imperial china. geography about the same size as the united states mountains and deserts cover the...
TRANSCRIPT
Geography
About the same size as the United States
Mountains and deserts cover the land
2 major riversYellow River
Yangtze River
Climate goes from bitterly cold to hot and humid
Civilization began around the Yellow River and spread outward
Review from 6th Grade
Divided into periods ruled by dynasties
4 Dynasties:
Shang – Worshipped AncestorsZhou – Mandate from HeavenQin – First Magnificent Emperor – legalistHan – Followed Confucius, lasted 400 years
Divided ChinaHan Dynast falls in 220AD due to corrupt officials
China was broken into small separate kingdoms
China reunites under the Tang Dynasty Lasts for 300 years
Tang Dynasty 618-907 AD
Strengthened central government
Period of wealth and power
In order to control such a large country, there had to be a lot of people working for the government
Bureaucracy
Officials collected taxes, oversaw building and irrigation projects, enforced laws, and made sure the army had supplies
Tang Capital
Chang’an – Population 2 million
Designed in the shape of a square
Two Markets on either side of the cityGreat trade city
Known for potteryHorses and camels
Quickwrite
Government jobs often come with a lot Government jobs often come with a lot of power and are well paid. During of power and are well paid. During ancient times they were also very ancient times they were also very corrupt.corrupt.
How can governments make sure they How can governments make sure they hire the best people for the positions?hire the best people for the positions?
Foreign Contact Under Tang618-907 AD
Welcomed contact with foreignersTrade along the Silk Road and from camel caravans brought new ideas goods and fashions to China
China Traded: Silk, paper, porcelain, iron and jade
Received: Cotton, perfume, spices, and horses
New foods like peas and spinach were introduced
Upper classes enjoyed the new wealth and goods from foreign lands
Changing AttitudesToward the end of the Tang Dynasty foreigners became less welcomedWealth of Buddhist monasteries made people angry
they did not have to pay taxes and had lots of money
Tang government takes over Buddhist propertiesMonks and nuns were forced to give up their way of lifeTemples and shrines were destroyedBuddhist statues were melted down and the metal given to the government
Exams?
Early on, emperors chose aristocrats to fill high level jobs
Hired based on who your father was, what family you married into, or someone else’s recommendations
Civil Service ExamsOpened to everyone but…
Geared toward the wealthy who could afford the books to study
Song Dynasty
Meritocracy – Officials got jobs based on merit (or ability)
Civil service exams were opened to more people
State run schools and universities for lower classesExams had questions about political and social problems as well as essay and poetry writing parts
Exams based on ConfucianismPeople should respect their eldersElders should act kindly, wisely, and honestly to set an example for those below them
Only a small percentage passed the exams
Had to move far away from their hometown so they couldn’t play favoritesDidn’t have to pay taxes or be in the military
Mongols invade!A group called Mongols from the north captured the capital of China
Kublai Khan took the title of emperor and his dynasty ruled for 100 years.
Ended civil exam programChose other Mongols and family members to have government positions
Many Mongols couldn’t read and there were not enough of them to fill the positions
Foreign Contact Under MongolsDeveloped and improved maritime trade
From India: Pearls and diamonds
Encouraged cultural exchangeSet up rests stops along the Silk Road every 20 milesChristian missionaries increased but made few convertsPersians brought advanced knowledge in math, astronomy and medicineEuropeans learned about gunpowder
ContinuedForeign merchants were respected and did not have to pay taxes
Received better treatments and fair laws than the native ChineseNative Chinese begin to resent foreigners and Mongols
Work on the Great Wall stopped No one left to keep out
Ming
Mongols make so many enemies of the native Chinese that the people rebel
Chinese set up their own government called the Ming Dynasty
Rules for 300 years
Reestablish the exam system
Continued in the 17th century
Foreign Contact Under Ming
Believed China to be the oldest, largest, most civilized, and most important country in the world
Other nations should pay tribute because of this
Wanted to find many tributes
Sent explorers to show off China’s power and collect gifts
Many tributariesHad to submit to China
China provided military help and allowed trade with them
Turning Inward
Fighting Mongol invasions
Wanted to protect Chinese from foreign influences
Travel outside China Forbidden
Contact with foreigners had to be approved by the government
Move back toward traditional values
Eventually the government became to stiff to change and fell in 1644 after a rebellion