A)Hinduism and Gupta Society

Name:

Expanding Zones

I)Gupta Empire of India (320 CE to 550 CE)

• Section Overview – the Gupta dynasty came to power in India in 320 AD/CE. The strong Gupta gov’t, which gave power to the local leaders, united much of the Indian subcontinent and insured peace and prosperity. Hinduism had a very strong impact on the Gupta society and cultural life. Gupta scientists and mathematicians made important discoveries and advances.

A)Geographic setting –
1)The Gupta will arise in the North and spread southward
2)Geography will benefit the empire
(a)Mountains will protect the empire from foreign invaders
(b)The Indus and Ganges Rivers will provide water and fertile soil
B)Gupta Gov’t structure
1)A strong, efficient centralized gov’t allowed farming and trade to prosper, shared some decision making with local elected leaders,
(a)In each village a headman and council made decisions for the village
2)Provided stability which provided peace and prosperity (Golden Age)
3)Role of Women
(a)Early on, were allowed to serve on the councils,
(b)Over time Hindu law placed greater restrictions on women, excluding them from participation

A)Hinduism and Gupta Society

1)Indian Society and the Caste System
(a)While the Caste System originated in early Aryan times, by the time of the Gupta, the Caste system had become firmly entrenched in Indian society.
(i)(Polytheistic, Caste System, Dharma, Karma)
2)Family life
(a)Patriarchal – male heads of families had great authority
(b)Children learned the family trade
(c)Arranged marriages – Hindu law required that people marry within their caste

(d)Women’s lives restricted

B)Achievements
1)Mathematics
(a)Zero and the decimal system (base 10)
(b)Arabic numerals
2)Medicine
(a)Set bones and repaired facial injuries
(b)Vaccinated people against small pox 1,000 years before Europeans
3)Architecture
(a)Constructed stupas, large dome shaped shrines.
4)Literature
(a)Use of Sanskrit language allowed for the spread of stories across the region.

C)End of Gupta Rule

5)After 200 years the Gupta declined due to weak rulers and foreign invasions which disrupted trade and destroyed villages

II)Tang (618 -907 CE) and Song (960-1279 CE) Dynasties in China
A)Tang Founder: General Tang Taizong

1)Tang rulers forced Vietnam, Korea, and Tibet to become tributary states

2)Japan sends missions to China to conduct trade and study Chinese culture

3)Corruption, drought and rebellions led to the collapse of the Tang

(a)(An example of the dynastic cycle)

A)Song Founder: Zhoa Kuangyin

B)Chinese Govt

1)Tang rulers revived the Civil Service Exam

(a)Schools set up to prepare students for the test

(b)A highly educated ruling class emerged (scholar gentry)

2)Strict social order - dominated by Confucian philosophy

(a)Five Relationships

(b)Three main classes

(i)The gentry (Scholar)

Wealthy landowners – they could afford an education for their sons

(ii)Peasants

The majority of the Chinese fall in this group

Farmers who worked the land

Live in small villages

(iii)Merchants

Lower status than peasants because their riches come from work done by other people

(c)Status of Women

(i)Under the Tang and Song, Women held some authority. However, boys were still valued over girls
Within the home, women managed family finances, imposed discipline and supervise servants
When a girl married she became part of her husband’s family and could never remarry

C)Economic Achievements

1)Land reform

(a)Tang seized land from large land holders and gave it to the peasants

(i)Rich have less power

(ii)Poor can now pay taxes, increasing government wealth

D)Trade

1)Chinese merchants trade with India, Persia (modern Iran) and the Middle East

2)The worlds first paper money is issued

3)The Grand Canal is built which linked the Huang He and the Yangtze, improving trade within the nation (from the farms of the South to the North)

E)Literature and the Arts

• Calligraphy flourished
• Architects create the pagodastyle temple

• The Chinese become experts at making porcelain – “china”

F)Chinese Influence on Japan

1)Japan learns of Chinese culture through Korea

2)During the Tang Dynasty, a Japanese prince sends nobles to China to study

600-700s

/

800s

/

900-1200s

Japanese study Chinese civilization

• Japanese nobles adopt Chinese language, food, style of dress, music, dance, and the Chinese Tea Ceremony

/

Japanese stop traveling to China

/

Japan keeps some Chinese ways but build their own civilization

• Japan changes Chinese System of writing

IV)Islamic Civilization

Inthe years after Muhammad’s death, Islam spread across North Africa, Asia (India) and Europe (Spain). During the years 700 to 800, Islam experienced a Golden Age.

A)Islamic Law and its Impact

1)Based on the Quran (or Koran), it acted as a unifying force for Muslims
2)The Sharia – Islamic system of law – regulated moral behavior, family life business, government and other areas of community life.
B)Divisions within Islam
1)After Muhammad’s death, divisions grew as to who should be Caliph - Muhammad’s successor
(a)Sunni’s – believe that the Caliph should be chosen by Muslims leaders
(b)Shiites – believe that only the decedents of Muhammad should be his successor.
C)Social Patterns
1)Social Mobility
(a)Under earlier dynasties, Arabs considered themselves to be superior to non-Arabs
(b)Over time this ethnocentrism declined and social mobility became based on religious, scholarly or military achievement
2)Treatment of Conquered Peoples
(a)Islamic leaders imposed a special tax on non Muslims
(b)Other monotheistic followers (Jews and Christians) were allowed to practice their faith
3)Slavery
(a)As in Greece and Rome, slavery was common in the Muslim world
(b)Slaves were allowed to buy their freedom
(i)If they converted to Islam, their (unborn) children would be free
4)Status of Women
(a)Islam teaches the spiritual equality of men and women
(b)Under the protection of the Quran
(i)Women had inheritance rights
(ii)Could be educated
(iii)Had to consent to marriages
(c)As Islam spread, the customs of non-Arabs was adopted and as a result, restrictions on women increased over time.

Islam’s Golden Age

5)Art
(a)Used beautiful writing (calligraphy) and patterns to decorate buildings and other works of art
(b)Adapted Byzantine domes and arches in building Mosques
(c)Painted people and animals in non religious art
6)Learning
(a)Translate and preserve writings of Greek Philosophers
(b) Develop algebra
(c)Observed the Earth turning and measured its circumference
7)Medicine
(a)Required doctors to pass difficult tests
(b)Set up hospitals with emergency rooms
(c)Studied diseases and wrote medical books
8)Mathematics and Sciences
(a)Muslims studied Indian and Greek mathematics before making their own contributions - Algebra
(b)Astronomy – Muslims astronomers observed the earth’s rotation and calculated the circumference of the Earth to within a few thousand feet.
9)Economic Achievements
(a)From 750 to 1350 Muslims had an extensive trade network which in turn helped spread their beliefs, culture and technology

Christian Europe Enriched by the Islamic Civilization

10)Muslim Spain
(a)Spain became a magnificent Muslim cultural center.
(b)Muslims (Moors) continued the policy of religions toleration by hiring Jewish official, and encouraging Christian students to study Greek thought
11)Muslims Sicily
(a)During the Early Middle Ages, Arabs briefly gained controlled Sicily and other Mediterranean islands
(b)Muslim officials provided effective government, and Arab merchants and farmers helped the economy grow.

V)The Byzantine Empire

Geographic Setting: In the late 200’s CE the Roman Empire is divided in half. By 330, Constantine had built the new capital of Constantinople on a strait connecting the Black to the Mediterranean Sea. From this location, Constantinople dominated the trade routes linking Europe and Asia.

A)Preserving and Spreading Culture

4)Constantinople controlled key trade routes that linked Europe and Asia

5)The Byzantine Empire blended Greek, Roman, and Christian influences and helped spread them to other regions of the world

(a)In Russia, a thriving trade network with the Byzantines helped Kiev become the center of the first Russian state.

B)Achievements of the Byzantine

1)Justinian’s Code

(a)Justinian (527-565) An autocratic ruler (a single ruler with complete authority)

(b)Orders a reorganization of Roman laws and legal writings.

(c)By the 1100’s this code had reached Western Europe where it became the basis for the Roman Catholic Church and medieval rulers

C)Engineering and Architecture

1)Use of Greek and Roman styles to rebuild Constantinople under Justinian

2)Best Example: “Hagia Sophia” or Church of the Holy Wisdom

D)Art

1)Icons – holy images of Jesus and other saints that create a sense that the sacred person is present

2)Mosaics – pictures or designs formed by small pieces of stone showing biblical scenes

E)The Greek Orthodox Church (AKA Eastern Orthodox Church)

• In 1054 a permanent split (Schism) occurred over differences in religious philosophy

Issue / Greek Orthodox belief / Roman Catholic belief
Highest Church official / * Patriarch appointed by the emperor, based in Constantinople / * Pope elected by Cardinals,
based in Rome
Language to be used / * Greek / * Latin
Can priests marry? / * Yes / * No
Worship of Icons / * Yes / * No

F)Preservation of Greco Roman Culture for Europe and the West

1)The Byzantine Empire lasted for over 1000 years after the fall of Rome

2)The Empire was as symbol of the power and glory that was Rome

3)Justinian’s Code preserved Roman law

4)The accomplishments of the Roman engineers were preserved and extended in Byzantine architecture

G)Impact of the Byzantine on Russia

1)Kiev’s location on the Dneiper River made the city easily accessible to Byzantine traders

2)The Russian alphabet – Cyrillic– is based on the Greek alphabet

3)Byzantine missionaries spread Orthodox Christianity into Russia, creating the Russian Orthodox Church.

4)The Byzantine tradition of Autocratic rulers was adopted by the Russians

(a)CZAR is the Russian word for Caesar

H)Decline of the Byzantine

1)Constant warfare and the capture of Constantinople by western Christians during the 4th Crusade (in the early 1200’s) weakened the empire

2)In 1453 Constantinople is taken by the Ottoman (Muslim) Turks

VI)Medieval Europe
The Middle Ages, or Medieval Period, lasted from about 500(476 CE) to the middle of the 1400s. The collapse of the Roman Empire had left Western Europe without a unifying Government. In response, political and social systems emerged such a Feudalism and Manorialism that was based on powerful land holding Lords who exchanged land for loyalty.
D)Geographic Setting:
1)Resources
(a)Denseforest with valuable timber and fertile soil for raising crops
(b)Irregular coast allows for efficient transportation as well as access to fertile fishing areas.
(c)Minerals such as coal and iron lay untapped below the Earth’s surface
E)The Frankish Empire
1) Rise of the Franks – From about 400 to 700 the Germanic people dominated Europe.
(a)Late 400’s – Clovis converts to Christianity – this benefits both sides
(b)732 - Charles the Hammer defeats the Muslims at the Battle of Tours, ending the Muslim advance into Europe.
(c)800’s - Charlemagne works closely with the Pope to spread Christianity in his empire
(i)Gives land to nobles with the expectation of loyalty
(ii)Encourages learning, sets up schools
(iii)When Charlemagne dies in 814, his empire quickly falls apart.
But his strong style of gov’t becomes the model for future medieval rulers
F)Feudalism and Manorialism - With the fall of the Roman Empire, kings were too weak to keep out invaders
1)Medieval Society
(a)A rigid social hierarchy. People are born into their social positions
2)Feudalism
(a)Feudal responsibilities: a political system in which powerful lords divide their lands into fiefs, which are given to lesser lords called vassals. Vassals, in return, pledge loyalty and military support
(b)Knighthood: due to constant warfare, a need for a warrior class emerged. Knights were professional soldiers that followed a strict code of discipline called Chivalry
(c)Role of Women: Noble women played an important part of feudal society. She was in charge of her husband’s estate while he was away. However, they had limited inheritance rights.
3)Manorialism
(a)The economic system of the Middle Ages structured around the lord’s manor. Due to warfare, little trade occurred and each manor became self-sufficient.
(b)Mutual responsibilities – The peasants and serfs farmed and provided other services on the noble’s lands. In return the nobles provided the peasants and serfs with land to farm, as well as protecting them during times of war.

IV)The Catholic Church in Medieval Europe

1)Economic Power
(a)The largest landholder
(b)Gained wealth through a tithe, or a 10% tax on Christians
(c)Often did not have to pay taxes to local gov’ts
2)Political Power
(a)The church had its own set of laws, Canon Laws, and its own courts of justice
(b)The Pope frequently came into conflict with local lords and kings
(c)The church’s ultimate weapon: EXCOMMUNICATION
(i)To be excluded from the catholic Church
3)Social Powers
(a)In monasteries (monks) and convents (nuns), serve as hospitals
(i)Ancient works were copied and knowledge preserved
Classic Greek and Roman works
(b)Missionaries risked their lives to spread the message of Christianity

V)Cultural Achievements of the Middle Ages

4)Art - Focused on the glory of God (religious based)
5)Architecture
(a)Gothic Style
(i)Pointed arches, flying buttresses,
(ii)Higher, thinner walls
(iii)Stained glass

VI)The Crusades: a series of religious holy wars lasting between

1095 – 1295

H)Causes

1)During the 1050’s the Seljuk Turks invaded the Byzantine Empire.
2)In 1095 the Byzantine Emperor asks Pope Urban II for help in recovering the ‘Holy Lands’ and return them to Christian rule
3)Men, women and even children answered the call. Many never returned.

I)Individual Motivations
1)The Pope (Urban II) believed that the Crusades will increase his power in Europe
(a)An end to the schism, with the Pope at the head of an even larger Christian Church
2)Christians believed that their sins would be forgiven if they participated in the Crusades
3)Nobles hoped to gain wealth and new lands
4)Serfs were promised freedom if they participated

J)Impact of the Crusades

1)A military failure, they have left a legacy of religious hatred between Christians and Muslims, as each side committed acts of violence against each other - as well as the Jews.
2)Increased trade: During and after the Crusades, demand for eastern goods increased dramatically. The economies of both east and west profited from this commerce
3)Encouragement of Learning: Western Europe was reintroduced to Greek, Roman, Byzantine, as well as Muslim culture. Europeans were exposed to the advances each culture made in mathematics, science, literature and art.
4)Changes in the Feudal System
(a)Power of the Monarchs/Kings increases
(b)Feudal bonds weakened. No longer does land = power. Now money is power.
(c)Powerful and rich merchant (middle) class emerges
5)Changes in the Church
(a)Power and influence of the pope/church decreases
(b)Rift (schism) between the eastern and western church deepens
6) Men, women and even children, answer the call. Many never return.

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