Ancient China
Geographic Features Cities grew along the banks
of two rivers Isolated culture due to
geography Civilization developed with
few outside influences Borders:
o East: Yellow Sea, East China Sea, Pacific Ocean
o West: Taklimakan Deserto North: Gobi Deserto Southwest: Himalayan
Mountains
Gobi Desert is a cold desert.
Geographic FeaturesTwo River Systems Flow toward the Pac.
Ocean Chang Jiang (Yangtze):
central China Huang He (Yellow):
northern China North China Plain
o Land between the riverso Rich farmlando Center of Chinese
Civilization
Yellow River
Yangtze River
Geographic FeaturesVaried Climate Like the US West: dry Northeast: cold winters; warm summers Southeast: mild winters; hot, rainy summers
What crops are grown in China?
China’s Climate
Chinese & US Climates: A Comparison
Shang Dynasty 1766 BC: dynasty
established Claimed to have the
permission of the gods Controlled portion of the
North China Plain Made war with nomadic
people Treated parents &
ancestors with great respect
No strong central gov’t; family members ruled distant lands
Shang DynastyDeveloping Language Developed pictograph
writing; symbols=words Educated person knew
10,000 characters Can learn written Chinese
without being able to speak it
What is the advantage of a language that you can learn without speaking?
Zhou Dynasty 1027 BC: defeated the Shang Rise of the Zhou created a pattern: dynastic cycle Rulers must keep the Mandate of Heaven Distant lands ruled by lords pledged to support the Zhou When lords grew in strength, they began to fight
Legalism Powerful gov’t with strict laws will keep order People will only do good if forced to Harsh punishments needed to make people afraid
to do wrong
Legalism Shang Yang: those who
fail to report lawbreakers should be punished
Under Legalism, books were burned and those who questioned the gov’t were arrested
Confucianism Confucius (551-479 BC) Order can be kept if everyone
has respect for each other Leaders should serve as good
examples Lower members of society
should obey those above them Ideas collected in a book: Analects
Confucianism: The Five Relationships
Each relationship has its own duties and code of conduct
Father and son Elder brother and younger brother Husband and wife Friend and friend Ruler and subject
What is the nature of these relationships?
Confucianism: Proper Conduct
Filial piety: treating parents and elders with respect
Authority should be respected
Confucianism eventually adopted by Chinese rulers
Guiding force that shaped Chinese culture
Daoism Laozi (500s BC) All humans must find a way (Dao) to
live in harmony with nature Questions of right and wrong are
pointless “People would be content with their
simple, everyday lives, in harmony, and free of desire.”
Gov’t should leave people alone
Daoism: Yin and Yang Yin (black): cold, dark, and mysterious Yang (white): warm, bright, and light Both forces complement each other Each changes & evolves
Qin Dynasty Started by Shi Huangdi Lasted from 221 – 202 BC Unified China after warring-
states period Legalistic ruler Conquered neighbors and
expanded the empire
Qin & Strong Central Gov’t
Forced nobles to live at capital
Built highways and irrigation projects to unite China
Began linking existing defensive walls, starting the Great Wall of China
Huangdi died in 210 BC Son took over, but was
quickly overthrown
Han Dynasty 202 BC – 220 AD Liu Bang first emperor Lowered taxes and
punishments less harsh Created a bureaucracy to
help run the government Created a test based on
Confucianism for these scholar-officials
Empress Lu Liu Bang died in 195 BC Succeeded by his wife, Empress Lu She ruled on half of their young son, whom she outlived She continued to rule by putting infants on the throne Upon her death in 180 BC, all members of her family were
put to death
Expanding the Empire Wudi ruled from 141-87
BC “Martial Emperor” used
war to expand the empire Conquered northern
Vietnam and northern Korea
Chased nomadic invaders out of northern China
Conquered people were encouraged to assimilate
Daily Life in Han China Most people worked as farmers Farmers lived in small villages near their land Rich farmers had oxen to plow their lands South: rice North: wheat Families had personal vegetable gardens Meat and fish were expensive
City Living Centers of trade, education, and government Merchants, government workers, craftspeople Problems of modern cities: crowded, street gangs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VS7pKZJ3zPs
The Silk Roads During the Han dynasty, only the Chinese knew
how to make silk. Desired luxury item Roads linking China to Eurasian were built to
trade silk One of the first global trading networks
Trade on the Silk Road Cities sprouted up around the trail. Goods leaving China: silk, paper, jade, pottery Goods coming to China: sesame seeds, oil,
metals, precious stones, Central Asian horses
Silk Road Affects Culture
Silk Roads also brought ideas and customs to and from China (cultural diffusion)
During the Han dynasty, Buddhist missionaries from India brought Buddhism to China
Buddhism gained many followers after the fall of the Han. Why?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfe-eNq-Qyg
Confucianism, Daoism & Buddhism
Chinese Inventions & Discoveries
Agricultural Improvements Two-bladed plow Wheelbarrow Water Mills
o Using water power to grind grain Collar Harness for horses
o Allowed horses to pull heavier loads
Chinese Inventions & Discoveries
Paper 105 AD Made from old rags, tree bark, and fibers from
hemp How did the invention of paper help the Chinese
people?
Chinese Inventions & Discoveries
Silk For 3,000 years, only the Chinese knew how to make Used to get silver and gold from the west At one time one pound of silk = one pound of gold
How much is a pound of gold worth today? $24,522.77