Transcript Ancient China

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 China
Major 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
Yellow River
Yangtze 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