Module 4: The Warring States Period and the Classical Age in China

The breakdown of the Zhou Empire, in the third century B.C.E., permitted the establishment of many small kingdoms ruled by former vassals and incursions of nomadic peoples who lived on the Chinese border. This period of internal warfare—called the “Warring States Period”—stimulated intellectual ferment and the formulation of new conceptions of political and social organization. The creation of the brief Qin Empire in 221 B.C.E. seemed to promise a return to political order. Qin tyranny, however, produced resistance and the collapse of the dynasty in 207 B.C.E. The Han dynasty (which replaced the Qin dynasty) ruled for nearly four centuries, and political unity was achieved through the creation of a large civil bureaucracy.

In this unit, we will examine how political and social disorder later resulted in consolidation and the emergence of a distinct Chinese state—a far different polity than the fragmentation and chronic instability that characterized the Zhou.

Time Advisory

This unit will take you 9 hours to complete.

Section 4.1 The Emergence of New Philosophies in China: 3.5 hours
Section 4.2 The Qin: 2 hours
Section 4.3 The Han Dynasty and China’s Classical Age: 3 hours
Section 4.4 Module 2 Quiz: 0.5 hours

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will be able to:

Analyze the emergence of new philosophies in the Far East, including Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism.
Compare and contrast the political and social organizations of the Zhou, Qin, and the Han dynasties.
Assess the political, social, and cultural legacies of the different ruling dynasties during the Warring States period and Classical Age in China.

Section 4.1 The Emergence of New Philosophies in China

Please read this short article to get a sense of how the “three teachings”—Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism—were perceived in classical China.

Sanjiao: The Three Teachings Links to an external site.

Please read the entirety of both articles in order to get a sense of the characteristics of the later Zhou (Chou) culture.

The Far East, 600 - 501 B.C. Download The Far East, 600 - 501 B.C.

The Far East, 400 - 301 B.C. Download The Far East, 400 - 301 B.C.

Please read the entire webpage to get a sense for the teachings of Confucius as well as general understanding of how the classical Chinese state embraced these principles.

Confucius and "Confucian Tradition" Links to an external site.

Please read the entire article to understand the life, thought, and times of Confucius.

Confucius Links to an external site.

Please read all of the selections given in order to get a sense of the main tenets of Confucian philosophy.

The Analects Links to an external site.

Please read the entire article to get a sense of Taoist philosophy in China.

Taoism Links to an external site.

Please read the entire webpage in order to get a sense of the origins and main tenets of Daoist philosophy.

Defining Daoism: A Complex History Links to an external site.

Please read the entire webpage to get a sense of the main tenets of Buddhism, its origins in India, and its role in Chinese history.

Buddhism: The Imported Tradition Links to an external site.

Question & Answer

Section 4.2 The Qin

Please read the entirety of the article in order to get sense of the characteristics of the Qin dynasty.

The Far East, 300 - 201 B.C. Download The Far East, 300 - 201 B.C.

Please read “The Qin Dynasty” for an overview of the history of the Qin dynasty. Pay special attention to how the Qin transformed China by uniting the Warring States into an empire.

The Qin Dynasty Download The Qin Dynasty

Question & Answer

Section 4.3 The Han Dynasty and China’s Classical Age

Please read the entirety of both articles in order to get a sense of the rise of the powerful Han Empire.

The Far East, 200 - 101 B.C. Download The Far East, 200 - 101 B.C.

The Far East, 100 - 0 B.C. Download The Far East, 100 - 0 B.C.

Please read “The Han Dynasty” for an overview of the history of the Han dynasty. Pay special attention to the similarities and differences between the Qin and the Han rule.

The Han Dynasty Download The Han Dynasty

Please scroll down to lecture 8, and click on the hyperlink based on your Internet connection to launch the video. Watch the entire video lecture (51:38 minutes), which builds upon the information found in the previous resource and provides an in-depth look at life in Han China, with many valuable insights on social relations, popular customs, and economic affairs.

State and Society in Western and Eastern Han Links to an external site.

Please read “China: the Imperial Era” in its entirety to get a sense of the various stages and aspects of the Han dynasty.

China: The Imperial Era Download China: The Imperial Era

Question & Answer

Section 4.4 Quiz

Please take the assigned quiz and submit for grading. This quiz pertains to Chapter 4 of the textbook World Civilizations: The Global Experience, published by Pearson Education.

Module 4 Quiz