Ancient China The Middle Kingdom

Shang Zhou Qin Han

Shang Dynasty 1500 BCE

Geography Early River Valley civilization developed along 2 rivers: Huang He “Yellow River” (North) Yangtze (South) Loess= fertile soil deposited by winds Resources: Timber, stone, and metal (bronze) Used irrigation and canals to overcome drought and floods

Shang Government Shang Dynasty ruled for 500 years and united the area Dynasty= one family rules King came from a class of warrior aristocrats King served as representative between gods and people

Shang Achievements 1st evidence of writing on oracle bones (over 4,000 years old) Each character stands for a word or an idea (not a sound) Bronze working- sign of authority and nobility Silk- from silk worm (technique kept secret for centuries)

Chinese Writing

Shang Achievements

Oracle Bones

Shang Religion Closely connected to family (group more important than the individual) Ancestor worship- prayed to ancestors to communicate with gods Oracle bones- read cracks in bones to get answers from gods

Ancestor Worship (Present day)

Zhou Dynasty 1000 BCE

Zhou Government Zhou overthrew the Shang Dynasty Ruled for 700 years Declared they had the Mandate of Heaven became part of the Dynastic Cycle Mandate of Heaven= permission of the gods to rule Set up a feudal state Feudalism= system of government where nobles are granted use of king’s land and in exchange owe loyalty and military service

Dynastic Cycle

Zhou Achievements Iron tools increased agriculture (farming) Trade grew, used coins Built roads and canals First books- thin strips of wood or bamboo Astronomy- movement of planets, accurate calendar

Zhou Achievements

Decline Legalism Confucianism Doasim Nomadic Invaders (kill the king) Feudal lords ruled more and more independently, fought with one another Period of warring states (500 years) 3 philosophies develop as a result of the fighting and chaos: Legalism Confucianism Doasim

Legalism Founded by Hanfeizi People are naturally evil “The Collected Works of Hanfeizi” People are naturally evil A ruler’s greatest virtue is his strength Order in society is achieved by passing strict laws and enforcing them with harsh punishments Believed in collective responsibility- everyone watches each other to prevent crimes and they must report if someone breaks the law or everyone will be punished

Confucianism Founded by Confucius “The Analects” In order for a ruler to maintain harmony in society they must have order in their own life Rulers should be highly educated Education leads to wisdom 5 Key Relationships: Father to son Older brother to younger brother Husband to wife Ruler to subject Friend to friend Superiors care for their inferiors and set a good example Inferiors must respect and obey their superiors

Filial Piety= Respect owed to one's parents and ancestors

Daoism Founded by Laozi The way of “no action” “Dao Te Ching” The way of “no action” People are naturally good people do bad things because they are blinded by their opinions and need to do things Yield or give in to violence Imitate nature: clouds, breeze, river Education and government are unnatural and bad

Qin Dynasty 221 BCE

Qin Government Qin Shi Huangdi- “First Emperor” ruled for only 19 years Used harsh Legalist policies only – banned Confucianism Forced nobles to live in the capital nobles could not revolt against the king if they were away from their land and armies

Building Projects Used forced peasant labor Built 4,000 miles of roads Built the Great Wall of China to protect against invaders from the north Terracotta Army

The Great Wall

The Terracotta Army

Qin Set Uniform Standards Qin set uniform standards to unify China: Written language Currency Legalist laws Weights and measures Cart axles

Han Dynasty 202 BCE

Han Government Ruled for 420 years Ended harsh laws and adopted Confucianism Civil Service Exam- test for government jobs (bureaucratic government)

Han Government Emperor Wudi reduced the power of the nobles Forced nobles to pay taxes (gift-giving) and split their land between all male heirs Defeated nomadic warriors (Xiongnu) in the north Set up colonies in Korea and Vietnam

Han Achievements Rice Paper Jade Wheelbarrow Silk

The Silk Road

What was traded on the Silk Road?

Caravans