Note Taking

• Step One: Listen to the teacher for emphases on important points in power point. Copy down the key words, phrases or dates on your loose-leaf in point form.

• Step Two: Re write your notes adding more detail from what you can remember from the power point.

• Step Three: Read over your new notes making sure they make sense to you.

China Today

-China is a vast country located on the continent of Asia.

-It is the third largest country in the world after all of Russia and Canada. -It is the most populous.

-For many years, China's geography has helped isolate it from the rest of the world.

China Today-China borders the Pacific Ocean on the east.

-Most of China's largest cities are along the east coast of China, where the land is low and flat.

- Most of China's millions of people live in the eastern portion of the country

Map of China

Geography of Ancient ChinaMajor River Systems:

Ancient China has two

major river systems:

• Huang He which is

also known as the

Yellow River

• Yangtze which is also

known as the Chang

Jiang

Major Rivers

Yangtze River

Yellow River

Physical Features influenced China’s Past

Topographic Map

Physical Features:

• Most of China’s history has been impacted by its geography. Early settlements evolved around the eastern lowlands and river valleys where farming took place.

• The Himalayan mountains protected China from invasion from the west(India)

• The cold Gobi desert found protected China in the north west.

Several Dynasties Ruled Ancient China

• China’s first dynasty was the Xia (shah) dynasty (2000-1500 BCE) – little is known about this dynasty except they were overthrown by the Shang family of rulers.

• The Shang dynasty is marked by cruel rulers who amused themselves with vicious games and torture.

• The Shang rulers were in power for several hundred years.

Shang Territory

Shang Dynasty

• During this dynasty the arts flourished. • Beautiful figures, religious objects and weapons

made from bronze were featured in this period.• Early Chinese writing was developed during this

time.• There were huge differences between the life of a

noble and those of a peasant. • The Shang Dynasty was overthrown by the Zhou

rulers.

Shang Bronze

Zhou Dynasty

• This dynasty was centered around western China.• A famous fighter from this region was Duke Fa,

he latter took the name Wu Wang. He became the first ruler of the Zhou dynasty in 1100 BCE.

• This dynasty lasted longer than any other in Ancient Chinese history.

• The dynasty included land from the seacoast to the Chang River Valley.

Wu Wang

Expansion of Zhou Dynasty

Zhou Dynasty

• A feudal system emerged under these rulers. The ruler would give small kingdoms to trusted military leaders in exchange for loyalty. The problem with this system was the military leaders became more powerful than the rulers.

• War was a big part of this period in China’s history. • Much of the lives of the nobles of this time centered

around war: war games, weapons, banners tournaments & practice for war were featured.

Teachers during Zhou Dynasty

• War did not deter learning during this time. Many new ideas were born during this time.

• Three great teachers emerged at this time: Laozi, Confucius & Mencius

• Each had great influence at this time. Each outlined a set of rules to create an ideal society. The big question: How to make people happy ?

Laozi (604-517 BCE) & Taoism

• One must live the right way or Tao (Dow)

• To be happy, one must allow themselves to be in harmony with the natural world.A serene life was ideal.

• Except life as you find it. Do not encourage change.

Confucius 551- 479 BCE

• An advisor to rulers for many years. When not working he attempted to answer questions of the suffering of Chinese people.

• Set up strict rules of behavior, each person must know their place and act according to the established rules. ie: Ruler & subject, teacher & student, father & son, husband & wife

• Rulers must set good examples and subjects must honour the ruler.

• All people are basically good so an ideal society is possible.

Confucianism

• ‘Do not do unto others what you would not have others do unto you’

• Honor family ancestors was further emphasized.

• Ideas were written down in the Analects.

• Confucius ideas spread to other countries.

Mencius 373-288 BCE

• Lived 200 years after Confucius. Asked the question: What can be done if rulers are not good as Confucius expected them to be?

• He said the people could rebel if the ruler was not doing a god job.

• Liked having a king or queen but they must be effective.

• This idea was very progressive for the time.

Qin Dynasty

• Over time the military leaders gained so much power they were able to overthrow the Zhou kings.

• One of the most powerful kingdoms was the Qin (Chin) By 221 BCE the leaders of the Qin kingdom took power from the weak Zhou kings.

• The Qin leader who took power from the Zhou was a man by the name of Shi Huangdi. He worked very hard to unite all regions of China under one leader. He eventually became known as China’s ‘First Emperor’

A Strong Emperor United China

Shi Huangdi’s Rule

• He wanted change and in order to bring about change he had to do away with the philosophy of not wanting change found in Confucius teachings. He had all Confucius books burned.

• He didn’t trust military leaders. He forced all leaders to live near him so he could watch them. Did away with all smaller kingdoms and created districts.

• Needed protection from China’s enemies. Ordered the construction of the Great Wall in the North west. (1500 miles long)

• United all of China. Remains united to this day.

Shi Huangdi’s Rule

• He became very paranoid of people around him. Further with drew from his people

• He feared death. Had a huge moratorium built to protect him in the afterlife.

• Clay soldiers were created to protect the him in the afterlife.

• Hire alchemist to create a potion to extend his life.

Reaction to Emperor’s Rule

• People were not happy under his rule. They paid heavy taxes (Great Wall)

• Many longed to return to the ways of Confucius.

• Many were happy when he died in 207 BCE his strict rule had ended.

• He was buried with 1000’s of clay soldiers.

Great Wall

Great Wall

Terra Cotta Soldiers

Han Dynasty 202BCE –220 CE

• Revolts broke out across Shi Huangdi’s Empire shortly after his death. Five years late the Han Dynasty had established itself as the ruling family.

• Liu Bang became the emperor of the Han dynasty. They ruled for four hundred years.

• Confucius teachings returned under Han rule. Formal traditions and customs were returned.

• The act Kow Tow (a deep bow) started at this time.

• Needed educated people to run government offices.

Han Map

Han Rule

• People had to write government exams before they could get employment. Studying laws of Confucius was encouraged. More converted to Confucius than ever before, it became the state religion.

• Government structure was well organized and efficient.• Han Code, a system of laws were established.• Trade in silk and spices between Asia and Europe began.

The silk road, the world’s first intercontinental road was built.

• Forbidden City (palace of the emperor) was built during this dynasty.

Forbidden City

Han Decline

• Barbarian tribes invaded the borders of China. Weak rulers had no luck in driving the tribes out.

• High taxes led to unrest within the empire.Gap between the rich & poor increased.

• Last Han ruler abdicated in 220 BCE