Chinese Dynasties

Review What are the geographic features of China? How did the Chinese change their environment to make it work for them? Mountains, deserts, ocean and jungles Terrace farming to farm on the hill and mountains Explain the importance of the Silk Road What are the basic guidelines of the Confucius belief system? Trade and cultural diffusion between China and Rome Silk road and Indian Ocean (Monsoon Marketplace Five Relationships Filial Piety- Respect for elders

Shang Dynasty Most of China was isolated by a variety of geographic features It was the Shang that first united a chunk of China near the Huang He and helped China prosper Under the Shang Dynasty the Chinese developed a writing system

The right to rule granted by god Zhou Dynasty Mandate of Heaven: The right to rule granted by god Overthrew the Shang family Created support by claiming god was angry with the Shang’s cruel rule and chose the Zhou to rule instead They called this the Mandate of Heaven

Mandate of Heaven

Think about it… Thinking back to the Egyptian and Mesopotamian God-Kings, why do you think the Chinese Dynasties would claim a “Mandate” from heaven?

Zhou Fuedalism The emperor would give large areas of land to loyal lords. The lords would allow peasants to farm the land in exchange for a part of the crop and military service

Zhou Economy The Zhou introduced money to the Chinese, changing from bartering to money Increased canals, road systems and irrigation systems Discovered how to make silk

Qin Dynasty The Qin furthered trade along the Silk Road but dealt with frequent invasions Began the Great Wall to stop invasions The Emperor also placed thousands of Terracotta statues to ‘protect’ his tomb and wall

Period of cultural and intellectual achievement. Han Dynasty 206 BCE- 220 CE The Han dynasty created a Golden Age in China The Han Dynasty gained the mandate of heaven by lowering taxes and easing government regulations More freedom Lower taxes Golden Age: Period of cultural and intellectual achievement.

Han’s Golden Age Led by Wudi/ Wuti Expanded Silk Road Established Confucianism as the official belief system Civil Service exams- qualified employees not just friends Wrote books on zoology, biology, chemistry and astronomy Created acupuncture

Civil Service Exams Before the exams, most government jobs were provided based on close relationships Government jobs are now based on merit Do you think Civil Service Exams are a good idea or not?

Tang Dynasty 618 CE-907 CE Reunited China after years of Civil War Created a strict social structure Invented Gun powder Invented block printing- allowed for quicker and cheaper copies

Block Printing Creating Block Printing allowed the Chinese to quickly reproduce books and sell them for less money

Song Dynasty (related to Tang) The Song Dynasty focused on trade: -fine porcelain -landscape paintings -Pagoda -spinning wheel -increase Rice production

Ming Dynasty 1368-1644 CE Population boomed as new foods were introduced from the Americas Restored many traditional values and ideas Explored sea trading routes and established trade from China to Africa

Zheng He 1405-1433 Zheng He led expeditions along Southeast Asia, India and East Africa Trade=cultural diffusion The Chinese felt superior to the cultures they encountered. When Zheng He dies the emperor stops ALL trade and the Chinese become isolated

Review The Ancient Chinese viewed outsiders are barbarians. This is an example of 1) Cultural diffusion 2) Materialism 3) Imperialism 4) Ethnocentrism

Review In China, the development of ethnocentrism was most influenced by 1. its geographic isolation 2.its historic reliance on foreign nations 3.a long history of democratic government 4. a strong belief in Christianity

Review Which statement best supports the idea that cultural diffusion has greatly affected Southeast Asia? 1) The population of SE Asia is concentrated in rural areas 2) Monsoon climates affect food production in Indonesia 3) A reliance on subsistence agriculture remains a problem for many SE Asian economies 4) Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam are practiced throughout SE Asia