Unit 10: ANCIENT & IMPERIAL CHINA

Priority Objectives  6.H.2.3 Explain how innovation and/or technology transformed civilizations, societies and regions over time.  6.G.1.2 Explain the factors that influenced the movement of people, goods, and ideas and the effects of that movement on societies and regions over time.  6.E.1.1 Explain how conflict, compromise, and negotiation over the availability of resources impacted the economic development of various civilizations, societies and regions.  6.C&G.1.2 Summarize the ideas that shaped political thought in various civilizations, societies, and regions.

Supporting Objectives  6.H.2.1 Explain how invasions, conquests, and migrations affected various civilizations, societies, and regions.  6.H.2.2 Compare historical and contemporary events and issues to understand continuity and change.  6.G.1.1 Explain how the physical features and human characteristics of a place influenced the development of civilizations, societies and regions.  6.G.1.4 Explain how and why civilizations, societies and regions have used, modified and adapted to their environments.  6.C&G.1.1 Explain the origins and structures of various governmental systems.  6.C.1.1 Analyze how cultural expressions reflected the values of civilizations, societies and regions  6.C.1.2 Explain how religion transformed various societies, civilizations and regions.  6.C.1.3 Summarize systems of social structure within various civilizations and societies over time.

Geography  How did geography influence China’s relationship with the rest of the world?  How did China’s rivers affect early Chinese civilization?

TO LABEL: 1.Huang He (Yellow) River 2.Chang Jiang (Yangtze) River 3.Xi River 4.North China Plain 5.Tibetan Plateau 6.Taklamakan Desert 7.Gobi Desert 8.Himalaya Mtns. 9.Kunlun Mtns. 10.Tien Shan Mtns.

Effects of Geography  Long rivers, fertile soils, temperate climates, & isolated valleys all contributed to the growth & development of early China…& provided protection too!  China’s 1 st civilizations developed in river valleys.  The Chang Jiang (Yangtze) & the Huang He (Yellow) Rivers supplied necessary water to the earliest Chinese people.  The flooding of the rivers brought rich silt to the flood plains; also the loess (a fine, dusty soil brought by desert winds) was very fertile.

Flood Control & Yu the Great  Chinese civilization is thought to have begun about 9000 years ago (7000 BC).  The earliest Chinese are said to have been ruled by the Xia (SHY- YAH) Dynasty. Not much archaeological evidence though-so most histories begin with the Shang.  The legendary Xia leader-Yu the Great-lived in the 2800s BC. He found the people of China in chaos & he worked hard to bring civilization to them. He taught them how to cook, fish, & domesticate animals.  He is also credited with creating a drainage system for the waters of a great flood.

Yu the Great!  “The great Emperor Shun has called Yu before the Dragon Throne. All of China is beset by terrible floods. Homes, farms & villages are being washed away, & Shun believes Yu is the only one to save the land & the people. Yu vows to end the floods. How will he ever stop the floods?”

Flood Control  8/05/china/yellow-river/larmer-text/7 8/05/china/yellow-river/larmer-text/7

Origins of Chinese Government  What were the thoughts & beliefs behind the dynastic form of government that developed in China?

The Shang Dynasty  Formed about 1766 BC & ruled by strong monarchy  Kings were surrounded by a court of wealthy nobles & controlled a large army  Governors were appointed to rule distant parts of the kingdom  We know about the Shang beliefs because of tombs-many held items of bronze & jade, sacrificial POWs-indicated a belief in the afterlife where the ruler still needed earthly things  Oracle bones-used to communicate with dead ancestors  Ultimately grew too large to control & were defeated by the Zhou

Zhou Dynasty  Took over around 1100BC  Usually divided into Western & Eastern Zhou periods  Introduced the Mandate of Heaven to gain acceptance from newly conquered people  Mandate of Heaven-a principle that stated that the gods would support a just ruler, but they would not allow a corrupt one to hold power  Later used to explain dynastic cycle-the rise & fall of dynasties  The Warring States Period-followed by the Qin (CHIN) taking over

Chinese Philosophies  What was the role of family in Ancient China?  How did the philosophies & teachings of Confucius reflect the values & beliefs of Chinese society?  How did early Chinese philosophies influence Chinese society?

Early Philosophers  Confucius-born around 550 BC to a poor but noble family; an eager student; became a teacher to make education available to all children, regardless of class; felt education was the only way to improve oneself; eventually held gov’t positions.  Laozi-born in the 500s BC; may have met Confucius; wrote Dao De Jing; possibly served as official historian for a powerful noble.  Hanfeizi & Li Si-Advisors to Shi Huangdi-first Qin emperor.

Philosophers Confucius Laozi

Influence of Early Philosophies  Confucianism-taught that people should treat one another humanely. All teachings written down in the Analects. Believed rulers should be advised by qualified people & that they should treat their subjects fairly, so their subjects would respect & be loyal to them. (Confucius)  Daoism-Encouraged people to retreat from the laws of society & yield to the laws of nature. At the center is the dao (the way); the limitless force that is part of all creation. Teachings collected in the Dao De Jing. Not as influential as Conf. but the idea of balance did last. (Laozi)  Legalism-Taught that a powerful efficient government was key to maintaining order & control over an empire. Rejected Confucianism. Taught that people were naturally bad & needed strict rulers. (Hanfeizi & Li Si)

Family  The importance of family was emphasized from about 550 BC on  Each member had duties & responsibilities  The oldest male was the head of the family & had total control over other family members  Ex. Fathers arranged marriages & chose their sons’ career  The concept of filial piety was stressed by Confucianism-this meant that children were to obey, respect, & grandparents.  Women had less status & power than men & fewer privileges too

Qin Dynasty  How did Qin Shi Huangdi transform China’s government?  How did the accomplishments of the Qin Dynasty change Chinese society?

Qin Shi Huangdi  During the Warring States Period-the state of Qin dominated others  Created the first unified Chinese empire  The emperor took the title Shi Huangdi-meaning “first emperor”  His advisors (Hanfeizi & Li Si) convinced him that a strict, powerful, centralized government was the key to success (Legalism)  He forced the nobles to give up their land to him, and move to his capital so he could keep an eye on them  He took all private weapons & burned many classic writings to prevent rebellion  He divided China up & put officials in place who were loyal to him…& he did not tolerate criticisms of himself

The Accomplishments of the Qin  Unified & strengthened China  Standardized laws, writing, coins, weights & measures, & cart size  Improved irrigation  Expanded network of roads & canals  Built a great army to defend China & began the Great Wall  BUT! Peasants had to pay lots of taxes to fund the changes & many had to provide labor

The Fall of the Qin  Harsh policies fueled hatred  When Shi Huangdi died in 210 BC the Qin dynasty crumbled (lasting only 38 years)  Peasants rebelled until one of their leaders-Liu Bang- defeated Qin forces & began a new dynasty…the Han Dynasty

The Death of Shi Huangdi & the Terra Cotta Army

The Han & Confucianism  How did Confucianism change government during the Han rule?  What were some of the accomplishments of the Han?

The Han  Founded by Liu Bang  Ruled for over 400 years  Liu Bang cut the Qin’s harsh policies, lowered taxes, & gave land to his supporters  He kept Qin bureaucracy style, but he also encouraged Confucianism

The Greatest Han Emperor: Wudi  Energetic & aggressive  Promoted economic growth  New roads & canals built  Created monopolies on salt, iron, & alcohol to raise money  Under Wudi, Confucianism became China’s government philosophy  Expanded China through war  Ruled from BC

The Role of Confucianism  Civil service workers had to pass an exam on Confucianism to get jobs  A Confucian Academy was founded-people learned about the classics & were taught loyalty to the emperor  Only the rich could afford education-so they held the civil service jobs

The Decline of the Han  Wang Mang-carried out a rebel overthrew in AD 9.  The Han regained control by AD 25-things were stable for a while-but problems ultimately weakened the empire.  Period of Disunion followed the fall in AD 220-Lasted for 350 years.

Resources & Trade  What resources & goods from China were desired by civilizations around the world?  How did the silk trade impact the economic & cultural development of China?

Important Chinese Goods  SILK!!!  For years, revealing the secrets of how to make silk was punishable by death!  Also-jade & bronze objects, porcelain, iron armor, iron weapons, Lacquerware, & spices from China were desired by the world  The goods traded on the Silk Roads were often small & highly profitable…

The Effects of Trade  The Great Wall was extended to protect traders & travelers  China was able to create a monopoly on silk  China gained much wealth from the trade of their goods  Buddhism made it way into China

How to make silk…  maven/posts/4394-how-to-make-silk-in-6- steps maven/posts/4394-how-to-make-silk-in-6- steps

Golden Age  How did the achievements of the Tang & Song Dynasties change Chinese society?

The Sui Dynasty  First dynasty to rule after Period of Disunion  Began in AD 589  First Emperor-Wendi, was followed by his son, Yang Di  Completed the Grand Canal-1000 mile waterway linking North to South  Many died during the building-leading to discontent & rebellion

The Tang Dynasty  A Sui general seized power & founded the Tang  Ruled from AD  Much prosperity & cultural achievement  Chinese influence spread & they became a model for East Asia  Strong gov’t created, flexible law code, expanded civil service  Buddhism was well est., magnetic compass perfected, poetry flourished, woodblock printing developed  Ultimately the emperor was killed & the dynasty ended

The Song Dynasty  China split after the Tang & did not reunify until AD 960  The Song then ruled until AD 1279  Chinese civilization became the most advanced in the world  Created a central government, large bureaucracy, opened civil service exams up to more people  Porcelain makers excelled, pagodas (temples) were built, moveable type was created, paper money was created

Mongol Invasion  How did China change as a result of the Mongol invasion?

The Mongols aka The Yuan Dynasty  Their home was the steppes (grasslands) of north-central Eurasia  They were nomadic-raised sheep & goats  They traded or stole for what they needed & couldn’t produce  They were tough people & fierce warriors  The Mongol clans were led by Khans (chiefs)  Genghis Khan (Universal Ruler-AD 1206) united many Mongol clans-took much land in Asia; his grandson Kublai Khan (AD ) cont’d his legacy  Ultimately they created the largest land empire in history-took it aggressively, ruled it peacefully (Pax Mongolia)

Mongol/Yuan Rule  The Mongols did allow for the Chinese they invaded to maintain their own culture & laws  They ended the practice of giving civil service exams-so all gov’t jobs were open to all people  The Mongols were religiously tolerant & they did encourage people to practice their individual religions-many Mongols actually adopted Islam  Immigrants were also welcomed-especially where their presence increased the wealth of the empire

The End of the Yuan Dynasty  Began to weaken under Kublai Khan  He prompted a number of military attacks, which ended in defeat for his army  In particular, he wanted to take Japan…but storms kept his army from having too much success  The money spent on public-works projects had also weakened the economy…so his people were ready for a rebellion.  After Kublai Khan’s death in 1294, there were a number of power struggles which weakened the empire…ultimately leading to their complete defeat in 1368

Resources  a/Mongol_Empire_map.gif a/Mongol_Empire_map.gif