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