AP World History Ms.

Sheets
2006 Classical Civ CCOT Outline

Name: Alyssa Lee

Period: 6

Region
Please circle which group you are writing this paper about:

China

India

Groups
Please define the group themes specifically (Cultural/Political is not acceptable).
1. Social Patriarchy
2. Cultural Confucianism
3. Political Decline of the Han Dynasty
Thesis
Use the three groups to form your thesis; use your own language to restate the prompt.
From 100CE-600CE, China experienced continual patriarchy and use of Confucianism in
their society; however, there was constant change during and after the Han Dynasty.
Body Paragraph #1 - SOCIAL
Topic Sentence Should use the phrase, identify this groups topic and connect it to
thesis.
Patriarchy was what shaped the roles of men and women in China and was constant from
100CE-600CE.
World Historical Context Extra-regional connection OR evidence outside the time
period?(Prior to this . . .)
During 100CE-600CE in Greece; there was also strong patriarchy. The husband and
father were supposed to control women in their society. Also women in Athens had no
political rights and were not considered citizens and could therefore not participate in
assemblies or town meetings. Women had much less legal rights than men and were
expected to stay indoors.
Evidence What evidence proves your topic sentence to be true?
Women attained power through their sons and being a mother-in-law and were otherwise
unable to have control. They also had little political power; in fact, there was never an
empress from 100CE-600CE. Due to Confucianisms heavy influence on China, women

were seen as subjects and men were seen as rulers. In Lessons for Women, an
interpretation of a womans role in Confucianism by Ban Zhao, it states that women
should speak kindly and never start debate. Lastly, the oldest son gained property rights
or it was split up equally between sons once the father died, and the women of the
family (even the mother) had no control over it.
Analysis Why did this change occur? OR What enabled this continuity to last?
The strong Confucian influence on the society of China is what allowed this continuity to
last. Confucianism was the most popular ideology in China and was also integrated into
their government. This made Confucianisms presence strong and people more likely to
believe that women were inferior to men due to its teachings. Also since the rest of the
classical world had patriarchy incorporated into its society, China was more likely to be
influenced by that and to try to conform to the rest of the world.
Body Paragraph #2 - CULTURAL
Topic Sentence Should use the phrase, identify this groups topic and connect it to
thesis.
Confucianism was the basis of Chinese culture and was continuous from 100CE-600CE.
World Historical Context Extra-regional connection OR evidence outside the time
period?(Prior to this . . .)
Prior to this, The Era of Warring States was around for nearly 200 years. This was where
China was split up into different states that would not cooperate. This was a general
time period of chaos and political instability. This was also when China primarily used
feudalism. During The Era of Warring States, Confucius, a government worker created
Confucianism. This is an ideology that focuses on the relationship of a subject and a
ruler.
Evidence What evidence proves your topic sentence to be true?
Confucianism was the predominant philosophy in Classical China. Wu Ti adopted it into
the government during the Han Dynasty. Emperor Wu Ti also required government
officials to be educated in Confucianism. Confucianism stresses the importance of
loyalty to the state [China].
Analysis Why did this change occur? OR What enabled this continuity to last?
Because China needed something to keep its citizens loyal to the government,
Confucianism continued. Since it promoted political stability and loyalty to government,

it was able to keep the Chinese government powerful and functioning well. Also, it was
incredibly widespread throughout China and was the most popular philosophy in the
state, making it hard to get rid of.

Body Paragraph #3 - POLITICAL

Topic Sentence Should use the phrase, identify this groups topic and connect it to
thesis.
The decline of the Han Dynasty provided a period of political instability and change in
leadership of China.
World Historical Context Extra-regional connection OR evidence outside the time
period?(Prior to this . . .)
Prior to this, the Shang Dynasty, the Qin Dynasty, and the Zhou Dynasty had ruled
China. The replacement of each dynasty was apart of Chinas dynasty cycle. Each of
these dynasties declined once they displeased the general public or had weak leaders.
Evidence What evidence proves your topic sentence to be true?
The Yellow Turban Rebellion, a rebellion by Taoists in China, sparked chaos and made the
Han Dynasty less popular. Army generals rose to power, causing China to become more
military-oriented. The Huns began to invade China and weaken its borders, and caused
China to use unnecessary resources. Lastly, after the decline of the Han Dynasty, China
entered into the period of the Three Kingdoms where China was in chaos and would not
unify.
Analysis Why did this change occur? OR What enabled this continuity to last?
The rulers of the Han Dynasty were becoming weak, which overall lead to a question of
authority. The government was becoming exposed for its corruption, which caused
citizens to want a new form of government. China was not politically stable enough to
uphold the Han Dynasty.