Chapter 4

Chapter 4Civilizations of ChinaChinaBegan in Huang He (Yellow) river valleyMost isolated of the 4 civilization regionsGeographic barriers

River of SorrowsThe Huang He (Yellow River) got its name from the loess, fine windblown soil that was carried along by the river.The Chinese tried to keep the flooding down by building and repairing dykesIf and when the dykes broke, floods burst over the land destroying crops and bringing mass starvationhttp://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/geography/huangheriver.htm

Records indicate that, from 602 BC to present, the rivers course made at least 5 major large-scale changes in direction and its levees were breached more than 1,500 times. Large-scale floods induced by levee breaks in the Yellow River were also translated into enormous human costs during the past. For example, the flood in 1642 alone killed three hundred thousand people. In 1938, the levees were intentionally broken in an attempt to stop Japanese invaders the river at that time flooded a huge area and the floodwaters took some 900,000 lives.

Chang and Xi RiversUsed for transportationImportant to the economy of China

The Chang (Yangtze River) is the third longest river in the world.8

Shang DynastyUnder this period, Chinese civilization took shapeCity-statesSocial classes mirrored other civilizationsMost people were peasants who worked on their farms and on flood controlComplex religious beliefs

11WritingOldest writing on oracle bonesEvolved into calligraphy, which had thousands of characters

Oracle bone from the Shang period

Silk

Silk weaving loomPottery

Bronze

Zhou DynastyWarriors who took over the Shang in 1027 B.C.Believed in the Mandate of Heaven, or divine right to ruleDeveloped the feudal stateExperienced economic growth with the knowledge of iron working

Dynastic Cycle

The first booksThe pages were made of thin strips of wood or bamboo

GunpowderFirst used around 1000 BC

Underground Army of the First EmperorExcavated near the Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huangdi, Lintong county, Shaanxi Province, in 1976Qin dynasty, 221 206 BCE

26Some 8,000 figures have been uncovered grouped in battle order, facing east, to protect the emperor, who lies in his mausoleum with flowing rivers of mercury and a sky with precious stones depicting the stars. The army consisted of 7,000 warriors: archers, foot soldiers, cavalrymen, and charioteers of various rank, 500 chariot horses, 130 war chariots, and 110 cavalry horses. Another pit contained two luxurious bronze chariots

Philosophies of Ancient ChinaConfucianismImportance of familyReverence for the pastRespect for ones ancestorsMorality, honor, virtue

Before you embark on your journey of revenge, dig two graves.To see what is right and not do it is want of courage.Everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it.It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop.DaoismFounded by LaoziDao (the Way) is an indescribable force that governs the universeWithdraw from the world and contemplate natureDont seek power but seek to be humble, quiet, thoughtful

Yin and YangThe universe reflects a delicate balance between these two opposing forces

Legalism & BuddhismLegalismPower, not virtueHarsh laws, severe punishmentQin emperor, strong but didnt last

BuddhismIntroduced during the Han dynastyProvided a sense of comfort to peasants during turbulent times

ScenarioA weak, inefficient, and corrupt ruler is governing your country. Crime and disorder are rampant and a revolt is likely. What solution would you offer?ConfucianDaoistLegalistBuddhist

34Chinese Life and CultureThe family, not the individual, was the most important Each upper class family kept a careful genealogy, or record of the family treeThe father ruled the familyThe mother had little/no power but lots of respect

Science and TechnologyEarly astronomers discovered the year was slightly longer than 365 days.28 BC, first observed sunspotsTracked movement of planetsInvented paperSundial, waterclock, printing processacupuncture40

Unearthed in Hangjin Banner of Yikezhao League in Inner Mongolia, the bronze water clock is the most intact water clock with a date mark found so far. (Han Dynasty)