Transcript AncientChina

Yellow River Civilization
The 4 Old-World
River Valley Cultures
“Middle Kingdom”
Middle Kingdom
 This term refers to the belief that the
Chinese were at the center of the world.
 The Middle or heart of the world lied
between their 2 great river the Yellow and
Yangtze.
 This would result in Ethnocentrism-The
belief that your ethnicity is superior to
others.
Emperor
 The “Yellow
Emperor.”
 Legend has it that
he ruled for over
100 years.
 Associated with the
invention of
wheeled vehicles,
ships, armor,
pottery, and
silk-making.
Bronze Age Empires
Shang Political Systems
 During the Shang Dynasty Chinese
culture will emerge.
 Social Classes- Peasants and
Warrior Nobles
 Feudalism- political system where
land is used in exchange for work
protection, resources and power.
Shang:
1523-1028 BCE
Oracle Bones
Oracle Bones Calendar
The Evolution of Chinese
Writing during the Shang
Pictographs
Semantic-Phonetics
Axe Scepter – 1100 BCE - jade
Ceremonial Dagger – 1028 BCE
Shang Bronzes
Ritual Wine Vessel – bronze, 13c
BCE
Western Zhou:
1027-771 BCE
Eastern Zhou:
771-256 BCE
Changes to Political Ideology
 A move away from decentralized
authority of a feudal system begins.
 A Strong tradition of central authority
will emerge to deal with issues that
China faces. Religion will be an
important weapon I developing this
mindset
“T’ien Ming”
The Mandate of Heaven
1. The leader must lead by ability and
virtue.
2. The dynasty's leadership must be
justified by succeeding generations.
3. The mandate could be revoked by
negligence and abuse; the will of
the people was important.
Start here
Emperor is
defeated !!
Rebel bands find
strong leader who
unites them.
Attack the emperor.
Poor lose
respect for govt.
They join rebels
& attack landlords.
A new
dynasty
comes to power.
The emperor
reforms the govt.
& makes it more
efficient.
The
Dynastic
Cycle
Droughts,
floods,
famines occur.
Lives of common
people improved;
taxes reduced;
farming encouraged.
Govt. increases
spending;
corruption.
Problems begin
(extensive wars,
invasions, etc.)
Taxes increase;
men forced to
work for army.
Farming neglected.
Problem solving exercise
 Problem: China is constantly being
attacked by barbarians.
 Problem: Trade is stagnant
 Farm Productivity and amount of
farmland is limited.
 Please propose a solution to each
problem.
Qin Dynasty
 Short lived Dynasty that huge impacts
on future of China.
 Emperor Shi Huandi started
centralization programs.
 Established units of measurements,
built roads and canals, Great Wall of
China.
Great Wall of China
Over 3000 miles of
walls. Over 5000
miles of barriers
total.
Can be seen form
space!
Developed to
provide greater
protection form
foreign invaders.
Effect of Centralization on
Society
 New Philosophies and Beliefs
emerge.
 Questions about the rule of law
develop. In a society where the
government is strong how do we
establish order?
 What is order?