Ancient China Mr. Regan

Geography First Civilization along the Huang He (Yellow) River “River of Sorrows” -- periodic flooding caused death & destruction

Four Enclosures W -- Himalaya Mtns N -- Gobi Desert E -- Seas / Ocean S -- Jungles / Rain forest of SE Asia ** China developed a unique and not culturally diffuse society. See next page. ** ethnocentric -- belief that their culture is superior to others.

The “Middle Kingdom -- having little contact with outside cultures, the ancient Chinese believed that their culture was the center of the Earth, or the “Middle Kingdom.”

The Dynastic Cycle Rise & fall of different Chinese clans (ruling families). A ruling family is called a dynasty Chinese Dynasties continue from 1650 B.C. (Shang Dynasty) until the early 20 th century when a republic is established.

The Mandate of Heaven To justify their rebellion against the Shang, the Zhou promoted the idea of the Mandate of Heaven. Mandate of heaven is the diving right to rule

Ancestor Worship -- Veneration of Ancestors Belief that humans alone could not communicate with the gods. Chinese prayed to their deceased ancestors not as gods, but to bring good fortune to the family.

Yin -- Earth, Darkness, Female Yang – Heaven, Light, Male

Zhou Dynasty Use Mandate of Heaven to justify rebellion against Shang. Set up a feudal government -- local lords controlled their own regions, but owed military service to the ruler. Made the first books, developed an accurate calendar, and learned how to make silk

Buddhism Story of Siddhartha Gautama. Spreads from India into China. Becomes the dominant religion in China.

Four Noble Truths (1) Suffering exists (2) Suffering arises from attachment to desires (3) Suffering ceases when attachment to desire ceases (4) Freedom from suffering is possible by practicing the Eightfold Path

Eightfold Path Three Qualitiesof the Eightfold Path (1) Wisdom (panna)-- Right View, Right Thought (2) Morality (sila) -- Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood (3) Meditation (samadhi) -- Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Contemplation

Same as Buddhism Both Buddhism & Hinduism -- both accept laws of karma & dharma -- both accept the cycle of rebirth (reincarnation) -- both accept non-violence

Different from Hinduism Buddhists reject priests, formal rituals, and the polytheism of Hindus Enlightenment (nirvana) is sought through individual meditation Buddhists reject the caste system -- anyone can achieve nirvana in any lifetime

Confucianism Not a religion; a philosophy The Analects Taught people to accept their given place in society. Society works best when people know & do what is expected of them

Five Key Relationships 1.Father to Son 2.Elder brother to Younger Brother 3.Husband to Wife 4.Ruler to Subject 5.Friend to Friend

Filial Piety Respect for Parents Key to Confucius’ beliefs Other values include honesty, hard work, and care & concern for others Best ruler is a virtuous man who led by example

Legalism Professed by Hanfeizi Must pass strict laws and enforce them with harsh punishments. People cannot be trusted, so they need a single ruler who possesses great power Adopted by the Qin Dynasty & Shi Huangdi

Qin Dynasty (221 BC – 206 BC) Founder by Shi Huangdi -- “First Emperor” Ended Feudalism & set up 36 military districts Suppressed critics – jailed, tortured, or killed those who opposed his rule

Ordered walls to be joined together 25 feet high, wide road at top Symbolizes the power of the emperor and Chinese ethnocentrism -- dividing them from the non-civilized north of the wall

Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD) People revolt against Qin after Shi Huangdi’s death in 210 BC. Liu Bang (Gao Zu) took control & established the Han Dynasty

Most famous Han Emperor was Wudi (Wu- ti) Strengthened Confucian government by establishing a civil- service system, with examinations based on the teachings of Confucius Expanded empire into Manchuria & Korea in north, northern Vietnam in the south, and into Tibet in the West

The Silk Road Caravan route stretching from the Chinese capital to the Mediterranean Sea. Long, arduous journey Combined land & sea routes Foods such as grapes, figs, cucumbers, and walnuts came to China from Western Asia. Chinese send tons of silk westward

The Silk Road

Han Contributions Made paper out of wood pulp, invented the wheelbarrow, fishing reel, and the rudder. Developed acupuncture, used herbal remedies and anesthesia. Scholars wrote books on chemistry, zoology, and botany Jade & ivory carvings. Other artists work in bronze, ceramics, and silk