Life in Ancient China

Things to be Answered What was filial piety in Chinese families? What were the main social classes of ancient China? How were men looked upon in ancient Chinese society? How were women looked upon in ancient Chinese society? Who were the 3 main philosophers of ancient China?

Life in Ancient China China had 3 main social classes Landowning aristocrats Peasant farmers Merchants Social Classes- people who share a similar position in a given society

Classes in Ancient China Life in Ancient China Classes in Ancient China Aristocrats- owned large estates Lived in large houses Had fine furniture and silk hangings Walls surrounded their houses to keep bandits out

Classes in Ancient China Life in Ancient China Classes in Ancient China Aristocratic families divided their land among their sons The sons owned less property than their fathers and grandfathers

Classes in Ancient China Life in Ancient China Classes in Ancient China Aristocrat families relied on farmers to grow crops

Classes in Ancient China Life in Ancient China Classes in Ancient China 9 out of 10 people in China were farmers Lived in simple houses Surrounded by village walls

Classes in Ancient China Life in Ancient China Classes in Ancient China Northern China they grew wheat and millet. Southern China they grew rice where it was wetter and warmer

Classes in Ancient China Life in Ancient China Classes in Ancient China To pay for the land farmers gave part of their crops to the land owner Most farmers also had a small piece of land to grow food for their family.

Classes in Ancient China Life in Ancient China Classes in Ancient China Farmers had to pay taxes and work one month a year on roads and help with other government projects. Wartime farmers served as soldiers.

Farming in Ancient China Life in Ancient China Farming in Ancient China Farmers learned to cut terraces like a series of steep steps. Made more land available for farming and kept soil from eroding.

Farming in Ancient China Life in Ancient China Farming in Ancient China Terrace farming was also a way to irrigate crops. As rain fell it flowed from one terrace to another

Farming in Ancient China Life in Ancient China Farming in Ancient China Ancient Chinese farmers also were the first to use insects to protect their crops from other insects. Used ants to protect citrus trees Used frogs and birds for pest control

Classes in Ancient China Life in Ancient China Classes in Ancient China Farmers were ranked above merchants in class. Merchants- shopkeepers, traders, bankers

Classes in Ancient China Life in Ancient China Classes in Ancient China Merchants became quite rich, but landowners and farmers looked down upon them. Because of their concerns with money, merchants were not allowed to have government jobs.

Life in Ancient China Chinese Family Life Family basic building block of Chinese Society. Families were large to help produce more in order to become wealthier. Even children worked in the fields.

Life in Ancient China Chinese Family Life Older sons raised their own crops and provided for their food for their parents. Chinese families also took care of those in need; the old, sick, and the young

Life in Ancient China Chinese Family Life Many generations of the same family often lived under one roof; it was common for grandparents and grandchildren to live with aunts, uncles, cousins, and in-laws.

Life in Ancient China Chinese Family Life Chinese practiced filial piety Filial piety- This meant children were required to respect their parents and older relatives. Family members placed the needs and desires of the family head before their own 7-2A

Checking Does filial piety exist today in the same way as it did in ancient China? If not, what can be done to strengthen filial piety