Ancient China 2000 BC – 220 AD

ANCIENT CHINA Great Wall Began 2000 B.C. Dynasties Silk Astronomy Emperors Rivers

Satellite View of China

As in Egypt, Mesopotamia, and along the Indus River, Chinese civilization began within a major river valley. Around 4000 BC, this huge area contained a large number of ethnic groups and languages. This history, in which a huge area populated by many different ethnic groups became a single culture, began in the Yellow River Valley.

Yellow River Civilization Ancient China was formed around the Yellow River. The color yellow symbolized “centrality”, as in China is the center of the world. Along with the Yellow River, the Yangtze is the most important river in the history, culture and economy of China.

The Yangtze River

Ancient China Developed independently of others because it was separated by deserts and distance. After 10,000 BC people in China lived by hunting and gathering plants. About 5,000 BC, the Chinese began farming. Rice was grown in southern China and millet was grown in the north. By 5,000 BC dogs and pigs were domesticated. By 3,000 BC sheep and cattle were domesticated. Horses were introduced into China between 3,000 and 2,300 BC.

Ancient China By 5,000 BC Chinese farmers had learned to make pottery. The early Chinese farmers also made baskets and wove cloth. Also made ritual objects from jade such as knives, axes and rings. The wheel was invented in China about 2,500 BC.

Early Chinese Civilizations 5000-1700 BC These people probably learned how to make cloth and paper using silk from silkworms. Lived in small villages Practiced agriculture

Silk worm Silk was exotic and expensive, so it was good for trading with the rest of the world in the later dynasties.

Neolithic village at Ban Po

Bronze Age Empires

Chinese civilization only really began with the Shang Dynasty. 1766-1027 BC Chinese civilization only really began with the Shang Dynasty.

Bronze Age By 2,000 BC a more advanced society emerged in China. By then they had learned to make bronze- copper and tin. At first bronze was only used for weapons. (probably too expensive for other things). Warfare was common. Walls of earth, which was rammed till it was hard, surrounded some settlements.

Agriculture Before 2000 BC, the Chinese practiced subsistence agriculture. They only grew enough for themselves and their families. After about 2,000 BC they began to produce a surplus (which their rulers could take off them!). This leads to divisions of social classes.

Religion Polytheistic Practice of ancestor worship began. Belief that the dead can intervene in the affairs of the living. Offerings were made to them to keep them happy. Ancestor worship became part of Chinese culture for thousands of years. Divination- fortune telling

Oracles Bones were touched with a red-hot piece of bronze so they cracked. The cracks were then interpreted and the predictions were written on them. The form of writing invented during the Shang era remained unchanged for thousands of years.

Oracle bone with early ideographic script

Government The Shang dynasty created a highly organized state. Though they ruled only a part of China their cultural influence spread through most of it. Political organization: network of fortified cities, loyal to center Peasants support nobles, officials, bureaucracy by giving part of their crop

The Shang Dynasty The Shang probably invented the Chinese calendar. Built the first real cities in China. Also built palaces and temples. During the Shang era bronze was more widely used. Tools such as sickles, plows and spades were usually made of wood and stone. After 1200 BC chariots pulled by horses were used in Chinese warfare.

Ceremonial Dagger – 1028 BCE Axe Scepter – 1100 BCE - Jade Ceremonial Dagger – 1028 BCE

Shang Bronzes

Ritual Wine Vessel – Bronze, 13c BCE Shang Urn

A bronze temple bell More bronze ware, with early ideograms

The Evolution of Chinese Writing During Writing was invented in China about 1,500 BC. The earliest evidence of it comes from bones used for fortune telling. Pictographs Semantic-Phonetics

End of the Shang Dynasty Slavery was common. Prisoners of war were made into slaves so warfare was common. Human sacrifice was still practiced. When an emperor died his servants and slaves either committed suicide or were killed to accompany him into afterlife. Their neighbors the Zhou overthrew the Shang about 1022 BC. So began the Zhou dynasty. Replaced one ruling class with another. Video

Western Zhou:1027-771 BC

Feudalism Because transport and communications were very slow, it was difficult for a ruler to control a wide area. Zhou kings solved this problem by creating a feudal state. They gave their followers land. In return the followers provided chariots and soldiers in time of war. Land was worked by peasants who provided the food supply.

Peasants Had to spend some of their time working on the Lord's land. Usually land was divided into 9 sections. Individual families worked eight sections. Everybody had to work on the ninth section but the crops from it went to the Lord. After 600 BC coins were used in China and some peasants paid their Lord taxes rather than work on his land. Few slaves

Zhou Coins - Bronze

Zhou Contributions Most important invention was iron to make tools, weapons, and plows. Horse collar allowed horses to pull much heavier loads. Kites Compass Tea Umbrella-Covered in oiled paper it sheltered the user from both sun and rain. Bound books Astronomers Study Planets & Eclipses

Chinese astronomy 2137 BC - Chinese book records the earliest known solar eclipse on October 22. Chinese determine that Jupiter needs 12 years to complete one revolution of its orbit. Chinese record the regularity of solar and lunar eclipses and the earliest known solar variation. Chinese divide the sky into twenty eight regions for recognitions of the stars. 776 BC - Chinese make the earliest reliably record of solar eclipse.

Economy Agriculture was greatly improved by iron tools and by irrigation, which became more common. As a result of more efficient agriculture the population of China grew rapidly in the Zhou period Traded and commerce grew

Zhou (Chou) Dynasty During the Zhou era parts of the Great Wall of China were built. There was not a single wall, at first, but different states built their own walls to keep out 'barbarians'. Later they were joined together.

Decline of the Zhou Dynasty Decentralized leadership style allows for building of regional powers Increasing local independence, refusal to pay taxes Iron metallurgy allows for widespread creation of weaponry Northern invaders weaken Zhou dynasty Zhou driven east Internal dissention: the Period of the Warring States (403-221 BCE)

Intellectual Development As a response to the crisis and uncertainty of warring states Confucianism and Taoism are developed

Confucius 551 – 479 B.C. Confucius was in a class of officials who advised kings on the right way to behave and how to carry out rituals. Appalled by the state of affairs he tried to restore ancient principles.

Organizing Principles Everybody should accept their role in life and duties towards others. Rulers had a duty to be benevolent while subjects should be respectful and obedient. Children should honor their parents Everybody should honor their ancestors Rulers should set a good example for their people. Said 'do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself'. (golden rule)

5 Principle Relationships 1. Ruler Subject 2. Father Son 3. Husband Wife 4. Older Brother Younger Brother 5. Older Friend Younger Friend

Confucius (ca. 551-479 B.C.) He never wrote any books but after his death his followers collected his sayings and wrote them all down. In the centuries after his death his philosophy became dominant in China and profoundly influenced its culture for more than 2,000 years.

The Analects In Chinese, it means “conversation.” The single most important Confucian work. In Chinese, it means “conversation.” Focus on practicalities of interpersonal relationships and the relationship of the role of rulers and ministers to the conduct of government. Rejection of the idea of in-born nobility proper training, education, and aptitude make a “gentleman”not simply birth into a certain family

Kung Fu-Tse Tomb of Master Kung

Confucian Temple Complex

Confucius' Tomb

The "Dao" [Tao] 2. Relying on the senses and instincts. To escape the “social, political, & cultural traps” of life, one must escape by: 1. Rejecting formal knowledge and learning. 2. Relying on the senses and instincts. 3. Discovering the nature and “rhythm” of the universe. 4. Ignoring political and social laws.

Taoism (Daoism) Taoism began during the Zhou era. Confucianism was a system of ethics. Taoism is a religion. Believe in the Tao, which means the way. The Tao is an indescribable force behind nature and all living things. Taoists believe in Wuwei or non-action, which means going with the natural flow or way of things like a stick being carried along on a stream. Taoism also teaches humility and compassion. Taoists worship many of gods.

Ancient Chinese Beliefs The idea of Yin and Yang appeared during the Zhou dynasty. The ancient Chinese believed that all matter is made of 2 opposite and complimentary principles. The ancient Chinese also believed there were 5 elements, wood, fire, earth, metal and water. During the Zhou period the Chinese art of acupuncture was invented.

The Universe of Opposites: Find the Balance! Yin Masculine Active Light Warmth Strong Heaven; Sun Feminine Passive Darkness Cold Weak Earth; Moon Yang

The End of the Zhou Dynasty In 771 a group from the west invaded the Zhou. Afterwards the power of the Zhou kings declined. The Zhou state broke up into separate states. Nobles under the Zhou king effectively became independent rulers. The different states went to war and the stronger ones swallowed the weaker till there were only a few left. Finally one state, the Qin, conquered its rivals and its ruler became emperor of China. So began the Qin dynasty.

China under the Qin dynasty, 221-207 B.C.E.

Emperor Shi Huangdi Means “First Emperor” Believed that rulers should be autocratic. The ruler’s word should be law. Believed that rulers should be fair but firm and unwavering. Standardization of Coins, Measurements, Writing Massive need for labor His Necropolis Great Wall of China Begun

Chinese pyramids!!!!

Chinese pyramids Ancient mausoleums and burial mounds built to house the remains of several early emperors of China and their relatives. About 38 Most famous is Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor, near where Terracotta Warriors were found. Also built during the Han and other dynasties. Have flat tops and are more similar in shape to the pyramids in Mexico than to the pyramids in Giza, Egypt.

The Great Wall of China was built to keep the Mongols out.

Many died building it, and their bodies were used as filler for it Many died building it, and their bodies were used as filler for it. Click on the picture to watch a video.

Major Building projects The Qin emperors also built roads and irrigation canals. Parts of the Great Wall of China already existed but the first Qin emperor had them joined together. The ordinary people were forced to work on his projects. Qin rule was harsh and cruel punishments were common. When Qin Shuangdi died he was buried in a tomb with over 7,000 terracotta warriors. This 'army' was discovered in 1974. The army included warriors, chariots, horses, officials, acrobats, strongmen, and musicians. Current estimates are that there were over 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots, with 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses, majority of which are still buried.

The figures include warriors, chariots, horses, officials, acrobats, strongmen, and musicians. Current estimates are that in the three pits containing the Terracotta Army there were over 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses, the majority of which are still buried in the pits.

Tomb of Shi Huangdi

The Great Canal

Rise of the Han Dynasty- 206 BC-220 AD During this era China was one of the most brilliant civilizations in the world First Han emperor was called Gaozi. He was more humane that the Qin emperors and he abolished many of their savage punishments. He kept some of the policies of his predecessors but he also adopted some Confucian policies.

Han Dynasty Ruled for 400 years Ruled large area of land-Empire Agriculture continued to improve due to an increasing number of irrigation schemes, increasing use of buffaloes to pull plows and crop rotation which was introduced into China about 100 BC.

The Han Dynasty

Population Growth in Han Dynasty General prosperity Increased agricultural productivity Taxes small part of overall income Produce occasionally spoiling in state granaries

Han Achievements Civil Service Exam founded by Emperor Wudi Paper- not made from silk The Rudder Seismometer to measure strength of earthquakes Astronomers observe sunspots Silk Road Buddhism first reached China in the 1st century AD but it took a long time to be accepted.

Paper Europe imported paper from China. The first paper appeared in China about 200 BC. Its name is derived from papyrus. Silk was transformed into paper by a process of pasting, but because silk was expensive, wool and cotton came to be used instead. In the picture below, the manufacturing process used by the Chinese. They steeped mulberry or bamboo bark in water, then kneaded it to produce a paste from which they obtained smooth thin sheets of paper.

The Silk Road in the 1st Century During the Han era large amounts of silk were exported to the west. It passed through many hands to the Roman Empire. In return merchants brought gems, glass and vines to China. Video

Reasons for the Han Dynasty’s Fall After 168 AD the Han dynasty declined. Internal fighting weakened it. Undermined by natural disasters and discontent. The last Han emperor was removed in 220 AD. Afterwards China split into 3 parts each ruled by a general.