CHAPTER 4Lesson 2 China’s Past

PICTURING CHINESE HISTORY

No other civilization is believed to have lasted longer than China’s.

Chinese language is written in pictographs or pictures that represent words.

ANCIENT VOICES

According to Chinese legend, Pangu was the creator of the universe.

Later stories of superheroes who taught people how to survive followed.

These stories showed how important the domestication of animals, agriculture, and inventions were to people of that time.

Stories date back to a time known as the Xia Legendary period. (2000-1700 B.C.)

SHANG DYNASTY

1st dynasty in China began between 1760 and 1500 B.C. Before the discovery of the tortoise shells in 1899 the

Shang people were considered part of a different period.

SHANG DYNASTY CONT.

In the Huang River Valley, were early Chinese people lived, people grew grains such as millet and rice, and raised animals.

Made cloth from silk Capital of Shang settlement was Anyang.

SHANG DYNASTY CONT.

Ancient Shells and bones were called oracle bones, used to predict the future.

People would write questions on the bones, heat them, and then examine them for any cracks.

After the event was predicted it was written down.

BRONZE AGE

Bronze was used for many tools, cups, and weapons in the Shang Dynasty.

Also used as trade materials.

THE LONGEST DYNASTY

Zhou dynasty. See p. 109 for territory changes. Lasted more than 800 years. Separated into 2 periods.

WESTERN ZHOU

Called this because capital was in Hao, in western China. People were farmers of wheat, rice, beans, and fruit. Silk was very important to the economy Women were in charge of producing silk, which is made

from cocoons of silkworms. Women cultivated mulberry trees to feed the silkworms,

then boiled the cocoons to get the silk fibers then wove cloth from these fibers.

EASTERN ZHOU DYNASTIES

Capital in Luoyang. Referred to as the “golden age” in China. Encouraged trade Government started projects that included flood control,

irrigation, and canal building. People built huge walls around some towns along the

northern border to keep out nomadic people. Began to use iron to make farm tools and weapons.

EASTERN ZHOU DYNASTIES CONT. Kings power was weakened by warfare between rival

states. Traditions were being challenged and new ideas

emerged. More people were becoming scholars, teachers, and

government officials.

THE FIRST EMPEROR

Qin dynasty started started in 221 B.C. by Qin Shi Huangdi. (bio p.113)

He centralized the government by forming new states to bring all areas under his rule.

Very Harsh (Forced Labor and Burning of Books are Examples)

Systems of money and weights and measures were standardized which helped trade.

THE FIRST EMPEROR CONT.

Building of the Great Wall of China started during his reign.

Connected existing defensive walls that had been built earlier.

Built to protect the empire from northern invaders. See timeline and route on p.110.

HAN DYNASTY

206 B.C. to 220 A.D. First Han ruler was a peasant named Han Gaozu meaning “high ancestor”

Took the throne after joining a revolt against the Qin Shi Huangdi.

Lifted a ban on books by Qin Shi Huangdi

HAN DYNASTY CONT.

Wu Di ruled about 141-87 B.C. Took away power from those who opposed him. Taxed imported and exported trade goods. Built new roads. Wu Di valued scholars and teachers. Civil service exams were started under Wu Di. Anyone who passed the exam could work for the

government.

INVENTIONS

New ways involving middlemen were used in trading. Porcelain, paper, and ink were also invented, for the

Chinese during the Han dynasty, making books available.

SILK ROAD

Road that went through northern China and across central Asia to the lands of the Roman Empire.

Exported silk and porcelain. Imported glass, gold, and horses.