1. China
During the time period that Ancient Greece, Rome and the Mauryan and Gupta empires existed, China was thriving. China is a classical civilization because it has contributed a great deal to later civilizations.

2. Geographic Setting
Chinese civilization developed along the Huang He (Yellow) River, and the Yangtze River.
Mountains, deserts and ocean contributed to China being more isolated than other civilizations
Having little contact with other civilizations led the Chinese to believe China was the center of the earth, so they called it the Middle Kingdom

3. Huang He (Yellow River)

4. Yangtze River
Flooding along the Yangtze River (below)

5. Shang Dynasty 1650 B.C. A Chinese family called the Shang took control
Power was passed from family member to family member
Dynasty: ruling family
Polytheism
Worship of dead ancestors
Yin-Yang: the universe is held in a delicate balance between these two forces
Chinese writing develops: tens of thousands of characters

6. Zhou Dynasty B.C. – 221 B.C.
Zhou overthrow the Shang and establish a new dynasty
The Zhou now acquired the Mandate of Heaven, the belief that the gods gave them the right to rule
Established a feudal society – regions controlled by local lords who give military support to the ruler.
Chinese began to make books
Astronomers studied the stars and planets
Developed a calendar
Began to make silk from the cocoons of silkworms
Develop roads and canals for trade

7. Chinese Silk
Silk Worms
Silk Robe

8. Dynastic Cycle

9. Qin Dynasty 221 B.C. – 206 B.C. Qin people overthrow the Zhou and rule
The Qin dynasty now has the Mandate of Heaven
Centralizes the government and creates military districts
Emperor Shi Huangdi created national coins, repaired canals and roads, and promoted Chinese writing
The Great Wall of China was started during the Qin Dynasty

10. Over 4000 Mile Long

11. Guarded by over 1Million Men

12. Close to 3 million will die during its construction

13. The Great Wall of China

14. Rise of the Han
After Shi Hugandi’s death the Chinese people revolted against the Qin
A new dynasty came to power: Han
Harsh policies and taxes were reduced
The Han expanded their empire through military conquests

15. Han Dynasty: Government 206 B.C. – A.D. 220
Emperor Wudi established civil service system to strengthen government
Educated citizens would help run the government
Exams were given based on the teachings of the Chinese philosopher: Confucius
Imperial universities established to teach Confucian philosophy.
Painting of Confucius to the left

16. Han Dynasty: Economy Roads and canals improved for internal trade
Government monopoly on salt and iron
Storage areas created for surplus grain
Developed the Silk Roads

17. The Silk Roads
The Han Dynasty opened a trade route called the Silk Roads
They linked China with lands west (Mesopotamia)
It eventually stretched 4,000 miles
Few merchants actually traveled the entire length

18. The Silk Roads

19. The Silk Roads

20. Han Dynasty: Social Structure
Confucian values became very important in daily life and the government
Confucianism spelled out proper behavior for all members of society
Five Relationships
EXAMPLE:
Men were thought to be superior to women
Therefore women could not take civil service exams and not hold government jobs

21. Han Contributions A “Golden Age’ in China
Jade Carving
Technology: The Chinese made paper out of wood pulp
They also invented the wheelbarrow; fishing reel; and the rudder
Science: In medicine the Han developed acupuncture, and experimented with anesthesia
Art: Jade and ivory carvings and works in bronze, ceramics and silk

22. Acupuncture

23. Decline of the Han Empire
The Han empire fell because of weak leaders (after emperor Wudi)
Subsequent leaders unable to control local warlords
The canals and roads began to crumble and were not maintained
High taxes were imposed on Chinese citizens leading to revolts
Invaders came from the north, overrunning the Great Wall of China
For 400 years China will be divided into competing kingdoms

24. The Tang (618 -907 CE) and Song (960 -1279 CE) Dynasties
In 627 CE a powerful general named Tang Taizong reclaims lands lost after decline of the Han and restores the Middle Kingdom
The Tang Dynasties empire stretched from the China Sea to central Asia
Wu Zhao ( CE) is the first female empress and will extend Chinese influence over Korea

25. Tang Dynasty

26. Tang Dynasty and Social Classes
Chinese peasants farming the land
China had a strict social order
At the top were the gentry or wealthy landowners who were educated in Confucian philosophy
Next were the peasants who were the majority of the population and farmed and lived in small villages
Last were the merchants. They were often rich but looked down upon since they made their riches from work done by others
Women gained rights and ran the household. However boys were valued over girls. Girls were subjected to foot binding.

27. Tang Dynasty Government Tang rulers revived the civil service exams
Set up schools for males
This resulted in a highly educated ruling class
Guided by Confucianism (duty – rank – proper behavior)
Tang emperors forced Vietnam, Korea, and Tibet to become tributary states, meaning they had to pay taxes to China

28. Tang: Economy
Economy
To encourage trade and transportation, canals (Grand Canal) and roads were built
The Grand Canal linked the Huang He and Yangzi Rivers
(northern and southern China)
Land was also taken from rich landowners and redistributed to peasants
Agriculture: Rice production helps feed the world’s largest population
Ocean trade and cultural diffusion with India, Persia, Middle East

29. The Grand Canal in China

30. Song Dynasty: 960 – 1279 CE
Song Taizu is first emperor of Song Dynasty
Reunites China after 50 years of warlords
Never regain lands lost during Tang decline
Keep China stable, powerful, prosperous,
Economic growth in Southern China trade

31. Song Dynasty1127 – 1279CE
Internal rebellions led to the fall of the Tang dynasty
Liao and Jing dynasties emerge
Nomads and agriculturalists
Confucian rulers, Buddhist monarchs, nomad leaders
Song developed seafaring contacts with Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asia
Standing professional, paid military
High-grade iron and steel for weapons, armour, and developed/used gunpowder

32. Economy and Society
Neo-Confucian philosophy and Zen Buddhist practices
Population rise to 100 million
Women’s status declined – entirely subordinate to men, remarriage forbidden, no rights to own or manage property, foot-binding extremely popular a status symbol for wealthy.

33. Song Dynasty Literature and Arts
Chinese authors wrote short stories and poetry
Chinese landscape paintings were popular during the Song Dynasty and showed a love of nature
Scholar officials expected to own fine art and write poetry.

34. Art: Calligraphy
Chinese calligraphy or the art of fine handwriting flourished during the Tang and Song Dynasties

35. Architecture: Pagoda Chinese architects created the pagoda
A temple with a roof that curved up at the corners
The Chinese also made porcelain, a hard shiny pottery

36. Art: Chinese Porcelain

37. Science and Technology
Moveable Type
Gunpowder
Mechanical Clock
Paper Money
Magnetic Compass

38. Chinese Influence on Japan
The Japanese first learned about Chinese culture through Korea
During the Tang Dynasty, Japan sent nobles to China to study
They brought back Chinese ideas and technology
By the 800s, Japan had begun to blend some of the Chinese ideas with Japanese culture: Food, Dance, Clothes, Gardens, Language

39. Chinese Influence on Korea
Hereditary elite took Confucianism and Buddhism from China
Unified by 600s
Used woodblock printing
Invented moveable type and chared with Song China

40. Japanese Culture Mountainous terrain Hundreds of small states
Mid-17th century unification: centralized government, legal code, national histories, architecture, city planning (Tang influence)
Kept concept of Emperorship and Shinto religion and Buddhism
Developed a constitution in 604
1000s Feudalism developed a rigid class structure with warrior clans becoming powerful and wealthy
Kamakura Shogunate took control of Japan

41. Chinese Influence on Vietnam
Geographical proximity and similar wet lands made it suitable for integration with southern China (Tang and Song times)
Rice agriculture
Modeled high culture after Chinese
Champa in southern Vietnam influenced by Malay and India culture
Confucius interest in hierarchy
Status of women varied

43. Dynasties of China

44. Big Picture Strengthened Central Government Strict Social Classes
Strong Economy
Achievements in Art and Architecture
Influenced Japanese and other Cultures