ChinaChina’’s Geography and Climate s Geography and Climate CLIMATE

North: - Receives less rain- Temps. More extreme- Shorter growing season-Grow WHEAT

South: - more rain- Grow RICE

MOUNTAINS-Himalayas- Kunlun Shan – Run East to West and Cuts China

into North and South- Tibetan Plateau – in the West

RIVERSChina Proper – East Coast and Inland has 3 wide soil

carrying rivers, Fertile Soil, and irrigation(1) Huang He River – 2900 miles. Empties into Yellow Sea (Yellow River) - Valley has fertile yellow silt called Loess

- devastating floods -> build dikes/walls to hold back water. Silt deposits on River bottom and floods again

(2) Yangtze River – 3434 miles. Cuts large channel into valley

(Chang) - Seagoing ships could travel upstream- small ships could go 1700 miles

upstream(3) Xi River – 1200 miles long, transportation, large ships can navigate 1/3 of its length

CHINA’S ISOLATION-Great distances, Mountains, and the Gobi Desert

isolate China from India and the West.-This allows China to develop a distinctive culture.-Some, but little outside influence/ cultural diffusion

NOMADIC PEOPLES- N and NW borders had (semi) Nomadic people who

spoke their own languages- Trade and attacks occurred between Nomads and

Chinese Civilization- Chinese considered them inferior

called them barbarians-Later Chinese will build a wall

to protect themselves

Traditional Mongolian Dress

SUPERIORITY- isolation caused strong identity and superiority

complex- Chinese believed China was at the center of the

world so they called it the “middle kingdom”- Believed others must learn Chinese language and

adopt customs in order become “civilized”- Invaders eventually loose identity and are

absorbed into China’s population

Chinese DynastiesChinese Dynasties

XIA (Shi-ah)– line of kings who ruled during the late Neolithic Era

- Huang He Valley in ~2200 BCE - YU The Great – 1st Xia Ruler, engineer and mathematician - developed and improved agriculture with irrigation and helped control floods

- Began writing in symbols

SHANG – 1750-1500BCE- simple irrigation and flood control-establish 1st historic dynasty-Shang leader asks the Xia people to reject their

leader and follow himGovernment capital near Anyang: City w/large walls surrounding it for protection against waging wars.Bureaucracy – government organized into different level and tasks-chariots and bronze weapons to defend and increase the empire.

Economy- agriculture (rice and millet)-Domestic animals (pigs, chicken, horse)-Silk Worms spun silk thread from cocoons-Artisans bone, ivory, jade, Kaolin (white clay,

glaze it, more durable)

CalendarCalendar – – lunar and solarlunar and solar- priests and astronomers – very important as - priests and astronomers – very important as

they they added day to the calendar. added day to the calendar. - - Rulers success based on harvest.Rulers success based on harvest.

ReligionReligion – Ancestor worship and – Ancestor worship and AnimismAnimism – – the belief the belief that that spirits spirits inhabit everything. (ROCK + CAT)inhabit everything. (ROCK + CAT)

DragonDragon – all powerful, lives in sea, goes to the sky, – all powerful, lives in sea, goes to the sky, symbol of Chinese Rulerssymbol of Chinese Rulers

-Gods – wind, sun, clouds, moon (festivals and -Gods – wind, sun, clouds, moon (festivals and sacrifices)sacrifices)

Shangdi – god who controlled human destinyShangdi – god who controlled human destiny- - Oracle Bones Oracle Bones – – priests carved questions in priests carved questions in

bones and bones and heated up them up, priests would heated up them up, priests would read the read the cracks for answerscracks for answers

Oracle BonesOracle BonesOracle BonesOracle Bones

Language and Writing many dialects- 1st in China to have a written language- Pictographs ideographs (idea sign + phonetic

sign)- eventually called calligraphy- only specialists learned to read/write-1500 characters = barely literate, 10,000=true

scholar

ZHOUZHOU ( (Joe)– conquest in ~1050 BCE alliance w/ Joe)– conquest in ~1050 BCE alliance w/ warlike tribes to N.warlike tribes to N. - - longest lasting dynasty longest lasting dynasty – end in 256BCE– end in 256BCE - Zhou rulers gave territory to members of royal - Zhou rulers gave territory to members of royal family/alliesfamily/allies -each new generation had to pledge loyalty to Zhou -each new generation had to pledge loyalty to Zhou kingking - -Believed God in Heaven determined who should rule Believed God in Heaven determined who should rule ChinaChina Royal Authority Royal Authority came from Heavencame from Heaven= = ““Mandate of HeavenMandate of Heaven”” -~700BCE local leaders are fighting each -~700BCE local leaders are fighting each other=internal strifeother=internal strife - - Dynastic Cycles Dynastic Cycles – strong dynasty emerges, – strong dynasty emerges, dynasty declines, natural disasters + rebellions, loss of dynasty declines, natural disasters + rebellions, loss of mandate of heaven, dynasty overthrown, new dynasty mandate of heaven, dynasty overthrown, new dynasty emergesemerges -Confucius – most influential scholar during time of -Confucius – most influential scholar during time of crisis and violencecrisis and violence - -FeudalismFeudalism- political system in which nobles or lords - political system in which nobles or lords are granted use of land that legally belong to the King are granted use of land that legally belong to the King (Japan+Eur.)(Japan+Eur.)Technology and TradeTechnology and Trade: -: -Roads, canals, coined Roads, canals, coined money, blast furnaces for iron sickles, knives and money, blast furnaces for iron sickles, knives and spades.spades.

Writings we have learned…Writings we have learned…

QIN (Chin = “CHINA”)– ~20 years- 221 BCE take over by military might- Cheng – est. new dynasty and calls himself

Shi Huangdi “The 1st Emperor”- The name China comes from Qin Dynasty- Autocracy- Emperor has full power.-Qin Shi Huangdi – The Great Wall of China, starts

building wall for defense. People are made to work on walls. During Qin dynasty it reaches 1500 miles long.Legalism- strict rule of people through harsh rules and punishments. Burned books disagreeing with legalist ideas.- People become more angry as separation between Emperor and mass of people becomes larger. (money)-206 BCE rebel army revolts.

Shi Huangdi’s Terra Cotta Army

Shi Huangdi’s Terra Cotta Army

HAN – Liu Bang is a commoner who became a General and overthrows Qin and creates new dynasty “King of Han”

- Han rule for 400yrs.-Capital at Xi’an (Chang-an)-Empire extends very large. Uses centralized

government= central authority control the running of the state.Civil Service System – people recommended to help run gov’t. Eventually people must take tests to hold office.Leveling – price controls on agriculture to balance economic effects (surplus/shortage). Lowered taxes and softened harsh punishments of the Qin.Trade – Silk Road – Stretches from China to the Mediterranean Sea. Camel caravans carried jade, silk, valuable goods. Returned with gold silver, wool. (Dangerous and long)Inventions traded on silk Road – Paper, silk, civil service system, porcelain, gun powder, kites, compass, block printing, embroidery

-Liu Bang dies in 195bc, his son takes over, -Liu Bang dies in 195bc, his son takes over, but really but really Liu BangLiu Bang’’s wife s wife Empress LiiEmpress Lii ruled. ruled.

-In 180BC when Lii dies, Liu Bang-In 180BC when Lii dies, Liu Bang’’s family s family kills off Liikills off Lii’’s s family.family.

-Liu Bang-Liu Bang’’s great-grandson s great-grandson Emperor Wudi Emperor Wudi took over in took over in 141bc.141bc.

--He expands the empire with warfare.He expands the empire with warfare.

--Nomads called the Nomads called the XiongnuXiongnu, known for archery skills , known for archery skills on horseback attack Han. Han tried to on horseback attack Han. Han tried to

buy off buy off Xiongnu for peace, Xiongnu for peace, but eventually they but eventually they took bribes and took bribes and continued raiding.continued raiding.

-Emperor Wudi sought out allies -Emperor Wudi sought out allies in order to defeat in order to defeat them.them.

SUISUI – (Sway) – (Sway)

-Grand Canal – -Grand Canal – connects Huang He and connects Huang He and Yangtze together.Yangtze together.

-1000miles, created in 5yrs. by peasants-1000miles, created in 5yrs. by peasants

- forced labor causes people to turn - forced labor causes people to turn against dynasty.against dynasty.

TANGTANG – 300 years, Empire expanded by reconquering – 300 years, Empire expanded by reconquering lost lands.lost lands.

-Empress Wu Zhao/ Wu Zentian -Empress Wu Zhao/ Wu Zentian only woman to only woman to hold hold complete power and title of Emperor.complete power and title of Emperor.

-Takes control of Korea-Takes control of Korea

--Strengthens central governmentStrengthens central government

--Promotes foreign trade and improves Promotes foreign trade and improves agricultureagriculture

- Guarded Silk Road with - Guarded Silk Road with armies to keep trade safearmies to keep trade safe

Mid700s – start heavily taxing people and vast empire Mid700s – start heavily taxing people and vast empire begins to fall apart (Do we see a trend? Dynastic Cycle)begins to fall apart (Do we see a trend? Dynastic Cycle)

--Muslim armies win battles and landMuslim armies win battles and land

-907 -907 Chinese rebels attack and burn Chinese rebels attack and burn

the Tang Capitalthe Tang Capital

SONGSONG – lasted about 300 years – lasted about 300 years

--Attempted to buy peace with nomads -FailedAttempted to buy peace with nomads -Failed

-Population in China -Population in China doubles during dynastydoubles during dynasty

Inventions during TANG and SONGInventions during TANG and SONG::

Movable Type – block printingMovable Type – block printing

Explosive/Gun powderExplosive/Gun powder

PorcelainPorcelain

ClockClock

Paper moneyPaper money

CompassCompass

Golden age Golden age for poetry and artfor poetry and art

AcupunctureAcupuncture – inserting slender needles in specific – inserting slender needles in specific points of body, depending on the nature of the points of body, depending on the nature of the problem.problem.

Chinese Philosophies – look to restore harmony of nature, which has two sides-Opposite forces in balance -Yin and Yang.

Yin – female, dark, and passiveYang – in male, bright, and active.

Confucianism – (Zhou) Confucius 551-479 BCE wrote the Analects – collection of his teachings

Most influential of Chinese Philosophies3 main ideas: importance of family (filial piety), respect for elders, and respect for ancestorsConfucius wanted to solve problems or ethical/moral leadership

leaders must accept role/duty in society, have high virtue, be moral and educated then people will follow them.Mencius 372-389 BCE adopted his teachings. He taught that people contained “much goodness”.Believed people had a right to rebel against harsh rules.

-became part of classical Chinese traditions

* Masculine

* Active

* Light

* Warmth

* Strong

* Heaven; Sun

* Feminine

* Passive

* Darkness

* Cold

* Weak

* Earth; Moon

1. Ruler

Subject

2. Father

Son

3. Husband

Wife

4. Older Brother

YoungerBrother

5. Older Friend

YoungerFriend

Daoism (Taoism) – (Zhou)Laozi – founded Daoism. Dao “the way”,

indescribable force that governed the universe and nature. -Believed people should withdraw from the world and contemplate nature. -People should live in harmony with the world. Have no material wealth. Shunned politics, don’t seek power, be humble, quiet, thoughtful.- Dao DeJing (“The way of virture”)– compilation of Laozi’s Daoism teachings. - Daoism -2nd to Confucianism in importance in Chinese life-Confucianism and Daoism were like Yin and Yang to Chinese culture, each supplied what the other lacked.

Legalism – (Qin dynasty – Cheng) -concerned with politics, power was not a virtue.-strict law. - people are selfish by nature, untrustworthy-peace and prosperity only achieved by threatening- punishments if people did not obey laws

Cheng followed legalism. Qin dynasty lasted only 15 years. Failed because of cruel methods.

Han – had balance between Legalism and Confucianism

Buddhism –

Missionaries from India spread Buddhism to China. ASOKA.

Wars threatened the family centered security-During the Han dynasty/ when it fell Buddhism was adopted-People wanted peace and safety during turbulent times-Universal charity and compassion-In China, Korea, and Japan Mahayan Buddhism was accepted worshiped Buddha as a savior and god