Ancient China

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Note Taking

• Step One Listen to the teacher for emphases on
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• Step Two Re write your notes adding more detail
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• Step Three Read over your new notes making sure
  they make sense to you.

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China Today
-China is a vast country located on the continent
of Asia. -It is the third largest country in
the world after all of Russia and Canada. -It is
the most populous. -For many years, China's
geography has helped isolate it from the rest of
the world.
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China Today
-China borders the Pacific Ocean on the east.
-Most of China's largest cities are along the
east coast of China, where the land is low and
flat. - Most of China's millions of people live
in the eastern portion of the country
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Map of China
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Geography of Ancient China
Major River Systems Ancient China has two major
river systems Huang He which is also known as
the Yellow River Yangtze which is also known as
the Chang Jiang
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Major Rivers
Yellow River
Yangtze River
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Physical Features influenced Chinas Past
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Topographic Map
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Physical Features

• Most of Chinas history has been impacted by its
  geography. Early settlements evolved around the
  eastern lowlands and river valleys where farming
  took place.
• The Himalayan mountains protected China from
  invasion from the west (India)
• The cold Gobi desert found protected China in the
  north west.

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Several Dynasties Ruled Ancient China

• Chinas first dynasty was the Xia (shah) dynasty
  (2000-1500 BCE) little is known about this
  dynasty except they were overthrown by the Shang
  family of rulers.
• The Shang dynasty is marked by cruel rulers who
  amused themselves with vicious games and torture.
• The Shang rulers were in power for several
  hundred years.

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Shang Territory
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Shang Dynasty

• During this dynasty the arts flourished.
• Beautiful figures, religious objects and weapons
  made from bronze were featured in this period.
• Early Chinese writing was developed during this
  time.
• There were huge differences between the life of a
  noble and those of a peasant.
• The Shang Dynasty was overthrown by the Zhou
  rulers.

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Shang Bronze
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Zhou Dynasty

• This dynasty was centered around western China.
• A famous fighter from this region was Duke Fa, he
  latter took the name Wu Wang. He became the first
  ruler of the Zhou dynasty in 1100 BCE.
• This dynasty lasted longer than any other in
  Ancient Chinese history.
• The dynasty included land from the seacoast to
  the Chang River Valley.

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Wu Wang
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Expansion of Zhou Dynasty
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Zhou Dynasty

• A feudal system emerged under these rulers. The
  ruler would give small kingdoms to trusted
  military leaders in exchange for loyalty. The
  problem with this system was the military leaders
  became more powerful than the rulers.
• War was a big part of this period in Chinas
  history.
• Much of the lives of the nobles of this time
  centered around war war games, weapons, banners
  tournaments practice for war were featured.

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Teachers during Zhou Dynasty

• War did not deter learning during this time. Many
  new ideas were born during this time.
• Three great teachers emerged at this time Laozi,
  Confucius Mencius
• Each had great influence at this time. Each
  outlined a set of rules to create an ideal
  society. The big question How to make people
  happy ?

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Laozi (604-517 BCE) Taoism

• One must live the right way or Tao (Dow)
• To be happy, one must allow themselves to be in
  harmony with the natural world.A serene life was
  ideal.
• Except life as you find it. Do not encourage
  change.

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Confucius 551- 479 BCE

• An advisor to rulers for many years. When not
  working he attempted to answer questions of the
  suffering of Chinese people.
• Set up strict rules of behavior, each person must
  know their place and act according to the
  established rules. ie Ruler subject, teacher
  student, father son, husband wife
• Rulers must set good examples and subjects must
  honour the ruler.
• All people are basically good so an ideal society
  is possible.

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Confucianism

• Do not do unto others what you would not have
  others do unto you
• Honor family ancestors was further emphasized.
• Ideas were written down in the Analects.
• Confucius ideas spread to other countries.

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Mencius 373-288 BCE

• Lived 200 years after Confucius. Asked the
  question What can be done if rulers are not good
  as Confucius expected them to be?
• He said the people could rebel if the ruler was
  not doing a good job.
• Liked having a king or queen but they must be
  effective.
• This idea was very progressive for the time.

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Qin Dynasty

• Over time the military leaders gained so much
  power they were able to overthrow the Zhou kings.
• One of the most powerful kingdoms was the Qin
  (Chin) By 221 BCE the leaders of the Qin kingdom
  took power from the weak Zhou kings.
• The Qin leader who took power from the Zhou was a
  man by the name of Shi Huangdi. He worked very
  hard to unite all regions of China under one
  leader. He eventually became known as Chinas
  First Emperor

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A Strong Emperor United China
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Shi Huangdis Rule

• He wanted change and in order to bring about
  change he had to do away with the philosophy of
  not wanting change found in Confucius teachings.
  He had all Confucius books burned.
• He didnt trust military leaders. He forced all
  leaders to live near him so he could watch them.
  Did away with all smaller kingdoms and created
  districts.
• Needed protection from Chinas enemies. Ordered
  the construction of the Great Wall in the North
  west. (1500 miles long)
• United all of China. Remains united to this day.

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Shi Huangdis Rule

• He became very paranoid of people around him.
  Further with drew from his people
• He feared death. Had a huge moratorium built to
  protect him in the afterlife.
• Clay soldiers were created to protect the him in
  the afterlife.
• Hire alchemist to create a potion to extend his
  life.

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Reaction to Emperors Rule

• People were not happy under his rule. They paid
  heavy taxes (Great Wall)
• Many longed to return to the ways of Confucius.
• Many were happy when he died in 207 BCE his
  strict rule had ended.
• He was buried with 1000s of clay soldiers.

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Great Wall
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Great Wall
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The Great Wall of China
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Terra Cotta Soldiers
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Han Dynasty 202BCE 220 CE

• Revolts broke out across Shi Huangdis Empire
  shortly after his death. Five years late the Han
  Dynasty had established itself as the ruling
  family.
• Liu Bang became the emperor of the Han dynasty.
  They ruled for four hundred years.
• Confucius teachings returned under Han rule.
  Formal traditions and customs were returned.
• The act Kow Tow (a deep bow) started at this
  time.
• Needed educated people to run government offices.

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Han Map
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Han Rule

• People had to write government exams before they
  could get employment. Studying laws of Confucius
  was encouraged. More converted to Confucius than
  ever before, it became the state religion.
• Government structure was well organized and
  efficient.
• Han Code, a system of laws were established.
• Trade in silk and spices between Asia and Europe
  began. The silk road, the worlds first
  intercontinental road was built.
• Forbidden City (palace of the emperor) was built
  during this dynasty.

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Forbidden City
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Han Decline

• Barbarian tribes invaded the borders of China.
  Weak rulers had no luck in driving the tribes
  out.
• High taxes led to unrest within the empire.Gap
  between the rich poor increased.
• Last Han ruler abdicated in 220 CE

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Golden Age of

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Fall of the Han Dynasty (589-616 CE)

• Years of chaos and confusion followed this
  dynasty. Barbarian invasions in the north over
  the Gobi desert led to unrest for many years.
• Around 589 CE the Sui (swee)Dynasty established
  itself as the ruling family. The two rulers were
  harsh however they were successful in reuniting
  China during this time.
• Great Wall was repaired and rebuilt, roads were
  constructed.
• Rule ended with overthrow of Sui by Tang. (618 CE)

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Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE)

• A golden Age began. Ambassadors from far away
  countries visited ie Byzantine, Muslim Lands
  India.
• Trade prospered in silk and porcelain.
• Art was the marvel of Asia and Middle East
• The city of Xian was the center of trade,
  commerce, technology, art, temples, gardens
  politics.
• Ended with a series of rebellions.

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Tang Map
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Song Dynasty (960-1279 CE)

• The Golden Age continued under these rulers.
  Prosperity continued although not as much as
  during the Tang rule.
• Invasions continued in the north by the dreaded
  Mongols around ca. 1200.
• Leader of the feared Mongols was a ruler known as
  Genghis Khan, lord of the World he united the
  Mongols ruled over northern Asia.
• Greatest descendant of Genghis was Kublai Khan

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The Mongols
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Map of the Mongols
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Kublai Khan

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Mongols Rule China

• Khubai Khan The Great Khan defeated the Song
  rulers established his rule from the city of
  Beijing.
• Created the Yuan dynasty 1st dynasty of foreign
  rulers. (1279 1368 CE)
• Marco Polo, a Venetian merchant visited Khan in
  1275, wrote book of his travels the great
  civilization that Khan had created.

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Marco Polos Travels
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Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 CE)

• In Chinese Ming means glorious.
• A Buddhist monk named Hong Wu led an army that
  drove the Mongols from China
• Mings restored Chinas pride after being ruled
  by outsiders.
• Mings emphasized isolation from outside world.

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Gifts of Ancient China
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