CHAPTER 10 ANCIENT CHINA THE BIRTH OF CHINESE CIVILIZATION
Lesson 1 THE BIRTH OF CHINESE CIVILIZATION The Geography of China China is a large country on the Continent of Asia bordering the Pacific Ocean. Powerful Rivers such as the Huang He (Yellow River), and Chang Jiang provide fresh water, fertile soil for farming, and transportation. Chinas Sorrow The Geography of China China is surrounded by Mountains and Deserts acting like walls and causing Geographic Isolation! The Himalaya Mts. Separate China from India in the south while the Gobi and Taklimakan Deserts reside in the North and West of the Country. The Middle Kingdom The Dynasties Of China A Dynasty is a line of rulers from the same family that usually are recognized as having an important role in the development of a civilization. Early Chinese people developed myths and legends like other cultures to explain the world around them. One of the first myths was about a man named YU The Ancient Chinese believe that YU created the first Dynasty called the Xia around 2000 B.C. but Archaeologist have not found any evidence of the Xia based on written records. The Shang Dynasty Built the first cities like the capital Anyang along the Huang He River valley. Shang Kings acted as the military, religious, and political leaders. Shang Kings appointed Warlords or Military Leaders to Govern their local territories. The Shang developed a system of Aristocracy or Nobility based on Land Ownership. The Shang Dynasty Most people were farmers, but smaller groups for merchants, artisans, and slaves existed as well. People in Shang China worshipped many Gods the foremost was Shang Ti Supreme Ruler People in Shang China alsohonored their Ancestors Hoping that the spirits of their dead relatives would help them in their trials. Pictographs and Ideographs
Shang developed a system of writing using symbols for words called pictographs. The combination of those symbols combined together to create ideographs representing more complex words or ideas. Oracle Bones Were used by Shang Kings to seek answers or guidance about future decisions. After the priests carved questions into the bone is was tossed in a fire and the cracks created represented the will of the Gods or Guidance from Ancestors. Shang Arts and Technology
Included Bronze crafting melted bronze is poured into clay molds and then cooled down. Harvesting Silk from Silk Worms and creating a valuable cloth that would become an important trading resource. Statues and Sculptures made from Ivory and Jade. The Zhou Dynasty Chinese Dynasty established by an Aristocrat named Wu Wang. The Zhou Dynasty lasted for over 800 years and was the Longest Dynasty The Zhou Dynasty Zhou Kings ruled much the same as the Shang but they did not rely on warlords to control territories but developed a bureaucracy of Loyal Aristocrats to help govern. Those titles were hereditary and passed down from generation to generation. The Mandate of Heaven Zhou Kings believed that they were chosen to rule by the Gods and the Gods would only select wise, good people to rule. The Idea that the King must Rule by the Proper Way or The Dao was embraced by the people. If something bad happened or the King was unjust the people could have him replaced. Zhou Technology and Trade
The Zhou developed a new and better way to irrigate there crops. More food leads to more trade and population growth. Archaeologist believe they started trading with outsider during the Zhou Dynasty. Period of the Warring States
Zhou Aristocrats started to cease power from the king and began fighting one another. These battles lasted for over 200 years. Farmers were enlisted to fight during this time and the use of the Horse as a military tool was incorporated with the creation of the Saddle and Stirrups. These battle would mark the end of the Zhou Dynasty and the start of a new Dynasty in China. Society and Culture in Ancient China
Lesson 2 Society and Culture in Ancient China Chinese Philosophies Developed as a result of Civil Unrest and Violence. The Chinese wanted to find peace Between 500 B.C. 200 B.C. Philosophers developed 3 major Philosophies They included Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism Confucianism Developed and taught by a man named Confucius between 550 B.C. and 479 B.C. He criticized the misrule of the kings and urged the people to follow the way of their Ancestors bringing peace and harmony to China Confucianism Duty is the central idea behind Confucianism One should place Community and Family above Individual needs. Rulers had a duty to rule justly and set a an example of right living. The Parents duty is to love their Children, and the Children in return respect their parents.A Husbands duty is to support his Wife, and she in turn will obey her Husband. Confucianism Confucius urged people to Be Good Behave Moderately
Keep Promises Honor Traditions Respect the Elderly Seek Knowledge And If people did these things society would do well. The Influence of Confucius
Believed all men based on ability and merit should have the opportunity to be in government service not just nobility. His followers wrote down his sayings and collected them in a book called the Analects. Confucius died in 479B.C. but his teachings influenced Chinas society and are still utilized throughout the World today. Daoism Created by a man namedLaozi, it translates as the Path or the Way. Promotes a peaceful society. It encourages people to live a simple life free from worldly desires. People should turn to nature and the Dao or spiritual force and theywould have a happy life. Many Chinese Followed both believing that they supported each other. Legalism Created by a man named Hanfeizi in the 200 B.C.s, it stresses the importance of Laws. Strict Laws and Harsh Punishments are necessary to force people to do their duty. Legalism was embraced by the leaders because it promoted force and ignored the needs and wishes of the people. Chinese Life 4 Social Classes Including: Aristocrats Owned Land
Farmers Worked the Land Artisans Made useful Objects Merchants Provided Goods and Services (Trade) The Chinese Family Family was the center of Chinese Society.
Many Children to help with Work in return Children had the obligation of Filial Piety or Devotion to their Parents and Grandparents, requiring them to take care of them when they get older. Roles of Men and Women Men were respected based on the job that they did, which included farming, attending school, running the government, and fighting wars. Women Raised and Educated Children, saw to the home and finances. THE QIN AND THE HAN DYNASTIES
Lesson 3 THE QIN AND THE HAN DYNASTIES The Qin Emperor A strong kingdom called the Qin used Cavalry to conquer the other states. The ruler called himself Qin Shihuangdi (The First Qin Emperor) Qins goals were to strengthen and unify China. Unifying China Qin took control of all of Chinas Provinces, and appointed governors himself (no more hereditary titles) Qin ruled with absolute control relying on swift harsh punishment for those who disagreed with him or law breakers. Qin also had many writings destroyed that he did not agree with or that contradicted his opinions. Unifying China Continued
Monitored government workers by appointing Censors Officials who watch over correct behavior. Qin also created a universal currency that all Chinese people had to use. Qin hired scholars to simplify and set rules for the Chinese writing system. Qin took on many building projects Palaces, Roads, Dams, and a huge Canal for transportation an trade. Qins Tomb One of the major projects that he established was Qins Tomb. It was so large that it held and army of life sized soldiers and horses. Each terracotta clay soldier had a uniquely carved face. The Great Wall of China Qin wanted to keep his united empire safe from Invasion. The Xiongnu were nomads from the Gobi Desert that attacked China during this time period. Qin connected earlier pieces of wall together. Starting the Great Wall! The End of Qin Rule Qin Shihuangdi was seeking everlasting life, He believed that mercury was an ingredient for immortality. Qin died in 210 B.C. of mercury poisoning, just 11 years after taking over as Emperor. Farmers and aristocrats revolted against the harsh Qin rule that existed, and by 206 B.C. The Qin Dynasty was over. The Han Dynasty In 202 B.C. a new dynasty was established by a farmer turned soldier named Liu Bang. The Han Dynasty would rule China for 400 years. Emperor Han Wudi The first strong emperor of the Han Dynasty was Han Wudi (141 B.C. to 87 B.C.) Stopped nepotism in government by hiring the best people for civil service jobs based on exam scores. The wealthy still had an advantage. Created schools to prepare people for the exams, they studied law, history, and Confucianism. The Han Empire Expands Population increases to 60 million people.
Farmers have trouble producing enough food because of hereditary laws. They were forced to sell their land an become Tenant Farmers. The Han army conquered new territories like Korea, Southwest Asia, and parts of Northern India. 150 years of peace after the Han army defeated Xiongnu Han Culture Literature and Arts blossomed during the era of Peace.
The teachings of Confucius spread, and Ideas like Filial Piety became very strong. The new class of educated civil servants helped solidify the government. Chinese Inventions Cast Iron Plow
New Iron tools and techniques for drilling and drainage Water Wheels Wheel Barrows Silk Manufacturing Paper Rudders and New Rigging for Sails Medical Advances Certain Foods Prevent Disease.
Herbs were used to treat illness. Developed Acupuncture Putting fine needles under the skin to relieve pain or treat disease. The Silk Road Chinese traders grew rich by delivering their goods to different parts of the World. Chinese General Zhang Qian was sent west to recruit allies but instead returned with stories of magnificent horses. Han opened trade with the west. The result was the Silk Road, a series of trade routes named because of Chinas most important resource, the secret of silk! The Silk Road When completed stretched 4000 miles from Western China to the Mediterranean Sea. The Chinese traded many resources other than silk, like fruits, vegetables, spices, and paper. The Han traders encountered the Powerful Roman Empire and traded with them, and for 1000 years the Silk Road was the main trade route linking Asia and Europe. Buddhism in China Brought in along the Silk Road from India, It had few followers at first. Following the collapse of the Han Dynasty and the long period of unrest, spurred the growth of Buddhism. Buddhism is still one of the most prominent religions in China today. Fall of the Han Dynasty Weak and Corrupt Leaders followed Han Wudi.
Greedy, land-owning Aristocrats continued to take advantage of Farmers causing rebellions. Rebel destroyed the capital of Luoyang in 190 A.D. and by 220 Civil War divided China into small kingdoms for the next 400 years.