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Indian & Chinese Empires African Civilizations. Establishment of Mauryan Empire. 321 BC-Chandragupta Maurya killed the Nanda king, declared himself ruler and established the Mauryan Empire Raised a vast army and soon had control over a large empire
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Establishment of Mauryan Empire • 321 BC-Chandragupta Maurya killed the Nanda king, declared himself ruler and established the Mauryan Empire • Raised a vast army and soon had control over a large empire • Used tough policies, including spying on people and political assassination to hold empire together • Divided empire into four provinces, headed by a royal prince • Provinces were divided into districts
Asoka • Leader of Mauryan Empire following the death of his fathers • Also waged war to expand the empire • Studied and promoted Buddhism • Built extensive roads to visit all of India • Made travel easier and increased communication
A Period of Turmoil Followed Asoka’s death Regional kings challenged central government
The Gupta Empire • Led by Chandra Gupta • India’s second Empire • Expanded the empire through conquest • Most families were patriarchal, headed by the oldest male • Growth of Hinduism during this time • Great period of achievement in the arts, religious thought and science
Changes in Buddhism • Some began to teach that Buddha was a God • Others believed that many people could become Buddhas • Changed Buddhism to a mass religion that offered salvation to all • Several different sects emerged • New trends inspired Indian art
Hindu Rebirth Developed into a complex set of sacrifices that could be performed only by the priests Evolved into a more personal religion
Achievements in Indian Culture • Rich literary tradition • Writing academies began • Drama was popular • Expansion of trade spurred advance of science • Began using calendars to keep time • Knowledge of astronomy increased
Silk Roads Roads throughout Central Asia Used to bring silk from China, to western Asia and then to Rome
Hans Restore Chinese Unity • 202 BC • Liu Bang declared himself the first emperor of the Han Dynasty after winning the civil war • This dynasty ruled for more than 400 years • Established a central government, lowered taxes and softened harsh punishments
Society’s Structure • Highly structured • Emperor • King & Governor • State Officials & Scholars • Peasants • Artisans & Merchants • Soldiers • Slaves
Unification of Chinese Culture Encouraged assimilation Sent Chinese farmers to settle conquered areas Encouraged intermarriage
The Fall of the Han • Gap between rich and poor increased • Political instability grew • Flood left thousands dead and millions homeless • Not enough food to feed people & peasants revolted • Hans off the throne for two years, but a period of second Han rule soon began
African Geography • Deserts • Largest are Sahara and Kalahari • Rain Forests • Savannas • Grassy plains • Mountains are also in this area • Dry and rainy seasons alternate • Very thin top soil, so minerals are stripped away
Early Africans & The Environment • Earliest Africans were hunter-gatherers • Eventually learned to domesticate and raise a variety of animals for food • Agriculture began by 6000BC • Allowed Africans to live in one location • Build permanent shelters • As settlements grew more complex, more organization was needed
Early African Society • Organized into family groups • Nearly all local religious involved belief in one creator • Also included elements of animism, a religion in which spirits play an important role • Storytellers, or griots kept history alive
The Kingdom of Aksum • Traced back to King Solomon and lasted until the last ruler died in 1975 • Aksum’s location made it a hub of international trade • Reached its height between AD 325 and 360 • Traditionally believed in one God, called Mahrem • Official religion was later changed to Christianity
