1. The Anicent Chinese and Mongolian Empires 2000BC to 1350AD
CHAPTER 2, SECTION 4
River Dynasties in China
CHAPTER 4, SECTION 2
The Unification of China
CHAPTER 7, SECTION 3
Han Empire Restores China
Tang and Song China
CHAPTER 12, SECTION 1
These are my notes for slide 2
CHAPTER 12, SECTION 2
The Mongol Conquests
CHAPTER 12, SECTION 3
The Mongol Empire
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2. River Dynasties in China
Chapter 2, Section 4
River Dynasties in China
Early rulers introduce ideas about government and society that shape Chinese civilization.
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3. River Dynasties in China
SECTION 4
River Dynasties in China
The Geography of China
Barriers Isolate China
• Ocean, mountains, deserts isolate China from other
areas
River Systems
• Huang He (“Yellow River”) in north, Yangtze in south
• Huang He leaves loess—fertile silt—when it floods
Environmental Challenges
• Huang He floods can devour whole villages
• Geographic isolation means lack of trade; must be
self-sufficient
China’s Heartland
• North China Plain, area between two rivers, center
of civilization
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4. Civilization Emerges in Shang Times
SECTION 4
Civilization Emerges in Shang Times
The First Dynasties
• Around 2000 B.C. cities arise; Yu, first ruler of Xia
Dynasty
• Yu’s flood control systems tames Huang He
(“Yellow River”)
• Shang Dynasty, 1700 to 1027 B.C., first to leave
written records
Early Cities
• Built cities of wood, such as Anyang—one of its capital
cities
• Upper class lives inside city; poorer people live outside
• Shang cities have massive walls for military defense
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5. The Development of Chinese Culture
SECTION 4
The Development of Chinese Culture
Chinese Civilization
• Sees China as center of world; views others as
uncivilized
• The group is more important than the individual
Family
• Family is central social institution; respect for parents a
virtue
• Elder males control family property
• Women expected to obey all men, even sons
Social Classes
• King and warrior-nobles lead society and own the land
Continued . . .
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6. Development of Writing
SECTION 4
continued The Development of Chinese Culture
Religious Beliefs
• Spirits of dead ancestors can affect family fortunes
• Priests scratch questions on animal bones and
tortoise shells
• Oracle bones used to consult gods; supreme god,
Shang Di
Development of Writing
• Writing system uses symbols to represent syllables;
not ideas
• People of different languages can use same system
• Huge number of characters make system difficult to
learn
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7. Zhou and the Dynastic Cycle
SECTION 4
Zhou and the Dynastic Cycle
The Zhou Take Control
• In 1027 B.C., Zhou Dynasty takes control of China
Mandate of Heaven
• Mandate of Heaven—the belief that a just ruler had
divine approval
• Developed as justification for change in power to Zhou
• Dynastic cycle—pattern of the rise and decline of
dynasties
Control Through Feudalism
• Feudalism—system where kings give land to nobles in
exchange for services
• Over time, nobles grow in power and begin to fight each
other
Continued . . .
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8. Improvements in Technology and Trade
SECTION 4
continued Zhou and the Dynastic Cycle
Improvements in Technology and Trade
• Zhou Dynasty builds roads, canals to improve
transportation
• Uses coins to make trade easier
• Produces cast iron tools and weapons; food
production increases
A Period of Warring States
• Peaceful, stable Zhou empire rules from around 1027
to 256 B.C.
• In 771 B.C., nomads sack the Zhou capital, murder
monarch
• Luoyang becomes new capital; but internal wars
destroy traditions
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9. The Unification of China
Chapter 4, Section 4
The Unification of China
The social disorder of the warring states contributes to the development of three Chinese ethical systems.
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10. The Unification of China
SECTION 4
The Unification of China
Confucius and the Social Order
Zhou Dynasty
• Lasted 1027 to 256 B.C.; ancient values decline near
end of dynasty
Confucius Urges Harmony
• End of Zhou Dynasty is time of disorder
• Scholar Confucius wants to restore order,
harmony, good government
• Stresses developing good relationships, including
family
• Promotes filial piety—respect for parents and
ancestors
• Hopes to reform society by promoting good
government
Continued . . .
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11. Confucian Ideas About Government
SECTION 4
continued Confucius and the Social Order
Confucian Ideas About Government
• Thinks education can transform people
• Teachings become foundation for bureaucracy,
a trained civil service
• Confucianism is an ethical system of right and
wrong, not a religion
• Chinese government and social order is based on
Confucianism
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12. Other Ethical Systems Daoists Seek Harmony Legalists Urge Harsh Rule
SECTION 4
Other Ethical Systems
Daoists Seek Harmony
• Laozi teaches that people should follow the
natural order of life
• Believes that universal force called Dao guides
all things
• Daoism philosophy is to understand nature and
be free of desire
• Daoists influence sciences, alchemy, astronomy,
medicine
Legalists Urge Harsh Rule
• Legalism emphasizes the use of law to restore order; stifles criticism
• Teaches that obedience should be rewarded,
disobedience punished
Continued . . .
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13. SECTION 4
continued Other Ethical Systems
I Ching and Yin and Yang
• I Ching (The Book of Changes) offers good advice,
common sense
• Concept of yin and yang—two powers represent
rhythm of universe
• Yin: cold, dark, soft, mysterious; yang: warm, bright,
hard, clear
• I Ching and yin and yang explain how people fit into
the world
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14. The Qin Dynasty Unifies China
SECTION 4
The Qin Dynasty Unifies China
The Qin Dynasty
• Qin Dynasty replaces Zhou Dynasty in third
century B.C.
A New Emperor Takes Control
• Emperor Shi Huangdi unifies China, ends fighting,
conquers new lands
• Creates 36 administrative districts controlled by Qin
officials
• With legalist prime minister, murders Confucian scholars, burns books
• Establishes an autocracy, a government with
unlimited power
Continued . . .
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15. A Program of Centralization
SECTION 4
continued The Qin Dynasty Unifies China
A Program of Centralization
• Shi Huangdi builds highways, irrigation projects;
increases trade
• Sets standards for writing, law, currency, weights and
measures
• Harsh rule includes high taxes and repressive
government
Great Wall of China
• Emperor forces peasants to build Great Wall to keep
out invaders
The Fall of the Qin
• Shi Huangdi’s son loses the throne to rebel leader;
Han Dynasty begins
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16. Han Emperors in China Section 3
The Han Dynasty expands China’s borders and develops a system of government that lasts for centuries.
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17. Han Emperors in China The Han Restore Unity to China Troubled Empire
SECTION 3
Han Emperors in China
The Han Restore Unity to China
Troubled Empire
• In Qin Dynasty peasants resent high taxes and harsh labor, rebel
Liu Bang Founds the Han Dynasty
• Liu Bang defeats Xiang Yu, a rival for power, and founds Han Dynasty
• Han Dynasty—begins in 202 B.C., lasts 400 years
• Han Dynasty has great influence on Chinese people, culture
• Liu Bang establishes centralized government—a central authority rules
• Liu Bang lowers taxes and reduces punishments to keep people happy
Continued . . .
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18. The Empress Lü The Martial Emperor
SECTION 3
continued The Han Restore Unity to China
The Empress Lü
• Liu Bang dies in 195 B.C.; wife Lü seizes control of empire
• Empress Lü rules for her young son, outlives him
• Palace plots and power plays occur throughout Han Dynasty
The Martial Emperor
• Liu Bang’s great-grandson Wudi rules from 141 to 87 B.C.
• “Martial Emperor” Wudi defeats Xiongnu (nomads) and mountain tribes
• Colonizes Manchuria, Korea, and as far south as what is now Vietnam
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19. A Highly Structured Society
SECTION 3
A Highly Structured Society
Emperor’s Role
• Chinese believe their emperor has authority to rule from god
• Believe prosperity reward of good rule; troubles reveal poor rule
Structures of Han Government
• Complex bureaucracy runs Han government
• People pay taxes and supply labor, military service
• Government uses peasant labor to carry out public projects
Continued . . .
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20. Confucianism, the Road to Success
SECTION 3
continued A Highly Structured Society
Confucianism, the Road to Success
• Wudi’s government employs 130,000; bureaucracy of 18 ranks of jobs
• Civil service jobs—government jobs obtained through examinations
• Job applicants begin to be tested on knowledge of Confucianism
• Wudi favors Confucian scholars, builds school to train them
• Only sons of wealthy can afford expensive schooling
• Civil service system works well, continues until
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21. Han Technology, Commerce, and Culture
SECTION 3
Han Technology, Commerce, and Culture
Technology Revolutionizes Chinese Life
• Invention of paper in A.D. 105 helps spread education
• Collar harness, plow, wheelbarrow improve farming
Agriculture Versus Commerce
• As population grows, farming regarded as important activity
• Government allows monopolies—control by one group over key industries
• Techniques for producing silk become state secret as profits increase
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22. The Han Unifies Chinese Culture
SECTION 3
The Han Unifies Chinese Culture
Bringing Different Peoples Under Chinese Rule
• To unify empire, Chinese government encourages assimilation
• Assimilation—integrating conquered peoples into Chinese culture
• Writers encourage unity by recording Chinese history
Women’s Roles—Wives, Nuns, and Scholars
• Most women work in the home and on the farm
• Some upper-class women are educated, run shops, practice medicine
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23. The Fall of the Han and Their Return
SECTION 3
The Fall of the Han and Their Return
The Rich Take Advantage of the Poor
• Large landowners gain control of more and more land
• Gap between rich and poor increases
Wang Mang Overthrows the Han
• Economic problems and weak emperors cause
political instability
• In A.D. 9, Wang Mang seizes power and stabilizes
empire
• Wang Mang is assassinated in A.D. 23; Han soon
regain control
The Later Han Years
• Peace restored, Later Han Dynasty lasts until A.D. 220
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