1. Ancient China Geography and Early China The Zhou Dynasty and New Ideas
How do the people, events, and ideas that shaped ancient China continue to influence the world?
Geography and Early China
LESSON 1
The Zhou Dynasty and New Ideas
LESSON 2
The Qin Dynasty
LESSON 3
The Han Dynasty
LESSON 4
The Silk Road
LESSON 5
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2. Geography and Early China
LESSON 1
The Big Idea
Chinese civilization began with the Shang dynasty along the Huang He.
Main Ideas
China’s physical geography made farming possible but travel and communication difficult.
Civilization began in China along the Huang He and Chang Jiang rivers.
China’s first dynasties helped Chinese society develop and made many other achievements.
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3. China’s Physical Geography
Lesson 1
China’s Physical Geography
Main Idea 1
China’s physical geography made farming possible but travel and communication difficult.
Geography played a major role in the development of Chinese civilization.
A Vast and Varied Land
China covers an area of almost 4 million square miles.
The Gobi desert lies in the north.
Low-lying plains in the east make up one of the world’s largest farming areas.
Mountain ranges lie in the west, including the Plateau of Tibet and the Qinling Shandi. There was limited contact between people in the east and west.
continued…
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4. Main Idea 1 Weather and Climate
Lesson 1
Main Idea 1
(continued)
Weather and Climate
The weather and temperature vary from cold and dry to wet and humid, and monsoons can bring up to 250 inches of rain each year.
In ancient times, weather variations were a serious concern.
–1000 BC: Parts of China experienced climate changes that led to droughts as rivers froze and water sources dried up.
continued…
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5. Main Idea 1 The Rivers of China Huang He Chang Jiang
Lesson 1
Main Idea 1
(continued)
The Rivers of China
Huang He
Chang Jiang
Also called the Yellow River
Nearly 3,000 miles long across northern China
Often floods, and has been referred to as “China’s sorrow” because of the destruction
The longest river in Asia; also called the Yangzi River
Flows across central China from Tibet to the Pacific Ocean
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6. Civilization Begins Main Idea 2 The Development of Farming
Lesson 1
Civilization Begins
Main Idea 2
Chinese civilization began in China along the Huang He and Chang Jiang rivers.
Frequent flooding made the land fertile around the Chang Jiang and Huang He rivers.
Along with farming, the Chinese people hunted, fished, and domesticated animals.
The Development of Farming
Early Settlements
Archaeologists have found that early Chinese villages were typically made up of a cluster of buildings surrounded by a deep moat.
Some small villages along the rivers grew into larger cities.
Separate cultures developed in the north and the south. Over time people learned to dig wells and use potter’s wheels.
Findings at burial sites suggest that the ancient Chinese believed in an afterlife and had a complex social order. The wealthy were often buried with items made from jade, a hard gemstone.
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7. China’s First Dynasties
Lesson 1
China’s First Dynasties
Main Idea 3
China’s first dynasties helped Chinese society develop and made many other achievements.
The Xia Dynasty
The Xia dynasty might have been founded around 2200 BC, by Yu the Great.
Tales say that Yu dug channels to drain floodwaters and created the major waterways of North China.
Archaeologists have no firm evidence that tales about the Xia dynasty are true.
continued…
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8. The Shang Dynasty Rules in Northern China
Lesson 1
Main Idea 3
(continued)
The Shang Dynasty Rules in Northern China
Established by 1500 BC, the Shang was the first dynasty that there is clear evidence to support.
They were the strongest in the Huang He Valley.
The king was at the center of Shang political and religious life.
Shang Society
The Shang reorganized the social order in China: the top ranking was the royals, then nobles, warriors, artisans, farmers, and slaves.
Most citizens lived within the city walls. Artisans settled outside the city walls.
Kinship ties were highly important in every level of society.
China’s natural surroundings were an important part of religious beliefs and ceremonies.
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9. Main Idea 3 Shang Advances
Lesson 1
Main Idea 3
(continued)
Shang Advances
Many cultural advances were made, including China’s first writing system, complex tools, metal pots, and ornaments.
The development of writing allowed the Shang to leave a cultural and religious record.
Priests carved questions about the future on bones or shells, which were then heated, causing them to crack.
–priests believed they could “read” the cracks to predict the future on these oracle bones
Economy based on tribute payments—money or goods paid to a ruler
Artisans made bronze containers for cooking and religious ceremonies; axes, knives, and ornaments from jade
Military developed war chariots, powerful bows, and bronze body armor
Astrologers created a calendar system
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10. The Shang Dynasty Falls
Lesson 1
Main Idea 3
(continued)
The Shang Dynasty Falls
Warfare with neighboring territories was common during the Shang era.
The Zhou lived west of Shang territory; occasionally war broke out between the two states.
Zhou rulers eventually defeated the Shang and seized their territory.
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11. The Zhou Dynasty and New Ideas
LESSON 2
The Big Idea
The Zhou dynasty brought political stability and new ways to deal with political and social changes in ancient China.
Main Ideas
The Zhou dynasty expanded China but then declined.
Confucius offered ideas to bring order to Chinese society.
Daoism and Legalism also gained followers.
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12. The Zhou Political System
Lesson 2
The Zhou Dynasty
Main Idea 1
The Zhou dynasty expanded China but then declined.
The Zhou people worked with other tribes to overthrow the Shang dynasty in the 1100s BC.
The Zhou Political System
Zhou leaders believed that their rulers were mandated by heaven, and that heaven would find another leader when necessary.
A new political order was established: the king granted plots of land to people of high rank known as lords, who in turn provided soldiers and paid taxes to the king. Poor farmers, or peasants, were granted land as well, and remained under the rule of the lords.
The Zhou system brought order to China. The lords helped Zhou rulers keep control of the dynasty.
continued…
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13. The Decline of Zhou Power
Lesson 2
Main Idea 1
(continued)
The Decline of Zhou Power
As the lords’ power grew, they became uninterested in serving Zhou rulers. Many refused to fight against Zhou enemies.
In 771 BC, the Zhou suffered a loss to invaders. The dynasty survived, but morale weakened, and the Zhou began to fight among themselves.
The Warring States Period marked power struggles between the ruling-class families.
Internal Problems
Problems within the government paralleled problems within large family systems, which were breaking down. Bonds of loyalty weakened within even small families, and disorder fell upon China.
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14. Confucius and Society Main Idea 2 Moral Values The Analects
Lesson 2
Confucius and Society
Main Idea 2
People adapted to new environments by making clothes and new types of tools.
During the late Zhou period, thinkers came up with ideas about how to restore order to China.
–Confucius became the most influential teacher in Chinese history. The ideas of Confucius are known as Confucianism.
Moral Values
Disgusted with the rude and insensitive nature of the people around him, Confucius pushed for a return to ethics, or moral values.
The Analects
This code of ethics was passed down and written in a book. These stories focused on morality, family, society, and government.
Leading by Example
One of the major ideas Confucius put forth for the success of both family and government was leading by example. Confucius believed that when people behaved well and acted morally, they were carrying out what heaven expected of them.
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15. Daoism and Legalism Main Idea 3
Lesson 2
Daoism and Legalism
Main Idea 3
Daoism and Legalism also gained followers.
Daoism
The name Daoism comes from Dao, meaning “the way.” Daoism stressed living in harmony with the Dao, the guiding force of all reality.
Daoists believed that people should avoid interfering with nature or each other.
The Way and Its Power is a book written by Laozi. It teaches that power and wealth are unnecessary.
continued…
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16. Lesson 2
Main Idea 3
(continued)
Legalism
The belief that people were bad by nature and needed to be controlled is legalism.
It is unconcerned with religion or individual thought, and aim to be prepared always for war.
Legalists put their ideas into practice throughout China.
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17. The Qin Dynasty LESSON 3 The Big Idea Main Ideas
The Qin dynasty unified China with a strong government and a system of standardization.
Main Ideas
The first Qin emperor created a strong but strict government.
A unified China was created through Qin policies and achievements.
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18. The Qin Emperor’s Strong Government
Lesson 3
The Qin Emperor’s Strong Government
Main Idea 1
The first Qin emperor created a strong but strict government.
Shi Huangdi
The Legalist Qin king Yin Zheng took the throne in 221 BC and gave himself the title Shi Huangdi, which means “first emperor.”
He burned all books and writings that dealt with any practice other than Legalism.
He created a strict government with harsh punishments.
He used his armies to expand the empire and ensured that there would be no more revolts in the new territory.
continued…
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19. Main Idea 1 China Under the Qin
Lesson 3
Main Idea 1
(continued)
China Under the Qin
Shi Huangdi claimed all power and took land away from the lords. Commoners were forced to work on government building projects.
China was divided into districts with their own governors.
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20. A Unified China Main Idea 2 Qin Policies
Lesson 3
A Unified China
Main Idea 2
A unified China was created through Qin policies and achievements.
Qin Policies
Shi Huangdi set up a uniform system of law.
Rules and punishment, writing styles, and money were consistent across China.
Gold and copper coins were standardized.
Uniform weights and measures help standardize trade and other legal issues.
continued…
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21. Main Idea 2 Qin Achievements
Lesson 3
Main Idea 2
(continued)
Qin Achievements
New roads were built and maintained to make travel easier for everyone, especially the army.
Canals were built to connect rivers and keep trade fast and efficient.
Irrigation systems that are still in use today watered the fields and made more land good for farming.
The Great Wall was built to protect the country from invasion
The Great Wall linked previously built walls across China’s northern frontier.
The building of the wall required years of labor from hundreds of thousands of laborers.
continued…
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22. Main Idea 2 The Fall of the Qin
Lesson 3
Main Idea 2
(continued)
The Fall of the Qin
Many scholars, peasants, and nobles grew resentful of Shi Huangdi’s harsh policies and complete control.
Upon the death of Shi Huangdi, the country began to unravel.
Rebel groups fought among themselves, and eventually the Qin capital was burned to the ground.
With no authority present, the country fell into civil war.
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23. The Han Dynasty LESSON 4 The Big Idea Main Ideas
The Han dynasty created a new form of government that valued family, art, and learning.
Main Ideas
Han dynasty government was based on the ideas of Confucius.
Family life was supported and strengthened in Han China.
The Han made many achievements in art, literature, and learning.
Buddhism spread to China along the trade routes from other lands.
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24. Han Dynasty Government
Lesson 4
Han Dynasty Government
Main Idea 1
Han dynasty government was based on the ideas of Confucius.
The Rise of a New Dynasty
Liu Bang, a peasant fighting in a rebel army, became emperor due to the Chinese belief in the mandate of heaven.
He was the first emperor of the Han dynasty.
Well liked by both warriors and peasants, Liu Bang released the country from strict Legalistic practices and focused on people’s immediate needs.
Liu Bang lowered taxes, gave large plots of land to supporters, and set up a government that expanded on the ideas of the Qin.
continued…
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25. Wudi Creates a New Government
Lesson 4
Main Idea 1
(continued)
Wudi Creates a New Government
In 140 BC, Emperor Wudi took the throne and shifted the country’s focus back to a strong central government.
Confucianism became the official government philosophy.
Wudi built a university that taught Confucian ideals, and awarded his officials with higher rank if they were familiar with Confucian principles.
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26. Lesson 4
Family Life
Main Idea 2
Family life was supported and strengthened in Han China.
Social Classes
Upper Class: The Emperor, his court, and his scholars
Second Class: The peasants, who made life work on a daily basis
Third Class: The artisans, who produced items for daily life and some luxury goods
Fourth Class: The merchants, who bought and sold what others made
continued…
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27. Main Idea 2 Lives of Rich and Poor
Lesson 4
Main Idea 2
(continued)
Lives of Rich and Poor
Social rank did not reflect prosperity.
Hard work and heavy labor did not reflect prosperity.
People’s lifestyles varied according to wealth.
Wealthy people had large homes and fancy decorations.
Most people were peasants and worked long, tiring days.
They lived simple lives in small houses in small villages.
continued…
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28. The Revival of the Family
Lesson 4
Main Idea 2
(continued)
The Revival of the Family
Confucian teachings about the family were honored.
Children were taught to respect their elders.
Some men gained jobs based on the respect they showed to elders.
Within families, the father had absolute power.
Women were taught to obey their husbands.
Girls were not valued as highly as boys.
Women could influence their sons’ families.
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29. Han Achievements Main Idea 3
Lesson 4
Han Achievements
Main Idea 3
The Han made many achievements in art, literature, and learning.
Art and Literature
The Han created realistic scenes from everyday life, advanced figure painting, and depictions of religious figures and Confucian scholars.
Han China is known for its poetry.
– Fu style: combination of prose and poetry
– Shi style: short lines of verse that could be sung
Han writers also wrote important works of history.
continued…
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30. Inventions and Advances
Lesson 4
Main Idea 3
(continued)
Inventions and Advances
The Han Chinese made paper by grinding plant fibers into a paste and then setting the paste out to dry in sheets. Later they rolled the dried pulp into scrolls.
A device for telling time, the sundial uses the position of the shadows cast by the sun to tell the time of day.
The seismograph is a device that device measures the strength of an earthquake. Chinese scientists believed that the movement of the earth was a sign of evil times.
Another Han invention, acupuncture, is the practice of inserting needles into the skin to cure disease or relieve pain. This practice is still widely used today.
continued…
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31. Farming and Manufacturing
Lesson 4
Main Idea 3
(continued)
Farming and Manufacturing
Advances in manufacturing increased productivity.
Ironwork helped the army and farmers.
– Swords, armor
– Plows, wheelbarrows
The production of silk increased.
Revealing the secrets of silk production was punishable by death.
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32. Buddhism Comes to China
Lesson 4
Buddhism Comes to China
Main Idea 4
Buddhism spread to China along the trade routes from other lands.
Arrival of a New Religion
When the Han dynasty began to fail, people looked to old religions to find answers, but were disappointed.
Buddhism, spread from India to China by trade routes seemed to provide more hope.
Impact on China
At first Indian Buddhists had trouble explaining their beliefs. Once they used ideas from Daoism, Buddhism spread and became popular among the rich and poor.
The popularity of Buddhism in China is an example of diffusion: the spread of ideas from one culture to another.
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33. The Silk Road LESSON 5 The Big Idea Main Ideas
Trade routes led to the exchange of new products and ideas among China, Rome, and other lands.
Main Ideas
Trade routes linked China with the Middle East and Rome.
The most famous trade route was known as the Silk Road.
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34. Expansion of Trade Main Idea 1
Lesson 5
Expansion of Trade
Main Idea 1
Trade routes linked China with the Middle East and Rome.
Silk Increases Trade
As the Han army pushed into new territory, the region stabilized and made trade safer.
Trading Chinese silk for strong Central Asian horses became a primary goal under the rule of Emperor Wudi.
Central Asians could then take the silk and trade it for products in other lands.
continued…
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35. Cities Develop in Western China
Lesson 5
Main Idea 1
(continued)
Cities Develop in Western China
Emperor Wudi sent a general west to establish alliances.
After reports of great wealth, the emperor decided to conquer new lands.
As the empire grew, trade routes developed.
Trade routes led to more settlements and cities developed in western China.
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36. Trade Along the Silk Road
Lesson 5
Trade Along the Silk Road
Main Idea 2
The most famous trade route was known as the Silk Road.
The Silk Road is a 4,000 mile long network of routes from China to the Mediterranean Sea.
Goods Traded
Chinese traders only used the road until they reached Central Asia, and then gave their goods to local traders.
Travelers banded together for protection along the many miles of difficult terrain.
Along with silk, spices, tools, artwork, produce, gems, precious metals, horses, and animal hides were exchanged by traders.
continued…
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37. Exchange of Knowledge and Technology
Lesson 5
Main Idea 2
(continued)
Exchange of Knowledge and Technology
The exchange of goods long the Silk Road led to the exchange of ideas and technology.
Papermaking and irrigation techniques spread.
Buddhism spread.
During the Han period, few foreigners ventured into China, but ideas and technology did.
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