Ancient ChinaAncient ChinaI. Achievements of the Ancient ChineseI. Achievements of the Ancient Chinese

A. Great Wall of China-largest masonary A. Great Wall of China-largest masonary construction in the world.construction in the world.

1. Defensive wall stretching 1400 miles,1. Defensive wall stretching 1400 miles, protecting China from enemies to the protecting China from enemies to the north.north.

2. Helped to keep the vast land of China2. Helped to keep the vast land of China unified. Great Wall to the north; desertunified. Great Wall to the north; desert to the west; Himalayas Mts. to the to the west; Himalayas Mts. to the

southwest;southwest; ocean to the east.ocean to the east.

Ancient Chinese AchievementsAncient Chinese AchievementsB. PaperB. Paper J. UmbrellaJ. Umbrella

C. GunpowderC. Gunpowder K. Paper moneyK. Paper money

D. The wheelbarrowD. The wheelbarrow L. Playing cardsL. Playing cards

E. The crossbowE. The crossbow M. Use of petroleum and nat.M. Use of petroleum and nat.

F. Masts and SailingF. Masts and Sailing gas as fuel gas as fuel

G. KitesG. Kites N. AcupunctureN. Acupuncture

H. ParachutesH. Parachutes O. The hoe-for farmingO. The hoe-for farming

I. MatchesI. Matches P. Martial artsP. Martial arts

Q. compassQ. compass

R. Silk Road-used to trade silks, rugs, bronze and R. Silk Road-used to trade silks, rugs, bronze and otherother

aspects of Chinese culture to the rest of the aspects of Chinese culture to the rest of the civilizedcivilized

world west of China.world west of China.

The Great Dynasties of Ancient The Great Dynasties of Ancient ChinaChina

The ShangThe Shang

A. First great dynasty in China was the ShangA. First great dynasty in China was the Shang dynasty (1800 B.C. to 1123 B.C.)dynasty (1800 B.C. to 1123 B.C.)

1. Began along the Huang He river valley1. Began along the Huang He river valley 2. During Shang rule-Chinese writing 2. During Shang rule-Chinese writing

developeddeveloped

a. a. scribes wrote on narrow strips ofscribes wrote on narrow strips of bamboo or wood and had to writebamboo or wood and had to write vertically rather than horizontally-vertically rather than horizontally-

ChineseChinese today write and read vertically left to today write and read vertically left to

right.right.

The ShangThe Shang3. Early Chinese civilizations were polytheists.3. Early Chinese civilizations were polytheists.

a. Rulers claimed to have a mandate from heaven.a. Rulers claimed to have a mandate from heaven.

b. During the Shang dynasty human sacrifice was carriedb. During the Shang dynasty human sacrifice was carried

out to show devotion and respect to the gods. Theout to show devotion and respect to the gods. The

Shang also believed they received wisdom for the godsShang also believed they received wisdom for the gods

in return for offering sacrifices.in return for offering sacrifices.

c. Thousands of ancient skeletal remains have been foundc. Thousands of ancient skeletal remains have been found

piled on top of each other near the palaces where thepiled on top of each other near the palaces where the

Shang dynasty ruled- show signs of being sacrificed.Shang dynasty ruled- show signs of being sacrificed.

The ShangThe Shang4. Archaeologists believe the Shang practiced slavery.4. Archaeologists believe the Shang practiced slavery.

5. Made exquisite bronze jugs, urns, and bowls5. Made exquisite bronze jugs, urns, and bowls

6. Shang me of wisdom used oracle bones and oracle shells 6. Shang me of wisdom used oracle bones and oracle shells toto

learn about future battles, leaders, and possible disasters.learn about future battles, leaders, and possible disasters.

a. Tortoise shells and bones would be heated over a a. Tortoise shells and bones would be heated over a hothot

fire until cracked. The cracks would then be fire until cracked. The cracks would then be interpreted.interpreted.

7. Developed silk- a process using silkworm cocoons from 7. Developed silk- a process using silkworm cocoons from mulberry trees. Divulging the secrets of silk making led mulberry trees. Divulging the secrets of silk making led

to to execution.execution.

The ShangThe Shang8. Most people living under Shang rule were very poor 8. Most people living under Shang rule were very poor

peasants.peasants.

a. They farmed wheat, millet, and rice.a. They farmed wheat, millet, and rice.

b. Peasants were heavily taxed and always owned b. Peasants were heavily taxed and always owned rent torent to

their landlord- it was not uncommon that a their landlord- it was not uncommon that a father father

would sell their children into slavery to pay the would sell their children into slavery to pay the rent.rent.

9. Because of poor leadership, the Shang dynasty 9. Because of poor leadership, the Shang dynasty collapsed incollapsed in

1123 B.C.1123 B.C.

The Zhou DynastyThe Zhou Dynasty1. The Zhou dynasty ruled China from 1027 B.C. to 256 B.C.1. The Zhou dynasty ruled China from 1027 B.C. to 256 B.C.

2. The Zhou dynasty ruled China during a time period called the2. The Zhou dynasty ruled China during a time period called the

Era of Warring States.Era of Warring States.

a. Much of their rule was marked by constant fightinga. Much of their rule was marked by constant fighting

between the different states of the land of China.between the different states of the land of China.

3. Responding to the chaos and disorder of the time, 3. Responding to the chaos and disorder of the time,

important thinkers established philosophies by which Chineseimportant thinkers established philosophies by which Chinese

people could live a better life in a more harmonious China.people could live a better life in a more harmonious China.

PhilosopherPhilosopher ConfuciusConfucius

ConfucianismConfucianism

Believed that social order, Believed that social order, harmony and good harmony and good government could be government could be restored in China if society restored in China if society was organized around 5 was organized around 5 basic relationships. basic relationships.

1.1.Ruler-SubjectRuler-Subject

2.2.Father-sonFather-son

3.3.Husband-wifeHusband-wife

4.4.Older brother-younger Older brother-younger brotherbrother

5.5.Friend-friendFriend-friend

The The PhilosophersPhilosophers Lao-TzuLao-Tzu

Taoism (Daoism)Taoism (Daoism)Believed only the natural Believed only the natural order was important.order was important.

The natural order involves The natural order involves relations among all living relations among all living things.things.

He said that a universal He said that a universal force called the Dao guides force called the Dao guides all things.all things.

Dao means “the way”Dao means “the way”

Daoists pursed scientific Daoists pursed scientific studies.studies.

The PhilosophersThe PhilosophersHan-Fei Tzu & Li SiHan-Fei Tzu & Li Si

LegalismLegalism Believed that a highly Believed that a highly

efficient government efficient government was the key to was the key to restoring oder in restoring oder in society.society.

Government should Government should use the law to end use the law to end civil disorder and civil disorder and restore harmonyrestore harmony

Believed that a ruler Believed that a ruler should provide rich should provide rich rewards for people rewards for people who carried out their who carried out their duties well.duties well.

The disobedient should The disobedient should be harshly punishedbe harshly punished

Government should Government should control ideas as well as control ideas as well as actionsactions

Qin DynastyQin Dynasty1. 1. Ruled land of China 221 B.C. to 206 B.C.Ruled land of China 221 B.C. to 206 B.C.

2. Forced China to unify-it is estimated that they executed 2/32. Forced China to unify-it is estimated that they executed 2/3

of their opponents.of their opponents.

a. Suppressed the power of warlords and centralized gov’ta. Suppressed the power of warlords and centralized gov’t

b. Qin dynasty built Great Wall of China to help keep outb. Qin dynasty built Great Wall of China to help keep out

invading enemies from the north.invading enemies from the north.

1. Built by 200,000 convicts and 100,000 soldiers1. Built by 200,000 convicts and 100,000 soldiers

2. Thousands of laborers died and were buried as2. Thousands of laborers died and were buried as

fill in the Great Wall.fill in the Great Wall.

3. Laborers were forced to work and would have to3. Laborers were forced to work and would have to

leave their families for several years.leave their families for several years.

Qin DynastyQin Dynasty4. It is believed many workers were put to death 4. It is believed many workers were put to death during construction so they would not reveal theduring construction so they would not reveal the secrets of construction.secrets of construction.

c. Unified written languagec. Unified written language

d. Built 5000 miles of roadsd. Built 5000 miles of roads

e. Passports were needed to travele. Passports were needed to travel

f. Standardized the currencyf. Standardized the currency

g. Buried alive 460 of the most distinguished scholars viewed as a g. Buried alive 460 of the most distinguished scholars viewed as a threat to dynastythreat to dynasty

1. organized mass book burnings-many of the writings 1. organized mass book burnings-many of the writings aboutabout

Confucius were destroyedConfucius were destroyed

a. Any writing supporting the state warlords were a. Any writing supporting the state warlords were destroyeddestroyed

Qin DynastyQin DynastyH. Built a great militaryH. Built a great military

a. Many peasants joined the military under the Qin a. Many peasants joined the military under the Qin

dynasty because it offered them the opportunity to dynasty because it offered them the opportunity to

improve their station in life.improve their station in life.

b. Some historians believe that the amount of heads cut b. Some historians believe that the amount of heads cut

off in battle directly increased a soldiers’ chances of off in battle directly increased a soldiers’ chances of

moving up the military ranks.moving up the military ranks.

1. One story has it that in one battle 450,000 of 1. One story has it that in one battle 450,000 of thethe

enemy was captured and all 450,000 of theseenemy was captured and all 450,000 of these

captives were beheaded.captives were beheaded.

““First Emperor”-Shi HuangdiFirst Emperor”-Shi Huangdi

I. The leader of the Qin dynasty was Shi HuangdiI. The leader of the Qin dynasty was Shi Huangdi

A. He was called “First Emperor”A. He was called “First Emperor”

B. Took all the land from the warlords-became first B. Took all the land from the warlords-became first

emperor of China (China may be named after emperor of China (China may be named after this this

dynasty)dynasty)

1. All brass spears, arrows, and chariots of 1. All brass spears, arrows, and chariots of warlordswarlords

turned inturned in

C. Shi Huangdi died in 210 B.C., after ruling for 11 C. Shi Huangdi died in 210 B.C., after ruling for 11 years.years.

Terra Cotta WarriorsTerra Cotta Warriors1. As soon as he became emperor, he already had 700,000 1. As soon as he became emperor, he already had 700,000

convicts working on a mausoleum.convicts working on a mausoleum.

a. Automatic crossbows were set up for robbersa. Automatic crossbows were set up for robbers

b. Those who had worked on the mausoleum, Shi’sb. Those who had worked on the mausoleum, Shi’s

concubines, and his many prized material possessionsconcubines, and his many prized material possessions

were sealed in the tomb.were sealed in the tomb.

c. 7000 life size clay statues (each with a unique face) ofc. 7000 life size clay statues (each with a unique face) of

his army were buried in battle formation, along withhis army were buried in battle formation, along with

clay horses and chariots. clay horses and chariots.

1. Legend has it that if a soldier was asked to pose1. Legend has it that if a soldier was asked to pose

with the statue and refused they would suffer with the statue and refused they would suffer

death.death.

Han DynastyHan Dynasty

1. Ruled China for over 400 years- (140 B.C. to around 220 1. Ruled China for over 400 years- (140 B.C. to around 220 A.D.)A.D.)

A. Han leaders used diplomacy as their guiding A. Han leaders used diplomacy as their guiding principleprinciple

for ruling the states of China-relied less on warfare.for ruling the states of China-relied less on warfare.

B. Trade occurred with Europe and the Middle EastB. Trade occurred with Europe and the Middle East

by way of the Silk Roadby way of the Silk Road

C. Time of great wealth and population explosion inC. Time of great wealth and population explosion in

ChinaChina

D. The arts and scholarship flourished.D. The arts and scholarship flourished.

Han DynastyHan Dynasty1. They adopted Confucianism-which strongly 1. They adopted Confucianism-which strongly

influencesinfluences

China todayChina today

2. The religion Buddhism spread from India into 2. The religion Buddhism spread from India into ChinaChina

during this timeduring this time

3. Daoism also thrived during the Han dynasty.3. Daoism also thrived during the Han dynasty.