1. Ancient China
The Middle Kingdom

2. Shang Zhou Qin Han

4. Shang Dynasty 1500 BCE

5. Geography Early River Valley civilization developed along 2 rivers:
Huang He “Yellow River” (North)
Yangtze (South)
Loess= fertile soil deposited by winds
Resources: Timber, stone, and metal (bronze)
Used irrigation and canals to overcome drought and floods

7. Shang Government Shang Dynasty ruled for 500 years and united the area
Dynasty= one family rules
King came from a class of warrior aristocrats
King served as representative between gods and people

8. Shang Achievements
1st evidence of writing on oracle bones (over 4,000 years old)
Each character stands for a word or an idea (not a sound)
Bronze working- sign of authority and nobility
Silk- from silk worm (technique kept secret for centuries)

9. Chinese Writing

10. Shang Achievements

11. Oracle Bones

12. Shang Religion
Closely connected to family (group more important than the individual)
Ancestor worship- prayed to ancestors to communicate with gods
Oracle bones- read cracks in bones to get answers from gods

13. Ancestor Worship (Present day)

14. Zhou Dynasty 1000 BCE

15. Zhou Government Zhou overthrew the Shang Dynasty Ruled for 700 years
Declared they had the Mandate of Heaven became part of the Dynastic Cycle
Mandate of Heaven= permission of the gods to rule
Set up a feudal state
Feudalism= system of government where nobles are granted use of king’s land and in exchange owe loyalty and military service

16. Dynastic Cycle

17. Zhou Achievements Iron tools increased agriculture (farming)
Trade grew, used coins
Built roads and canals
First books- thin strips of wood or bamboo
Astronomy- movement of planets, accurate calendar

18. Zhou Achievements

19. Decline Legalism Confucianism Doasim Nomadic Invaders (kill the king)
Feudal lords ruled more and more independently, fought with one another
Period of warring states (500 years)
3 philosophies develop as
a result of the fighting and
chaos:
Legalism
Confucianism
Doasim

20. Legalism Founded by Hanfeizi People are naturally evil
“The Collected Works of Hanfeizi”
People are naturally evil
A ruler’s greatest virtue is his strength
Order in society is achieved by passing strict laws and enforcing them with harsh punishments
Believed in collective responsibility- everyone watches each other to prevent crimes and they must report if someone breaks the law or everyone will be punished

21. Confucianism Founded by Confucius
“The Analects”
In order for a ruler to maintain harmony in society they must have order in their own life
Rulers should be highly educated Education leads to wisdom
5 Key Relationships:
Father to son
Older brother to younger brother
Husband to wife
Ruler to subject
Friend to friend
Superiors care for their inferiors and set a good example
Inferiors must respect and obey their superiors

22. Filial Piety= Respect owed to one's parents and ancestors

23. Daoism Founded by Laozi The way of “no action”
“Dao Te Ching”
The way of “no action”
People are naturally good people do bad things because they are blinded by their opinions and need to do things
Yield or give in to violence
Imitate nature: clouds, breeze, river
Education and government are unnatural and bad

24. Qin Dynasty 221 BCE

25. Qin Government
Qin Shi Huangdi- “First Emperor” ruled for only 19 years
Used harsh Legalist policies only – banned Confucianism
Forced nobles to live in the capital
nobles could not revolt against the king if they were away from their land and armies

26. Building Projects Used forced peasant labor Built 4,000 miles of roads
Built the Great Wall of China to protect against invaders from the north
Terracotta Army

27. The Great Wall

28. The Terracotta Army

29. Qin Set Uniform Standards
Qin set uniform standards to unify China:
Written language
Currency
Legalist laws
Weights and measures
Cart axles

30. Han Dynasty 202 BCE

31. Han Government Ruled for 420 years
Ended harsh laws and adopted Confucianism
Civil Service Exam- test for government jobs (bureaucratic government)

32. Han Government Emperor Wudi reduced the power of the nobles
Forced nobles to pay taxes (gift-giving) and split their land between all male heirs
Defeated nomadic warriors (Xiongnu) in the north
Set up colonies in Korea and Vietnam

33. Han Achievements
Rice Paper
Jade
Wheelbarrow
Silk

34. The Silk Road

35. What was traded on the Silk Road?

36. Caravans