAPAN Asuka period Japan's medieval history began with the Asuka period, from around 600 to 710. Japan’s first historical epoch–the Asuka period, named for the area near Nara where the court resided– coincides with the introduction of Buddhism into the country. Nara period Nara period, (ad 710–784), in Japanese history, period in which the imperial government was at Nara, and Sinicization and Buddhism were most highly developed. Nara, the country's first permanent capital, was modeled on the Chinese T'ang dynasty (618–907) capital, Ch'ang-an. Heian period Heian period, in Japanese history, the period between 794 and 1185, named for the location of the imperial capital, which was moved from Nara to Heian-kyō (Kyōto) in 794. The Heian period (平安時代, Heian jidai) is the last division of classical Japanese history, running from 794 to 1185. It followed the Nara period, beginning when the 50th emperor, Emperor Kammu, moved the capital of Japan to Heian-kyō (modern Kyoto). Heian (平安) means "peace" in Japanese. It is a period in Japanese history when the Chinese influences were in decline and the national culture matured. The Heian period is also considered the peak of the Japanese imperial court and noted for its art, especially poetry and literature. Machiya in Heian period Loss of imperial power also led to the rise of provincial warrior elites. Small lords began to function independently. They administered laws, supervised public works projects, and collected revenue for themselves instead of the imperial court. Regional lords also began to build their own armies. These warriors were loyal only their local lords and not the emperor, although the imperial government increasingly called them in to protect the capital. The regional warrior class developed into the samurai, which created its own culture: including specialized weapons such as the katana and a form of chivalry, bushido. Bushidō, (Japanese: “Way of the Warrior”) the code of conduct of the samurai, or bushi (warrior), class of premodern Japan.
KOREA
Three Kingdoms of Korea Goguryeo – north Baekje – southwest Silla - southeast Korean peninsula These three kingdoms act as a bridge of cultures between China and Japan. Thanks to them, Japan was able to accept Chinese splendid cultures. Prince Shōtoku of Japan had been taught by two teachers. One was from Baekje, the other was from Goguryeo. Ancient Korea By 4000 BC there were stone age farmers living in Korea. By 1000 BC they had learned to use bronze. By about 300 BC they had learned to use iron to make tools and weapons. At first, Korea was divided into tribes but eventually organized kingdoms emerged. There were 3 of them, Goguryeo in the north and Silla and Baekje in the south. According to legend Silla was founded in 57 BC by Bak Hyeokgeose, Jumong founded Goguryeo in 37 BC and Onjo founded Baekje in 18 BC. In reality, the 3 kingdoms emerged later between the 2nd and 4th centuries AD. These 3 kingdoms were heavily influenced by Chinese civilization. By the 4th century, they were highly civilized. The three kingdoms of Korea fought for supremacy. China tried to defeat the northern kingdom of Goguryeo twice. Both times they were defeated by General Eulji Mundeok. However the Chinese then made an alliance with the Silla kingdom against the other two. The Baekje kingdom was defeated by 660 AD and became part of Silla. Goguryeo followed in 668. Korea was then united under the Silla. Goryeo Dynasty The Goryeo dynasty (918–1392) was a period of intense religious fervor. Its people—from the rulers to their lowest subjects—were ardent believers in Buddhism. This dynasty had a unique beginning. Its founder, Wang Geon (reigned 918–943), embraced his former rivals and brought them into the fold of his new dynasty. The Joseon in Korea (1392-1910) The king moved the capital to Hanseong (Seoul) in 1394. Under the Yi rulers, Confucianism was made the official religion of Korea. Buddhism lost its influence. In 1443 king Sejong created a native Korean alphabet. In Korea, there was a class of scholar-officials called the yangban. In order to join the civil service or to become an army officer, you had to pass certain exams in Confucian thought. In order to take the exams, you had to be the son of a yangban. So the scholar-official class was hereditary. Below the yangban were a class of clerks and specialists like doctors and accountants. They were called the jungin (middle-men). Below them was the great mass of Korean society called the yangmin. They were peasants, craftsmen, and merchants. Certain trades such as butchers, tanners, and entertainers were outcasts. At the bottom of the pile were slaves. Japan invaded Korea in 1592. They prevailed on land but at sea, they were defeated by Admiral Yi Sun-sin. The Japanese were forced to withdraw. They invaded again in 1597 but they withdrew in 1598. In the 17th century, Korea suffered from factionalism among its ruling class. Silhak (practical learning). Scholars discussed the practical ways of solving Korea’s problems rather than purely abstract ideas. In the 18th century, the Kings clamped down on factionalism. In Korea, trade and commerce flourished. Merchants had low status in Korean society. Confucianism regarded them with suspicion since they did not actually produce anything, unlike peasants and craftsmen.
The first contact with Europeans came in 1656 when a Dutch ship was shipwrecked off the coast of Korea. Then in the 18th century Jesuit priests traveled to China. Koreans visiting China met them and by the end of the 18th century, some Koreans had been converted to Catholicism. The new religion slowly spread in Korea despite waves of persecution in 1801, 1839, and 1866. In the 1850s a new religion spread among the peasants. It was called Donghak (Eastern Learning) and it was led by Choe Je-u. The peasants were discontented in the 19th century and in 1864 there was a rebellion. The rebellion was crushed and Choe Je-u was executed. The Korean War Even before the war ended Russia and the USA had agreed that after the war Korea would be divided into two zones, Russian and American. In August 1945 Russian troops entered the north. In September, after the Japanese surrender, American troops landed in the south. Korea was divided in two along an imaginary line, the 38th parallel. It was originally intended that the two zones would eventually be united into one. Of course, that did not happen. With the onset of the cold war, the divide between them hardened. The Russians installed a Communist government in the north and in the south, a government was elected in 1948. Korea became two countries, one Communist, and one democratic. The North Korean army invaded the south on 25 June 1950. They quickly drove south and captured Seoul. The UN Security Council invited members to help the south. US troops arrived on 30 June but they were forced to withdraw into the area around Busan. The first British troops arrived in Korea on 29 August 1950. On 15 September other US troops landed at Incheon 150 miles north of Busan. The soldiers in the Busan area broke out and pushed north and linked up with the troops in Incheon on 26 September. On the same day, allied troops liberated Seoul. United Nations troops then pushed the communists back over the 38th parallel and by 24 November they controlled about 2/3 of North Korea. However the Chinese then intervened. Strengthened by the Chinese 180,000 troops the Communists then counter-attacked and drove the allies south. By the end of 1950, the allies were back at the 38th parallel. The Communists attacked again on 1 January 1951. The allies counter- attacked on 25 January and on 14 March they again liberated Seoul. Several Communist offensives followed but all of them were repulsed. The war ended in a stalemate and on 27 July 1953 a cease-fire was signed. The 38th parallel was once again the border between the two countries Middle East Mesopotamia – cradle of civilization Sumer – earliest civilization Akkad – first empire Babylon – creative empire Hittite – iron discoverer Assyria – largest empire Chaldea – The new Babylon Persian Empire (Iran)
- Cyrus the Great – founder of Achaemenid dynasty of Persian Empire
- Darius the Great – bureaucracy was developed
- Zoroastrianism – primary religion of Persia
- Conquered by Alexander
- Sassanid Empire - second Persian Empire.
