Transcript Ancient China - Social Studies!

 ISN
pg 16. Title: Ancient China.
Respond to Preview:
–The Chinese concept of
Mandate of Heaven says that
the gods choose the ruling
family. How might this concept
be similar to Egyptian rule?
Classical China
China’s Geography
 On
map of China, label the
following features (use pg. 83):
–Yellow River
–Yangtze River
–Gobi Desert,
–Takla Makan Desert
–Plateau of Tibet,
–North China Plain
–Himalayan Mountains
Yellow River
Yangtze River
Intro to China Video
(Stop at 1.15)
Ancient China
 Began
at least 1,000 years later
than other 3
river valleys,
but is only
one to
survive
today
Ancient China
 Chinese
civilization began
between the Yellow & Yangtze
Rivers; unpredictable flooding
(Yellow River is “China’s Sorrow”)
 China is geographically isolated
China from other cultures
 Chinese referred to themselves
as “Middle Kingdom”—believed
everything outside China was
barbarian (inferior)
Chinese Government
 Mandate
of Heaven—rulers of
China got approval to rule from
God & ruled as families called
dynasties
Chinese Government
 Dynastic
Cycle:
–Ruler gets approval from God
–Establishes dynasty & strong,
successful rule
–Dynasty grows weaker &
appears to lose Mandate of
Heaven
–New dynasty takes over & gets
approval from God
#2
#1
#4
#3
Chinese Government
 Chinese
scribes kept gov’t records
 China was run by government
officials that collected taxes &
conscripted (drafted) all males to
annual labor for the government:
–Built Great Wall to keep out
northern barbarians
–Created network of roads,
canals, & irrigation channels
Grand Canal
Took 5 years to
build, tens of
thousands of
peasants were
forced to built this
1,000-mile canal
Chinese Religion
 China
did not produce a single
belief system & remained a
secular country, stressing
philosophies over organized
religion:
–Confucianism
–Daoism
–Legalism
Confucius
 Teacher
who believed social
order could be maintained
through 5 relationships:
–Ruler & Subject (commoner),
Father & Son, Husband & Wife,
Older Brother & Younger
Brother, Friend & Friend
 Rulers should be kind; children
should practice filial piety
(respect for elders)
Confucius
says, “To
know what
is right and
not to do it
is the worst
cowardice”
Confucian Analects
 Confucius
says: Do not do unto
others, what you would not want
others to do to you
 Confucius says: If you make a
mistake and do not correct it, this is
called a mistake
 Confucius says: He who rules
through virtue may be compared to
the north polar star, which keeps its
place and all the stars turn towards it
Taoism
 Lao
Tzu believed natural order was
most important to bring harmony:
–Tao (“The Way”) is the universal
force that guides all things
–Nothing in nature strives for fame or
power; Only humans fail to follow
Tao
–Live as simply as possible; best
answer is always the simplest
The Taoist has no
interest of his own, but
regards the interests of
the people as his own.
He is kind to the kind,
he is kind
to the
unkind;
for
virtue
is kind
Legalism
 Philosophy
called
for clear and strict
laws as necessary
to control human
nature
Chinese Economy
 Created
Silk Road to trade with
Persians; camel caravan allowed
trade over 4,000 miles
Chinese Society
 Family
is very important; deep
respect for elders; women inferior
to men because only men could
carry on
religious/
government
duties
Chinese Society
3
main social groups:
–Emperor & family
–Land-owning nobles &
Government workers
–Laborers
–“Mean people” (those lacking
skills; merchants were included
here because money-making
was not seen as important)
Shang & Chou Dynasties
Ch’in Dynasty
Han Dynasty
 ISN
pg 16, Review Question:
–What trends do we see in
China?
–China will maintain its ties to the
ancient world to 1911 while no
other river valley civilization was
able to do so.
• Why do you think this was
possible in China?