Transcript China
• 10/24 Focus: • Chinese rulers followed the dynastic cycle. This was the understanding that dynasties would rise and fall over and over again. • Important Terms: • Dynasty, Oracle Bones, Mandate of Heaven • Do Now: – Explain how geography lead to ethnocentrism in China China Dynasties The Shang Dynasty • 1650 B.C. • Shang gain control of N. China • Government – Ruled by Kings – Establish first dynasty • A ruling family The Shang Dynasty • Religion – Polytheistic – Worshiped ancestors – oracle bones • Used to communicate with ancestors • Bones inscribed with pictographs • Priests could read them for messages from ancestors – Offered ancestors gifts for the afterlife The Shang Dynasty • written language – used pictograms • symbols that represent pictures – Ideograms • symbols that represent ideas. • used on the Oracle Bones, but only few people learned how to read and write The Zhou Dynasty • 1029 -258 B.C. • Overthrow the Shang King Wen, The founder of the Zhou dynasty – Told people that the gods had become angry with Shang corruption & had chosen the Zhou to rule – Leads to the Mandate of Heaven The Mandate of Heaven • divine approval to rule • Used by rulers to claim authority over people • Was used to explain the dynastic cycle – New dynasties were good and just to the people – Overtime the dynasty became corrupt and unfair to the people – Lost approval of gods – New dynasty would take over Closure • How was the Mandate of Heaven used to justify the overthrow of a government? • What was the dynastic cycle? • 10/27 Focus: – The Great Wall of China was created during the Qin Dynasty and is an example of Chinese ethnocentrism. – The Han Dynasty built a large civilization by using roads. They expanded trade routes and made a great deal of money that helped them expand. • Do Now: – Explain the Mandate of Heaven Zhou Government • Zhou kings called themselves “Sons of Heaven • Kings granted large areas of land to their supporters – Feudalism • Local lords controlled their own land • Owed military service to the ruler • Feudal lords became the real holders of power in China Zhou Accomplishments • Built roads and canals to expand trade • Silk production – Produced from cocoons of silkworms – Became a major export • Made the first books – Bound thin strips of bamboo & wood – The I Ching – Book of Songs • Astronomy – Developed an accurate calendar – Studied eclipses and movement of planets Qin Dynasty • Shi Huangdi – “The First Emperor” – Conquers the Zhou • Zhou government was weak • Feudal lords divided and at war Centralized Power • Shi Huangdi centralizes power and establishes autocracy – Power from one central area – Autocracy • A government in which the ruler has absolute or total power – Abolishes the feudal states – Divided the country into military districts – Harsh rules • Rules about being on time • Forced labor to build public works • High taxes The Great Wall of China • Extended from the Yellow Sea to the Gobi Desert • Forced labor used to construct the wall • Ethnocentrism • Built to keep out nomads and invaders • Keep out foreign influences • Limits cultural diffusion • The famous Terracotta Soldiers were built to guard the Emperor’ s tomb The Han Dynasty • Shi Huangdi dies • People revolt against the Qin • Liu Bang established the Han dyansty – – – – Peasant leader Takes the name Gau Zu Reduced taxes Changed harsh Qin laws Han Rule • Emperor Wudi • 441 B.C • Strengthens China’s government and economy – Establishes civil service system • Government workers • Civil service exam was required to work in government • Based on teachings of Confucius – Opened the Silk Road The Silk Road • Becomes a major trade route – Stretches from China to Mediterranean Sea • Brings China in contact with other civilizations – Cultural diffusion – Buddhism from India • New ideas, foods, animals , and products are spread along the silk road Han Golden Age • Expansion of trade and strong government under Han rule brought peace and prosperity • Technological Advances – – – – Made paper from wood pulp Iron production Water powered mills Invented: • Wheelbarrow • Fishing reel • Rudder Han Golden Age • Advances in Science and Medicine – Acupuncture and herbal remedies to treat illness – Develop anesthesia • Advanced astronomers – Developed accurate clocks Han Decline • Power shifted from strong central gov’t to local nobles • Nomadic groups began invading China • Led to 350 years of warfare and chaos – Period of Disunion (220-589 C.E.) Closure • How is the construction of the Great Wall of China an example of Chinese ethnocentrism? • Why did the Silk Road increase cultural diffusion?