1. Ancient Civilizations 6 2010-2011
Ancient China
Ancient Civilizations 6

2. Warm-Up (2 March 2011)
Why do you think the Chinese continued to live along the Huang River, despite its dangers?
What did the Chinese do to control flooding?
What were the first known events leading up to and including China’s first civilization?

3. China River Valley Geography varied depending on the region
North China Plain (east Asia)
Mostly very dry
Brief, intense summer rainy season due to monsoons
Southern China
Warm and rainy
Mountains and water=barriers
Chinese had little or no knowledge of other civilizations
Middle Kingdom
Rivers: Huang and Chang

4. Physical Map of China

5. Important Rivers Huang “yellow river” Second longest river in China
Muddiest river in the world
Loess
Located in the North China Plain
Also called China’s sorrow
Caused massive flooding

6. Early Civilizations The Shang Dynasty
First known civilization (1760 BC)
Main accomplishment=bronze work and system of writing
Lasted about 600 years then the Zhou people emerged west

7. Early Civilizations The Zhou Dynasty Partly bordered Shang territory
Both peaceful and turbulent at times
1122 BC, conquered the Shang
Ruled for about 1,000 years
Western Zhou dynasty
Eastern Zhou dynasty
Warring States: kingdoms fighting for control=Qin

8. Warm-Up (3 March 2011) What was the Mandate of Heaven?
Compare and contrast the living arrangements of rich and poor extended families in China.
What factors determined a person’s status within early Chinese families?

9. Mandate of Heaven mandate: a law or order
Chinese belief that rulers came to power because it was their destiny, fate
also gave a father a right to rule over his family

10. Chinese families Family more important than individual or nation
First responsibility was to the family
Traditional families
Many generations living together
Rich v poor
Status depended on age and sex
Oldest male=most privileges and most power

11. Role of Women Considered to be of lower status than men
Bound by three obediences:
1. obey their fathers in youth
2. obey their husbands
3. obey their sons when widowed
Women responsible for following the four virtues: morality, modesty, proper speech, domestic skills

12. Family names 300s BC- Chinese established inherited family names
Passed from father to child (similar to our last names)
Written with family name first
Example: Lewis Ray

13. Warm-Up (7 March 2011) Who is Confucius?
Why do you think that Confucius thought that his life was a failure? Do you agree? Explain.
According to Confucius, how does a fair and just ruler benefit society?

14. Confucius A Chinese teacher and philosopher
He lived from 551 BC-479 BC
Mostly self taught
Became a dedicated teacher “China’s first professional teacher”
Spent time searching for a ruler that would follow his teachings
By the time of his death, no ruler had been found

15. Warm-Up (8 March 2011)
Who did Confucius believe was responsible for setting a good example?
What was the result from their good example?
Do you agree with the idea of reward based on merit? Why or why not?

16. Confucianism Confucius Confucianism:
Believed his role was to pass along forgotten teachings of wise people
Hope=bring peace, stability and prosperity
Confucianism:
A philosophy made up of sayings of Confucius as recorded by his students.
It has become a religion for some people

17. Confucius’ Beliefs Goal: bring order to society Respecting others
Believed that if people could be taught to behave properly, order and peace would result
Society would prosper
Respecting others
Know place in family and society
People in authority must set good examples
“Golden rule”

18. Religion in China Confucianism: Taoism
people part of a moral community
Uses the teachings of Confucius for guidance for behavior= way of life
Possible to practice in conjunction with other religions
Taoism
Life lived in harmony with nature
Happiness=living a balanced, simple life

19. Effects of Confucius Major effect on Chinese government Merit system
Basic part of civil service
Merit system
Practice of earning a position or job based on qualification or experience
Prior to Confucius=given to sons of powerful people; after= any man could hold a government post based on merit

20. Worksheet
Worksheet (with answers) from Chapter 5, section 3

21. End of the Qin Dynasty 210 BC- Shi Huangdi dies
4 years of chaos and civil war followed
Power went from Shi Huangdi’s son to grandson, none of which were successful
Qin dynasty lasted only 15 years.

22. Warm-Up (15 March 2011)
1. Who was the first Han dynasty ruler? What was significant about his background?
2. Why do you think the Han dynasty lasted for 400 years?
3. Why were mirrors important in China?

23. Class work 15 March 2011
With a partner, create a time line of Ancient China.
Make sure you use the dates given in your reading.

24. Warm-Up (16 March 2011) 1. Read pages 156-157
Answer the following questions:
Who were the Xiongnu?
What happened to Zhang and his men during their first expedition?
What was the ultimate outcome of the expeditions?

25. Han Dynasty
202 BC Liu Bang defeated the Qin and became emperor of China
Created a stable government that was less harsh than Huangdi
Set up civil service system (based on Confucianism) to provide educated people to work in the government

26. Han Dynasty 140 BC Wudi (great grandson of Bang) comes to power
Ruled for 50 years
Main interests: war and military
Improved Great Wall
Strengthened army
Expanded China
Died in 87 BC

27. End of Han Dynasty Over time, empire weakens
Young rulers=struggle for power with government
No one was “running” the empire
Warlords gained power
220 AD Cao Pei declared end of Han Dynasty
Wei dynasty took over for 50 years (limited parts of China)

28. Worksheet 2
Worksheet (with answers) from Chapter 5 section 4