Transcript China
China Geography influences China: Geographic barriers isolate China To the west and southwest - Brutal deserts and high mountains Tian Shan and the Himalayas – blocked the easy movement of people Thick rain forests divide China from Southeast Asia Gobi desert separates China from northern civilizations Pacific Ocean to the East China Civilization begins in Huang River valley Neolithic people learned to farm – had to learn to control the flow of the river with large water projects This led to a strong centralized government Huang River causes frequent flooding and destruction; called the River of Sorrow Huang River named after the loess, or fine windblown yellow soil carried eastward from Siberia and Mongolia – settles in river… China Shang Dynasty founded in about 1766 BC Kings and princes rule Kings probably controlled a smaller area Loyal princes and local nobles controlled most of the land – heads of clans Social classes develop 1. Kings, royal family, and noble warriors 2. Artisans and merchants 3. Peasants China The Zhou from the western frontier overthrow the Shang in 1122 BC Develop Mandate of Heaven , or the divine right to rule They declared that the cruelty of the Shang dynasty had outraged the gods so bad that they had sent ruin on them – Used Mandate of Heaven to explain the dynastic cycle, or the rise and fall of dynasties. Establish feudal state The Zhou awarded their supporters by giving them control of certain regions – created Feudalism China The economy expands Ironworking – 600 BC Large-scale irrigation for farming Used money – copper coins Increased population Zhou Dynasty ends in 256 BC It was simply too weak to control feudal lords who ignored the emperor and battled one another in savage wars. Ushered in the Qin dynasty… China China IV. Early religious beliefs A. Chinese pray to many gods and nature spirits A. Shang Di – King was link to Shang Di Chinese honor their ancestors – call on spirits of ancestors to bring good fortune to family. V. Two major beliefs emerge A. Confucius teaches that relationships shape behavior B. A. B. C. D. E. B. Harmony resulted when people accept their place in society. Five Key Relationships: 1)Ruler to Subject; 2)Parent to Child; 3) Husband to Wife; 4) Elder brother to younger brother; 5) Friend to friend. Everyone has duties and responsibilities – Gov’t leaders should be well educated Yin – linked to Earth, darkness, and female forces Yang – stood for heaven, light, and male forces One-third of the world’s population is influenced by Confucianism China Daoism teaches harmony with nature Created by Laozi around the same time as Confucius Taught, “Those who know the Dao do not speak of it. Those who speak of it do not know it.” Said it’s hard to understand… Turned to the “unnatural” ways of society – some became hermits, artists, or poets Daoism and Confucianism began to change and blend into one another Confucianism showed them how to behave while Daoism influenced their view of the natural world. China VI. Chinese Achievements A. Improve bronze technology Invent silk-making C. Develop complex writing system 1. Writing fosters unity 2. Chinese scholars turn writing into an art form called Calligraphy B.