Geography and Early China China s geographical features separated it from the rest of the world. China is about the size of the United States. The Gobi Desert spreads across the North of China The plains in the East form one of the world s largest farming regions Rugged mountains make up the western frontier.
China s Varying Weather Patterns Northeast: Cold and Dry Frozen Rivers Northwest: Deserts Dry Eastern Plains: Heavy Rains Southeast: Tropical, monsoons
China s Rivers 1. Huang He (Wung She) or Yellow River: sometimes called China s Sorrow because its floods can be very destructive 2. Chang Jiang (Chung Jun) or Yangtze: Longest River in Asia In early China, the rivers linked people in the east with those in the west, but the mountains between the rivers limited contact.
Civilization Begins Chinese first settled along rivers: Chang Jiang and the Huang He. Archaeologist found remains of Chinese villages near the Huang He: Houses underground, straw covered roofs, animal pens, storage, and cemeteries. Over time, Chinese culture grew more advanced. Burial sites have provided information. Like Egyptians Chinese filled tombs with objects like food, jewelry for the rich, objects made from jade.
China s First Dynasties According to ancient stories, around 2200 BC, a series of kings ruled early China. Yu the Great founded the Xia (shah) dynasty. Yu dug great channels to drain flood waters Archaeologist have never found evidence that the Xia existed The Chinese hold to their ancient stories of how ancient kings helped the people.
Shang Dynasty The first dynasty for which we have clear evidence Firmly established by the 1500s BC Ruled Northern China King ruled political and religious life King was advised by Nobles Social Classes ----------à
Shang Contributions Created China s first writing system Oracle Bones: Priests carved questions on turtle shells, heated them and then read the cracks to predict the future. The use of bronze for pottery The use of Jade for axes, knives, and ornaments Chariots, Strong bows, Bronze body armor Calendar based on cycle of the moon.
Write this question at the bottom of your notes What is a major historical difference between the Xia and Shang Dynasties? Archaeologists have not been able to find any evidence of the Xia dynasty but have found artifacts and other evidence from the Shang dynasty
Zhou Dynasty 1056-246 BC Zhou (JOH)ruled by overthrowing the Shang Dynasty The Zhou Dynasty lasted longer than any other dynasty in Chinese history The Zhou contributed the importance of family & social order
Mandate of Heaven The Zhou Kings claimed to have the Mandate of Heaven Heaven gave power to the king If a king was found to be bad, heaven would support another leader
The Zhou Political System The Zhou king granted land to others in return for loyalty and military support. Lords paid taxes and provided soldiers to the king Peasants received small plots of land to farm for the noble The Zhou system brought order to China Ruling through Lords helped the King control distant areas and ensured loyalty
The Decline of the Zhou Eventually the Children of the Lords lost loyalty to the Kings They refused to fight against outside invaders They turned and warred with one another 481 BC The Warring States Period Civil Wars that lasted for 200 years. Chinese society fell into disorder as the Kings power weakened Ruling families (Lords) also lost power as families fought each other for land
Confucianism Confucius: 551-479 BC. Teacher, Philosopher Confucius felt that the Chinese needed to return to ethics. His teaching became known as Confucianism. Some believe it is a religion. Some do not.
Daoism Dao The Way living in harmony with the Dao, the guiding force of all reality Daoism developed as a reaction to Confucianism. Wanted government out of people s lives Government leader should govern so lightly that people don t know they are being governed Avoid interfering with each other flow with nature Universe is a balance of opposites in harmony with nature Confucianism: relationship with each other Daoism: relationship with nature
Laozi Most famous Daoist teacher Should not try to gain wealth or power. Perhaps wrote basic text of Daoism The Way and Its Power
Legalism Legalism believes that people are bad by nature and need to be controlled Political philosophy: government & social control Disagreed with moral teaching of Confucius Disagreed with Daoism not stressing respect for authority Strict laws strict punishments Relatives or neighbors could be punished for someone s crimes Appointed officials not nobles Always prepared for war
The Qin Dynasty During the Warring States period, the Qin built a strong army that defeated the other states and eventually united the country under one government.
Shi Huangdi Takes the Throne 221 BC Shi Huangdi first emperor unified all of China. He followed Legalist political beliefs with strict laws and harsh punishments. He ordered the burning of all writings that did not agree with Legalism He buried 460 scholars alive for objecting to book burnings
Shi Huangdi expanded his empire The Qin Expand His soldiers destroyed other cities walls and took all their weapons He did not share power with the Lords He forced them to move to the capital near him to watch them He divided China into districts with governors with officials under them This helped him enforce taxes & power
A Unified China Mountains and rivers had divided China into distinct groups of people with varied customs, different money, different writing, etc. Shi Huangdi set up a uniform system of law throughout China He standardized the written language and money Now people all over China could communicate easier, trade easier, and developed a sense of common identity
Qin Achievements Massive building projects unified the country Network of roads connected the capital with all of China Network of canals connected rivers improving travel Shi Huangdi built the Great Wall to connect existing walls, hoping to keep out Nomads from the North.
Video on Great Wall of China
The Han Dynasty Shi Huangdi unified China but his successor could not hold on to power. Civil war broke out for control. Liu Bang won control for the Han dynasty which lasted for 400 years.
Liu Bang The Common Emperor Liu Bang was a peasant who rose to power by winning the respect of soldiers and people. The people believed in the Mandate of Heaven for him to rule He set new policies that were less severe than the Qin He relied on educated officials to help him rule.
Wudi and Confucianism 140 BC. Emperor Wudi took the throne Confucianism became China s official government philosophy. A person could get a good position in gov t if he passed an exam on Confucianism Only those recommended could test however, so wealthy families continued to control the government.
Social Class under The Han Dynasty
Lives of the Rich and Poor Most Chinese during the Han Dynasty were peasants Though respected they were still very poor Confucius s teaching permeated Chinese life Children were very obedient Men ruled over women - but were to be kind
Han Contact with Other Cultures Master Ironworkers: swords, armor, plow, wheelbarrow Silk: raised silkworms threads from cocoons (kept a secret) Increase in Trade: Traded with the West/ Silk for Horses
Han Achievements Art & Literature: Art covering walls of palaces & tombs Poetry ( fu & shi) Sima Qian: complete history of all the dynasties Inventions: Paper Sundial Seismograph Acupuncture
The Silk Road This 4000 mile long network or routes stretched westward from China across Asia s deserts and mountain ranges, through the Middle East, until it reached the Mediterranean Sea.
Buddhism Comes to China In the first century AD Buddhism spread from India to China along the Silk Road. The Chinese began to look for the answer to suffering during hard times. Buddhism offered them an answer to suffering rebirth & relief