CHINA 1750 B.C. – 220 A.D.

Geography of China Greatly varies Mountains in West High plains in Central China Rolling hills in South North China Plain Coast to the East

Rivers of China Huang River (Yellow River) Chang & Xi Rivers Has fertile yellow soil called loess Causes river to have a yellow tint Prone to frequent flooding Chang & Xi Rivers Deep channels that can be navigated by modern ships

Isolation Caused by distance, mountains, & deserts Culture not effected by others (India, Rome, etc.) “Middle Kingdom” – Chinese people thought their culture was superior so they controlled when and how they would interact with others Caused strengthening of traditional culture

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Chinese Dynasties History generally divided into periods based on which dynasty ruled 4 Main Periods: Shang Dynasty (1750 B.C. – 1050 B.C.) Zhou Dynasty (1027 B.C. – 221 B.C.) Qin Dynasty (221 B.C. – 206 B.C.) Han Dynasty (206 B.C. – 220 A.D.)

Shang Dynasty (1750 B.C. – 1050 B.C.) Invaders called the Shang swept into the Huang River Valley and took control Established superior irrigation, which helped them maintain power Over time groups of people settled along the borders of Shang China China came under constant attack from these groups of people Zhou eventually overthrew Shang and assumed control

Zhou Dynasty (1027 B.C. – 221 B.C.)

Zhou Dynasty (1027 B.C. – 221 B.C.) Zhou rulers justified their right to rule as Mandate of Heaven Gave nobles land in exchange for military service Conquered neighboring people Local nobles became too powerful for rulers and civil war broke out Greatest Legacy – Work of 2 philosophers

Chinese Philosophers Confucius Lao Tzu Wanted to bring order to China’s social and political life Taught the importance of family and respect Teachings eventually collected and created Confucianism Wanted peace and inner stability for individuals Believed in finding harmony with nature Principles of ying and yang Teachings eventually formed Daoism

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Qin Dynasty (221 B.C. – 206 B.C.) Shih Huang-ti – Lord of Qin Dynasty First to call himself Emperor of China United all of China through conquest Believed power should rest with absolute ruler People were not necessarily good, and government should punish misbehavior Rejected Confucianism

Qin Dynasty (221 B.C. – 206 B.C.) Accomplishments Centralized power by dividing China into districts Each district had own military and leaders Began construction of roads and canals to unite more distant areas Developed uniform writing and measurement systems Great Wall of China Joined existing walls to protect from invasions 1,500 miles long, 22 feet high, 15 feet thick

Han Dynasty (206 B.C. – 220 A.D.)

Han Dynasty (206 B.C. – 220 A.D.) Qin Emperor died and civil war broke out Han Emperor emerged as ruler Invented paper Established exams to select imperial servants Covered history and Confucian ideas Strengthened power of emperor by weakening independence of nobles Imperial service no longer a birth right Provided opportunity for commoners to climb social ladder

Han Dynasty (206 B.C. – 220 A.D.) Established overland trade routes – Silk Road connected China to Middle East Wealthy families were large so sons could serve in military and daughters could be married into other wealthy families Wealthy women were well treated and influential Women subordinate to men

Fall of the Han Dynasty Emperors were weakened by a series of rebellions against their authority Emperors gave more power to provincial governors, some of whom became local warlords 221 A.D. – Han Emperor turns power over to independent warlord Han China collapses into civil war

End of the Empires Similar to the fall of the Roman Empire Vast empire hard to control – Problems with transportation and communication Weakened central control results from increased power of local warlords Early rulers were strong and talented Later rulers were weak and overthrown Wide spread government corruption

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Chinese Religions 3 Main Religions Confucianism Daoism Buddhism

Confucianism Based on teachings of Confucius Major Beliefs Natural Order – Each person has a role in society which reflects their position in the universe. Role of Each Person – People must meet their obligations for society to live in harmony. In relationships there are 2 roles (Filial Piety) Superior – Must show love and responsibility Inferior – Show loyalty and obedience Mandate of Heaven – Ruler benefits his people, and the people obey their ruler

Daoism Based on teachings of Lao Tzu People should accept the way of nature rather than resist it Followers accept things the way they are instead of trying to change them You can achieve enlightenment by “non-striving”, enjoying nature, and using contemplation to abandon earthly concerns

Buddhism Brought by missionaries from India during the Han Dynasty When Han Dynasty fell many people turned to Buddhism because they felt the teachings of Buddha helped explain the disruption that accompanied the collapse Emphasized university charity and compassion – You could end self-suffering by eliminating selfish desires Only Chinese religion that was concerned with the afterlife

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