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Chapter 4

Chapter 4. Civilizations of China. China. Began in Huang He (Yellow) river valley Most isolated of the 4 civilization regions Geographic barriers. “River of Sorrows”. The Huang He (Yellow River) got its name from the loess, fine windblown soil that was carried along by the river.

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Chapter 4

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  1. Chapter 4 Civilizations of China

  2. China • Began in Huang He (Yellow) river valley • Most isolated of the 4 civilization regions • Geographic barriers

  3. “River of Sorrows” • The Huang He (Yellow River) got its name from the loess, fine windblown soil that was carried along by the river. • The Chinese tried to keep the flooding down by building and repairing dykes • If and when the dykes broke, floods burst over the land destroying crops and bringing mass starvation http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/geography/huangheriver.htm

  4. Records indicate that, from 602 BC to present, the river’s course made at least 5 major large-scale changes in direction and its levees were breached more than 1,500 times. Large-scale floods induced by levee breaks in the Yellow River were also translated into enormous human costs during the past. For example, the flood in 1642 alone killed three hundred thousand people. In 1938, the levees were intentionally broken in an attempt to stop Japanese invaders – the river at that time flooded a huge area and the floodwaters took some 900,000 lives.

  5. Chang and Xi Rivers • Used for transportation • Important to the economy of China

  6. Shang Dynasty • Under this period, Chinese civilization took shape • City-states • Social classes mirrored other civilizations • Most people were peasants who worked on their farms and on flood control • Complex religious beliefs

  7. Writing • Oldest writing on oracle bones • Evolved into calligraphy, which had thousands of characters

  8. Oracle bone from the Shang period

  9. Silk

  10. Silk weaving loom

  11. Pottery

  12. Bronze

  13. Zhou Dynasty • Warriors who took over the Shang in 1027 B.C. • Believed in the Mandate of Heaven, or divine right to rule • Developed the feudal state • Experienced economic growth with the knowledge of iron working

  14. Dynastic Cycle

  15. The first books • The pages were made of thin strips of wood or bamboo

  16. Gunpowder • First used around 1000 BC

  17. Underground Army of the First EmperorExcavated near the Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huangdi, Lintong county, Shaanxi Province, in 1976Qin dynasty, 221 – 206 BCE

  18. Philosophies of Ancient China • Confucianism • Importance of family • Reverence for the past • Respect for one’s ancestors • Morality, honor, virtue “Before you embark on your journey of revenge, dig two graves.”

  19. “Everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it.” “It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop.” “To see what is right and not do it is want of courage.”

  20. Daoism • Founded by Laozi • Dao (the Way) is an indescribable force that governs the universe • Withdraw from the world and contemplate nature • Don’t seek power but seek to be humble, quiet, thoughtful

  21. Yin and Yang • The universe reflects a delicate balance between these two opposing forces

  22. Legalism & Buddhism • Legalism • Power, not virtue • Harsh laws, severe punishment • Qin emperor, strong but didn’t last • Buddhism • Introduced during the Han dynasty • Provided a sense of comfort to peasants during turbulent times

  23. Scenario A weak, inefficient, and corrupt ruler is governing your country. Crime and disorder are rampant and a revolt is likely. What solution would you offer? Confucian Daoist Legalist Buddhist

  24. Chinese Life and Culture • The family, not the individual, was the most important • Each upper class family kept a careful genealogy, or record of the family tree • The father ruled the family • The mother had little/no power but lots of respect

  25. Science and Technology • Early astronomers discovered the year was slightly longer than 365 days. • 28 BC, first observed sunspots • Tracked movement of planets • Invented paper • Sundial, waterclock, printing process • acupuncture

  26. Unearthed in Hangjin Banner of Yikezhao League in Inner Mongolia, the bronze water clock is the most intact water clock with a date mark found so far. (Han Dynasty)

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