Ancient China: From Prehistory to the Qin Dynasty

Around 40,000 BCE, the first humans lived in China. Cultivation began around the Yellow and Yangtze Rivers. The Yangshao and Longshan cultures were the earliest settlements. There was a big difference between northern and southern agriculture. The Tibetan Plateau and the Gobi Desert were the natural barriers of the Chinese civilization.

The Shang Dynasty

The Xia was the first dynasty in China, around 2000 BCE. It was replaced by the Shang Dynasty around 1600 BCE. Shang China was governed by a warrior aristocracy. The rulers in Anyang ruled with local and central bureaucracy, but it wasn't hereditary. The king's position was demonstrated by the large sacrifices at his death. He was an intermediary between Heaven and Earth. Socially, the village/clan was the primary unit. Clans explained the origins of the joint family, as well as the limited number of last names. They were organized by clans rather than by family members. The farm village was the main social unit. The Shang and Yellow River are originally viewed as the mother of culture. There were lots of doubts about the diffusion hypothesis, but it is starting to be classified as the first of many.

The Qin Dynasty

The Qin Dynasty lasted from 221-206 BCE. Qin Shi Huangdi followed the Legalist philosophy. He was the first Chinese emperor and the one who built the original Wall of China. The state of Qin benefited from a natural defensive position and conquered their rivals. By 221 BCE, they declared the first Chinese empire. It was a highly centralized state with three primary ministries: a civil authority, a military authority, and a censorate. Officials were appointed by the court.

Administrative Reforms Under Qin

Provinces and counties became non-hereditary and were closely monitored. The government unified weights, money, writing, and more. They eliminated the landholding of the aristocracy and forced them to live in the capital. Peasants received their land but also greater taxes, controlled by the state. Merchants were viewed as parasites and were heavily taxed. The state controlled mining and many major industries. Commerce and manufacturing became government monopolies.

Expansion and the Great Wall

As the population increased, so did pressures on the land, leading to large migrations. There was a gradual takeover of the Chinese south and an ongoing concern with the northern frontier. The Xiongnu were the biggest threat. In order to guard against migrations, the Chinese emperor built the Great Wall.

The Fall of the Qin

The system of Legalism failed, even though they had enough resources. The harsh rule under Legalism engendered too many enemies. After the death of Qin Shi Huangdi in 210 BCE, the empire fell in 206 BCE.