Chapter 4 Lesson 2 China’s Past

Picturing Chinese History No other civilization is believed to have lasted longer than China’s. However, China’s culture is not the worlds oldest. Chinese language is written in pictographs or pictures that represent words.

Ancient Voices According to Chinese legend, Pangu was the creator of the universe. Later stories of superheroes who taught people how to survive followed. These stories showed how important the domestication of animals, agriculture, and inventions were to people of that time.

Ancient Voices Cont. Stories date back to a time known as the Xia Legendary period. (2000-1700 B.C.) Bridged a time called pre-history to a time when Chinese history began to be recorded.

Shang Dynasty 1st dynasty in China began between 1760 and 1500 B.C. Before the discovery of the tortoise shells in 1899 the Shang people were considered part of a different period.

Shang Dynasty Cont. In the Huang River Valley, were early Chinese people lived, people grew grains such as millet and rice, and raised animals. Made cloth from silk and flax Warriors rode on chariots for war. Capital of Shang settlement was Anyang.

Shang Dynasty Cont. Ancient Shells and bones were called oracle bones, used to predict the future. People would write questions on the bones, heat them, and then examine them for any cracks. After the event was predicted it was written down.

Shang Dynasty cont. Besides writing on shells the Shang people wrote on bronze and stone. This made them the first people in China to make written records.

Bronze Age Bronze was used for many tools, cups, and weapons in the Shang Dynasty. Also used as trade materials.

The Longest Dynasty Zhou dynasty. See p. 109 for territory changes. Lasted more than 800 years. Separated into 2 periods.

Western Zhou Called this because capital was in Hao, in western China. People were farmers of wheat, rice, beans, and fruit. Consisted of slaves, farmers who contributed to the king, and women who most often harvested the crops.

Western Zhou Cont. Silk was very important to the economy Women were in charge of producing silk, which is made from cocoons of silkworms. Women cultivated mulberry trees to feed the silkworms, then boiled the cocoons to get the silk fibers then wove cloth from these fibers.

Eastern Zhou Dynasties Capital in Luoyang. Referred to as the “golden age” in China. Encouraged trade Government started projects that included flood control, irrigation, and canal building.

Eastern Zhou Dynasties People built huge walls around some towns along the northern border to keep out nomadic people. Began to use iron to make farm tools and weapons.

Eastern Zhou Dynasties Cont. Kings power was weakened by warfare between rival states. Traditions were being challenged and new ideas emerged. More people were becoming scholars, teachers, and government officials.

The First Emperor Qin dynasty started started in 221 B.C. by Shi Huangdi. (bio p.113) He centralized the government by forming new states to bring all areas under his rule. Systems of money and weights and measures were standardized which helped trade.

The First Emperor Cont. Building of the Great Wall of China started during his reign. Connected existing defensive walls that had been built earlier. Built to protect the empire from northern invaders. See timeline and route on p.110.

Han Dynasty 206 B.C. to 220 A.D. First Han ruler was a peasant named Gan Gaozu meaning “high ancestor” Took the throne after joining a revolt against the Shi Huangdi. Lifted a ban on books by Shi Huangdi

Han Dynasty Cont. Wu Di ruled about 141-87 B.C. Took away power from those who opposed him. Taxed imported and exported trade goods. Built new roads.

Han Dynasty Cont. Wu Di valued scholars and teachers. Civil service exams were started under Wu Di. Anyone who passed the exam could work for the government.

Inventions New ways involving middlemen were used in trading. Porcelain, paper, and ink were also invented, for the Chinese during the Han dynasty, making books available.

Silk Road Road that went through northern China and across central Asia to the lands of the Roman Empire. Exported silk and porcelain. Imported glass, gold, and horses.