MABALACAT CITY COLLEGE

Dapdap Campus, Mabalacat City of Pampanga

INSTITUTE OF TEACHER EDUCATION
Second Semester A.Y 2022-2023

WORLD HISTORY I

THE CHINESE ESTABLISH LASTING TRADITIONS

China's first civilization, like those in the Near East and India developed along a great river.
The Yellow River (Huang Ho in Chinese) begins in the mountains of western China and forms a
huge loop as it flows nearly 3,000 miles to the Yellow Sea. The river has changed course many
times, creating a broad valley the North China Plain.
The farming people of the river valley were cut off geographically from the rest of Asia by desert
and mountains. Believing themselves to be the only civilized people in the midst of tribes they
considered "barbarian," the Chinese came to call their land Chung-Kuo, "the Middle Kingdom."

Legends relate the rise of China’s early ruler – Like the Nile, the Yellow River regularly
overflows its banks and leaves rich topsoil on the land. The North China Plain is so flat, however,
that disastrous floods are common. According to legend, the Hsia (SHEE-ah), China's first ruling
house, or dynasty, was started about 2000 B.C. by Yu, a great hero. Yu supposedly found a way to
control the floodwaters of the Yellow River so that farmers could live in the valley.

The Shang dynasty rules in North China - Early Chinese rulers were thought to be "sons of
heaven" who were given the "mandate of heaven" the approval of the gods to rule as long as they
ruled well. According to tradition, the later Hsia rulers were so cruel that they lost the mandate of
heaven to the Shang (SHAHNG) dynasty about 1600 or 1500 B.C.

For many years, the Shang people were thought to have existed only in legend. In the 1920's,
however, archaeologists found the ruins of a great Shang city at An-yang, on the North China
Plain. The excavations at An-yang produced much information about the Bronze Age culture of
the Shang. Unlike other Bronze Age peoples, the Chinese continued to make most tools and
weapons of stone, bone, and wood. Bronze was made into objects used by the rulers and priests in
religious rituals. Shang metalworkers made beautiful cups and cauldrons to hold the food or drink
offered to the gods and to the spirits of royal ancestor. Some of these bronze articles were buried
the tombs of kings and nobles.
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Dapdap Campus, Mabalacat City of Pampanga
INSTITUTE OF TEACHER EDUCATION
Second Semester A.Y 2022-2023

WORLD HISTORY I

The Shang rulers controlled a fairly small state near the Yellow River but influenced much
larger area. They were often at war with neighbouring peoples and with sheep-herding nomads
who trespassed on the Shang farmland. One of these neighbouring peoples, the Chou (JOH) from
the Wei River region to the west, overthrew the Shang about 1100 B.C.

Local rulers gain power under early kings- The Chou reigned nearly 900 years longer than
any other dynasty in Chinese history. Although the Chou rulers themselves gradually lost all real
power, the period name after them was an important one.

At first the Chou rulers governed from their western homeland along the Wei River. They put
family members and trusted military leaders in charge of the eastern lands taken from the Shang.
Each local lord lived in a walled town protected by an army of warrior-nobles. The lord also ruled
the local population of peasants and slaves. In time these lords grew quite independent of the
Chou kings and, in 771 B.C., rebelled against them. The Chou rulers fled 300 miles east along the
Wei Rive to a new capital at Loyang. Chinese culture and technology advance
The Eastern Chou rulers had little power and less land than many of the great local lords. Their
long reign (770-256 B.C.) was a time war, lawlessness, and disunity, but also of important
developments in Chinese society. Agriculture, technology, trade, and transportation all were
undergoing changes. Metalworkers the Chou period learned to work with ire making sturdy plows
and sharp weapons. Canals for shipping grain were built, and irrigation systems were developed.
Towns grew up as trading centers, and a class of merchants’ traders formed. Merchants became
wealthy and influential, although they were considered the lowest social class. Some new ideas,
such as the knowledge of ironworking, had probably come into north China from western and
Central Asia. The nomadic herding peoples there also had learned to domesticate and ride horses.
These mounted horsemen raided border areas and were a danger to farmers there, but they
introduced horseback riding to the Chinese. This skill brought many changes. Soldiers learned to
 MABALACAT CITY COLLEGE
Dapdap Campus, Mabalacat City of Pampanga
INSTITUTE OF TEACHER EDUCATION
Second Semester A.Y 2022-2023

WORLD HISTORY I

ride horseback rather than drive war chariots. Mounted messengers could carry news much faster
than runners, and better communication helped rulers control their distant territories. Many
Chinese also adopted the nomads' clothing style of wearing trousers rather than the traditional
long robe.

Individual states develop systems of government. New states grew up in a ring around the old
central states of the North China Plain. Chinese culture now spread over an area from the borders
of Mongolia in the north to the Yangtze River in the south. This area included many people whom
the inhabitants of the Middle Kingdom considered uncivilized barbarians.
The rulers in the almost-independent outlying states began to centralize their rule. They
established tax systems, military organizations, and codes of law. Some took control of the trade
in salt and iron, which brought their states a good income. State in north China began to build
walls along their frontiers to keep out nomadic invaders. To organize such large projects as
irrigation, flood control, and defense, the rulers needed efficient government.

To run the government, there grew up a new class of trained public officials and
administrator, or bureaucrats (BYOO–ruh–kratz). Most of these men were not high-ranking
nobles but scholars and teachers. Some were philosophers who were interested in theories of
politics and government. The bureaucrats travelled from state to state working for different rulers
as tutors, consultants on correct behaviour, and political advisers. Some attracted students and set
up schools.

The writings of some of these teachers became guides for later Chinese society. Their books
came to be known as "the classics” and the period when the teachers Jived has been called China's
Classical Age.

Confucius consider the roles of people in society. One of the traveling bureaucrats was
Kung Fu-tzu ("Master Kung"), whom we know by his Latinized name, Confucius, He is
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Dapdap Campus, Mabalacat City of Pampanga
INSTITUTE OF TEACHER EDUCATION
Second Semester A.Y 2022-2023

WORLD HISTORY I

regarded as China's greatest philosopher and teacher. Confucius (551-479 B.C.) lived at about
the same time as the Buddha in India. Confucius was not a religious teacher, however. He was
not concerned with the soul, an afterlife, or the worship of gods. He was most interested in
questions of ethics and of morality in politics. He tried to define ways in which individuals
should live and behave in their everyday relationships with others.

Confucius outlined five basic social relationships: between ruler and subjects, father and son,
husband and wife, older and younger brothers, and friends or members of a community. In the
first four relationships, one person was viewed as superior and worthy of respect and obedience.
In turn, this superior person was expected to set a good example of moral behaviour. According to
Confucius, evil rulers were responsible for the evil actions of their officials and subjects.
Similarly, a father was responsible for his children's good or bad behaviour.
Confucius tried to teach his followers to develop the qualities that would make them virtuous
public officials. The Confucian virtues included inner qualities such as integrity, loyalty, and
generosity, but they also included good manners, culture, and politeness.

Mencius teaches that the individual is good. The philosopher Meng-tzu, who is known to
the West as Mencius, lived about 200 years after Confucius (372-289 B.C.). He taught members
of a family the father, the husband, and the eldest son — were given positions of respect and
superiority. Most political thinkers believed this same relationship existed between rulers or high
officials and their subjects. That is, the king had the same authority over his subjects as a father
over his family.

Women are given a lesser role. These same attitudes affected the status of women in
Chinese society. Because maintaining the family name was considered so important, the birth of
a son or grandson was a joyous event. Daughters might be loved, but only through marriage
could a woman bring "honour" to her family. From obedience to her father, a woman moved on
to obedience to her husband and then to her sons. She could own nothing except her dowry and
even in her own household might have to be obedient to her mother-in-law or her husband's
 MABALACAT CITY COLLEGE
Dapdap Campus, Mabalacat City of Pampanga
INSTITUTE OF TEACHER EDUCATION
Second Semester A.Y 2022-2023

WORLD HISTORY I

other wives. Only in old age might a woman acquire some authority of her own as a
motherinlaw.

On the other hand, women were shown respect in various ways. In addition to maintaining
the household, peasant women worked in the fields with men and were valued by their husbands.
Merchants and officials had high regard for the advice and common sense of their wives.
Moreover, a woman's prestige increased when her son brought back a wife, who would obey her
and assume many of the homemaking responsibilities.

Age brings respect. The Chinese, both men and women, looked forward to old age, for it
brought them wisdom, respect, and leisure. Filial piety required the eldest son to provide a good
life for his aging parents. There were few sins in ancient China greater than showing disrespect
for a parent, living or, dead.

Chinese Empire and its Domination of Asia

Chou / Zhou Dynasty - Wuwang was the founder of this dynasty. Haojing its capital. The
longest dynasty period of over 800 years under the rule of 37 different emperors. It is
considered one of the longestlasting dynasties in Chinese history, ruling from 1046 to 256
BCE. The Zhou Dynasty is categorized into two main periods: the Western Zhou (1046–771
BCE) and the Eastern Zhou (771–256 BCE). During the Zhou Dynasty, China experienced
advancements in agriculture, technology, and social structure. Feudalism played a crucial role
in the governance of the dynasty. The Zhou Dynasty also saw the
emergence of Confucianism and Taoism as influential philosophies. The Zhou Dynasty laid
the foundation for the Chinese feudal system and had a profound impact on the subsequent
political, cultural, and philosophical development of Chinese civilization.

Chinese dynasties rise and fall

Throughout Chinese history, ruling houses faced the same basic problems:
Rebellions by local lords and peasants, barbarian invasion, and natural disaster. These
problem caused the rise and fall of dynasties in a regular pattern.
 MABALACAT CITY COLLEGE
Dapdap Campus, Mabalacat City of Pampanga
INSTITUTE OF TEACHER EDUCATION
Second Semester A.Y 2022-2023

WORLD HISTORY I

Many historians discuss Chinese history in terms of this dynastic cycle.

CHIN / QIN Dynasty - The Chin Dynasty, also known as the Qin Dynasty, was the first
imperial dynasty of China, ruling from 221 to 206 BCE. It was established by Emperor Shih
Huang Ti, who unified China under central control and implemented significant political and
administrative reforms. The dynasty is known for the construction of the Great Wall of China
and the famous Terracotta Army. He was the one who standardized weights and measures, and
he insisted on the round coin with a square hole (Ban Liang Coin) being the country's coin.
The Chin Dynasty laid the foundation for a centralized and unified Chinese state that lasted
for centuries.

HAN DYNASTY - The Han Dynasty (206 BC-221 BC). Founded by Liu Bang born into an
impoverished family of peasant farmers. Liu Bang was victorious uniting the Middle
Kingdom by 202 B.C., declaring himself that Emperor Gaodi or Gauzu of the Han Dynasty.
During his 11-year reign the emperor Gaodi he focused on bringing internal stability peace
and prosperity to the Empire. He lowered the taxes on the common people; Buddhism was
introduced. Paper was invented, and the first official records were
written. Legalism replaced by Confucianism. Hau Shen compiled the first Chinese dictionary.
Pan Chao, China's greatest woman historian completed the History of Han, first dynasty
history. And Sima Quian (Suma Chien), “the father of Chinese history," wrote the Historical
Record of China's ancient history.

Wu Ti - Also known as Emperor Wu (Liu Che) of Han. Emperor Wu is widely regarded as

one of the greatest emperors in Chinese history due to his accomplishments in expanding and
stabilizing the Han Empire. During his reign, Emperor Wu implemented several important
policies and initiatives that contributed to the development and prosperity of China:

• Expansion of Territory
• Government Reforms:
• Support for Education and Scholars
• Economic Development
• Cultural and Intellectual Exchanges
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Dapdap Campus, Mabalacat City of Pampanga
INSTITUTE OF TEACHER EDUCATION
Second Semester A.Y 2022-2023

WORLD HISTORY I

HAN DYNASTY ABOUT A.D. 100

Trade develops between China and the West

The Chinese had known how to raise silkworms and weave silk cloth from the fibers spun by
the worms. As no other people knew this secret.
Chinese silk was valuable for trade.
Merchant’s caravans on the silk route traveled from oasis to oasis around the desert of the
Tarim Basin. They carried silk and jade from China to India, Persia, and the eastern provinces
of the Roman Empire.

Science and Technology develop

Important advances in science were made in the Han period. The Chinese had recording
information about the stars and planets since ancient times. Comets, sunspots, and eclipse
were thought to be message from heaven.
Chinese astronomers had devised an accurate calendar, star maps, and several astronomical
instrument. Chinese scientist also had discovered the principles of the magnetic compass used
to determine direction and had made an instrument to record earthquake.

The Chinese Empire's Domination of Asia: A Legacy of Power and Influence

The Chinese Empire, known for its long and illustrious history, exerted significant
domination over Asia for millennia. This report delves into the key aspects of the Chinese
Empire’s dominance, including its territorial expansion, cultural influence, economic prowess,
and lasting legacy.

Territorial Expansion: The Chinese Empire's domination of Asia was largely characterized by
its territorial expansion. Throughout its history, various Chinese dynasties expanded their borders
through military conquests, diplomacy, and political alliances. Notable expansions include the
Han Dynasty's control over an extensive part of present-day China, the Tang Dynasty's influence
over Central Asia, and the Qing Dynasty's territorial acquisition in Mongolia and Tibet.
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Dapdap Campus, Mabalacat City of Pampanga
INSTITUTE OF TEACHER EDUCATION
Second Semester A.Y 2022-2023

WORLD HISTORY I

Cultural Influence: The Chinese Empire's cultural influence played a crucial role in its
domination of Asia. The spread of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism from China influenced
the belief systems, social order, and governance of neighboring regions. Literary and artistic
traditions, including calligraphy, poetry, and painting, were also widely embraced by neighboring
cultures, contributing to the shared artistic heritage in Asia.

Economic Prowess: The Chinese Empire's economic prowess greatly influenced its domination
of Asia. China's advanced agricultural techniques and technologies allowed for the development
of a large population that could support significant economic growth. The establishment of the
Silk Road, a vast network of trade routes, facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and culture
across Asia, thereby solidifying China's economic influence.

Trade and Diplomacy: Trade and diplomatic relations played a vital role in the Chinese
Empire's domination. China's prosperity attracted merchants and explorers from distant
lands, fostering profitable economic exchanges and diplomatic ties. Tribute systems were
established with neighboring states, ensuring mutual recognition of the Chinese Emperor's
authority and reinforcing China's hegemony in the region.

Legacy: The Chinese Empire's domination of Asia left a profound and lasting legacy. China’s
influence on neighboring cultures is evident today in various aspects, such as language, cuisine,
architecture, and cultural practices. The Chinese writing system, one of the world's oldest,
continues to be used by several Asian countries. Additionally, China's philosophical, artistic, and
scientific achievements have had an enduring impact on Asian civilizations.

Conclusion: The Chinese Empire's domination of Asia was marked by territorial expansion,
cultural influence, economic prowess, and diplomatic relations. Its ability to establish and
maintain dominance was a result of the empire's political stability, technological advancements,
and cultural resilience. The legacy of the Chinese Empire continues to shape Asia, with Chinese
cultural, linguistic, and economic influences remaining significant to this day.
 MABALACAT CITY COLLEGE
Dapdap Campus, Mabalacat City of Pampanga
INSTITUTE OF TEACHER EDUCATION
Second Semester A.Y 2022-2023

WORLD HISTORY I

Japan Develop Feudal Society

Mainland Asia influence Japanese culture:

• The early years of the Han dynasty in China
• The Japanese people of the Yayoi culture were growing rice in irrigated fields and
working with both bronze and iron, their technology und agricultural methods had
probably come from China and Korea.

• A class system has been developed among these farming people, in the third century
A.D; they started to build huge mounds of earth as tombs for their rulers, this is
called Kofun or ‘tomb culture”
• Before Yamato clan gained their power, Japanese lived in many small tribal
communities or clan, the clan rulers are also the religious leaders and often ruled by
women.

Nature worship is part of early Japanese culture:

• Ancient Japanese has strong belief in the force of nature, which were seen as spirit
called Kami, the religion called Shinto is derived from this belief.

Legends surround the Japanese Imperial family:

• The Yamato clan claims that they are the direct descendant of the Sun Goddess
Amaterasu.

Japan borrows institutions from mainland Asia:

• Through the course of time, japans is influenced by its neighbouring country such
as China, and the Korea, on the sixth century A.D, Japanese imperial court officially
accepted Buddhism.
• In 592 Prince Shotoku became chief adviser to his aunt, the empress Suiko, Shotoku
began to strengthen the central government and weaken the clans by writing 17
article constitutions in 604, this declare the supremacy of the emperor and took away
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Dapdap Campus, Mabalacat City of Pampanga
INSTITUTE OF TEACHER EDUCATION
Second Semester A.Y 2022-2023

WORLD HISTORY I

the inherited offices held by members of the clan, instead, government officials were
to be appointed by merit, following the Confucian principle used in China.
• Shotoku also began the custom of sending diplomatic missions to China; the mission
is to further study the culture and technology of China, they have learned about
Chinese art, architecture, music, government methods and their religion such as
Buddhism.

The Taika reforms establish a Chinese style system:

• The policy of Shotoku is continued by the Taika Reforms in the mid-600, their
purpose is to establish a stronger central government, where all land in Japan was
declared the property of the imperial government, which would allot land to the
government peasants who farmed it.

• As part of the move for the stronger central government, a permanent capital city
was built at Nara in 710. Nara is mostly based in Ch’ang-an, the Chinese capital. It
was only the real city at Japan that time; it was inhabitant by the rich and noble
families and has many tile-roofed Buddhist Temple and Pagodas that are based in
Chinese Style.

Nobles challenge the imperial court’s power:

• For the most of Heian period, the Fujiwara Family held the real power in Japan.
However their power starts to decline, Court families are more interested in luxury
and their personal fortunes than governing, the government income started to drop
because most of the land are owned by the nobles and they don’t pay taxes, large
land owners living away the capital and set up their private armies, farmers and small
land owners started to give a partial of their land to warlords for security.

Military leaders assume political authority:

• Two powerful warrior families, the Taira and Minamoto, struggle for power for
about thirty years, and in 1180 a war started between them, five years later the
Minamoto Family defeated the Taira, the young emperor Antoku was drowned in
the Inland Sea and the imperial sword was lost.
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Dapdap Campus, Mabalacat City of Pampanga
INSTITUTE OF TEACHER EDUCATION
Second Semester A.Y 2022-2023

WORLD HISTORY I

• Yorimoto established his government in the town of Kamakura, where it would be

independent of the imperial court, Yoritomo soon gained the title of “Shogun” which
means “barbarian Subduing general”. With the establishment of Kamakura
shogunate, Japan becomes a military dictatorship. The Kamakura Shogunate was the
first of three to rule Japan between 1185 and 1168.
• Samurai: (Already discussed)

A divine wind saves Japan from Mongol conquest:

• By the late 1200’s, China had become part of the Mongol Empire ruled by Kublai
Khan, Kublai Khan demanded that Japan will accept his rule, But Japan refuses, and
In 1274, Kublai Khan send a fleet but forced to retrieve because Japan was help by
a fierce storm, 7 years later Mongol empire send 140,000 men but yet again a raging
storm swept away the Mongols and Japan won the battle. Japanese believed that the
storm was sent by the Kami to protect them, and they named the storm “Kamikaze”
which means Divine wind.
• The victory over the Mongols proved to be expensive for the Kamakura Shogunate,
the shoguns had no new lands to give, disconnected samurai and nobles deserted the
shogun to support an ambitious emperor who wanted more political power, and the
kamakura shogunate ended in 1333 with suicide of the last shogun along with his
family and his staff.

Local Lords take power away from the central government:

• The nobles who joined with the emperor did not give the power back to the imperial
family. One warlord, Ashika Toakuji made himself a shogun in 1338, establishing
his family as the second line of military ruler.
• In Hundred years of Ashikaga Shogunate (1467-1567) leadership the Central
Government had almost collapse, the local lord called daimyo had the loyalty of
samurai and held an absolute power rule over their territories, their samurai were
almost constantly at war with each other, and the is why this era is called “Age of
the country at war”.

Class lines break down:

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Dapdap Campus, Mabalacat City of Pampanga
INSTITUTE OF TEACHER EDUCATION
Second Semester A.Y 2022-2023

WORLD HISTORY I

• The War destroyed the class line, the lower classes now are more important in the
Japanese society; the samurai lost their prestige because the Daimyo started to hire
peasants and commoners to serve in the armies, noble families lost their estates to
the Daimyo, and in early 1500’s an emperor could not be officially enthroned
because the court was too poor to pay his ceremony, and One emperor earn his living
by selling his poems to the streets.

Zen Buddhism inspires artistic Brilliance:

• The Ashikaga shoguns and most of samurai followed the Zen Buddhism, and the
Zen Monasteries mostly influenced the system of japan, In politics, trade, and arts.
In the Fifteenth Century is the start of Zen- art.

Towns and trade flourish amid disorder:

• Despite of the constant war in Japanese Society, they started to make trades and just
like in Medieval Europe, artisans and merchants formed a group, and the economy
of Japan continued to Thrive.

Japanese Unification under Tokugawa Shoguns

Shogun
• Hereditary Japanese military leader (dictator) appointed by the emperor.
• Worked with civil servants who were administered taxes and trade, Daimyo –
wealthy landowners, and with the Samurai – a warrior class employed by the
Daimyo.
• The term “shogun” is still used informally, to refer to a powerful behind-the-scenes
leader, such as a retired prime minister.

Shogunate – system of military government.

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Dapdap Campus, Mabalacat City of Pampanga
INSTITUTE OF TEACHER EDUCATION
Second Semester A.Y 2022-2023

WORLD HISTORY I

1467 to 1600
• Warring-states period in Japan.
• This is when the central military government under the Shogun had broken down,
and Daimyo waged war against one another for control of the country.

Tokugawa Shogunate
• After the fall of the Ashikaga Shogunate in 1573, rival daimyo fought for control
of Japan. Tokugawa Ieyasu defeated his rivals and was granted the title of shogun
by the emperor. He started a shogunate that lasted for over 250 years.
• One of the primary goals of the Tokugawa shogunate was to keep Christianity
away from Japan, and the 300,000 Japanese Christians were heavily persecuted.
Confucianism was the promoted religion.
• The Tokugawa period is regarded as the final period of Japanese traditional
government (the shogunate), preceding the onset of Japanese westernization.

• The Edo period is the period between 1603 and 1867 in the history of Japan, when
Japan was under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate.

Tokugawa Ieyasu
• One of Hideyoshi’s top generals
• Established the Tokugawa shogunate, which lasted until the 19th century
• Battled a coalition of daimyo loyal to Hideyoshi’s son after Hideyoshi’s death

• Consolidated power by relocating his headquarters to Edo (modern-day Tokyo)

and defeating rival generals
• Implemented strict social and economic policies, including the “Sakoku” policy of
isolating Japan from foreign influence
• Encouraged cultural development, including the growth of kabuki theater and
ukiyoe art.
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Dapdap Campus, Mabalacat City of Pampanga
INSTITUTE OF TEACHER EDUCATION
Second Semester A.Y 2022-2023

WORLD HISTORY I

• Political astuteness helped to unify Japan and bring a period of peace and stability
to the country for over 200 years.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Edo: Edo is the former name of Tokyo, the capital city of Japan. It was the center of political
and cultural power during the Edo period (1603-1868) when the Tokugawa shogunate ruled
Japan.

Sakoku: Sakoku was a policy of isolationist foreign relations adopted by the Tokugawa
shogunate during the Edo period. It involved a strict control of Japanese borders and a ban
on foreign trade and travel.

Ukiyo-e art: Ukiyo-e is a genre of Japanese art that flourished during the Edo period. It is
characterized by woodblock prints and paintings that depict scenes from everyday life,
including landscapes, historical events, and portraits of famous actors and courtesans.

Political astuteness: Political astuteness refers to the ability to navigate and succeed in
political situations through shrewdness, cunning, and strategic thinking.

Kabuki Theatre: Kabuki is a form of Japanese theatre that originated in the Edo period. It
is known for its elaborate costumes, stylized acting, and use of male actors to play both
male and female roles. Kabuki plays often depict historical events, legends, and romantic
tales.