Ancient China

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Ancient China

• Chapter 6
• Pages 156-195

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Video Clips
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Section 1 Geography and Early China

• The Big Idea
• Chinese civilization began with the Shang dynasty
  along the Huang He.
• Main Ideas
• Chinas physical geography made farming possible
  but travel and communication difficult.
• Civilization began in China along the Huang He
  and Chang Jiang rivers.
• Chinas first dynasties helped Chinese society
  develop and made many other achievements.

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Section 1 Key Terms and People

• Jade a hard gemstone
• Oracle a prediction

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Geography Earliest Civilization Xia Dynasty Shang Dynasty
Travel and communication was limited due to the Gobi Desert to the north, Pacific Ocean to the east, and the Himalaya Mountains to the southwest The river valleys were ideal for farming because the floods of the Huang He River and Chang Jiang River left silt to fertilize the soil Chinese Civilization began along the Huang He River also known as the Yellow River According to ancient stories Yu the Great was the founder of the Xia Dynasty First dynasty to have been proven by evidence
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Geography Society/Wars/Communication Trade/The Silk Road Achievemennts
The Gobi Desert The Himalaya Mountains Confucian system the upper class was made up of an emperor, his court, and scholars who held government positions. The second class was peasants. Next were artisans, merchants were the lowest class. The Silk Road was a 4000 mile long network of routes stretched westward from China across Asias deserts and mountain ranges, through the middle East, until ti reached the Mediterranean Sea. The Great Wall of China Silk
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Climate

• Northeast is cold and dry
• Eastern plains has heavy rains, monsoons

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Geographical Features

• Qinling Mountains run from the east to the west

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Physical Geography

• Varied Landscape
• China covers an area of almost 4 million square
  miles.
• The Gobi desert lies in the north.
• Low-lying plains in the east make up one of the
  worlds largest farming areas.
• Mountain ranges lie in the west, including the
  Plateau of Tibet and the Qinling Shandi
  Mountains. There was limited contact between
  people in the east and west.
• The weather and temperature vary from cold and
  dry to wet and humid, and monsoons can bring up
  to 250 inches of rain each year.

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Two Rivers of China

• Huang He
• Also called the Yellow River
• Nearly 3,000 miles long across northern China
• Often floods, and has been referred to as
  Chinas sorrow because of the destruction

• Chang Jiang
• The longest river in Asia also called the Yangzi
  River
• Flows across central China from Tibet to the
  Pacific Ocean

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Civilization Begins
Farming

• Frequent flooding made the land fertile around
  the Chang Jiang and Huang He rivers.
• Along with farming, the Chinese people hunted,
  fished, and domesticated animals.

Early Settlements

• Some small villages along the rivers grew into
  larger cities.
• Separate cultures developed in the north and the
  south. Over time people learned to dig wells and
  use potters wheels.
• Findings at burial sites suggest that the ancient
  Chinese believed in an afterlife and had a
  complex social order.

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Xia dynasty

• The Xia dynasty might have been founded around
  2200 BC, by Yu the Great.
• Tales say that Yu dug channels to drain
  floodwaters and created the major waterways of
  North China.
• Archaeologists have no firm evidence that tales
  about the Xia dynasty are true.

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Shang dynasty

• Established by 1500 BC, the Shang was the first
  dynasty that there is clear evidence to support.
• The Shang reorganized the social order in China
  the top ranking was the royals, then nobles,
  warriors, artisans, farmers, and slaves.
• Most citizens lived within the city walls.
• Many cultural advances were made, including
  Chinas first writing system, complex tools,
  metal pots, and ornaments.

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Shang Social Order

• Nobles
• Artisans or craftsmen
• Farmers
• Slaves

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Geography

• Travel and communication was limited due to the
  Gobi Desert to the north, Pacific Ocean to the
  east, and the Himalaya Mountains to the southwest
• The river valleys were ideal for farming because
  the floods of the Huang He River (Yellow) and
  Chang Jiang River (Yangzi) left silt to fertilize
  the soil
• Harsh Takimakan and Gobi Deserts to the northwest
• Low lying North China Plains to the east
• Plateau of Tibet to the southwest with peaks that
  reach 26,000 feet
• The Qinling Shandi Mountain Range that separates
  northern and southern China

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Civilization Begins

• Chinese Civilization began as early as 7000 BC
  along the Huang He River also known as the Yellow
  River which is 3000 miles long, it is also called
  Chinas Sorrow because of frequent floods killing
  people and destroying lands
• Early Chinese farmed, fished hunted with bows and
  arrows, domesticated sheep and pigs
• Features of early China settlements are homes in
  villages buried partly underground, straw covered
  roofs, animal pens, storages pits, cemeteries,
  walls to protect settlements from flooding and
  hostile neighbors, water wells
• After 3000 BC people used potters wheels , and
  dug wells

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Xia Dynasty

• 2200 BC
• According to ancient stories Yu the Great was the
  founder of the Xia Dynasty
• Ancient stories about Xia were important because
  they explained geography that influenced lives
  and told of kings who helped people solve
  problems by working together

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Shang Dynasty

• 1500 BC
• First dynasty to have been proven by evidence
• Strongest dynasty in the Huang He valley
• Shang rulers moved their capital many times,
  probably due to flooding and attacks
• The King was the center of Shang political and
  religious life, priest used oracle bones to make
  predictions
• Society royal family, nobles at highest level,
  artisans at middle level, farmers and slaves at
  lower level
• Achievements writing system, use of bronze,
  calendar, war chariots, and bows

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Chapter 6 Section 1 Geography and Early China
pages 160-165
Geography Civilization Begins Xia Dynasty Shang Dynasty
Travel and communication was limited due to the Gobi Desert to the north, Pacific Ocean to the east, and the Himalaya Mountains to the southwest The river valleys were ideal for farming because the floods of the Huang He River (Yellow) and Chang Jiang River (Yangzi) left silt to fertilize the soil Harsh Takimakan and Gobi Deserts to the northwest Low lying North China Plains to the east Plateau of Tibet to the southwest with peaks that reach 26,000 feet The Qinling Shandi Mountain Range that separates northern and southern China Chinese Civilization began as early as 7000 BC along the Huang He River also known as the Yellow River which is 3000 miles long, it is also called Chinas Sorrow because of frequent floods killing people and destroying lands Early Chinese farmed, fished hunted with bows and arrows, domesticated sheep and pigs Features of early China settlements are homes in villages buried partly underground, straw covered roofs, animal pens, storages pits, cemeteries, walls to protect settlements from flooding and hostile neighbors, water wells After 3000 BC people used potters wheels , and dug wells 2200 BC According to ancient stories Yu the Great was the founder of the Xia Dynasty Ancient stories about Xia were important because they explained geography that influenced lives and told of kings who helped people solve problems by working together 1500 BC First dynasty to have been proven by evidence Strongest dynasty in the Huang He valley Shang rulers moved their capital many times, probably due to flooding and attacks The King was the center of Shang political and religious life, priest used oracle bones to make predictions Society royal family, nobles at highest level, artisans at middle level, farmers and slaves at lower level Achievements writing system, use of bronze, calendar, war chariots, and bows
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Section 2 The Zhou Dynasty and New Ideas

• The Big Idea
• Confucius and other philosophers taught ways to
  deal with social and political problems in
  ancient China.
• Main Ideas
• The Zhou dynasty expanded China but then
  declined.
• Confucius offered ideas to bring order to Chinese
  society.
• Daoism and Legalism also gained followers.

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Politics Society Religion and Philosophy
Zhou kings claimed to receive their authority to rule form the Mandate from Heaven which stated heaven gave the power to the kings or leader and no one ruled without heavens permission. If the king was bad heaven would support another leader.
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Section Key 2 Terms and People

• Lords people of high rank
• Peasants farmers, people at the bottom of the
  social order
• Confucius influential teacher, philosopher, who
  believed people were basically good and with
  practice could become perfect

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Section Key 2 Terms and People

• Ethics moral values
• Confucianism the ideas of Confucius
• Daoism stressed living in harmony with the Dao,
  the guiding force of all reality

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Section Key 2 Terms and People

• Laozi was the most famous of Daoist teachers.
  He taught that people should not try to gain
  wealth, nor should they seek power.
• Legalism the belief that people were bad by
  nature and needed to be controlled

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The Zhou Political System

• The Zhou people worked with other tribes to
  overthrow the Shang dynasty in the 1100s BC.
• Zhou leaders (Kings) believed that their rulers
  were mandated by heaven, and that heaven would
  find another leader when necessary.
• A new political order was established the king
  granted plots of land to lords, who in turn
  provided soldiers and paid taxes to the king.
  Poor farmers were granted land as well, and
  remained under the rule of the lords.
• The lords helped Zhou rulers keep control of the
  dynasty.

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Decline of the Zhou Dynasty

• As the lords power grew, they became
  uninterested in serving Zhou rulers. Many refused
  to fight against Zhou enemies.
• In 771 BC, the Zhou suffered a loss to invaders.
  The dynasty survived, but morale weakened, and
  the Zhou began to fight among themselves.
• The Warring States Period marked power struggles
  between the ruling-class families.
• Problems within the government paralleled
  problems within large family systems, which were
  breaking down. Bonds of loyalty weakened within
  even small families, and disorder fell upon China.

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Confucianism
Disgusted with the rude and insensitive nature of
the people around him, Confucius pushed for a
return to ethics, or moral values.
Moral Values
This code of ethics was passed down and written
in a book called Analects. These stories focused
on morality, family, society, and government.
The Analects
One of the major ideas Confucius put forth for
the success of both family and government was
leading by example. Confucius believed that when
people behaved well and acted morally, they were
carrying out what heaven expected of them.
Leading by Example
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Main Ideas of Confucianism

• People should be respectful and loyal to their
  family members
• Leaders should be kind and lead by example
• Learning is a process that never ends
• Heaven expects people to behave well and act
  morally

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Two Schools of Thought

• Daoism
• Daoism comes from Dao, meaning the way.
• Daoists believed that people should avoid
  interfering with nature or each other.
• Laozi wrote The Way and Its Power, a book
  teaching that power and wealth are unnecessary.

• Legalism
• Legalism is the political philosophy that people
  need to be controlled.
• It is unconcerned with religion or individual
  thought, and prepared always for war.
• Legalists put their ideas into practice
  throughout China.

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Politics

• 1100 BC The Zhou Dynasty began and lasted longer
  than any other dynasty in Chinese history
• Zhou kings claimed to receive their authority to
  rule form the Mandate from Heaven which stated
  heaven gave the power to the kings or leader and
  no one ruled without heavens permission. If the
  king was bad heaven would support another leader.
• Zhou came from an area to the west of the Shang
  Kingdom.

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Politics

• Zhou new political order granted land to others
  in return for loyalty, military support and other
  services.
• Lords paid taxes and provided soldiers to the
  king
• Peasants, or farmers were at the bottom of the
  social order
• Book of Songs each peasant family received a
  small plot of land and had to farm additional
  land for the noble
• Around 481 BC Chinas lords began to fight each
  other, this was called the Warring States Period

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Society

• When the Zhou dynasty crumbled, political and
  social chaos erupted and the new teachings of
  Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism emerged
• Chinese family structure large families of
  several generations formed powerful groups. When
  families broke apart they lost their power. Close
  relatives became rivals.

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Society

• Confucius felt that China should needed to return
  to ethics or moral values
• Confucianism focuses on morality, family,
  society, and government

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Religion and Philosophy

• Main Ideas of Confucianism Page 170
• People should be respectful and loyal to their
  families
• Leaders should be kind and lead by example
• Learning is a process that never ends
• Heaven expects people to behave well and act
  morally

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Religion and Philosophy

• Daoism - stressed living in harmony with the Dao,
  the guiding force of all reality
• Dao gave birth to the universe and all things in
  it
• Government should stay out of peoples lives
• The universe is a balance of opposites

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Religion and Philosophy

• Laozi was most famous Daoist teacher, wrote The
  Way and its Power
• Legalism the belief that people were bad by
  nature and needed to be controlled
• Han Fei Zi felt that society needed strict laws
  to keep people in line and punishments should fit
  the crimes
• Unity and efficiency were also important to
  Legalism
• Legalist were the first to put their ideas into
  practice throughout China

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Politics Society Religion and Philosophy
1100 BC The Zhou Dynasty began and lasted longer than any other dynasty in Chinese history Zhou kings claimed to receive their authority to rule form the Mandate from Heaven which stated heaven gave the power to the kings or leader and no one ruled without heavens permission. If the king was bad heaven would support another leader. Zhou came from an area to the west of the Shang Kingdom. Zhou new political order granted land to others in return for loyalty, military support and other services. Lords paid taxes and provided soldiers to the king Peasants, or farmers were at the bottom of the social order Book of Songs each peasant family received a small plot of land and had to farm additional land for the noble Around 481 BC Chinas lords began to fight each other, this was called the Warring States Period When the Zhou dynasty crumbled, political and social chaos erupted and the new teachings of Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism emerged Chinese family structure large families of several generations formed powerful groups. When families broke apart they lost their power. Close relatives became rivals. Confucius felt that China should needed to return to ethics or moral values Confucianism focuses on morality, family, society, and government Main Ideas of Confucianism Page 170 People should be respectful and loyal to their families Leaders should be kind and lead by example Learning is a process that never ends Heaven expects people to behave well and act morally Daoism - stressed living in harmony with the Dao, the guiding force of all reality Dao gave birth to the universe and all things in it Government should stay out of peoples lives The universe is a balance of opposites Laozi was most famous Daoist teacher, wrote The Way and its Power Legalism the belief that people were bad by nature and needed to be controlled Han Fei Zi felt that society needed strict laws to keep people in line and punishments should fit the crimes Unity and efficiency were also important to Legalism Legalist were the first to put their ideas into practice throughout China
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Section 3 The Qin Dynasty

• The Big Idea
• The Qin dynasty unified China with a strong
  government and a system of standardization.
• Main Ideas
• The first Qin emperor created a strong but strict
  government.
• A unified China was created through Qin policies
  and achievements.

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Achievement or Policy Effect





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Section 3 Key Terms and People

• Shi Huangdi 221 BC, the Qin king Ying Zheng
  succeeded in unifying China Shi Huangdi or first
  emperor, followed Legalist political beliefs
• Great Wall a barrier that linked earlier walls
  across Chinas northern frontier

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Shi Huangdi

• The Legalist Qin king Yin Zheng took the throne
  in 221 BC and gave himself the title Shi Huangdi,
  which means first emperor.
• He burned all books and writings that dealt with
  any practice other than Legalism.
• He created a strict government with harsh
  punishments.
• He used his armies to expand the empire and
  ensured that there would be no more revolts in
  the new territory.
• He claimed all power and took land away from the
  lords. Commoners were forced to work on
  government building projects.
• China was divided into districts with their own
  governors.

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Unified China

• Politics
• Shi Huangdi took complete control of the land and
  the people.
• There was a strict chain of command.
• Taxes and building projects were introduced.

• Culture
• Shi Huangdi set up a uniform system of law.
• Rules and punishment, writing styles, and money
  were consistent across China.

• Finance
• Gold and copper coins were standardized.
• Uniform weights and measures help standardize
  trade and other legal issues.

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Unified Chinas Policies A Uniform System of
LawA citizen had to

• Standardized gold and copper coins became the
  currency
• Weights and measures were also standardized
• Make the axle of width of carts the same length

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Qin Achievements
Building Projects

• Massive government building projects gave jobs to
  many poor workers.
• New roads were built and maintained to provide
  easy access to and from these buildings.

Water Systems

• Canals were built to connect rivers and keep
  trade fast and efficient.
• Irrigation systems that are still in use today
  watered the fields and made more land good for
  farming.

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The Great Wall Of China

• The Great Wall was built to protect the country
  from invasion
• The Great Wall linked previously built walls
  across Chinas northern frontier.
• The building of the wall required years of labor
  from hundreds of thousands of laborers.

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The Fall of the Qin The Oppressed Rise Up

• Many scholars, peasants, and nobles grew
  resentful of Shi Huangdis harsh policies and
  complete control.
• Upon the death of Shi Huangdi, the country began
  to unravel.
• Rebel groups fought among themselves, and
  eventually the Qin capital was burned to the
  ground.
• With no authority present, the country fell into
  civil war.

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Achievement or Policy

1. Standardized the written language
2. Set up uniform system of law
3. Set up a new money system
4. Set up weights and measure system
5. Set up a network of roads
6. Improved Chinas water and irrigation system
7. Built the Great Wall of China

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Effect

1. People everywhere were required to write using
   the same symbols and people in different regions
   could communicate
2. All citizens had the same punishments
3. People could sell goods easier
4. People could use the same measuring system
5. Improved transportation
6. Expanded farmland
7. Protected the people from invasions

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Achievement or Policy Effect
Standardized the written language People everywhere were required to write using the same symbols People in different regions could communicate
Set up uniform system of law All citizens had the same punishments
Set up a new money system People could sell goods easier
Set up a weights and measure system People could use the same measuring system
Set up a network of roads and canals Improved transportation
Improved Chinas water and irrigation system Expanded farmland
Built the Great Wall of China Protected the people from invasions
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Section 4 The Han Dynasty

• The Big Idea
• The Han dynasty created a new form of government
  that valued family, art, and learning.
• Main Ideas
• Han dynasty government was based on the ideas of
  Confucius.
• Family life was supported and strengthened in Han
  China.
• The Han made many achievements in art,
  literature, and learning.

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Government Family Life Achievements

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Section 4 Key Terms and People

• Sundial uses positions of the shadows cast by
  the sun to tell the time of day
• Seismograph a device that measures the
  strength of an earthquake
• Acupuncture the practice of inserting fine
  needles through the skin at specific points to
  cure disease or relieve pain

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The Rise of a New Dynasty

• Liu Bang, a peasant fighting in a rebel army,
  became emperor due to the Chinese belief in the
  mandate of heaven.
• He was the first emperor of the Han dynasty.
• Well liked by both warriors and peasants, Liu
  Bang released the country from strict Legalistic
  practices and focused on peoples immediate
  needs.
• Liu Bang lowered taxes, gave large plots of land
  to supporters, and set up a government that
  expanded on the ideas of the Qin.

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Wudis New Government

• In 140 BC, Emperor Wudi took the throne and
  shifted the countrys focus back to a strong
  central government.
• Confucianism became the official government
  philosophy.
• Wudi built a university that taught Confucian
  ideals, and awarded his officials with higher
  rank if they were familiar with Confucian
  principles.

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Wudis New Government

• Wudi wanted a strong central government with a
  policy of Confucianism where people got jobs
  based on ability.

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Wudis New Government

• To create a strong central government, Wudi took
  lands from the lords and raised taxes. The lords
  were likely angry, because their land was taken
  away.

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Four Social Classes under the Confucian System

• Upper Class The Emperor, his court, and his
  scholars
• Second Class The peasants, who made life work on
  a daily basis
• Third Class The artisans, who produced items for
  daily life and some luxury goods
• Fourth Class The merchants, who bought and sold
  what others made

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Family Life

• Social Classes and Wealth
• Social rank did not reflect prosperity.
• Hard work and heavy labor did not reflect
  prosperity.
• A strong family was stressed so that people would
  obey the emperor.

• Men
• Men were the head of the household.
• Rulers had to obey their elders too it was a
  crime to disobey.
• Some men gained jobs based on the respect they
  showed to elders.

• Women
• Women were taught to obey their husbands.
• Girls were not valued as highly as boys.
• Women could influence their sons families.

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Han Achievements
The Han created realistic scenes from everyday
life, advanced figure painting, and depictions of
religious figures and Confucian scholars.
Art
Fu style combination of prose and poetry Shi
style short lines of verse that could be sung
Literature
The Han Chinese made paper by grinding plant
fibers into a paste and then setting the paste
out to dry in sheets. Later they rolled the dried
pulp into scrolls.
Invention of Paper
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Han Achievements
A device for telling time, the sundial uses the
position of the shadows cast by the sun to tell
the time of day.
Sundial
This device measures the strength of an
earthquake. Chinese scientists believed that the
movement of the earth was a sign of evil times.
Seismograph
Acupuncture is the practice of inserting needles
into the skin to cure disease or relieve pain.
This practice is still widely used today.
Acupuncture
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Government

• In 207 BC, the Qin dynasty collapsed and Liu
  Bang, a peasant, became the first emperor of the
  Han dynasty
• The Han Dynasty lasted for 400 years
• The Han Dynasty was based on ideas of Confucius
• Liu Bang freed people from harsh government
  policies, lowered taxes, make punishments less
  severe, gave blocks of land to his supporters,
  and used educated officials to help him rule
• In 140 BC, emperor Wudi took the thrown. He took
  lands from lords, raised taxes, placed supply of
  grain under government control. Made people take
  exams and get recommendations for government
  service

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Family Life

• Social classes were based on the Confucian system
  where people were divided into four classes
  (Wealth and Power)
• Upper Class Emperor, his court, scholars who
  held government positions
• Second Class peasants
• Third Class artisans who produced items for
  daily life
• Lower Class merchants who bought and sold goods
• The military was not a class but considered part
  of the government

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Family Life

• 90 of the people were peasants who lived in the
  countryside
• Children were taught from birth to respect their
  elders
• Disobeying parents was a crime
• The father was the head of the family and had
  absolute power
• Wives and children had to obey their fathers and
  husbands
• Sons were thought highly of because they carried
  on the family line and took care of parents as
  they got older
• Daughters went to live with their husbands
  families

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Achievements

• Art
• Figure painting style of painting that includes
  portraits of people
• Realistic Scenes
• Bronze statues

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Achievements

• Poetry
• Fu style combined poetry and prose
• Shi style featured short lines of verse and
  song
• Sima Qian wrote a complete history of all the
  dynasties

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Inventions/Innovations/Advances

1. Sundial uses the position of shadows cast by
   the sun to tell the time of day
2. Seismograph a device that measures the strength
   of an earth quake
3. Paper made from mulberry bark and hemp
4. Acupuncture the practice of inserting fine
   needles through the skin at specific points to
   cure disease or relieve pain

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Government Family Life Achievements
In 207 BC, the Qin dynasty collapsed and Liu Bang, a peasant, became the first emperor of the Han dynasty The Han Dynasty lasted for 400 years The Han Dynasty was based on ideas of Confucius Liu Bang freed people from harsh government policies, lowered taxes, make punishments less severe, gave blocks of land to his supporters, and used educated officials to help him rule In 140 BC, emperor Wudi took the thrown. He took lands from lords, raised taxes, placed supply of grain under government control. Made people take exams and get recommendations for government service Social classes were based on the Confucian system where people were divided into four classes (Wealth and Power) Upper Class Emperor, his court, scholars who held government positions Second Class peasants Third Class artisans who produced items for daily life Lower Class merchants who bought and sold goods The military was not a class but considered part of the government 90 of the people were peasants who lived in the countryside Children were taught from birth to respect their elders Disobeying parents was a crime The father was the head of the family and had absolute power Wives and children had to obey their fathers and husbands Sons were thought highly of because they carried on the family line and took care of parents as they got older Daughters went to live with their husbands families Art Figure painting style of painting that includes portraits of people Realistic Scenes Bronze statues Poetry Fu style combined poetry and prose Shi style featured short lines of verse and song Sima Qian wrote a complete history of all the dynasties Inventions/Innovations/Advances Sundial uses the position of shadows cast by the sun to tell the time of day Seismograph a device that measures the strength of an earth quake Paper made from mulberry bark and hemp Acupuncture the practice of inserting fine needles through the skin at specific points to cure disease or relieve pain
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Section 5 Han Contacts with Other Cultures

• The Big Idea
• Trade routes led to the exchange of new products
  and ideas among China, Rome, and other peoples.
• Main Ideas
• Farming and manufacturing grew during the Han
  dynasty.
• Trade routes linked China with the Middle East
  and Rome.
• Buddhism came to China from India and gained many
  followers.

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Products Trade Routes/Silk Road Buddhism
Silk jade The Silk Road began and ended in the Han Dynasty and the Roman Empire Buddhism introduction to China is an example of diffusion, the spread of ideas from one culture to another
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Section 5 Key Terms and People

• Silk a soft light highly valued fabric
• Diffusion the spread of ideas from one culture
  to another (cultural diffusion)

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Section 5 Key Terms and People

• Silk Road a 4,000 mile long network of routes
  stretched westward from China across Asias
  deserts and mountain ranges, through the Middle
  East, until it reached the Mediterranean Sea.

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Technological Advances during the Han Dynasty

• Farming
• Iron plow could till more land and raise more
  food
• Wheelbarrow able to haul more products

• Manufacturing
• Iron swords
• Iron armor
• Silk a soft, light, highly valued fabric

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Trade Routes

• Chinese goods became highly valued in other
  lands, so trade routes began opening up.
• Trading Chinese silk for strong Central Asian
  horses became a primary goal under the rule of
  Emperor Wudi.
• Central Asians could then take the silk and trade
  it for products in other lands.

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The Silk Road
The Silk Road was a network of routes stretching
more than 4,000 miles beginning in China
acrossing Asias deserts and mountain ranges,
through the Middle East and stopping at the
Mediterranean Sea.
Chinese traders only used the road until they
reached Central Asia, and then gave their goods
to local traders.
Travelers banded together for protection along
the many miles of difficult terrain.
China grew rich from trading silk with other
lands.
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Buddhism Comes to China
Contact with New Cultures

• When the Han dynasty began to fail, people looked
  to old religions to find answers, but were
  disappointed.
• After coming into contact with Indian Buddhists
  on trade routes, many Chinese brought the
  teachings home to China.

Impacts on China

• In hopes of relieving the suffering of human
  life, both rich and poor people began to embrace
  the teachings of the Buddha.
• The popularity of Buddhism in China is an example
  of diffusion the spread of ideas from one
  culture to another.

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Buddha

• Siddhartha Gautama was about 35 years old when he
  found enlightenment under a tree. Buddha means
  Enlightened One.

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Products Trade Routes/Silk Road Buddhism
Silk - Chinese kept the secrete for making silk a secret for over 300 years Iron plow could till more land and grow more crops Wheelbarrow allowed people to carry as much as 300 lbs at a time Looms enabled people to make silk clothes Gunpowder Orange trees Iron Bronze Ceramics Jade The Silk Road began and ended in the Han Dynasty and the Roman Empire The Silk Road was a 4000 mile long network of routes stretched westward from China across Asias deserts and mountain ranges through the Middle East, until it reached the Mediterranean Sea Trade routes exchanged silk, gold, horses, livestock, jade, wool, spices, amber and religious beliefs Weather dangers were sandstorms, blizzards, and desert heat Other dangers were bandits Spices from China ginger, nutmeg cinnamon Rome Empire sent wool, amber, gold Buddhism introduction to China is an example of diffusion, the spread of ideas from one culture to another The first century AD Buddhism came from India to China By AD 200, Buddhist alters stood in the Emperors Palace Buddhism seemed to provide more hope than traditional Chinese beliefs As the Chinese government became less stable hunger and violence became widespread, the Chinese embraced Buddhism because it offered a relief from suffering Buddhism offered rebirth and the relief of suffering Buddhism spread to China along the Silk Road and other trade routes
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