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Chapter 4:

Chapter 4:. Ancient Chinese Civilization. Geography of China. Enormous land size: Differing geography and c limate West: higher elevations, cooler, less rainfall = shorter growing seasons East (China Proper): milder climate, more rainfall = longer growing seasons. China!. Rivers of China.

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Chapter 4:

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  1. Chapter 4: AncientChinese Civilization

  2. Geographyof China • Enormous land size: Differing geography and climate • West: higher elevations, cooler, less rainfall = shorter growing seasons • East (China Proper): milder climate, more rainfall = longer growing seasons

  3. China!

  4. Rivers of China • Three major rivers: • Huang (Yellow): Floods fertile soil (loess) • Chang (Yangtze): 3rd largest river in the world • Xi (Pearl): Important southern commercial waterway

  5. Geographical Boundaries of China • Himalayan Mountains/Plateaus: West, Northwest and Southwest • Gobi Desert: North • Yellow Sea, East China Sea and South China Sea: East • EXTREMELY ISOLATED! • Unique culture and language • Strong sense of identity and superiority

  6. Shang Dynasty • 1750-1500 BC: The Shang invaded the Huang River Valley. • Introduced simple irrigation and flood control systems. • Created China’s first dynasty • Used a complex government called a bureaucracy • Organized government with different levels and tasks.

  7. Land under Shang Rule

  8. China under the Shang • Economy: mainly based on agriculture • Began to raise silkworms to make silk • Several religions practiced: • Combined animism (belief that spirits inhabit everything) with ancestor worship • Worshiped the gods of wind, sun, clouds and moon • Priests would read oracle bones

  9. Fall of the Shang Dynasty • 1100’s BC: Shang continuously battled warlike neighboring states. • Weakened the Shang • The Zhou people overthrew the Shang in 1050 BC. • Claimed the Shang were corrupt and unfit to rule.

  10. Zhou Dynasty • Ruled China from 1050-250s BC • Decentralized government • Pledged loyalty to Zhou Rulers • “Mandate of Heaven”: God of Heaven chose rulers. • In-fighting begins among local leaders (700s BC) • Warring states vying for power • Qin were victorious

  11. Land gained under the Zhou

  12. Qin Dynasty • Ruled from 221-206 BC • Name China is derived from the Qin • Founded by Cheng: “First Emperor” • Established in autocracy: held total power • Great Wall of China built • 1,500 miles long • Block invaders from the North • Used forced labor

  13. GreatWall of China

  14. GreatWall of China

  15. Legalism • Chinese political philosophy • Cheng followed these beliefs • By nature, people are selfish and untrustworthy • Believed that harsh laws and severe punishments • Only way to achieve peace • Cheng executed scholars who disagreed with the government • Discontent spread

  16. Execution of Scholars

  17. Han Dynasty • Overthrew the Qin in 206 BC • Liu Bang: Founder, King of Han • The Han ruled for over 400 years (until 220 AD) • More moderate rulers • Expanded territory • Centralized government • Liu Ch’e: longest ruling emperor • Brought peace and prosperity to the empire

  18. Land gained under the Han

  19. Han Dynasty • Developed the civil service system: • Series of tests to pick the most qualified candidate to work for the government • Trade prospered along the Silk Road • Trade route that stretched to Mediterranean • Carried luxury goods

  20. Goods Traded Along the Silk Road

  21. Confucianism • Most important Chinese philosophy • Founded by Confucius (551-479 BC) • Teachings can be found in the Analects • Taught of the importance of • Family • Respect for elders • Reverence for the past and ancestors • Was not a religious prophet, little with religious ideas

  22. Confucianism • Encouraged positive behavior from China’s leaders • All people should accept their role in society • All government leaders should be virtuous • Interest should be the welfare of the people, NOT wealth and power • Only educated and moral people should rule • Set good examples • People would be willing to follow

  23. Daoism • Second most important Chinese Philosophy • Founded by Laozi • Central idea is the Dao or “The Way” • Force that governed the universe • Find balance and harmony in life, live in peace

  24. Daoism • Yin and Yang • Shows balance in nature between two forces • Yin: female, dark and passive • Yang: male, bright and active • Must have both to maintain order

  25. Daoism • Laozi taught that people: • Should not strive for material wealth • Should not get involved in politics • Should work towards harmony with the Dao through being humble, quiet and thoughtful • Appealed to peasants, artists and poets. • Valued nature, spontaneity and expression

  26. Buddhism in China • Brought by Missionaries from India • Coincided with Chinese thought/religious beliefs • Appealed to Peasants: offered stability after collapse of the Han Dynasty • Mahayana Buddhism most popular

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