CHAPTER 10 ANCIENT CHINA THE BIRTH OF CHINESE CIVILIZATION
Lesson 1 THE BIRTH OF CHINESE CIVILIZATION The Geography of China
China is a large country on the Continent of Asia bordering the
Pacific Ocean. Powerful Rivers such as the Huang He (Yellow River),
and Chang Jiang provide fresh water, fertile soil for farming, and
transportation. Chinas Sorrow The Geography of China China is
surrounded by Mountains and Deserts acting like walls and causing
Geographic Isolation! The Himalaya Mts. Separate China from India
in the south while the Gobi and Taklimakan Deserts reside in the
North and West of the Country. The Middle Kingdom The Dynasties Of
China A Dynasty is a line of rulers from the same family that
usually are recognized as having an important role in the
development of a civilization. Early Chinese people developed myths
and legends like other cultures to explain the world around them.
One of the first myths was about a man named YU The Ancient Chinese
believe that YU created the first Dynasty called the Xia around
2000 B.C. but Archaeologist have not found any evidence of the Xia
based on written records. The Shang Dynasty Built the first cities
like the capital Anyang along the Huang He River valley. Shang
Kings acted as the military, religious, and political leaders.
Shang Kings appointed Warlords or Military Leaders to Govern their
local territories. The Shang developed a system of Aristocracy or
Nobility based on Land Ownership. The Shang Dynasty Most people
were farmers, but smaller groups for merchants, artisans, and
slaves existed as well. People in Shang China worshipped many Gods
the foremost was Shang Ti Supreme Ruler People in Shang China
alsohonored their Ancestors Hoping that the spirits of their dead
relatives would help them in their trials. Pictographs and
Ideographs
Shang developed a system of writing using symbols for words called
pictographs. The combination of those symbols combined together to
create ideographs representing more complex words or ideas. Oracle
Bones Were used by Shang Kings to seek answers or guidance about
future decisions. After the priests carved questions into the bone
is was tossed in a fire and the cracks created represented the will
of the Gods or Guidance from Ancestors. Shang Arts and
Technology
Included Bronze crafting melted bronze is poured into clay molds
and then cooled down. Harvesting Silk from Silk Worms and creating
a valuable cloth that would become an important trading resource.
Statues and Sculptures made from Ivory and Jade. The Zhou Dynasty
Chinese Dynasty established by an Aristocrat named Wu Wang. The
Zhou Dynasty lasted for over 800 years and was the Longest Dynasty
The Zhou Dynasty Zhou Kings ruled much the same as the Shang but
they did not rely on warlords to control territories but developed
a bureaucracy of Loyal Aristocrats to help govern. Those titles
were hereditary and passed down from generation to generation. The
Mandate of Heaven Zhou Kings believed that they were chosen to rule
by the Gods and the Gods would only select wise, good people to
rule. The Idea that the King must Rule by the Proper Way or The Dao
was embraced by the people. If something bad happened or the King
was unjust the people could have him replaced. Zhou Technology and
Trade
The Zhou developed a new and better way to irrigate there crops.
More food leads to more trade and population growth. Archaeologist
believe they started trading with outsider during the Zhou Dynasty.
Period of the Warring States
Zhou Aristocrats started to cease power from the king and began
fighting one another. These battles lasted for over 200 years.
Farmers were enlisted to fight during this time and the use of the
Horse as a military tool was incorporated with the creation of the
Saddle and Stirrups. These battle would mark the end of the Zhou
Dynasty and the start of a new Dynasty in China. Society and
Culture in Ancient China
Lesson 2 Society and Culture in Ancient China Chinese Philosophies
Developed as a result of Civil Unrest and Violence. The Chinese
wanted to find peace Between 500 B.C. 200 B.C. Philosophers
developed 3 major Philosophies They included Confucianism, Daoism,
and Legalism Confucianism Developed and taught by a man named
Confucius between 550 B.C. and 479 B.C. He criticized the misrule
of the kings and urged the people to follow the way of their
Ancestors bringing peace and harmony to China Confucianism Duty is
the central idea behind Confucianism One should place Community and
Family above Individual needs. Rulers had a duty to rule justly and
set a an example of right living. The Parents duty is to love their
Children, and the Children in return respect their parents.A
Husbands duty is to support his Wife, and she in turn will obey her
Husband. Confucianism Confucius urged people to Be Good Behave
Moderately
Keep Promises Honor Traditions Respect the Elderly Seek Knowledge
And If people did these things society would do well. The Influence
of Confucius
Believed all men based on ability and merit should have the
opportunity to be in government service not just nobility. His
followers wrote down his sayings and collected them in a book
called the Analects. Confucius died in 479B.C. but his teachings
influenced Chinas society and are still utilized throughout the
World today. Daoism Created by a man namedLaozi, it translates as
the Path or the Way. Promotes a peaceful society. It encourages
people to live a simple life free from worldly desires. People
should turn to nature and the Dao or spiritual force and theywould
have a happy life. Many Chinese Followed both believing that they
supported each other. Legalism Created by a man named Hanfeizi in
the 200 B.C.s, it stresses the importance of Laws. Strict Laws and
Harsh Punishments are necessary to force people to do their duty.
Legalism was embraced by the leaders because it promoted force and
ignored the needs and wishes of the people. Chinese Life 4 Social
Classes Including: Aristocrats Owned Land
Farmers Worked the Land Artisans Made useful Objects Merchants
Provided Goods and Services (Trade) The Chinese Family Family was
the center of Chinese Society.
Many Children to help with Work in return Children had the
obligation of Filial Piety or Devotion to their Parents and
Grandparents, requiring them to take care of them when they get
older. Roles of Men and Women Men were respected based on the job
that they did, which included farming, attending school, running
the government, and fighting wars. Women Raised and Educated
Children, saw to the home and finances. THE QIN AND THE HAN
DYNASTIES
Lesson 3 THE QIN AND THE HAN DYNASTIES The Qin Emperor A strong
kingdom called the Qin used Cavalry to conquer the other states.
The ruler called himself Qin Shihuangdi (The First Qin Emperor)
Qins goals were to strengthen and unify China. Unifying China Qin
took control of all of Chinas Provinces, and appointed governors
himself (no more hereditary titles) Qin ruled with absolute control
relying on swift harsh punishment for those who disagreed with him
or law breakers. Qin also had many writings destroyed that he did
not agree with or that contradicted his opinions. Unifying China
Continued
Monitored government workers by appointing Censors Officials who
watch over correct behavior. Qin also created a universal currency
that all Chinese people had to use. Qin hired scholars to simplify
and set rules for the Chinese writing system. Qin took on many
building projects Palaces, Roads, Dams, and a huge Canal for
transportation an trade. Qins Tomb One of the major projects that
he established was Qins Tomb. It was so large that it held and army
of life sized soldiers and horses. Each terracotta clay soldier had
a uniquely carved face. The Great Wall of China Qin wanted to keep
his united empire safe from Invasion. The Xiongnu were nomads from
the Gobi Desert that attacked China during this time period. Qin
connected earlier pieces of wall together. Starting the Great Wall!
The End of Qin Rule Qin Shihuangdi was seeking everlasting life, He
believed that mercury was an ingredient for immortality. Qin died
in 210 B.C. of mercury poisoning, just 11 years after taking over
as Emperor. Farmers and aristocrats revolted against the harsh Qin
rule that existed, and by 206 B.C. The Qin Dynasty was over. The
Han Dynasty In 202 B.C. a new dynasty was established by a farmer
turned soldier named Liu Bang. The Han Dynasty would rule China for
400 years. Emperor Han Wudi The first strong emperor of the Han
Dynasty was Han Wudi (141 B.C. to 87 B.C.) Stopped nepotism in
government by hiring the best people for civil service jobs based
on exam scores. The wealthy still had an advantage. Created schools
to prepare people for the exams, they studied law, history, and
Confucianism. The Han Empire Expands Population increases to 60
million people.
Farmers have trouble producing enough food because of hereditary
laws. They were forced to sell their land an become Tenant Farmers.
The Han army conquered new territories like Korea, Southwest Asia,
and parts of Northern India. 150 years of peace after the Han army
defeated Xiongnu Han Culture Literature and Arts blossomed during
the era of Peace.
The teachings of Confucius spread, and Ideas like Filial Piety
became very strong. The new class of educated civil servants helped
solidify the government. Chinese Inventions Cast Iron Plow
New Iron tools and techniques for drilling and drainage Water
Wheels Wheel Barrows Silk Manufacturing Paper Rudders and New
Rigging for Sails Medical Advances Certain Foods Prevent
Disease.
Herbs were used to treat illness. Developed Acupuncture Putting
fine needles under the skin to relieve pain or treat disease. The
Silk Road Chinese traders grew rich by delivering their goods to
different parts of the World. Chinese General Zhang Qian was sent
west to recruit allies but instead returned with stories of
magnificent horses. Han opened trade with the west. The result was
the Silk Road, a series of trade routes named because of Chinas
most important resource, the secret of silk! The Silk Road When
completed stretched 4000 miles from Western China to the
Mediterranean Sea. The Chinese traded many resources other than
silk, like fruits, vegetables, spices, and paper. The Han traders
encountered the Powerful Roman Empire and traded with them, and for
1000 years the Silk Road was the main trade route linking Asia and
Europe. Buddhism in China Brought in along the Silk Road from
India, It had few followers at first. Following the collapse of the
Han Dynasty and the long period of unrest, spurred the growth of
Buddhism. Buddhism is still one of the most prominent religions in
China today. Fall of the Han Dynasty Weak and Corrupt Leaders
followed Han Wudi.
Greedy, land-owning Aristocrats continued to take advantage of
Farmers causing rebellions. Rebel destroyed the capital of Luoyang
in 190 A.D. and by 220 Civil War divided China into small kingdoms
for the next 400 years.
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