Ancient China

Big IdeaChina's physical geography made farming possible but travel & communication difficultDeveloped along 2 riversChina's first dynasties helped Chinese society develop and made many other achievements

Review Section 1GeographyGobi DesertLow-lying plains: farmlandQuinling Shandi: mountainsSeparates north/south ChinaMonsoonsDevelopedHuang He or Yellow River (Chinas Sorrow)Chang Jiang, or Yangzi

Development of FarmingFoodRice -Cereal millet & wheatLocation: Huang He & Chang JiangHunter & FishermanDomestication animalsIncrease Population

Early SettlementsHousesPartly underground, covered roofsWallsSurrounded townsAnimal pens, storage pits, cemeteriesPotters wheel

2 seperate culturesSeparate cultures in North & South ChinaSanxingduiHongshan

Burial SitesProvide informationFilled tombs with objectsFoodSocial HierarchyBeautiful jewelryJade

Burial SitesProvide informationFilled tombs with objectsFoodSocial HierarchyBeautiful jewelryJade

Xia DynastyYu the Great founderChannelsFlooding to drain the waterYu dug the channels???StoriesProvide Chinese with stories of working together

Shang Dynasty1500 B.C. In the Huang He ValleyNorthern ChinaMoved capital several timesKing center of lifePoliticalreligious

Shang DynastySocial OrderKing: Royal Family & NoblesWarriorsArtisans: lived outside city wallsFarmers: long hours, high taxes, no $Slaves: source of labor

Shang AdvancementsChina's first writing systemWriting found on oracle bonesCattle bones & turtle shellsPriest would interpret the cracksOracle: is a predictionBronze containersAxes, ornaments, knives, war chariots, bows, body armor, calender

Section 2 OverviewZhou Dynasty expanded China but then declinedConfucius offered ideas to bring order to the ChineseDaoism and Legalism also gained followers

Big IdeaThe Zhou dynasty brought political stability and new ways to deal with political and social changes in ancient China

Zhou DynastyOverthrew the ShangKings gained power through HeavenMandate of HeavenLords & PeasantsTaxes & soldiersLack of Loyalty from generation to generation

Decline of Zhou PowerFireWarring States PeriodA time of many civil warsChina lacked a strong government to stop power struggles within the ruling class familiesInternal ProblemsFamilies broke apartdecrease in loyalty

ConfuciusChina was rude and people dishonestWanted to restore family order and social harmony

Confucius GuidelinesFathers should display high moral values to inspire their familiesChildren should respect and obey their parentsAll family members should be loyal to each other

Ideas on GovernmentMoral leadership, not lawsA king should lead by example inspiring good behavior in all of his subjectsThe lower classes would learn by following the example of their superiors.

ConfuciusGreat TeacherThe Analects

DaoismReaction to ConfucianismGovernment stay out of peoples livesBe like waterBalance of opposites: low highDaoNatural worldLaozi

LegalismPolitical PhilosophyGovernment & Social ControlReject Confucianism and DaoismSociety-Strict lawsPeople and neighbors and family punishedAlways be ready for war to expand territory

The Qin DynastyMain IdeasThe first Qin Emperor created a strong but strict government.A unified China was created through Qin policies and achievements.

The Qin DynastyMain IdeasThe first Qin Emperor created a strong but strict government.A unified China was created through Qin policies and achievements.

Big IdeaThe Qin Dynasty unified China with a strong government and a system of standardization.

Qin DynastyDeveloped a strong military during the Warring State (civil war period)Qin king Ying Zheng:Named himself: Shi Huangdi first emperorLegalismStrong governmentStrict lawsHarsh punishments

Shi HuangdiMust follow his policiesBurning of booksOpposition buried aliveExpanded EmpireWhen they conquered a city they destroyed the walls and took all the weapons

Change in the RulesHe did not share powerHe took away land from noblesHe forced people to work on government buildingsHe controlled China by dividing it into districts with governors being which enforced the tax system

Unified ChinaUniform system of laws (everyone does the same thing)Rules LawsWriting SymbolsMoney SystemWeight & Measures

Unified ChinaTrade became easierSevere Punishments if you did not obey

Qin AchievementsRoads- connected to the capitalWater system-canalsIrrigation System- still used todayGreat Wall

The Fall of the QinNew policies stirred resentmentPeasant, scholars, noblesShi Huangdi died in 210 B.C.Rebels formed and said the received the Mandate of HeavenCountry falls to civil war